The Best Tours in the Algarve

From boat trips into the Benagil cave to jeep safaris in the hills, kayaking in the grottos and day trips to Seville, the Algarve has a huge choice of tours. Here are the best tours and excursions in the Algarve, and which ones are worth booking.

Quick answer: the essential Algarve tour is a boat trip to the Benagil cave and the sea caves along the coast (by boat or kayak). Also popular: dolphin watching from Lagos or Vilamoura, a Ria Formosa boat trip from Faro or Olhão, a jeep safari, a wine tasting, and a day trip to Seville.

Why book a tour here

The best of the Algarve coast is only visible from the water. The cliffs between Lagos and Albufeira are full of caves, arches and tiny beaches you can’t reach on foot. A short boat or kayak trip shows you more in two hours than a week on a sunbed. Inland tours are useful too if you don’t have a car, as buses to the hill villages are few.

The best Algarve tours

Benagil cave and the sea caves

Boat trips leave from Portimão, Armação de Pêra, Albufeira and Carvoeiro. Since August 2024, landing on the cave beach and swimming into the cave are not allowed, and kayaks may only enter with a licensed guide. Boats still sail past and into the caves, so you see the famous domed roof from the water. Trips usually last from about an hour to two and a half hours, depending on where you start. See Benagil boat tours and kayak tours. See the best Algarve boat trips and the Benagil cave guide.

Ponta da Piedade by boat or kayak

Small boats and kayaks weave through the grottos and rock arches near Lagos. See boat trips and kayak tours. Boat trips usually take about an hour. Kayak tours take longer and include time paddling into the smaller caves. See the Ponta da Piedade guide.

Dolphin watching

Common and bottlenose dolphins are seen on most trips. See dolphin trips from Lagos. Trips go a few miles offshore in fast boats, often with a marine biologist on board. Choose an operator that follows the rules on approaching animals, and expect a bumpy ride if the sea is choppy.

Catamaran cruises

Relaxed coastal cruises with swimming stops. See catamaran trips. These suit families and anyone who gets nervous on small boats. Many include a barbecue lunch or drinks on board.

Ria Formosa

Boat trips through the lagoons and out to the islands, with flamingos and birdlife. See Ria Formosa tours. The lagoon is calm, so this is a good choice when the sea is too rough for cave trips. Some tours stop on the islands of Culatra or Armona.

Jeep safari

Off-road tracks through the hills to villages, viewpoints and traditional producers. See jeep safaris. Typical stops include cork oak woods, a local market or honey producer, and a tasting of medronho, the strong fruit spirit made in the hills.

Wine and food

The Algarve’s wine estates are growing fast, and Lagos has good food tours. See Algarve wine tastings and the Lagos food tour. Food tours are a good way to try dishes such as cataplana, grilled fish and local cheeses and sweets.

Day trip to Seville

Spain’s most beautiful city is an easy day trip from the eastern Algarve. See Seville day trips. See the best day trips from the Algarve. Expect a long day: the drive takes about two hours each way from Tavira, and longer from the central and western Algarve. Remember that Spain is one hour ahead. See the Seville day trip guide.

Which tour for you?

• Short on time: one Benagil boat trip and one Ponta da Piedade trip cover the best of the coast.
• Families with young children: a catamaran cruise or a calm Ria Formosa trip.
• Active travellers: a guided kayak tour, or walk the Seven Hanging Valleys trail on your own.
• Rainy or windy day: a jeep safari, a wine tasting or a food tour.

When to go

Most boat tours run from spring to autumn, with the most departures from June to September. In winter, many still run on calm days but with fewer slots. Dolphin trips run most of the year. Sea conditions matter more than the season, so keep an eye on the forecast.

Tips

• Book early in summer: the best boat slots sell out.
• Sea conditions: cave trips are cancelled in rough seas; book early in your stay.
• Morning trips have calmer seas and softer light.
• Bring: sun cream, a hat, water and a waterproof bag for your phone. You may get splashed.
• Seasickness: small fast boats can be bouncy, so take tablets beforehand if you need them.
• Check what’s included: hotel pick-up, life jackets and guide language vary between operators.

More: where to stay in the Algarve and the 7-day Algarve itinerary.

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