Explore the Algarve’s hidden gems!
- Praia da Carreagem – Wild Solitude on the West Coast
Praia do Carreagem, located on the windswept edge of the Vicentine Coast Natural Park, is a beach that appears to have stood the test of time. To get there, take a short walk over a wooden boardwalk lined by natural bushes and the salty aroma of the Atlantic. The view then opens up to a raw, untamed coastline with honey-colored cliffs meeting black volcanic rock formations and exquisite patterns carved onto the shore by the waves. At low tide, natural rock pools develop, rich with microscopic marine life and the rhythmic crash of waves serves as a soundtrack for calm introspection. This is not a beach for crowds or sunbeds; it is a place for seclusion, unhurried walks and the thrill of discovering a hidden gem of the Algarve that most visitors never see. - Arrifana and the Ribat – Where Surf Meets History
Arrifana, a little fishing community on Portugal’s west coast, clings to the cliffs and overlooks a crescent-shaped beach that has long been popular with surfers. The waves from the Atlantic come in steadily and the silhouette of a towering sea stack rises from the water, giving the beach a sense of grandeur. However, Arrifana’s magic extends beyond the surf. A short trek up the cliffs leads to the Ribat of Arrifana, the evocative ruins of a 12th-century Moorish monastery and stronghold. Standing here, with the wind whipping off the ocean and the enormous horizon stretching indefinitely, it’s easy to imagine the Sufi warrior-monks who once guarded this isolated corner of the Islamic world. As the sun sets, the cliffs take on a golden light, the sea turns silver and Arrifana feels like a place caught between present and history. - Alte Village – Springs, Stone Lanes and Rural Charm
Alte, located away from the bustling resorts along the coast, provides a glimpse into a tranquil Algarve. The community, located in the Serra do Caldeirão highlands, features whitewashed buildings, terracotta roofs and cobblestone lanes with blossoming bougainvilleas. Life here moves slowly: church bells ring across the valley and elderly men meet under fig trees to discuss the weather and harvest. Fonte Grande, a natural spring surrounded by greenery, is just beyond the settlement and inhabitants come to cool off in the crystal-clear waters. It’s the ideal place to sit on a stone wall, feet in the water, listening to the chirping of cicadas and the faint splash of youngsters playing. Alte is a welcome respite from the fast-paced contemporary world for guests looking for a taste of the Algarve’s real, rural heart—complete with handcrafted honey cakes and the fiery medronho brandy brewed in the hills. - Ilha da Armona – A Whispering Island of Sand and Sea
Ilha da Armona, a sandy island off the coast of Olhão, offers a peaceful escape from the mainland. The adventure begins with a fifteen-minute ferry voyage across the sparkling waters of the Ria Formosa, where fishing boats glide and flamingos wade in the shallows. When you arrive on the island, the pace of life immediately changes. There are no cars, just sandy walkways, seashell-strewn dunes and clusters of fishermen’s houses with bright shutters. Following the paths through wildflowers and salt-scented winds will lead you to an unending stretch of beach where you can walk for miles with only the sound of waves and seagulls for company. Swim in the pristine shallows, take a sleep in the sun and watch the sky turn pink and orange as the ferry takes you back to the mainland around sunset. Armona is a destination for vacationers seeking simplicity, serenity and the languid pace of island life. - Salema and Monte Clérigo – Timeless Villages by the Atlantic
Salema, a small fishing village on the quieter southwestern coast, appears to have escaped the Algarve’s tourism boom. Colorful boats sit on the sand, fisherman fix their nets in the early morning light and the moderate waves make the beach ideal for a relaxing dip. Look closely at the surrounding cliffs and you might notice dinosaur footprints petrified in the stone—a reminder that this coast has been sculpted over millions of years. A short drive away is Monte Clérigo, a town built on steep cliffs overlooking a wild stretch of Atlantic surf. The daily routine here is simple: watch surfers ride the flowing waves, wander along stunning cliff trails, and eat freshly cooked seafood as the sun sets. Salema and Monte Clérigo encapsulate the essence of the old Algarve: modest, picturesque and inextricably linked to the sea.
Exploring the Algarve’s hidden gems is a journey of discovery, from the wild cliffs of Carreagem to the tranquil springs of Alte and the whispering dunes of Armona. To get the most of your vacation, you’ll need reliable and flexible transportation.
Low Cost Transfers provides a stress-free airport transfer and cab service that is both convenient and inexpensive.
And, to properly see the Algarve at your own pace, hiring a car is the ideal option. Lagos Car Hire allows you to freely explore distant beaches, quaint villages and every secret part of the coast.
With the appropriate wheels and the right roads, the Algarve unfolds in all of its peaceful, breathtaking splendor, ready for you to discover one hidden gem at a time.
