Hidden Gems for Algarve

1. Hidden Gem Algarve: Three Little Birds Café

This adorable trendy spot is a MUST when you make a stop in Sagres. If you’re looking for a break from traditional Portuguese food, this is the perfect place. They offer mouthwatering mexican and american food like burgers, tacos, quesadillas and enchiladas. With all the high quality ingredients everything tastes super fresh! Make sure to try their “fall off the bone ribs”. They will probably be the best you have ever eaten. With the surf vibe and the stylish interior you want to hang out here all day and just enjoy life. The atmosphere here is simply laid back and relaxed.

2. Hidden Gem Algarve: Laundry Lounge

Yes you did read right. We will recommend you a laundry, but a special one. This lounge is a laundromat combined with a café. It is the perfect combination of washing your dirty travel-clothes while enjoying a nice coffee and nice food. When you enter you will already feel the cozy atmosphere: people of all nationalities are sitting in the huge sofas and armchairs and either read a book, have a good chat or enjoy their coffee with a delicious piece of cake like the raw cheesecake. It’s a really nice way to just relax and enjoy your laundry for once.

3. Hidden Gem Algarve: Benagil Caves

Visiting this cave is a must-do on your trip along the Algarve. From the inside, you will see the blue sky via an opening in the ceiling (also known as “the eye”). Most tourists book a boat, but it’s kind of pricey and you are not allowed to get off to explore the cave. The better option (if you feel comfortable) is to just swim from Benagil Beach. It is about a 5-minute swim. Just make sure that there are no strong waves before you dive in and the weather conditions are good. If you want to see the cave from another perspective, you can also just hike up the hill and see it from above.

4. Hidden Gem Algarve: Pego do Inferno

The beautiful “Pego do Inferno waterfall” is situated in the small village Santo Estêvão , at about a 7 km distance from Tavira. It’s one of the most beautiful landscapes of the Algarve. This waterfall forms a round pond, characterized by a deep Mediterranean green color, and is surrounded by a refreshing arboreous area. It can be a bit of a hike to get there so make sure to wear good shoes. We recommend going around 10 AM as it can get crowded later in the day.

5. Hidden Gem Algarve: Noah Surf House

Perched alongside a wide stretch of beach with views of the Atlantic you will find this eco-friendly design hotel in the charming village of Santa Cruz. But its is not just a hotel it is a whole experience. Noah Surf House offers an on-site skatepark, surf shop, yoga studio, and ocean view jacuzzi. As Portugal is one of the greenest countries in Europe, it is no surprise that Noah Surf House was built with sustainability in mind. Noah has 2 distinct spaces and services: Noah Beach House, a restaurant down at the beach; and Noah Surf House, the hotel. Noah Beach House offers a terrace, where you can lay back and enjoy the sunset, a restaurant, bar and a surf school. So we would recommend to take part in a yoga class here, spend the day at the beach, go for a surf, book a table for dinner at the Beach House and enjoy the delicious and fresh dishes of the restaurant.

6. Hidden Gem Algarve: WAX Restobar

If you start your trip along the Algarve in Faro, make sure to check out “WAX.” It is located right at the beach, so you have direct views over the sea while having a snack or a drink. Also, during the colder months, WAX is really cozy and suitable for watching the sunset or taking a little break from walking along the beach. As the restaurant is really close to Faro airport, it´s also a good last seaside stop before heading back home.

7. Hidden Gem Algarve: Praia de Sao Rafael

This beach is one of the nicest in the Algarve and it is surrounded by the beautiful orange-coloured cliffs typical of the region. In case you want to drink a cold beer or a Coke, there is also one restaurant at the beach. Praia de Sao Rafael is clean, it’s not too crowded, and you can also rent umbrellas and sunbeds if you want to spend the whole day at the beach. The beach is located about 4 km away from Albufeira and if you get started earlier in the morning, you can get a good parking spot close to the beach.

8. Hidden Gem Algarve: The Garden

Surrounded by plants, this fabulous beer garden is a brilliant spot to lounge with a beer or cocktail on a sunny afternoon. The backyard is filled with colorful fancy cushions and invites you to enjoy some relaxing hours here. This place is really made for “hanging out”. As well as drinks, they also offer snacks like bruschetta, hummus and patata bravas plus main courses with meat, fish and salad. Look for the kissing snails painted on the wall outside and you will find “The Garden” straight away.

9. Hidden Gem Algarve: Chelsea Coffee Brunch

If you are looking for a good brunch spot or a coffee place (as the name says), check out “Chelsea”. The interior is quite fancy and is already a highlight. The brunch menu offers everything from peanut butter pancakes and eggs benedict to acai smoothie bowls. If you have never tried it before, make sure to try their “tapioca”. It’s like a Brazilian crepe that is gluten free and can have different fillings. There are sweet ones with Nutella and co or salty ones with avocado and chicken.

10. Hidden Gem Algarve: Coffee & Waves

A small, trendy coffee shop with a laid back vibe, excellent coffee and tasty loaded toasts. With its pale pink coffee cups, pastel coloured interior and surfboard collection made in-house, this place is quite the hit on instagram. This spot is a café and shop all in one. It is the ideal place to find some local designer goodies & surfboards. The menu offers acai bowls, smashed avocado and egg on toast, loaded granola bowls and vegan cakes. As the coffee shop is quite small, it is more suited for take away. So grab some goodies from here and head to the beach.

Vacation rentals in Algarve