Algarve Holidays

Seeing dolphins in their natural environment is always a thrill and something you have a good chance of experiencing in the Western Algarve thanks to its underwater topography. Just offshore, there are several deep canyons cut into the seabed which help to produce nutrient-rich currents that lure in all sorts of marine life. On this 90-minute adventure, you’ll head out on a 12-passenger vessel from Portimão, home to one of these rift valleys, to go in search of some of the area’s most frequently sighted cetaceans: common, bottlenose and Risso’s dolphins, harbour porpoises and even minke whales. Dolphins, in particular, are known for their inquisitiveness, and if you do spot any there’s a good chance that they will come in for a closer look and to surf the boat’s wake - so get ready to film that perfect souvenir video clip.

• Duration: 1½ hours
• Time: 11am to 12.30pm (November to March); 9am to 10.30am and 11.30am to 1pm (April to October)
• Departures on Monday to Friday (November-March) and daily (April-October)
• Operates year round
• Group experience

Good to know
Transfers are not included. Please arrive at Portimão pier at least 30 minutes before departure.

See a slice of Algarve life away from the coast on a tour through unspoiled rural landscapes dotted with traditional villages. You’ll start by soaking up the cool clean air and stunning views in one of the highest parts of the Serra do Caldeirão mountains, before making for various villages known for their handicrafts. You’ll visit Querença, set on a hilltop that marks the transition between the inland barrocal zone and the mountains. It’s a picturesque spot, with steep cobbled streets lined by small whitewashed houses known for their blue-trimmed doors and windows and ornate chimneys. Your next stop is Salir, the site of a late Islamic castle that’s now a romantic ruin in a dramatic setting. The last port of call is Alte, a typical Algarve village tucked away in a valley in the Serra do Caldeirão, where you can admire quaint cottages with lattice chimneys, check out the blue-and-white-tiled church and dip your toes into spring-fed pools.

• Duration: full day
• Time 7.15am
• Departures on Wednesday from Algarve resorts except Sagres & Quinta do Lago
• Operates year round
• Group experience

Good to know
Entrance fees and meals are not included.

Spend a day immersed in the history and culture of the Algarve. Start by exploring the many highlights of Silves, a charming small city that was the capital during the period of Moorish rule. You’ll have time to visit the imposing red-brick castle, from whose towers there are spectacular views of the town itself and the surrounding rural landscapes, and the splendid gothic cathedral, built on the site of a vast mosque. You’ll continue to Caldas de Monchique, a charming spa town in the mountains that’s been famous for its healing water since Roman times, and was once a favourite retreat of the Portuguese royal family. From here, you’ll up through the Serra de Monchique to Fóia, whose summit is the highest point in the Algarve. Providing breathtaking views of sky, sea and mountain scenery, it’s a memorable setting for a wine tasting to round off the adventure in style.

• Duration: full day
• Start time: 7.15am
• Departures on Monday and Thursday from Algarve resorts except Sagres & Quinta do Lago
• Operates year round
• Group experience

Good to know
Entrance fees are not included.

Get off the beaten track on an adventure that features a jeep safari to the interior, a river cruise and a stop at one of the Algarve’s golden beaches. You’ll begin by heading out in convoy for an off-road experience along earthen tracks to the heart of the countryside. Here you’ll be able to drink in the unspoiled scenery, learn about the local fauna and flora, and observe a way of life that’s hardly changed over the decades. You’ll discover the traditional Algarve way of beekeeping and how the locals make Medronho, a potent spirit distilled from the fruit of the strawberry tree which you’ll be able to taste. After lunch at a typical restaurant, it’s time to switch modes of transport with a tranquil boat cruise along the Arade river, formerly an important trade route and now a great spot for birdwatching. You’ll disembark at the beach, with time for a refreshing dip, before returning to the start by jeep.

• Duration: full day
• Start time: 8.55am
• Daily departures from Algarve resorts except Sagres & Quinta do Lago
• Operates year round
• Private experience

Good to know
Depending on weather conditions, the day’s timetable may be reversed.

The Seven Hanging Valleys Trail is one of the highlights of the Algarve, winding its way for around 6km through stunning coastal scenery. Your walk will take you along the top of limestone clifftops, eroded by wind and water over thousands of years into weird and wonderful shapes, whose colour changes from pale yellow to burnt umber and all shades in between at different times of the day. Along the way, look out for the wildlife that makes its home in the dense undergrowth beside the path: everything from mongooses to several types of butterflies. After a light snack at the end of the walk, you’ll board a boat to get a closer look at one of the natural wonders of this part of the coast, the Benagil Cave, a much-photographed sea cave with a natural skylight and a hidden beach.

• Duration: full day
• Start time: 8.45am
• Daily departures from Algarve resorts except Sagres & Quinta do Lago
• Operates year round
• Private experience

Good to know
The 5.7km walk is rated as of moderate difficulty and takes around three hours.

Enjoy a skillfully curated selection of the Algarve’s natural and manmade delights on a private tour by Land Rover Jeep. This fascinating day begins at Porches Pottery, founded in 1968 by two artists - one Irish, the other Portuguese - who were determined to show that handcrafted ceramics still had a place in the modern world. Here, you’ll be able to watch its talented artisans at work, and perhaps pick up one of the workshop’s beautifully hand-decorated pieces as a stylish souvenir. From here, you’ll make your way to Benagil, Carvoeiro and Algar Seco, where you will be able to check out the amazing sea caves carved out of the limestone cliffs over the centuries. Afterwards, you’ll stroll the cobbled streets of Ferragudo, a traditional fishing village at the mouth of the Arade river. The last visit is to a winery, where you can have a guided tour and sample some of the wines produced in the region.

• Duration: Full day
• Start time: 8.45am
• Departures on Monday to Friday from Algarve resorts except Sagres & Quinta do Lago
• Operates year round
• Private experience

Good to know
This private tour doesn’t include a guide.

See a side of the Algarve that many visitors miss on a private tour with a delightfully foodie theme. Setting off in style in a Land Rover Jeep, you’ll head inland to São Brás de Alportel, a typically sleepy Algarve village of low whitewashed houses. The surrounding area is home to plantations of cork oaks, and you’ll visit a factory where the raw bark is prepared and treated for use. From here, you’ll stop off at a bakery renowned for its delicious traditional products, such as carob bread, almond cakes and honey cakes, and have a taste of carob liqueur. At the fascinating little São Brás Ethnographic Museum, you’ll be able to check out displays devoted to everything from local traditional costumes to the history of the cork industry, before heading to Salir to explore the ruins of its ancient castle. The final stop is at a large organic farm, where you’ll learn how they make their popular preserves and sample some of them.

• Duration: full day
• Start time: 7.50am
• Departures on Monday and Friday from Algarve resorts except Sagres & Quinta do Lago
• Operates year round
• Private experience

Good to know
Entrance fees and meals are not included, and nor is a guide.

At Adega do Cantor in Albufeira, on Cliff Richard’s Quinta do Miradouro estate, they aim to make high-quality wines using a mix of traditional and cutting-edge techniques. On this guided tour, you begin in the heart of the vineyards, where you’ll learn some of the secrets of successful viticulture, including how the climate, weather, soil and types of grape affect the final product. After that, you’ll head to the winery to see the production process and follow it through the various stages from pressing the grapes to ageing the wine in barrels ready for bottling. The tour ends with a tasting session where you’ll be able to try four of the award-winning red, white and rosé Vida Nova and Onda Nova wines for which this boutique winery has become known.

• Duration: 2 hours
• Start time: 11am (Monday, Tuesday and Thursday); 2.30pm (Wednesday and Friday)
• Departures Monday-Friday
• Operates year round
• Group experience

Good to know
Transfers are not included.

Quinta dos Vales is not just one of the best wineries in the region, it’s also a cultural centre and colourful outdoor sculpture park. On this visit, you’ll be given a fascinating overview of Portugal’s wine industry, which includes a tour of the cellars. You’ll learn about the different varieties of grapes that grow here, such as Touriga Nacional, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Aragonez and Viognier, and taste some of the highly regarded still and sparkling wines that are made from them. You’ll also discover some of the 100-plus sculptures that are dotted around the estate’s 44 hectares. Most of these are designed by owner Karl Heinz Stock and realised by local craftspeople in everything from fibreglass to Alentejo marble. Look out for the delightful and eye-catching “Dance of the Bears”, a project that brought together 26 painters and mosaic artists from around the world.

• Duration: full day
• Time: 9am to 6pm
• Departs Monday to Saturday
• Operates year round
• Private experience

Good to know
Transfers are not included. Participants must be over 18.

Explore the Algarve’s fascinating past on a full-day guided adventure to some of its most scenic places. You’ll visit the dramatically located castle at Silves, a former capital blessed with a wealth of historical architecture. From here, you’ll continue up into the Serra de Monchique to enjoy the verdant landscapes, the cool mountain air, the sense of peace and the breathtaking views from the summit of Fóia, the highest point in the Algarve. Your next port of call is Lagos, a coastal city with a rich seafaring history that’s known for its walled old town, where you’ll have time to see the glossy modern marina, the 17th-century fort and the fabulous baroque interior of Santo António church, among other highlights. The day concludes with a stop at Sagres and its unusual sea fort, and windswept Cabo de São Vicente with its tiny lighthouse, the most south-westerly point of Europe.

• Duration: full day
• Start time: 7.15am
• Departures on Tuesday and Friday from Algarve resorts except Sagres & Quinta do Lago\ • Operates year round
• Group experience

Good to know
Entrance fees and meals are not included.