The best things to do in the Algarve in 2025

Well, you’re in the Algarve, aren’t you? You’re at least partially here to swim, sunbathe and swim some more. There are plenty of beaches, many of which get very crowded in the busy months. But we do have some more low-key favourites, which might just mean you get a whole second of sand to yourself: check out Cacela Velha, Coelha, Homem Nu (which translates to ‘Naked Man,’ Boca do Rio and Marinha – you might never want to leave. 

Who would have thought that beyond the hustle and bustle of Vilamoura, past the golf courses, you’d find one of the best spots in the Algarve for birdwatching? Purple heron, little bittern, purple gallinule, marsh harrier, kingfisher… At the Vilamoura Environmental Park, which features a trail of around five kilometres, the wildlife is wonderfully diverse. Experts say the best times to spot various species are early in the morning and late in the day. And we say that the tranquillity found at the observation points is a treat at any hour.

Sérgio Cupertino’s rides focus on calm, connection, and animal wellbeing. In high season, when riding along the sand and into the sea isn’t allowed, there’s an alternative route near the Ria Formosa Natural Park. Everyone will be made to feel comfortable in the saddle, even when the paths narrow or throw up the odd surprise, and as the day draws to a close, the rides take a strategic stop at Casa da Igreja for oysters and a couple of glasses of wine (just a few, so no one loses their way on the ride back). Sérgio already works with a few small hotels in the area, but these two-and-a-half-hour rides can also be booked directly with him.

This archaeological site is probably the most unexpected spot in Vilamoura, but still a charming one – perfect for a break between dips in the sea. At the Cerro da Vila Museum and Archaeological Site, you’ll find Roman ruins and remnants that suggest Vilamoura was already a sun-seeker’s destination five thousand years ago. Or at least, that’s what can be deduced from the remains of what appear to have been public baths – complete with a pool. Inside the museum, the story is told through objects collected and restored from the area, offering a fascinating glimpse into the long history beneath Vilamoura’s modern surface.

Jump on a boat trip from Albufeira marina to see these stunning sea caves. They are just a couple of hours along the Algarve coast. Towering over a secluded beach, they can only be reached by sea. From inside the caves, you can see the deep blue sky through an opening in the roof. Magic. If you feel adventurous, you can kayak or stand-up paddleboard around them. Be careful if you decide to swim, the tide can change quite quickly, and the water is fairly deep.

The only people who don’t find it fun to swing a club or ride around in a buggy are those who’ve never tried it – or at least, that’s the conclusion we came to while playing the Dom Pedro Pinhal course. Forget the preconceptions and dive into a lesson or two at the Dom Pedro Golf Academy Vilamoura. You can even do it as a family (€34 per person, for groups of 3 to 6). Given the droughts in the region, efforts have been made to reduce water consumption at these courses – last year, the government announced plans for all Algarve golf courses to be irrigated with recycled water by 2026.

There’s a number of experiences on offer along the Ria Formosa, from Olhão to Cabanas, including dolphin watching (€35 per person), seahourse watching, and houseboats you can spend the night on. There are four of them (from €125 per night), anchored near Barra Velha beach in Fuseta. There’s also a sailing catamaran (from €350 per night), aimed at visitors looking for a more luxurious experience. Tailor-made trips are also available, with the option to dive into the open sea – a pretty special thing out here. 

From the street, Kubidoce might look like just another neighbourhood pastry shop – but what happens behind the counter is anything but ordinary. Every city should be lucky enough to have a bakery like this, or a pastry chef like Filipe Martins: always ready to dive into a new recipe and create something fresh, which he refuses to release until it’s absolutely perfected. Sample pastéis de nata, panettone and French pastries, but don’t leave without trying the folar de Olhão, a modern take on the traditional Easter sweet bread made with butter, brown sugar and cinnamon.

For stunning waterfalls, drive to Queda do Vigário (N124 11X, Alte), the final drop in a series of waterfalls formed by limestone tufas along the Alte stream. As clear as it is cold, the water begins its journey at Quinta do Freixo and joins the Algibre stream near Paderne, forming the Quarteira stream. It plunges dramatically from a height of 24 metres into a pool that looks like a giant basin, in a spot of striking natural beauty. The car park is around 200 metres from the waterfall, and the path down to the water is steep and somewhat worn, with no bar or support facilities – but the visit is more than worth it.

Still somewhat overlooked in national wine circles, Algarvian wine is beginning to come into its own – gaining both ground and terroir on wine lists and in cellars across the country. The region’s proximity to the sea and sandy soils give the wines a lighter body, with fresh, saline aromas. Some winemakers are even bringing new life to Negra Mole, a grape variety typical of the Algarve, with promising results. Estates like Cabrita (Silves), João Clara (Alcantarilha), Quinta dos Vales (Estômbar) and Quinta do Francês (Silves) are among those offering tours and tastings – the perfect way to spend a warm afternoon in August or September.