The Algarve hits all the right notes when it comes to seaside getaways.

Inviting beaches and great weather are the just beginning of a long list of the region’s many charms. This southern pocket of Portugal also has castles, historic cobblestone centers and sleepy cliff-top villages overlooking wild stretches of coastline. Whether you’re traveling solo, heading off on a romantic getaway or seeking a child-friendly place with lots of activities on offer near the seaside, the Algarve has you covered.

To help you plan your visit, here’s a rundown of some top places to go.

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1. Sagres

Best surf in the Algarve 

The westernmost town in the Algarve, Sagres has some of Portugal’s most spectacular scenery. At the centuries-old Fortaleza de Sagres, you can walk to the edge of sheer sea cliffs and watch the waves crashing far below while pondering the daring of Portuguese explorers who headed off into uncharted waters.

According to legend, Sagres was where Prince Henry the Navigator founded his school for sailors (cartography, ship design, astronomy and, of course, navigation) back in the 15th century, ushering in the Age of Discoveries. Even more drama – some say the best viewpoint in the Algarve – lies just a few kilometers north at the Cabo de São Vicente, Europe’s southwesternmost point. There, a lonely lighthouse overlooks the jagged wind-whipped cape.

These days, Sagres continues to look out to sea – often in search of great waves…

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