Resorts nestled in nature, traditional fishermen's cuisine, cliffs overlooking the ocean: the most exclusive side of southern Portugal.
The Algarve is the new icon of European luxury. For decades a favorite destination for surfers and lovers of unspoiled nature, today the Algarve is transforming into a luxury destination capable of attracting travelers from all over Europe. Its red cliffs, endless beaches and white villages suspended in time dialogue with a proposal of refined hospitality: spectacular resorts, personalized experiences and restaurants that celebrate local roots in a contemporary way.
The São Vicente Coast remains the wild heart of the region: a spectacular promontory plunging into the ocean, the furthest point from the famous Faro, the region's capital, where sunsets offer hues reminiscent of Africa. A last hidden paradise, now opening its doors to exclusive tourism without losing its authenticity.
Here are eight unmissable experiences to discover the Algarve in its most sophisticated version.
Nestled within an untouched nature reserve, Praia do Canal Natural Resort is designed for those who wish to reconnect with nature without sacrificing comfort. Its infinity pools – some heated even in the coldest months – offer views of green hills and seemingly endless seascapes. At sunset, you might spot foxes or wild boars roaming freely, confident that they reign supreme. The on-site spa offers regenerative rituals that combine local traditions and modern techniques, while the cocktail bar is a chic meeting point for those who appreciate creative mixology. Not to be missed is the restaurant, which, although not easily accessible, is frequently booked by many external clients who celebrate local produce with dishes that combine simplicity and refinement.
With its winding architecture and Mediterranean gardens descending to the ocean, the Vilalara Thalassa Resort is one of the Algarve's iconic hotels. Twelve hectares were conceived as a visionary project in the 1960s. Situated in a private bay of golden sand, it embodies the idea of exclusivity with its spacious suites, exquisite design, and a top-tier spa. It is considered one of the pioneers in Europe in thalassotherapy treatments, a path that combines the energy of the sea with innovative wellness protocols. It's no wonder that Forbes has awarded it as one of the most exclusive resorts in the region. A place where luxury is synonymous with harmony with nature.
Pedralva is a sprawling hotel that emerged from a miracle: a semi-abandoned village that, thanks to a careful restoration project, has come back to life as a slow and elegant destination. A mosaic of white houses transformed into small guesthouses that maintain the original atmosphere of a small Algarve village, but are completely immersed in nature. Strolling through its cobbled streets is like stepping back in time, far from mass tourism. The experience becomes memorable with dinner at the village's small restaurant: the cod served inside freshly baked warm bread encapsulates the sense of authenticity and hospitality that makes Pedralva a gem to discover.
The Ria Formosa lagoon is one of Portugal's most extraordinary ecosystems: an intertwining of sandy islets, shifting dunes, channels, and fishing villages that seem suspended in time. With ISeaCharter, you can enjoy this beauty in complete exclusivity, aboard private yachts with dedicated crew. The tour takes you through the crystal-clear waters of the nature reserve, with stops at small fishing villages where time seems to slow down. Between tastings of fresh fish and walks along beaches accessible only by sea, and visits to fishing villages that have remained as they were in the past, the experience offers direct contact with a still authentic and precious Algarve. Be aware of the tide, which rises and falls by more than 3 meters here, so only small boats can leave the port, and sometimes not even those.
Luxury in the Algarve isn't just about comfort and scenery, but also experiences that tell the story of the region's culture. "The Kitchen by Eat a Local," in Lagos, offers private, personalized cooking classes, combining the pleasure of cooking with the narrative of traditions. Here you can learn to prepare cataplana, an ancient fish dish cooked in a copper pot, starting with buying the ingredients at the local market, or try the famous pastéis de nata, a symbol of Portuguese pastry. The day is enriched with a guided tour through the streets of Lagos, a lively maritime city with its picturesque harbor and the remains of its ancient walls.
Located on the sixth floor of the new Kimpton Hotel, with direct access to the famous São Rafael Beach, the Zénite Bar is one of the most glamorous rooftop bars in the entire Algarve. The sophisticated interiors blend seamlessly with the panoramic terraces overlooking the ocean, creating an atmosphere that blends international elegance with local spirit. The cocktail menu is curated by renowned mixologists who reinterpret Portuguese flavors in a contemporary way. At sunset, the bar becomes the ideal spot for an exclusive aperitif, with views of the cliffs bathed in red and gold.
Chef Noélia Jerónimo is considered one of the most talented interpreters of contemporary Portuguese cuisine, following her debut on Masterchef Portugal with her comforting cooking. At the Real Marina Hotel & Spa in Olhão, her restaurant Marina com Noelia serves dishes that creatively celebrate the Algarve sea. From oysters from the Ria Formosa (where the restaurant is located) to fish dishes prepared according to revised traditional recipes, each dish reflects a deep connection to the land and speaks of humble dishes, in whose simplicity lies the less ostentatious luxury that many seek.
For those who want to feel like the millionaire residents of Quinta do Lago, the new Designer Outlet Algarve is a must-see. Built like a typical Portuguese village, with cobbled streets and picturesque squares, it houses luxury boutiques and international brands with exclusive collections. And, sometimes, a fado performance. Among its gems is the store dedicated to Vista Alegre, a historic porcelain manufacturer founded in 1824 and always a symbol of high-quality Portuguese craftsmanship. A shopping experience that combines authenticity and refinement, ideal for a few days of bad weather.
Faro International Airport is the main airport in the Algarve, with flights operated by TAP Air Portugal, the Portuguese national airline, from Rome, Milan, Bologna and Venice, as well as several other European cities. Alternatively, you can fly to Lisbon and reach Faro with a private car transfer of about two hours: an opportunity to admire the landscapes of southern Portugal.
(Source: Forbes Italy)
The Algarve is the new icon of European luxury. For decades a favorite destination for surfers and lovers of unspoiled nature, today the Algarve is transforming into a luxury destination capable of attracting travelers from all over Europe. Its red cliffs, endless beaches and white villages suspended in time dialogue with a proposal of refined hospitality: spectacular resorts, personalized experiences and restaurants that celebrate local roots in a contemporary way.
The São Vicente Coast remains the wild heart of the region: a spectacular promontory plunging into the ocean, the furthest point from the famous Faro, the region's capital, where sunsets offer hues reminiscent of Africa. A last hidden paradise, now opening its doors to exclusive tourism without losing its authenticity.
Here are eight unmissable experiences to discover the Algarve in its most sophisticated version.
1. Praia do Canal Natural Resort
Nestled within an untouched nature reserve, Praia do Canal Natural Resort is designed for those who wish to reconnect with nature without sacrificing comfort. Its infinity pools – some heated even in the coldest months – offer views of green hills and seemingly endless seascapes. At sunset, you might spot foxes or wild boars roaming freely, confident that they reign supreme. The on-site spa offers regenerative rituals that combine local traditions and modern techniques, while the cocktail bar is a chic meeting point for those who appreciate creative mixology. Not to be missed is the restaurant, which, although not easily accessible, is frequently booked by many external clients who celebrate local produce with dishes that combine simplicity and refinement.
2. Vilalara Grand Hotel Algarve
With its winding architecture and Mediterranean gardens descending to the ocean, the Vilalara Thalassa Resort is one of the Algarve's iconic hotels. Twelve hectares were conceived as a visionary project in the 1960s. Situated in a private bay of golden sand, it embodies the idea of exclusivity with its spacious suites, exquisite design, and a top-tier spa. It is considered one of the pioneers in Europe in thalassotherapy treatments, a path that combines the energy of the sea with innovative wellness protocols. It's no wonder that Forbes has awarded it as one of the most exclusive resorts in the region. A place where luxury is synonymous with harmony with nature.
3. The lost (and rediscovered) village of Pedralva
Pedralva is a sprawling hotel that emerged from a miracle: a semi-abandoned village that, thanks to a careful restoration project, has come back to life as a slow and elegant destination. A mosaic of white houses transformed into small guesthouses that maintain the original atmosphere of a small Algarve village, but are completely immersed in nature. Strolling through its cobbled streets is like stepping back in time, far from mass tourism. The experience becomes memorable with dinner at the village's small restaurant: the cod served inside freshly baked warm bread encapsulates the sense of authenticity and hospitality that makes Pedralva a gem to discover.
4. Private tour of the Ria Formosa with ISeaCharter
The Ria Formosa lagoon is one of Portugal's most extraordinary ecosystems: an intertwining of sandy islets, shifting dunes, channels, and fishing villages that seem suspended in time. With ISeaCharter, you can enjoy this beauty in complete exclusivity, aboard private yachts with dedicated crew. The tour takes you through the crystal-clear waters of the nature reserve, with stops at small fishing villages where time seems to slow down. Between tastings of fresh fish and walks along beaches accessible only by sea, and visits to fishing villages that have remained as they were in the past, the experience offers direct contact with a still authentic and precious Algarve. Be aware of the tide, which rises and falls by more than 3 meters here, so only small boats can leave the port, and sometimes not even those.
5. Cooking class in Lagos with The Kitchen by Eat a Local
Luxury in the Algarve isn't just about comfort and scenery, but also experiences that tell the story of the region's culture. "The Kitchen by Eat a Local," in Lagos, offers private, personalized cooking classes, combining the pleasure of cooking with the narrative of traditions. Here you can learn to prepare cataplana, an ancient fish dish cooked in a copper pot, starting with buying the ingredients at the local market, or try the famous pastéis de nata, a symbol of Portuguese pastry. The day is enriched with a guided tour through the streets of Lagos, a lively maritime city with its picturesque harbor and the remains of its ancient walls.
6. Zenith Bar – Kimpton Hotel in Albufeira
Located on the sixth floor of the new Kimpton Hotel, with direct access to the famous São Rafael Beach, the Zénite Bar is one of the most glamorous rooftop bars in the entire Algarve. The sophisticated interiors blend seamlessly with the panoramic terraces overlooking the ocean, creating an atmosphere that blends international elegance with local spirit. The cocktail menu is curated by renowned mixologists who reinterpret Portuguese flavors in a contemporary way. At sunset, the bar becomes the ideal spot for an exclusive aperitif, with views of the cliffs bathed in red and gold.
7. Marina with Noelia in Olhão
Chef Noélia Jerónimo is considered one of the most talented interpreters of contemporary Portuguese cuisine, following her debut on Masterchef Portugal with her comforting cooking. At the Real Marina Hotel & Spa in Olhão, her restaurant Marina com Noelia serves dishes that creatively celebrate the Algarve sea. From oysters from the Ria Formosa (where the restaurant is located) to fish dishes prepared according to revised traditional recipes, each dish reflects a deep connection to the land and speaks of humble dishes, in whose simplicity lies the less ostentatious luxury that many seek.
8. Designer Outlet Algarve – shopping like in Quinta do Lago
For those who want to feel like the millionaire residents of Quinta do Lago, the new Designer Outlet Algarve is a must-see. Built like a typical Portuguese village, with cobbled streets and picturesque squares, it houses luxury boutiques and international brands with exclusive collections. And, sometimes, a fado performance. Among its gems is the store dedicated to Vista Alegre, a historic porcelain manufacturer founded in 1824 and always a symbol of high-quality Portuguese craftsmanship. A shopping experience that combines authenticity and refinement, ideal for a few days of bad weather.
How to get there
Faro International Airport is the main airport in the Algarve, with flights operated by TAP Air Portugal, the Portuguese national airline, from Rome, Milan, Bologna and Venice, as well as several other European cities. Alternatively, you can fly to Lisbon and reach Faro with a private car transfer of about two hours: an opportunity to admire the landscapes of southern Portugal.
(Source: Forbes Italy)