The western Algarve offers a different experience from the region’s busier central resorts. Around Lagos, you’ll find historic streets, small coves and the dramatic rock formations of Ponta da Piedade. Further west, the coast becomes more exposed, with surf beaches, windswept headlands and smaller villages around Sagres and the Costa Vicentina. Inland, the hills around Monchique offer a change of pace from the coast.
It’s a region that suits several different kinds of trip, from a few days exploring Lagos and its beaches to a longer road trip along the Atlantic coast. The main thing to understand is that the western Algarve isn’t one continuous stretch of rugged coastline.
The south-facing beaches, the area around Sagres and the more remote beaches further north all have their own character, and the weather and sea conditions can vary considerably between them. Once you move away from the resort towns and villages, the wild west Algarve is a place that attracts a bigger mix of surfers, walkers, and naturalists than holidaymakers and your typical tourists.
In this guide, we’ll cover the best places to visit, the best beaches and coastal walks, where to stay, and how to get around. We’ll help you decide which parts of the region are worth your time.
Where is the West Algarve?
The western Algarve occupies the southwestern corner of Portugal, where the Algarve’s south-facing coast meets the Atlantic. What’s included in the western Algarve? Well, it typicall refers to everywhere west of Portimão to the western Atlantic coast. There isn’t a single official boundary for what people mean by the “western Algarve.”
The easiest way to get to know the area is to divide it into three broad landscapes.
The south coast around Portimão and Lagos is the most developed part of the western Algarve. There are larger towns, a wider choice of restaurants and accommodation, and many beaches tucked between sandstone cliffs. Lagos is a particularly convenient base for exploring this area.
The southwestern tip around Sagres feels more exposed. The headlands are windswept, the landscape is more open, and surfing and coastal walks are a major part of the appeal. Although Sagres is not far from Lagos by car, it feels quite different, particularly when the wind picks up.
The Atlantic coast north of Sagres is the most rugged and sparsely developed part of this route. Around Aljezur, Arrifana, Monte Clérigo and Odeceixe, you’ll find long beaches, dunes and surf spots backed by countryside rather than continuous resort development. Much of this coastline falls within the Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park, which extends north beyond the Algarve into the Alentejo.
The Best Places to Visit in the West Algarve
The western Algarve covers a surprisingly varied area, from lively coastal towns and traditional fishing villages to surf beaches and mountain countryside. If it’s your first visit, we’d start with Lagos and Sagres, then choose a few smaller places depending on whether you’re more interested in beaches, walking, local food or getting away from the busier resorts.
Small Towns and Villages
Along the wild coastline are multiple small towns and villages that are perfect places to base yourself in, if you want a quieter experience.
Aljezur – Is a small historical town that’s situated on the doorstep to Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina. Atop a small hill are the ruins of a 10th century Moorish castle.
Bordeira and Praia da Bordeira – Praia da Bordeira is an Atlantic beach that’s popular with surfers and cliff walkers. Although the expansive sand is popular with beach visitors, the waters can get rough and windy.
Burgau – Burgau is a picturesque fishing village now turned holiday resort. Its beach is sheltered by tall cliffs so offers a nice bay and calmer water for families.
Monchique – Algarve’s quintessential mountain town. It has some great walking and beautiful views over the Algarve. Nearby Foia, the highest place in the Algarve offers incredible views back to the coastline.
Odeceixe – Odeceixe and its beach are the most north western town in the Algarve. It’s a rural town that’s part of the Costa Vicentina Natural Park. It’s gentle river that flows towards the beach is the ideal place to try canoeing, kayaking or paddle boarding.
Sagres – Sagres is a small town on the very western tip of the coast. Its beaches are popular with surfers and kite boarders. It’s popular with day trippers too, making the journey to the sheer cliffs of the Cabo de São Vicente.
Salema – A family focussed beach resort with it’s traditional fishing village at its heart.
Vila do Bispo – A traditional countryside town that’s often a stopping point for people travelling to and from Cabo de São Vicente. It offers a few restaurants, cafés and supermarkets.
Bigger towns and Resorts in the West Algarve
If you’re looking at staying longer, and want bigger facilities and amenities, there are a few larger towns and resorts in the west Algarve. Here’s our favourites!
Alvor – Alvor is a small resort town that combines your typical beach resort with a traditional fishing town. Nearby are some great beaches and access to a wonderful natural park.
Lagos – Lagos is the last major town as you head west. It boasts plenty of history and culture, famously being the departure point for many of the Age of Discovery voyages. With plenty of hostels, it’s also popular with backpackers and surfers, and more traditional holidaymakers looking for somewhere less clean cut than Albufeira.
Praia da Luz – Praia da Luz or just Luz is a smaller beach resort town with a more traditional feel. Although lots of typical holiday services you’ll still find a small amount of culture, in its fort, church, museums and lively events calendar.
Portimão – The largest city in the western Algarve and the Algarve’s second largest overall. It’s less touristy than nearby towns and more associated with the local and working population of the Algarve.
Praia da Rocha – An extension of Portimão that can be considered its more pristine beach resort. It’s the closest you’ll find to a major resort town in the western Algarve and not too unlike many in the central Algarve. Highrise hotels and a smallish strip of bars, restaurants and a casino.
Transport in the West Algarve
If you’ve decided on visiting or staying in the West Algarve, next on your to do list will be how to get there, and how to get around. Here’s our guide to transport in the west Algarve!
Faro Airport
Although Faro is technically the ‘Central Algarve’, Faro airport is also the only international airport in the Algarve region. To discuss the transport options in west Algarve, it’s practical to start with the main international arrival airport! The one thing to consider is that Faro airport is around 15 minutes outside of Faro itself. To make connections by public transport like to the train and bus station you will need to get to the city centre first. To get there it’s a short ride on a local bus (the no.14 or the no.16 ). The cost is €2.35 for a single ticket and is operated by Proximo. Taxis are also available and the journey should cost around €10, or a €5-6 Uber ride.
Trains and Train Stations in the Western Algarve
A few of the major towns of the west Algarve are serviced by a trainline that runs from Faro in the centre to Portimão and Lagos. Lagos is as far west as the trainline goes so from their you’ll need to use other local transport. The journey from Faro to Lagos takes approximately an hour and 45 minutes.
In the west Algarve there are four train stations Lagos, Meia Praia, Mexilhoeira Grande and Portimao. Trains are seen as the slower, scenic route and perhaps not the most convenient. But they are a cost-effective way of travelling to the bigger towns from Faro. To get the best prices you will need to book in advance though. Unlike the central Algarve, the train stations are located much closer to the towns they serve, usually within easy walking distance.
Read More: Algarve Trains: The Complete Guide to Trains in the Algarve
The Western Algarve by Coaches and Buses
Buses and coaches also serve the western Algarve, servicing most major towns and resorts. While smaller locally operated buses can get you a little bit further from the coast. The main operator is EVA and in general they depart Faro and head west along the coast to Lagos, but also to Sagres. EVA offer a tourist pass for 3 or 7 days that allows unlimited travel. If you’re planning on multiple journeys, then one of these passes might be a good idea. A 3-day pass is €30 and a 7-day pass is €38. Return trips cost between €7-10, so if you’re visiting multiple towns it’s a good way of saving money.
For the occasional journey though it’s probably not worth it. Vamus Algarve are the company that operate most of the bus services across the Algarve. They’ll get you to Lagos in the west and as far as Odeceixe in the northwest.
Car Rental in the Western Algarve
Car rental is widely available across the whole Algarve. Rental offices are available at Faro airport and even the larger towns and resorts in the western Algarve like Portimão and Lagos. Using your own vehicle is a great choice and offers more freedom and flexibility then many of the other options.
Some of the best places and smaller trips can be hard to manage by public transport. Stopping off at a random cliff for a photo or visiting the highest point in the Algarve is easier and cheaper with your own car. If you’re thinking of renting a car you should read our guide to car rental in Portugal. It will explain all of the costs, and if and how you can avoid them! The main takeaways are that as long as you book in advance and watch out for the extra costs car rental can be an affordable option.
Should You Visit the West Algarve?
Absolutely yes! It’s perhaps the most scenic and ‘real’ Algarve there is with something for everybody. This is a great introduction to the west Algarve, and if you’d like more in-depth information then we recommend you take a look at a few of the guides we’ve posted above! If there’s a place or a town you think would make a good addition to this guide let us know in the comments!
