15 unique hidden gems in the Algarve, Southern Portugal

Come with me to discover the most amazing hidden gems in the Algarve! Beyond the famous beaches and busy towns, this region in southern Portugal is full of secret spots that many travelers never get to see.

From hidden sea caves and natural rock formations to charming whitewashed villages and quiet viewpoints, the Algarve has so much more to offer once you wander off the main tourist path.

We’ve spent a lot of time exploring the Algarve, so in this blog post, you’ll find the best hidden gems in the Algarve, all with photos, descriptions, and location on Google Maps. I hope you get to see a different side of the Algarve, too! Happy travels!

1. Yellow Submarine

Yellow Submarine Rock is amongst my favorite hidden gems in the Algarve, Southern Portugal! It’s basically a large, uniquely shaped rock formation that resembles a submarine floating in the ocean, which is how it got its name.

The best way to visit it is by admiring the submarine from the coastal cliffs (it’s a 20-minute walk from Praia da Marinha along the coast). It is too far into the ocean to get there on foot or by swimming.

Or you can join a boat tour from the nearby Armação de Pêra and visit it as part of a longer kayaking excursion along one of the best sections of the Algarve coastline. Either way, this is one of those cool, lesser-known natural landmarks that make the Algarve region so special!

Location: Yellow Submarine

2. Arco de Albandeira

Arco de Albandeira is one of my favorite spots in Algarve! It is not really a hidden gem, but it is definitely a unique spot to visit in Algarve!

It is a huge rock arch in the sea between Carvoeiro and Armação de Pêra towns. The best part about the arch is that you can walk on it and observe the beauty up close!

There are also different boat trips coming to visit this beautiful arch by the sea (like this boat trip to wild beaches and also the Benagil cave and this one from Armação de Pêra to 10 caves (including the Benagil cave) and 15 deserted beaches!). The arch looks mighty whether you visit it from the ocean or from the coast!

Location: Arco de Albandeira · Parking lot

3. Roman bridge at Praia dos Estudantes

Praia dos Estudantes is a tiny beach in Lagos that has a second part – and it can be accessed through a tunnel that goes through a cliff. It is a beautiful hidden gem if you are looking for a more quiet spot.

What makes it unique and special is the huge Roman bridge that connects two coastal cliffs. You can actually walk on it, but the view from the beach is even more mighty as you can observe the whole bridge and the coastal cliffs.

Make sure to check the tides – it is better to come during low tide to be able to access the beach and see the bridge up close!

Location: Praia dos Estudantes · Parking lot

4. Ferragudo – the most colorful village in the Algarve

Ferragudo is a small fishermen’s village near Portimão in Algarve, South of Portugal. White houses, narrow streets, stairs, blooming trees, and charming pots full of flowers and plants make it one of the most beautiful villages in Portugal.

The old part of Ferragudo village has many picturesque corners. You might just want to simply stroll around! We particularly enjoyed Dr. Luiz António dos Santos Street in Ferragudo – a narrow street with colorful houses and flowers hanging over the narrow path.

Ferragudo village also has a lovely golden-sand beach. It is nice for swimming or sunbathing, however, my favorite part of the beach was those multiple sea caves that you can access quite easily with dry feet.

We also stopped to have a meal at one of the best brunch and breakfast places in Algarve located here in Ferragudo – Brunch in Rio. You can get nice pancakes, poke bowls, bruschettas as well as smoothie bowls and bagels. I loved it!

Location: Ferragudo – Praia do Pintadinho – Brunch in Rio

5. Ceramics stores in the Algarve

If there is one place you should go looking for souvenirs in Algarve then it’s a ceramics store! Portuguese are known for their ceramic tiles (‘azulejos’), as well as other products made of hand painted ceramics.

There is one pottery store in Algarve that stands out from the rest, and that is Cerâmica Paraíso in Raposeira.

The charming store offers an abundance of beautiful and colorful ceramic plates, bowls, and other types of souvenirs, but the most unique part about the store is its exterior.

The whole building is covered with colorful plates and bowls one more beautiful than the other. It is probably the most picture-perfect store in Algarve! It is worth a stop, even if you’re not buying anything. But if you are, bring cash, they dont accept cards!

Location: Cerâmica Paraíso

6. Heart-shaped rock at Praia da Marinha

Have you seen this kind of photo on the Internet? No, it is not Photoshop – there is actually a heart-shaped rock in Algarve at Praia da Marinha beach! There is a coastal rock with two arches in it at the beach, and you can see it from above the cliff.

However, if you look at the arch from a specific place at a specific angle, it actually creates the shape of a heart! One of my favorite hidden gems in the Algarve and Portugal! for sure! Read more about how to find the heart-shaped rock here!

Location: Heart-shaped rock · Parking lot

7. Algar at Praia dos Três Castelos

This algar at Praia dos Três Castelos beach was one of my favorite discoveries and hidden gems in Algarve. It is located at Praia dos Três Castelos beach in Portimão and is very easily accessible.

The algar has two entrances from the side of the beach, but you can also observe it from a viewpoint from above (but you can’t make a photo like this, tho!).

It is easy to access – just go to the beach and find this spot, there will be narrow entrances to this cave. Remember to come during low tide!

Location: Algar at Praia dos Três Castelos

8. Colorful rocks at Praia da Falésia

Praia da Falésia beach was one of those beaches in Algarve that surprised me the most! Just look at these coastal cliffs!

The beach is not only super long and a great choice for a beach day but it has this unbelievable background with rocks in two colors – red and white.

I have never seen something like this in my life – a true hidden gem in Algarve that you should definitely check out!

Location: Praia da Falésia · Photo location · Parking lot

9. Diamond rock and algar at Praia dos Três Irmãos

There are many famous beautiful beaches in Algarve with amazing rock formations. However, I have to say that this beach – Praia dos Três Irmãos – probably tops the list of my favorite beaches in Algarve. Okay, maybe it shares first place with Praia da Marinha Beach.

I particularly like a specific part of Praia dos Três Irmãos beach that uncovers itself only during low tide. That is the time you can access some coastal rocks and some of the most beautiful hidden gems in Algarve – caves, algars, and my favorite – the Diamond Rock. It is a hidden gem you should not miss in Algarve! Make sure to come during low tide!

Location: Praia dos Três Irmãos · Algar at Praia dos Três Irmãos · Diamond rock

10. Algar at Praia João de Arens

This beautiful hidden gem was amongst my favorite caves and hidden gems in Algarve. Getting there is an adventure! It is not easy to find and not easy to access this algar, however, it is worth the effort.

If you are an adventurer, you will love it! In order to get here you can park your car at Praia do Alemão parking lot, then climb uphill and follow a coastal path until you reach Praia João de Arens beach. Then find a narrow path downhill to the beach.

When you are at the beach you have to find a pathway under a cliff to get to the next part of the beach. It is visible and accessible only during low tide. You will just have to bend over to get through there.

When you get to the next beach, walk across it in the direction of the rocks you will see in front of you and find a small access hole to the algar. It is quite low and you will have to get down on your knees to get there. We used the wide-angle setting on our phone to make this photo.

Location: Algar at Praia João de Arens · Parking lot

11. Burgau village – the Portuguese Santorini

White little houses with blue doors and flower-covered roofs, tiny streets, cute cafés, and ocean air. This is all about Burgau village in Algarve – also named the Portuguese Santorini. If you want to catch that vacation vibe and relax in a quiet village, then pay a visit to Burgau! It is only a 20-minute drive from Lagos.

Besides, it has a nice sandy beach in case you want to relax by the water. Definitely check out Love Burgau café – they have amazing breakfasts, pizzas, smoothies, cocktails, and so on. And – it is located next to a tiny and cute yellow house!

Location: Burgau · Photo location (first photo) · Photo location (second photo)

12. Caves at Praia do Pintadinho

This little Praia do Pintadinho beach is a true hidden gem in Algarve! It is a small sandy beach located in Ferragudo village, a neighborhood of Portimão. It is nice for swimming or sunbathing, however, my favorite part of the beach was those multiple caves that you can access quite easily with dry feet.

There are three larger caves on the left side of the beach (one of them pictured above) if you stand on the beach facing the ocean. And then also a huge hole in the cliff on the right side of the beach – it has three different openings so it looks like a cave with three different exits. It is best to come here during low tide as the caves are close to the water!

Location: Praia do Pintadinho · Photo location

13. The secret Pirate beach – Praia dos Piratas

This secret tiny beach Praia dos Piratas is one of those you can’t actually enjoy as a swimmer (because of the rocks), but as an adventurer – for sure! Most tourists won’t go near this beach, however, there is something very special about this little hidden gem.

At the entrance to the beach, there is a human-shaped figure cut out in the rocks so you can enter the beach through the human shape. Pretty unique! You can get down to the beach by a small and steep path from the coastal cliff, but remember to go there only during low tide!

Location: Praia dos Piratas · Parking lot

14. Algar at Praia de Boião

This algar at Praia de Boião is one of the most unique algars of all. It is kind of a hybrid between a cave and an algar. There is a huge opening in the coastal cliff where you can walk under a cliff ceiling that has a circular hole.

This place looks really cool! To get there simply park your car at the Praia do Alemão beach parking lot and walk along the beach to this point. It is accessible only during low tide!

Location: Algar at Praia de Boião · Parking lot

15. The secret cove – Praia das Fontainhas

Praia das Fontainhas is a pretty unique spot – a tiny white-sand cove surrounded by steep cliffs. This is a perfect spot to go if you like some privacy as it is a bit remote.

There is a small path down the slope to get to the beach – not too difficult, but not easy at the same time. This beach is next to the Yellow Submarine and not far from the Arco de Albandeira rock arch, so you can visit those spots together.

Location: Praia das Fontainhas

Happy exploring!

Algarve is one of those must-visit destinations and regions in Europe! There is no other place with so many beautiful, unique, and different beaches, breathtaking coastal cliffs, charming towns, and this relaxing Southern vibe! If you can, please, leave a comment below if there are any significant changes to anything that is written in this blog post! Thanks!

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