Enjoy sunshine, natural beauty and fantastic food in the Algarve

As the days shorten, thoughts inevitably turn to southern climes, where the balmy weather lasts longer, ends later, and starts earlier again in spring. But there’s no need to commit to long-haul. The Algarve – just three hours from London Gatwick by British Airways – comes into its own as the school holidays end and the sand-fringed coastline sheds its summertime plumage of beach towels.

The slow season is the time to make the most of the Algarve scenery – and lower rates at comfortable coastal resorts – exploring calm, cliff-circled coves from hubs such as Albufeira, Vilamoura, Carvoeiro and Lagos. Around the spur of the Sagres peninsula, it’s all about surging winter surf at laid-back escapes such as Carrapateira, Sagres and Arrifana.

But that’s the Algarve you may already know. Beyond the sand and surf is another Algarve, where you can feast on irresistible Portuguese cooking, fresh from the sea; soak up Atlantic coast culture; take to the water by kayak or cycle the open road; and immerse yourself in unspoiled natural beauty, warmed by 300 days of sunshine every year.

Here are some of the best Algarve experiences you possibly haven’t considered.

Every foodie trip to the Algarve starts with pastéis de nata – Portugal’s famous custard tarts – but that’s just the beginning.

Fishing villages between the beach resorts serve up treats such as conquilhas à Algarvia (clams cooked with garlic, Algarve wine and herbs) and cataplana de marisco – a magical medley of everything fishermen can get hold of from the sea.

History-rich Lagos is a great place to track down the tapas-like plates known as petiscos, while succulent Algarve sausage is celebrated at the Feira dos Enchidos in Monchique in March. Portimão is famed for its summer sardine festival, but these snack-sized morsels are hauled in by fishermen well into the autumn.

Topping the bill are the Algarve’s Michelin-starred restaurants, including double-starred Ocean in Porches and Vila Joya in Albufeira.

The impressive Algar de Benagil cave near Carvoeiro is a sea-sculpted wonder, rising to an enormous beehive dome, but this is just one of hundreds of caves, rock arches and sea stacks studding the Algarve coast, eroded by aeons of Atlantic surf.

The best way to explore the area is by sea kayak or stand-up paddleboard – and get away from the tourist crowds. Hire your kit from a local operator and head beyond Benagil to quieter caves and eye-catching rock formations, stopping in at secret beaches only accessible from the water.

There’s no need to travel around the world to see dolphins and whales. The deep waters off the western Algarve are frequented by common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, Risso’s dolphins, harbour porpoises and minke whales, alongside bigger cetaceans from March to May.

While dolphin and whale-spotting tours run throughout the summer, autumn is another reliable window for dolphin and minke whale encounters.

Lagos, Albufeira, Faro, Olhão and Sagres are popular places to embark on a cetacean-spotting trip led by marine biologist guides.

Coastal walks such as the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail between Carvoeiro and Porches offer unforgettable sea views, but there’s more wonderful walking country in the hinterland.

Try making for the Serra do Caldeirão highlands north of Faro, where the Masmorra Trail weaves between farms to the hilltop Anta da Masmorra dolmen. Serious walkers find serenity on less-trodden sections of the 300km-long Via Algarviana, linking Alcoutim to Cabo de São Vicente.

As it crosses the Serra do Caldeirão and Serra de Monchique hills, above, the trail links peaceful villages and hill towns such as castle-crowned Silves, and Monchique, with its thermal baths. The eight-mile hike to the top of Foia mountain also rewards those who have the energy with views for miles around.

South of Faro, but a world away, you’ll find that the saline wetlands of the Ria Formosa nature reserve – a marvellous maze of canals, islands and sandy beaches – lure migrating birds in droves.

Amateur ornithologists, take note: hikes lead to hides, which offer front-row views of storks, egrets, spoonbills, turnstones, plovers, whimbrels, terns and greater flamingos from November to March.

The mild temperatures of the Algarve’s quieter season are ideal for exploring on two wheels. The scenic town of Tavira is a good starting point, for instance, mixing flat coastal routes with dizzying sea views and calf-pumping uphill routes.

Bikes can be rented in Sagres for the 6km pedal to Cabo de São Vicente – or you can loop to this dramatic cape on a two-day road cycling epic from Lagos.

British Airways flights from London Gatwick to Faro start from £44 each-way, based on travel in February or March 2025. Book now at Britishairways.com/faro