History · Algarve · Portugal
7 historic sites to see in Algarve
The places that tell the story of how the city came to be.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Marc Ryckaert ( MJJR ), CC BY 2.5
Quick answer
Start with Fortress of Sagres, Faro Old Town and Cathedral and Capela dos Ossos, Igreja do Carmo. Together the 7 picks below take roughly 10–13 hours across 6 areas; 1 is free.
Key facts
- Places in this guide
- 7
- Free entry
- 1
- Time to see them all
- 10–13 hours
- Areas
- Sagres, Faro and Silves
Historic sites in Algarve
Historic site · Sagres
1.Fortress of Sagres
Inside are a giant stone wind rose, a small chapel and a cliff-edge walk with views to Cape St Vincent.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Views
- Outdoors
Neighbourhood · Faro
2.Faro Old Town and Cathedral
Its cobbled lanes lead to the cathedral, a mix of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles whose bell tower gives a view over the town and the lagoon.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Views
Religious site · Faro
3.Capela dos Ossos, Igreja do Carmo
The church itself has richly gilded woodwork.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Off the beaten path
- Rainy day
Castle · Silves
4.Silves Castle
Walk the ramparts for views over orange groves and the Arade river, then visit the Gothic cathedral just below.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Kids
- Views
Neighbourhood · Lagos
5.Lagos Old Town
The town's waterfront and the Ponta da Bandeira fort face the marina.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Food
- Shopping
- After dark
Beach · Tavira
6.Praia do Barril and the anchor cemetery
The former fishermen's cottages now hold cafés, and a long sandy beach stretches either side.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Photo spot
- History
- Outdoors
Religious site · Almancil
7.Igreja de São Lourenço, Almancil
This small Baroque church near Almancil is lined almost entirely inside with blue-and-white azulejo tiles from the 1730s depicting the life and martyrdom of St Lawrence, among the finest tile interiors in Portugal.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Architecture
- Off the beaten path
- History
Grouped by area
| Area | Places | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Sagres | Fortress of Sagres | 1–1.5 hours |
| Faro | Faro Old Town and Cathedral and Capela dos Ossos, Igreja do Carmo | 2 hours + 30 minutes |
| Silves | Silves Castle | 1–1.5 hours |
| Lagos | Lagos Old Town | 2–3 hours |
| Tavira | Praia do Barril and the anchor cemetery | Half a day |
| Almancil | Igreja de São Lourenço, Almancil | 30 minutes |
Booking and timing
Of these 7, 1 free, 6 low cost. None needs booking far in advance. The longest visit is Praia do Barril and the anchor cemetery; group the rest by area to save travel time.
How to fit them into 3 half-days
Grouped by area and kept to about four hours each, so you walk more than you ride.
- Half-day 1 (Sagres and Faro): Fortress of Sagres → Faro Old Town and Cathedral → Capela dos Ossos, Igreja do Carmo, at least 4 hours.
- Half-day 2 (Silves and Lagos): Silves Castle → Lagos Old Town, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 3 (Tavira and Almancil): Praia do Barril and the anchor cemetery → Igreja de São Lourenço, Almancil, at least 4 hours.
The quietest months for queues
- February: highs of 17°C (63°F), about 5 rainy days, very quiet crowds. Quiet, green and good for walking; Carnival brings parades to Loulé.
- January: highs of 16°C (61°F), about 6 rainy days, very quiet crowds. Mild and often sunny with cool nights; many beach restaurants close, but almond blossom starts inland and golf is popular.
- March: highs of 19°C (66°F), about 4 rainy days, quiet crowds. Spring wildflowers and comfortable walking weather on the cliff paths; the sea is still cold.
The neighbourhoods they are in
- Lagos — Walled old town, marina and cliff coves at the western end of the resort coast
- Faro — Regional capital with a walled old town and ferries into the lagoon
- Tavira — Elegant riverside town of churches, a Roman-era bridge and island beaches
- Sagres — Windswept surf town at the edge of Europe near Cape St Vincent
More of Algarve
Questions travellers ask
+Where should I start in Algarve?
Fortress of Sagres. On a flat promontory jutting into the Atlantic, this fortress is associated with Prince Henry the Navigator and the early Portuguese voyages of discovery.
+Which of these are free in Algarve?
Praia do Barril and the anchor cemetery.