Where to Go in the Algarve: Beaches, Hikes, Kayaking, Coworking & Cafés

Portugal's southern coast has become one of the most popular destinations for remote workers and slow travelers in Europe. With over 300 days of sunshine a year, a well-developed network of coworking and coliving spaces, and a coastline that consistently ranks among the most beautiful in the world, the Algarve offers an unusually strong combination of lifestyle and practicality.

This guide focuses on the specifics: the beaches worth the detour, the best hikes in the Algarve, where to kayak, which coworking spaces are reliable, and where to eat and get coffee in the main towns.

4 min read time
 

The Algarve coastline stretches over 150 kilometers, and the beaches vary significantly in character. These five cover the range.

Praia do Amado (Aljezur) 

One of the best surf beaches on the west coast. Wide, Atlantic-facing, and consistently windy — it attracts beginners and experienced surfers alike. Several schools offer surf lessons in the Algarve directly from the beach. Less crowded than the central Algarve resorts, with a more rugged, natural feel.

Best for: Surfing, surf lessons in Lagos and the west coast, uncrowded beaches.
 

Praia da Marinha (Carvoeiro) 

Regularly listed among the most beautiful beaches in the Algarve and one of the most photographed stretches of coastline in Portugal. Accessed via a short cliff path, it sits in a sheltered cove framed by layered limestone formations. It also marks the start of the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail.

Best for: Photography, swimming, combining with a coastal hike.
 

Praia da Falésia (Albufeira) 

A long, wide beach backed by distinctive rust-red and ochre cliffs stretching for over five kilometers. The scale of it sets it apart from the smaller cove beaches further west.

Best for: Long walks, families, central Algarve stays.
 

Praia do Beliche (Sagres) 

A secluded beach just before Cabo de São Vicente, tucked into a cleft in the cliffs and requiring a short scramble to reach. One of the most distinctive Sagres beaches — rarely crowded, with cold, clear Atlantic water.

Best for: Solitude, dramatic scenery, combining with a visit to Cabo de São Vicente.
 

Meia Praia (Lagos) 

A long, calm bay east of Lagos town, sheltered and shallow. Easy to access and good for families. One of the more relaxed options in the Lagos area.

Best for: Families, easy beach days, proximity to Lagos town.

 

The Algarve is not typically associated with hiking, but the coastal trails here are among the best in Southern Europe. These are the most rewarding options.

Seven Hanging Valleys Trail

The most well-known of the best hikes in the Algarve, and one of the top-rated coastal walks in Europe. The trail runs 6 km one-way (12 km return) along the limestone cliffs between Praia da Marinha and Benagil Beach, passing the Alfanzina lighthouse and the rock formations at Algar Seco.

• Distance: 6 km one-way / 12 km return
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate
• Start point: Praia da Marinha car park, near Carvoeiro
• Highlights: Cliff-edge views, limestone formations, Benagil Beach at the end

The trail was named one of the best hikes in Europe by European Best Destinations. Starting at Marinha catches the best morning light; an Uber back from Benagil avoids the return walk.
 

Rota Vicentina — Fishermen's Trail

A multi-day coastal route along the wild west coast, from São Torpes south to Cabo de São Vicente and on to Lagos. The section through the Vicentine Coast Natural Park is the most dramatic — deserted beaches, sea cliffs, and almost no infrastructure. Conde Nast Traveler has listed it among the most beautiful coastal hikes in the world.

Individual day stages are available for those not doing the full route. The Sagres section is the most dramatic and most accessible for shorter visits.

• Total distance: 226 km (can be done in stages)
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Best section for day hikes: Sagres to Vila do Bispo
   

Ponta da Piedade (Lagos)

A short coastal walk around the sea stacks and arches just south of Lagos town. Less of a full hike and more of an extended viewpoint walk, but the scenery is exceptional. This is also the departure point for most kayak tours in Lagos.

• Distance: 2–3 km return
• Difficulty: Easy
• Start point: Ponta da Piedade car park, 2 km south of Lagos town center
• Highlights: Sea stacks, natural arches, viewpoints over the Atlantic, sunset views
   

Cabo de São Vicente (Sagres)

Europe's southwestern tip. The clifftop walk around the headland, particularly at sunset, is one of the more memorable viewpoints in Portugal. Allow one to two hours to walk the area properly.

• Distance: 3–4 km loop
• Difficulty: Easy
• Start point: Cabo de São Vicente lighthouse car park, Sagres
• Highlights: Westernmost point of continental Europe, lighthouse, cliff-edge Atlantic views, sunsets
   

The Algarve coastline has a high concentration of sea caves, natural arches, and hidden beaches that are only accessible by water. Kayaking is one of the most popular activities in the region, and the two main destinations — Benagil and Lagos — each offer a distinct experience.
 

Benagil Kayak

Algar de Benagil is the most photographed natural attraction in the Algarve: a sea cave with a domed ceiling and a circular opening that lets light onto a small sandy beach inside. The only way to enter is from the ocean. A kayak is the best option — small enough to access the cave directly, unlike most boat tours.

Guided kayak tours from Benagil Beach typically combine the cave with the rock formations and arches around Praia da Marinha. Cost is approximately €35 per person.

Note: Swimming inside the cave is no longer permitted, but entry by kayak remains possible.
 

Kayaking in Lagos

Ponta da Piedade is the other major kayaking destination. Guided tours depart from Praia da Batata in the center of Lagos, paddling south through natural arches, sea grottos, and past the golden limestone cliffs. A kayak tour in Lagos runs approximately 2 to 2.5 hours and operates from March through October.

A kayak tour in the Algarve from Lagos is consistently one of the most booked experiences in Portugal. Tours are best reserved in advance during summer.
 

Self-Guided Kayaking

Kayak rentals are available directly on Benagil Beach and several other beaches along the central Algarve coast. The Benagil cave run is manageable independently in calm conditions, though guided tours are recommended for the local knowledge and safety oversight.

The Algarve's remote work infrastructure has grown considerably. These are the main options across the key towns.
 

Cowork Surf (Sagres) 

A dedicated coworking space in Sagres, designed for remote workers who want reliable internet and proximity to the ocean. The pace in Sagres is slower than in Lagos — well suited to focused work periods away from more tourist-heavy areas.
 

Cowork Aljezur

A smaller, community-oriented space on the west coast near Praia do Amado. Good option for those spending time in the Aljezur area.
 

WOT — Work Out There (Lagos)

The main coworking option in Lagos, which has the most developed digital nomad infrastructure of any town in the Algarve. Reliable internet, a productive working environment, and an established community of remote workers.
 

Sala Azul (Albufeira)

 A professional coworking space in the central Algarve, useful for those based between Lagos and Faro.
 

Alandra Square Coworking (Faro) 

The most city-like option in the region. Faro is the Algarve's capital and has a more year-round resident population. Alandra Square offers a proper office setup with meeting rooms and fast internet.
 

Outsite (Sagres & Vilamoura)

For remote workers who prefer a fully integrated coliving and coworking setup, Outsite operates two locations in the Algarve. Outsite Sagres is suited to those looking for a nature-focused, quieter base; Outsite Vilamoura offers a more polished environment alongside the marina. Both include high-speed Wi-Fi, dedicated workspaces, and a community of other remote workers.

Sagres

• Laundry Lounge — A relaxed café popular with remote workers and surfers. Good coffee, reliable Wi-Fi, easy atmosphere for a working morning.
• Picnic Café — A well-regarded local café with good food and coffee. Gets busy; worth arriving early.
• Three Little Birds — More focused on food than coffee. A solid dinner option in a town where restaurant quality varies considerably.

Lagos

• Black and White Coffee Shop — The standard recommendation for specialty coffee in Lagos. Clean, focused, and consistently well-regarded. A go-to for where to eat in Lagos, Portugal, for those who take coffee seriously. Arrives busy in season.

Vilamoura

• Akvavit — A Scandinavian-influenced café and restaurant that stands out in a town with an otherwise generic marina dining scene. Good for lunch or a slower evening meal.

Carvoeiro

• A Fábrica do Costa — A local bakery and café with a long-standing presence in Carvoeiro. Pastries, coffee, and a genuinely local atmosphere.
   

• Outsite Sagres The west-coast option. Sagres offers dramatic cliff scenery, consistent surf, and a quieter pace than the central Algarve. Best for those who want to combine remote work with outdoor activities and a less tourist-focused environment.

• Outsite Vilamoura A marina-based coliving space with a more polished feel. Well-positioned for access to the central Algarve, Praia da Falésia, and the range of beaches and towns between Lagos and Faro.

Both locations include dedicated workspaces, high-speed internet, and a built-in community of remote workers.

Ready to book? Outsite offers discounts on 30+ day stays, and you'll be instantly connected with the digital nomad community in Portugal. 

For a full overview of cost of living, transport, and the digital nomad community in the Algarve, see the Digital Nomad Guide to the Algarve.