On the Beaches of Algarve

One of the best things that Portugal has to offer (besides amazing food, friendly people, beautiful fado music and magnificent miradouros), is its nature. But you won't see that if you stay just in the main cities such as the capital or Porto. If you walk around Lisbon, you will see magnificent architecture and monuments, but you won't see many green areas. There are parks, but not many, which is probably also due to the lack of horizontal land in the city that was built on seven hills. But don't worry! The capital is great, but when you feel like you need an open vast space and spectacular views of nature, go to Algarve. It is an amazing place to see with your friends and if you have an option, you can also rent a car, pack your favourite snacks and enough water and make this a road trip that will mark your experience abroad!

Algarve is a region in southern Portugal next to the coast, covering roughly about 5, 000 km². It includes many famous and lively cities, such as Lagos, Albufeira and Faro. The last one is also the main city of this region, and if you are looking for a place for your next Erasmus+ study exchange, keep in mind not only Lisbon and Porto have amazing universities - there is also the University of Algarve located there.

Food

This is a coastal area, so you can try delicious traditional seafood and meat dishes and taste some local wines. But if you don't eat meat or fish, be prepared though that it might be hard for you to find a restaurant that serves vegetarian dishes (without fish also). Nevertheless, food is excellent and also cheaper than in Lisbon. You can surely find a place where you will get a full meal including drink, dessert and coffee at the end for just a few euros.

What to see

Do not forget to check the magnificent Cape Saint Vincent close to Faro. There you can find a lighthouse which marks the southernmost point of both Portugal and Europe and the spectacular Ria Formosa lagoon. You should also pay a visit to the Benagil Caves – the best way to see them is to take a boat tour as the caves can be entered only from the seaside.

Where to head out in the night

There are many beaches (praias) where you can enjoy. The most famous one is probably Praia da Rocha, where you can also find a vivid nightlife. If you are searching for a crazy night out, Albufeira is a good place to be. There are many popular clubs and bars there and you can just choose anywhere the music and prices suit you.