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Although equal in beauty to neighboring Mediterranean mainstays like Majorca and St.-Tropez,
the Algarve is still enjoying relative obscurity—but with glittering
new resorts popping up along the coastline, a handful of
Michelin-starred restaurants, and a delicious type of wine you won’t
find anywhere else, it’s only a matter of time before that’s no longer
the case.
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What to Do
Beaches are the biggest draw, with more than 150 rolling out their wide, golden shores like welcome mats. Many are bordered by craggy rock cliffs and caves for an extra photogenic effect. Falesia and São Rafael beaches, both in Albufeira, see their fair share of sunbathers, and Praia da Amoreira, in Aljezur, is a sweet spot for surfers, thanks to its abundant waves. If you’re searching for that quintessential crescent of Algarvian sand, make your way to Praia da Marinha in Lagoa, one of the Algarve’s most celebrated beaches. But rather than drive right up, arrive via the cliff top walk that starts at Praia do Vale de Centeanes in Carvoeiro, some three-and-a-half miles away. Carvoeiro makes an excellent base for a day of beach hopping: The new oceanfront Tivoli Carvoeiro Algarve Resort opened in April after a major five-star renovation, and its chic spa debuted in June. Head to the resort’s new Skybar to drink in the view as the sun sets over the Atlantic, but not before enjoying Vale de Covo Beach, an otherworldly sight with crystal-clear water, rock cliffs, and an iconic cave.
Beaches are the biggest draw, with more than 150 rolling out their wide, golden shores like welcome mats. Many are bordered by craggy rock cliffs and caves for an extra photogenic effect. Falesia and São Rafael beaches, both in Albufeira, see their fair share of sunbathers, and Praia da Amoreira, in Aljezur, is a sweet spot for surfers, thanks to its abundant waves. If you’re searching for that quintessential crescent of Algarvian sand, make your way to Praia da Marinha in Lagoa, one of the Algarve’s most celebrated beaches. But rather than drive right up, arrive via the cliff top walk that starts at Praia do Vale de Centeanes in Carvoeiro, some three-and-a-half miles away. Carvoeiro makes an excellent base for a day of beach hopping: The new oceanfront Tivoli Carvoeiro Algarve Resort opened in April after a major five-star renovation, and its chic spa debuted in June. Head to the resort’s new Skybar to drink in the view as the sun sets over the Atlantic, but not before enjoying Vale de Covo Beach, an otherworldly sight with crystal-clear water, rock cliffs, and an iconic cave.
The Atlantic coast isn't the only place to enjoy the water in the Algarve. Ria Formosa nature park, with its lagoons, sand dunes, islands, marshes, and mudflats, makes for exceptional hiking and spotting wildlife.
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What to Eat and Drink
The Algarve is awash in sunshine for nearly 3,000 hours each year. And with cool Atlantic waters lapping at the region’s shores and an eastern mountain border blocking out hot, dry winds from the north, growing conditions for fresh, flavorful fruits, vegetables, and herbs are excellent. The new Anantara Vilamoura resort serves plenty of Algarvian-grown goodness: Guests checking in are welcomed with glasses of sweet carob and shockingly bright orange juice, as well as almonds and figs grown on site. Lunches at the resort’s poolside restaurant Ria begin with plump local olives and tender, herb-marinated carrots, plus bowlfuls of fragrant olive oil and tangy, spiced tomato spread waiting to be mopped up with pillowy homemade bread. And that’s all before the menus arrive. Softball-size oranges are so abundant on the property that attendants at the adults-only pool flit from one lounge chair to the next proffering whole fruits—peeled, if you prefer—to enjoy while soaking up the sun.
The Algarve is awash in sunshine for nearly 3,000 hours each year. And with cool Atlantic waters lapping at the region’s shores and an eastern mountain border blocking out hot, dry winds from the north, growing conditions for fresh, flavorful fruits, vegetables, and herbs are excellent. The new Anantara Vilamoura resort serves plenty of Algarvian-grown goodness: Guests checking in are welcomed with glasses of sweet carob and shockingly bright orange juice, as well as almonds and figs grown on site. Lunches at the resort’s poolside restaurant Ria begin with plump local olives and tender, herb-marinated carrots, plus bowlfuls of fragrant olive oil and tangy, spiced tomato spread waiting to be mopped up with pillowy homemade bread. And that’s all before the menus arrive. Softball-size oranges are so abundant on the property that attendants at the adults-only pool flit from one lounge chair to the next proffering whole fruits—peeled, if you prefer—to enjoy while soaking up the sun.
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Seafood
is another of the Algarve’s culinary stars—from clams bathed in oil and
garlic to grilled whole line-caught fish to fillets of crisp-skinned
sea bass. For that most sought-after of Algarvian treats, octopus,
everyone seems to agree that there are only two places to go—Casa do Polvo Tasquinha and Polvo & Companhia,
both of which are located in the “octopus capital of the world,” Santa
Luzia, roughly 36 miles to the east. To earn bragging rights and to
impress even your most intrepid foodie friends, make your way west to Café Correia
in Vila do Bispo. There, order up a cold Portuguese Super Bock beer or a
glass of vinho verde and a plate of goose barnacles, the area’s prized
local delicacy. Called “percebes” by locals, the crustaceans grow on
slippery, wave-battered boulders in the ocean, which means they can’t be
farmed. Instead, they’re hand-harvested by local fishermen in a
dangerous, by-permit-only process. Translation: They’re pricey—but it
will be Euros well-spent.
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It’s
not hard to imagine that the Algarve’s bountiful supply of earthly and
aquatic ingredients might have something to do with the fact that there
are six Michelin-starred restaurants in the region. In quaint Carvoeiro,
chef Rui Silvestre’s Bon Bon
is a perfect example. Silvestre’s Atlantic lobster (served with organic
egg yolk and imperial caviar) is so fresh, it still tastes like the
sea, and his elegant white asparagus—paired with cumin and a São Jorge
cheese aged for 24 months—might just make you well up. Although a
Michelin-starred restaurant might not be the best place to break out
your iPhone, we admit that Bon Bon’s tasting menu (four or six courses,
with or without wine pairings) will give you plenty of material to make
your friends back home jealous. Starting in September, if you fly TAP
to Portugal, your Michelin-starred experience can begin before you even
touch down: The airline will serve dishes from five Portuguese
Michelin-starred chefs—Silvestre, Henrique Sá Pessoa, José Avillez,
Miguel Laffan, and Rui Paula—to give passengers a preview of Portugal’s
haute cuisine.
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Some
300 to 350 indigenous varieties of grapes grow in Portugal, and as a
result, you can toss a cork in any direction and hit a bottle of
delicious, locally produced wine. Negra Mole grapes, however, grow
exclusively in the Algarve, and they’re used to produce a gentle,
drinkable red that hits the palate like a Pinot Noir. For a taste, head
to Cabrita Wines
in sleepy Silves. The winery, which was founded in 2007 and produces
whites, reds, and rosés, offers tastings in a second-floor space that’s
replete with polished wood and beautiful vineyard views. Also in your
tasting lineup: Moscatel and Arinto—two more wines made from native
grapes. Save room in your suitcase, because you’ll want to bring back a
bottle or two.
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