The Algarve in Portugal is best known for its golden beaches, dramatic cliffs, and (approx 300 days!) year-round sunshine. This southern coastal region boasts a stunning blend of history, culture, and natural beauty, making it a hotspot for sun worshippers, nature enthusiasts, and adventure seekers alike. I had the opportunity to spend three days in the Algarve courtesy of Jet2holidays and VisitAlgarve. It was an absolutely incredible trip! Here are my top 10 reasons to visit and favourite spots in the Algarve, making it an exceptional coastal holiday destination.

Wander through the old town in Faro

Faro's charming Old Town is combined of cobblestone streets and quaint squares enclosed by a medieval wall. The Old Town is accessed through three gateways, the prominent one being the iconic Arco da Vila—a neoclassical arch constructed in the aftermath of the 1755 earthquake. The Old Town itself is quite small, but there is plenty to see including Faro Cathedral, quaint cobbled streets lined with coffee shops and restaurants, and historic landmarks.

The music scene - Introducing W algarve and Aura Festival

Albufeira might be the largest, most exciting town in southern Portugal, with an array of buzzing bars and restaurants, but I’m here to talk about W Algarve and Aura by Air.

W Algarve opened in 2022 and is the first of its kind in Portugal. Perched by the ocean, mere moments from the stunning Evaristo Beach, W Algarve beautifully embodies the essence of the W brand, highlighting its core passions: fashion, design, music, and entertainment.

Now we all know I love a boujie hotel, and W Algarve most definitely fits the bill. We savoured cocktails in their E-Wow Suite, with the talented resident DJ (@pippaofcourse on Instagram) setting the perfect vibe as the sun gracefully set - an epitome of the W brand's signature style. Aura by Air is their music programme which runs through June and July and promises some of the most up-and-coming and loved DJs on the scene (open for day and hotel guests.)

Later in the evening, we took a trip to Papermoon, W Algarve’s authentic Italian restaurant. We enjoyed a selection of their trademark dishes (including pappardelle and burrata) which were all delicious. Without a doubt, this meal stood out as my favourite during the trip.

Enjoy a boat trip to Ria Formosa Natural Park with Isea yachting

In 1755, a tsunami hit Portugal, resulting in the creation of Ria Formosa. The surging waters submerged extensive areas, forming numerous channels and eventually resulting in the formation of six islands. We spent half of the day exploring the stunning Ria Formosa by catamaran with iSea Yachting. For me, this was a real highlight of the trip - the service was brilliant and I loved learning about the national park and the wildlife that lives in and above its waters. We enjoyed a beautiful spread of fruit and cheese (with champagne of course!), and then soaked in the sun rays whilst we explored the Formosa. iSea Yachting offers a range of charter options for different lengths of time and even provides boat rentals for those with a valid boat license.

Wine and food experience at MORGADO DO QUINTÃO vineyard

Nestled within the lush, idyllic landscape of Algarve's Barrocal region, Morgado do Quintão was established during the early 1800s by the Count of Silves. It remains under the ownership of the same dedicated family, whose enduring passion for the land, gastronomy, adventure, and hospitality harmoniously blend with a deep appreciation for local heritage, natural beauty, and conservation efforts.

We indulged in a wine-tasting paired with a three-course lunch under a 2000-year-old olive tree, framed by mountains in the background. Our lunch included cod, vegetables, olives and a selection of breads, followed by the most stunning tuna and orange pie for dessert.

Our lovely hosts explained about the house’s history and also gave us a tour of the vineyard. I felt like I was living my Conde Nast Travellers dream.

Beautiful coastal hotels- featuring pine cliffs hotel

We stayed at Pine Cliffs Resort with Jet2holidays during our trip to the Algarve. Perched high on the cliffs, this beautiful 5-star resort provides an awe-inspiring view of Portugal's famous Praia da Falésia beach and the expansive Atlantic Ocean. The hotel interior is an allure of Moorish-inspired decor - think vibrant colours, tile-work and abstract geometry.

Pine Cliffs Hotel is famed for its wide array of restaurants, catering to diverse tastes. The hotel offers five room categories with a total of 217 expansive rooms and suites. There are even six swimming pools to choose from! Click here to check out further luxury holidays with Jet2Holidays.

locally sourced seafood & meat

We also enjoyed a lovely sunset dinner at Restaurant Atlantico in Grande Real Santa Eulalia Hotel. The Algarve is renowned for its exceptional local seafood, prompting me to choose the traditional seafood pasta stew, which was absolutely delicious.

Another restaurant that I would recommend is Restaurant Figueiral, which specialises in meat and seafood. Their Brazilian Picanha is undoubtedly the star of the show, being served on a hot iron so you can cook it to your taste.

Explore the Algarve Coastline by Boat (with Algar Experience)

Stretching across an impressive 200 kilometres, the Algarve coastline is home to some of the most captivating caves and beautiful beaches in the world. During our short 3-day Algarve trip, Algar Experience offered a 6.30-minute boat journey along the remarkable coastline—an excellent way to explore a vast stretch in a short time frame. As a Cornish girl, I thoroughly enjoyed exploring the Algarve coast, pausing at various caves and rock formations, and then swimming from the boat to the beach for a beautifully prepared BBQ. Notably, this particular excursion offers an open bar, allowing you to either partake in the festivities or observe from the sidelines (we obviously joined in on the fun!)

Convenient flights to faro from the uk (with Jet2)

For those based in and around London seeking a direct path to this Atlantic paradise, Jet2Holidays offers convenient flights from London Stansted Airport to Faro. We flew from Stansted and stayed in the Raddison Blue Hotel, so we were fully prepared for our early morning flight. Jet 2 also offers flights from Bristol, and many airports in the North such as Birmingham and Leeds. One of the main reasons I love flying with Jet 2 is the free 22kg luggage allowance!

300 Days of Sunshine

Yep, you read correctly! Portugal is ALMOST an all-year round sun destination with 300 days of sunshine on average per year. Even in late September, we had full blue skies and 28 degrees heat.

An adventurer’s paradise (including water sports, hiking and boat trips)

The Algarve is celebrated as a haven for adventure seekers - personally, I can see many similarities to Cornwall! Incredible hiking trails, exhilarating water sports, and various boat trips are at the forefront of this region. In my opinion, the Algarve stands as an excellent choice for those in search of an adventurous holiday, and I will definitely be back in the years to come!

Incredible Sunrises and Sunsets

The Algarve has many incredible spots to watch a sunrise or sunset. On the first morning of our trip, we decided to wake up early and watch the sunrise from Praia da Falésia, which is just a five-minute walk from Pine Cliffs Resort grounds. In my opinion, few things compare to the tranquil sight of waves rolling in as the world gradually awakens.

*AD/Please note that this blog post is in collaboration with Visit Algarve and Jet 2 Holidays, but all opinions are my own - i honestly had an incredible trip to the Algarve and already look forward to going back in the future!

10 Reasons to Visit the Algarve in Portugal (in collaboration with Jet2Holidays and Visit Algarve)