If you have ever wanted to visit Portugal and haven’t decided what to do yet then you are in the right place! This list of 7 things to do in Algarve, Portugal will help you find out.
Roam around Mars
The Barranco das Belharucas Beach will take you to Mars once you see its red sand cliffs. Traveling there will take less than a 15 min walk from the 3HB Guarana hotel where we stayed via the direct entranceway for guests at the Pine Cliffs Hotel. Praia do Barranco das Belharucas got its long name because of the bird species “abelharucas” (or bee-eaters) that come to nest at the cliffs known locally as the “Barranco”. This beach is located towards the west end of Falésia Beach which is more than 6 kilometers long.
Visit Olhos de Água Beach
One of the nearest beaches to the 3HB hotel Guarana is Praia dos Olhos de Água which literally means “eyes of water”. It is a smaller beach than Falésia but worth visiting! Especially since it is only 5 min walk through the souvenir shops and local restaurants. The rocks in the ocean are made for perfect pictures!
Go shopping
There are tons of shops in Albufeira, and you’ll probably need to spare a few hours to visit them. I bought a few souvenirs with real sand which were handmade and 100% natural.
For more high-end shopping, visit Designer outlet Algarve which has more than 50 fashion and lifestyle brands at a discounted price!
Take a sightseeing bus
Red Sightseeing Hop-on Hop-off buses will take you on a tour of Albufeira, Olhos de Agua, and Vilamoura. The circuit has two lines: red and blue. If you take a red line, make sure to stop at Santa Eulalia, Praia de Olhos de Água, Pau de Bandeira, Praia dos Salgados – Lagoa, Marina de Albufeira and Rua 1 de Dezembo. The highlights of a Blue line are: Santa Eulalia, Praia de Olhos de Água, Marina de Vilamoura and Pau de Bandeira. One ticket is valid for both lines, so you might as well enjoy both!
Visit the Old Town
You’ll probably want to take a trip into Albufeira, specifically for the Old Town. Check out “10 most significant historic sights of Albufeira, Portugal” before you go! And don’t forget to stop for lunch and try Algarve’s beloved staple food – cataplana! Go through my earlier posts “8 must-try dishes when in Portugal ” and “Portuguese romance with cod” to know other famous dishes to try when in Portugal.
Go on a dolphin search
Enjoy the beautiful Algarve coastline and its beautiful caves from the water! The dolphin watch is accompanied by a biologist who is ready to answer any of your questions about these wonderful species. Dream Wave Algarve cruise takes 2,5 hours which includes 2 hours searching for dolphins (they are wild animals so there is no guarantee they can be observed), a stop for a swim (if the weather permits), and a visit to the Bengali Caves. Reservations are available at the hotel reception.
Explore Bengali Caves
Locals do not recommend swimming in the caves as the currents in the area can be very strong and tides change quickly. The safest way to get there is by boat. However, if you like the adventure, you should look into taking a kayak or SUP tour with a local guide. I found this unique experience offered by Benagil Kayaks.
P.S. I’m linking up the outfits I wore on this trip:
Let me know if you have any questions about Albufeira or 3HB Guarana specifically, and I’ll be happy to answer them!
