Fernwayer’s Algarve Tours

The Algarve has been one of Portugal’s main holiday destinations for decades. Its paradisical beaches, award-winning golf courses, and top-notch seafood have always drawn the crowds, including locals themselves who drive down south as soon as the summer hits.

But there’s much more to see in this region beyond the coast. When looking for experience makers here, we went after the people who were working on preserving cultural traditions and natural landscapes. They’re the ones who will introduce you to the artisans still crafting Algarve’s traditional baskets with strings of palm leaf, the farmers raising the cattle, and the beekeepers keeping a fragile ecosystem alive.

Many of our Algarve experiences are centered around Loulé, a town known for its creative community. Others take you further afield, into the salt pans of Castro Marim, an organic farm in Aljezur, or the hilltop villages of Alte and Monchique. Each experience is designed to entertain while supporting social impact and cultural conservation, ensuring your visit contributes positively to the local community and helps preserve the heritage of this beautiful region.

Our tours take you deep into the countryside to meet the people shaping this region. From coppersmiths working behind the scenes to mold the iconic cataplana, to people preserving beehives in the mountains of Serra do Caldeirão, and farmers raising black pigs on acorns.

Explore our essential Algarve tours below or see all Algarve experiences here.

Nature Tours

Travel beyond the coast and explore the Algarve’s rural landscapes on foot with our guided nature tours. Led by a passionate local expert, you will hike paths lined with orchards and hidden waterfalls near Loulé, catch the seasonal bloom of the region’s wild orchids, or wake up early to spot the birds that call this place home. At Rocha da Pena, you will encounter rugged karst formations and panoramic views over the countryside, before touring a traditional honey factory, learning about the role of bees in maintaining ecological balance.

Culture and Sustainability Tours

Our culture and sustainability tours highlight the region’s long-standing traditions. From the lively market town of Loulé, where artisan workshops form a creative hub, to small villages like Monchique and Alte, where residents still gather to make things by hand, weaving baskets and distilling aguardente (firewater). You can travel west to meet an organic farmer and sample a delicious homemade lunch paired with regional wine, or head east to witness the art of salt harvesting and taste Portugal’s acclaimed black pork ham.

Algarve Regional Guide

Faro

Few people stick around Faro after leaving the airport, but the town is quite pretty with historic sites like the Sé enclosed by ancient walls. Cobblestone streets lead to hidden squares, hip cafés, and views across the Ria Formosa lagoon.

Loulé

Loulé stands out with its Moorish-style market hall and active artisan workshops. It’s a pleasure to wander through the town and meet the people shaping ceramic chimneys or assembling a cataplana pan by hand. Highlights include the Islamic Baths, a rare finding in Portugal, and the castle. Recommended Experience: A Marketplace Called Loulé

Lagos

Lagos is perhaps the most popular town in the Algarve for travelers as well as expats. It has a cool vibe with plenty of cafés, bars, and restaurants to discover. Just a bit further out, there are picturesque caves and dramatic cliffs like Ponta da Piedade, where you can catch the sunset.

Tavira

Set on the east side, Tavira is home to endless churches and a river that splits the town into two. From here, you can easily access the barrier islands of Ria Formosa, including Ilha de Tavira and the pink salt marshes, a prime spot for birdwatching.

Carvoeiro

Carvoeiro unfolds around a small sandy cove, where white houses curve gently along the cliffs. The town itself is compact, but its surroundings include several beaches, hiking trails, and resorts with their own golf courses.

Alte

Alte is one of the Algarve’s most traditional villages, far from the coastal bustle. Famous for its natural springs and leafy squares where locals linger in the shade, it offers a glimpse of what the Algarve looked like before beach tourism reshaped the region.

Recommended Experience: Algarve's Ancestral Artisans

Monchique

Algarve’s highest peak is part of Monchique’s mountain range. This hilltop town feels miles away from the ocean, with its whitewashed houses nestled amid the greenery. Many of the residents are long-time artisans keeping crafts like pottery and basketry alive, while others distill the region’s infamous firewater.

Recommended Experience: Crafting Tradition: Monchique

Albufeira

The fishing town of Albufeira has grown into a modern resort. The old town’s whitewashed lanes and small beaches still draw the crowds, but as the night comes, people often hit the bars and clubs along The Strip.

Sagres

Sitting on the west edge of the Algarve with its windswept cliffs, Sagres is mostly popular among surfers. The landscape is raw with fewer streets and a bigger focus on the surrounding ocean. The iconic Fishermen’s Trail, which links the Alentejo and the Algarve coast, passes through here.

Where should I base myself in the Algarve? It really depends on what you’re after. If you want to explore the dramatic caves and beaches, Lagos is a great base, while Sagres is more catered to the surfing crew. Eastern Algarve tends to be quieter, with towns like Tavira framed against the Ria Formosa Natural Estuary. If you’re after luxury hotels, golf and beach clubs, then central spots like Carvoeiro and Vilamoura are your best bet. 

How do I move around effortlessly? While there is a train that covers parts of the coast connecting Lagos to Vila Real de Santo António, renting a car gives you a lot more flexibility to explore different villages and beaches. Taxis and ride-hailing apps work well within towns, but aren’t ideal for a full-day exploration.

What’s the smoothest private arrival? If you’re staying anywhere near Faro, it’s worth booking a private transfer from the airport to your hotel. Alternatively, you can also pick up a car at the airport and rent it for the duration of your trip, especially if you’re staying further out of town.

How far ahead do I need to book restaurants? Outside peak summer, most restaurants don’t require bookings except fine-dining spots. In July and August, popular seaside restaurants and Michelin-listed places should be booked at least a week in advance. It’s usually easier to find a spot for lunch than dinner.

When should I visit to avoid the crowds? Summer is the busiest season in the Algarve, with many Portuguese driving down south in August from Lisbon and beyond. To avoid the crowds, it’s best to come early between April and June or later in the season from September onwards. The weather will still be warm enough for a swim, and boat tours will be up and running.

What dishes are truly local and worth seeking out? Seafood takes center stage in the Algarve. Look out for the cataplana, a seafood stew cooked in a traditional copper pot. Grilled sardines, razor clams, and octopus are equally popular. For dessert, don’t miss the almond-based sweets like the doce fino, marzipan-style sweets shaped like animals, fruit, or vegetables.

How many days do I really need to experience the Algarve properly? Five to seven days is ideal if you want a slow-paced journey around the region, taking in the highlights but also leaving room to relax in between. Shorter trips tend to feel a bit rushed, especially if you’re traveling between towns.