Let’s continue with the next 10 things which you can do at the Algarve:

11. Kayaking

    

    Another way to explore the beautiful coast of the Algarve is kayaking! We started with Kayak Adventures Lagos – as the name implies – from Lagos, more precisely from the beach Praia do Cais da Solária. From there we paddled south, past beaches such as Praia do Pinhão, Praia Dona Ana and Praia dos Pinheiros, past the Ponta da Piedade to the Praia do Barranco do Martinho, where we could snorkel and/or relax in the sun.

    On the way, our guide told us something to almost every beach and every cave. Moreover, we could even make some kind of “rafting” through some rock formations, which was a lot of fun. The tour was quite long and with enough scheduled time, so we could get to know much of the coast. By the way: Each kayak has a so-called ‘wetbag’ (~ 20 liters volume) ready to keep your (valuable) things dry. Even a bottle of water can be taken in the kayak.

    

12. Kitesurfing

    As already mentioned in the first point, Surflife Atlantic Riders in Aljezur offers classic surfing as well as kitesurfing lessons. Alternatively, you can get them in the lagoon of the nature reserve Parque Natural da Ria Formosa near Faro from the kite school Waterland Adventures founded in 2005. However, for us personally, the preparation and follow-up work for kitesurfing is simply too time-consuming. 😀

13. Explore the Coast during a Boat or Jeep Tour

    

    A relaxed boat tour through the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa and the marina of Faro is rather something for us. These are also operated by the one-man company Waterland Adventures, as well as jeep tours or, in the future, a combination of both. Here, the focus is on small groups of families or friends, people who already know each other. This allows each tour to be customized. You can also get picked up from any location in and around Faro.

    

14. Stay Cheap & Cook for Yourself

    Of course, this is not really an activity. Nevertheless, we just wanted to point out that there are some very cheap hostels in the Algarve with a large and well equipped communal kitchen. In addtion, a self-prepared meal can save a few extra dollars. We never paid more than 15€ per person per night. Particularly positive were the following accommodations:

    • Hostel 1850 in Almancil

      

    • Hostel Amoreira in Alvor

      

    • 9ninelives in Lagos

      

    Here you can book the hostels with 10% discount.

15. Play Tennis & Hang Out by the Pool

    

    Yap, also this point is related to accommodations. Namely, at the Hostel Amoreira in Alvor not only a pool is available, but also a free private tennis court including tennis rackets and balls – and that for only 10€ per night! Also, the hostel is within walking distance of Praia dos Três Irmãos, one of our favorite beaches in the Algarve. So what we really want to tell you in this point: Get to know and love the benefits of your accommodation!

    

16. Watch Dolphins

    

    Seeing animals in their natural habitat provokes a certain fascination in us, as probably in most people. Of course, this is not that easy with wild animals, and these include dolphins. Nevertheless, that’s possible in the Algarve, for example with AlgarExperience (start and end point: Albufeira). They offer dolphin watching tours, optionally followed by a Beach BBQ (vegan possible on request). On the trip, which even goes as far as to the Benagil Cave, you will learn interesting facts about the coastline from the entertainer. Afterwards, you have the opportunity to buy a compilation of drone videos of your own tour for 20€.

    Important note: Please visit dolphins only in the wild and never in shows, Sea World or similar! Also, swimming with dolphins usually requires a captivity, which means horror for the wild animals that swim up to 150 kilometers a day and dive up to 300 meters deep, and therefore must be rejected in principle. Thank you! 🙂

17. Have a Vegan Beach BBQ

    

    As already mentioned, you can book a vegan Beach BBQ from AlgarExperience. Although we were the only vegan guests, everything you see in the picture above was bought and prepared just for us. So you can expect a colorful mix of vegetable skewers, veggie sausages and burger patties, which were delicious! Of course, you can also organize your own vegan Beach BBQ.

18. Eat Out

    Well, about that one we have already reported enough in detail. Didn’t read it yet? Alright, look here.

19. Visit the Sand City

    

    A completely different attraction is the Sandy City  in Pêra. In the open air you can admire sculptures made of solidified sand. Among them are many well-known personalities from the music business, but also other influential people, such as Gandhi, pictured in front of the Taj Mahal in India. In a workshop, you can learn a lot about forming sand sculptures and also try it yourself. By the way: In 2017, the Sand City has already celebrated its 15th anniversary.

    

20. The Highlight of the Algarve: the Benagil Cave

    

    Let’s come to our last point and the real highlight of the Algarve: the Grutas de Benagil. That’s a rock washed out by the sea, which has formed into a huge cave with a large hole in the ceiling and two “entrances” to the sea. Therefore, the cavity is also known as the ‘cathedral’. During the day, a sun cone glitters beautifully through the breakthrough in the ceiling on the beach within the cave which is visible at low tide. As a result, the cave has become a real tourist magnet and the Algarve postcard motif par excellence.

    

    The cavity can be explored in different ways. The best, in our opinion, is swimming. To do this, you start directly from the beach Praia de Benagil. From there, you can swim easily the almost 200 meters along the steep coast to the left of the two cave entrances and end up at the beach within the cave. Important: Always keep left towards the cliff, because from the right come partly very large boats, which want to give their tourists a glimpse into the attraction. Tip: If you get a waterproof case for your smartphone, you’ll get nice shots from inside the cave as well.

    If you don’t enjoy swimming, there are three options: With a kayak, a stand up paddle board or – as already mentioned – a boat tour, you’ll get also into the rock grotto. A fourth chance to see the highlight of the Algarve is on the way from the free car park (we recommend you the first one from northeast somewhere here) to the beach: You can also look into the Benagil Cave from above through the hole in the ceiling, namely right here.

    

    So that’s already it: 20 things you can do at the Algarve. We hope you like them! 🙂