The mountains and the Barrocal, a stretch of land between the mountains and the coastline, provide a natural frontier between the Algarve and Alentejo, where the geography and micro-climate offer unique conditions, hard to find in other places in Portugal.
Whether you wish to enjoy the outdoors, play golf or taste the local wines, there are many ways to discover some of the Algarve’s best hidden secrets.
Casa Lusitana Riding Centre, located near Praia dos Caneiros, in Ferragudo, offers you the opportunity to get in touch with these astonishing creatures and enjoy a horseback tour on the cliffs close by. If you are a beginner, perhaps a horse-riding class is a suitable option. On the other hand, if you are an experienced rider, the obstacle course awaits you!
Would you prefer to know Algarve inland? If that’s the case, the Country Horse Riding, in Silves, and the Vale Ferro Horse Riding, in Mexilhoeira Grande, are two of the options at hand.
Getting to Country Horse Riding by car is quite easy, as you just need to head towards Silves and follow the national road 124, direction São Bartolomeu de Messines. Once you get there, you will have the opportunity to gallop along the orange groves and perhaps take a swim on horseback in the nearby lake.
To reach Vale Ferro, take the national road 125 towards Lagos and exit at Mexilhoeira Grande. Follow the municipal road 1068, and after driving for 5 minutes, you will see the riding centre gates. The Vale Ferro Horse Riding Centre is located within a protected area, where you will have many routes to choose from and can enjoy the stillness of the countryside.
Both horse-riding centres organize group tours, where you will enjoy the views of Monchique mountains and the Barrocal landscape. Beginner classes and advanced-riders training are also available.
Horse riding is available any time of the year for people of all ages. If you are planning on enjoying the countryside on horseback, spring is probably the best season. The mild weather and lower rainfall make it less demanding for you and the horse. Also, the flower-covered hills are a vision to behold you would not want to miss.
If you are feeling hungry when you get off the horse’s back, the restaurants close to the horse-riding centres will help you get your energy levels back up. The “Rei das Praias”, in Ferragudo, “Recanto dos Mouros”, in Silves, and “Solar do Farelo”, in Mexilhoeira Grande are some of the options.
The Algarve has hundreds of well-documented hiking paths, for all difficulty levels, ages and preferences. Besides the Seven Hanging Valleys and the Trail of Headlands, there are plenty of others for you to discover.
Once you get there you can visit the Nature Interpretation Centre and, if the weather allows it, you can swim in the river, so it is a good idea to pack your bathing suit, a towel, and sunscreen. You can also prepare a picnic basket with your favourite goodies and use one of the picnic tables available on site.
This trail can be visited any time of the year. However, during the summer months, you may find crowds of people enjoying the sunny weather.
If you are planning on walking through the Algarve inland, it is recommended you start at Alcoutim, since the elevation gains are not so high. The total duration of this path will depend on each person’s physical readiness and whether you intend to walk in stages, as recommended.
Although Via Algarviana is possible to walk all year, spring is the best season to enjoy this hiking trail. After the winter’s heavy rains, the streams and waterfalls will be overflowing, and you will be able to contemplate the green fields covered with colourful flowers.
Due to the difficulty level of some sections, this trail is recommended for physically fit visitors. Prepare yourself for any obstacles you might find along the way by downloading the GPS trackers, getting a map and packing your bag with enough food and a water bottle.
Regarding other equipment, it is best if you wear weather-appropriate clothes and hiking shoes, as well as carrying a pocketknife, a first aid kit, walking sticks, and a power bank.
So, why not combine hiking and birdwatching? Set your camera ready, pack your binoculars, and put on your hiking shoes!
Autumn and winter are the recommended seasons to visit the Arade estuary, since it is when the greatest diversity of birds gather, especially early in the morning and at a low tide.
Since this area is not signposted, it might be difficult for you to find. Take the national road 125 and head towards Rua das Marinhas, in Mexilhoeira da Carregação. When you arrive at the saltpans, continue the same road and go over the bridge on national road 125. You will be amazed by the views.
The trail “At the Whim of the Tides” starts at the fishing harbour at Alvor beach and is designed to take you along the boardwalk and sand sections, while you watch saltpans, scrub forest and small sand islands appear at a low tide.
The Alvor estuary is the home of the little owl, greater flamingo and oystercatcher, among many other species that can be seen all year long.
Dawn and dusk are the best times of the day to enjoy birdwatching. If you are a photographer, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the golden hour light reflecting on the calm and clear waters, as flocks of birds take flight.
Since you might find yourself observing the avifauna for a few hours, it is recommended you take a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses, and prepare your backpack with a water bottle and food.
The rural villages and small stone houses hiding in Silves and Monchique are visited every week by jeep safaris. The professional guides/drivers will take you along dirt roads on steep slopes, splashing their way through small streams, while you pass by waterfalls. You will relish the intense smell of flowers and trees and see birds of prey chasing rabbits.
Companies such as Algarve Jipe Safari, Extremo Ambiente, and Portitours will pick you up from Portimão and take you on a tour of the best sightseeing points, old distilleries, traditional villages and food tastings. If the weather allows it, there might be a short stop for a swim in one of the streams.
The jeep safaris are divided into half-day and full-day tours. The half-day will take you through the main highlights and show the essence of the rural Algarve. On the other hand, the full-day experience will take you on longer routes, making a few stops along the way, one of them for lunch at a traditional Portuguese restaurant.
You can either book you place in a jeep that is shared with others or book a private tour. Either way, this activity is not suited for pregnant women, small children or people with a heart condition.
Discovering the rural Algarve by jeep can be done all year round. Since weather conditions during wintertime can limit the scope of a jeep safari, the best months to enjoy this experience are between March and November.
Depending on the season, wear weather-appropriate clothes and comfortable shoes, take a hat and sunglasses and carry a water bottle. While there will be stops for food tasting, do take some crackers or fruit as you might get hungry along the way.
Since the opportunity for a swim in a stream might present itself during summer, it is best if you take some sunscreen, a bathing suit and a towel. On the other hand, over the winter when the crisp mountain air is colder and it gets windier, a light windbreaker jacket might be a good option.
Over the last 30 years, wine producers took advantage of the Algarve’s mild weather and have produced some of the best grapes in the country. The red wines are velvety and low in acid and the white wines are smooth, made from the Castelão, Negra Mole, and Arinto grapes varietals, respectively.
At a short distance from your holiday flat in Ferragudo, you will be able to experience some of the best wines produced in the region.
The winery is open for visitors and offers the opportunity to enjoy an individual wine tasting, as well as a group tour to the vineyards and the winery, where you will discover how the nectar of the gods is made.
The workshops organized by Quinta dos Vales allow you to blend your own bottle of wine, as well as try your hand at tile painting, cork works and bread making. These activities require booking in advance, especially if you are planning on going as a group.
Should you wish to visit Cabrita Wines estate, a local guide will take you on a tour where you will taste the red, white and rosé wines, as well as a traditional Portuguese tapas. The tour and wine tasting are only available for reservations made in advance.
The Quinta da Vinha is located between Silves and Porches and the best way to get there is to head towards Lagoa and take the municipal road 1156 to the east until you find the municipal road 529-1. You will find the winery on your left-hand side.
Quinta do Francês, Quinta do Morgado da Torre and Morgado do Quintão are some of Algarve Wine Tours’ partners.
The tours must be booked in advance and offer you the opportunity to enjoy traditional Portuguese food paired with the local wines.
Golf in the Algarve dates to 1966 when the Penina Championship took place. This was the first golf course in the region and, since then, other courses were developed, numbering an impressive total of 31 in the Algarve.
Spring and autumn are considered the best seasons to play golf in the Algarve. From March to June and between September and October, golf courses are at their peak and the rates are the highest.
On the other hand, the hottest months of July and August see the courses empty. However, if you are planning your vacation in Ferragudo during the summer season, it is recommended you play at sunrise when the temperatures are cooler. Over the winter, since temperatures are mild, you will get fewer golfers and lower rates. However, be aware that this is also the rainiest season.
Since most of the golf courses in the Algarve are part of hotels and resorts, finding a place to enjoy lunch or a drink is quite easy.
The renowned architect Ronald Fream designed these golf courses that beginners and advanced players can enjoy. Furthermore, Gramacho and Vale da Pinta have hosted competitions, such as the European Senior Tour and the Ladies European Tour.
At a short distance, Pestana Golf Academy focuses on teaching golf according to the PGA standards. The classes take place on outdoor or indoor tees and focus on helping beginners develop their swing. You can play with your own equipment or rent it on site.
This course was designed by the architect Robert Trent Jones Jr. and inaugurated in 2011. With 27 holes, the handicap limit is 28 for men and 26 for women. For over seven years the Palmares golf course was considered the best in Portugal and is part of the Top 40 in Europe.
To play golf at Palmares, observing the dress code is mandatory. All golfers must wear golf clothing, including shirts with collars. Reservations must be made in advance, especially if you are planning your vacation during spring or autumn, or if you need to rent equipment.
The quickest way to reach Palmares is to drive toward Lagos, using the national road 125. When you get to Odiáxere, you will find signs leading you to the golf course.
The Victoria Golf Course Vilamoura, inaugurated in 2004, presents 18 greens designed by Arnold Palmer. Since 2007, this course has been the stage for some of the most famous golf players since it hosts the Portugal Masters of the European Tour. Also, October is when the PGA Tour leaders come to enjoy the Algarvian weather.
To play here, all golfers must present a handicap certificate of 24 for men and 36 for women. The dress code includes trousers, polo shirt, golf shoes and socks, and softspikes are mandatory.
The best way to reach Victoria Golf Course Vilamoura is by driving on A22 towards Vilamoura, exiting at Boliqueime, and taking the municipal road 270 heading to Vilamoura.