Learn what sports you can play or what sports competitions to attend in the Algarve, taking advantage of its great conditions.
An increasingly number of Portuguese and foreign tourists seek the Algarve to play sports or to attend sports competitions such as golf, water sports (surfing, sailing and others), tennis, football, athletics, horseback riding, motorsport, motorcycling and biking.
The region has great climatic conditions and high-quality facilities for sports activities throughout the year.
Water Sports in the Algarve
The Algarve sea offers good conditions for water sports all year round. For surf you can find excellent conditions in the spots of the Natural Park of Sudoeste Alentejano and Costa Vicentina). Ideal also for windsurf, body board, kayak and sailing.
Clear waters and natural (and artificial) reefs also provide good conditions for sport fishing and scuba diving.
To take a boat trip along the Algarve coast is a must. You can explore the Natural Park of Ria Formosa (extensive lagoon from Loulé to Vila Real de Santo António).
Or go up the Guadiana River, from Vila Real de Santo António to Mértola. Tourists have the opportunity to see the beautiful and calm landscape and then visit Mértola the Historic Village-Museum in the Alentejo.
Located on the crossing between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean and with good navigability, the Algarve has marinas, ports and recreational docks.
You will find high-quality facilities, such as restaurants and support services for cruises, yachts and other vessels. Such infrastructures facilitate shopping and the visits to the historical centres of Algarve’s typical towns and cities.
NAUTICAL ACTIVITY COMPANIES
In the Algarve, several companies promote nautical activities, equipment rental and surf schools.
Others promote boat trips along the Algarve’s coast, to visit the caves, deserted beaches and coastal cliffs, from Lagos, Fuzeta, Olhão or Fábrica at Cacela Velha.
They also go up the Guadiana River, from Vila Real de Santo António to Mértola.
Europe’s Best Golf Destination!
ALGARVE IS EXCELLENT FOR GOLF
The Algarve is considered the best golf destination in Europe and one of the best in the world. The wide range of golf courses in the region has received several prizes.
They are usually located in beautiful landscapes, beside the sea.
This combined with the mild weather, quality hotel facilities and good accessibility brings to Algarve, throughout the year, countless fans of this sport, especially from abroad.
MOST POPULAR GOLF COURSES IN THE ALGARVE
The Algarve has the best golf courses in the world. In the municipality of Loulé we highlight the fields in:
- Vilamoura: Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course, Old Course Golf Club, Millennium Golf course, Pinhal Golf Course and Laguna Golf Course;
- Quinta do Lago: Quinta do Lago Sul, Laranjal Golf Course and San Lorenzo Golf Course;
- Vale do Lobo: Ocean Golf Course and Royal Golf Course.
In Vila Nova de Cacela (Vila Real de Santo António) you will find another excellent golf course, Quinta da Ria. Here you can have a super view to Ria Formosa National Park.
Bikes and MTB in the Algarve
In the Algarve you can ride a bicycle or mountain bike, through various trails, routes and bike lanes.
The “Ecovia do Algarve” has a total of about 133 miles (215 Km), along the Algarve south coastline, so you easily find where to “pedal”.
Karting and Karts in the Algarve
You can drive a kart at the ‘Kartódromo International do Algarve’, which runs at the Algarve International Circuit, in Portimão, or the ‘Karting de Almancil’, in Almancil-Loulé.
Alternatively, if you want to do indoor karting, you can do so in the Algarve Indoor Kart Center, in Olhão) or the Hot Wheels, in Albufeira.
Hiking Trails in the Algarve
VIA ALGARVIANA
The Algarve has several hiking trails, which allow you to calmly enjoy the flora and fauna of the region. Part of the rails are integrated in the great route Via Algarviana. This route is a backbone in a net of trails crossing the interior of the Algarve, from Alcoutim to Cabo de São Vicente, in a total length of about 186 miles (300 km) long, through nature, villages and rural villages.
ROTA VICENTINA
In addition, there are also hiking trails in the Rota Vicentina, with a total of 280 miles (450 km) long, in the Natural Park of Sudoeste Alentejano and Costa Vicentina.
This Route begins in Santiago do Cacém and ends at Cabo de São Vicente, inside the Natural Park of Sudoeste Alentejano and Costa Vicentina.
Try to make some of the walking trails along the Atlantic Ocean, so you can enjoy the beautiful cliffs and deserted beaches.
Learn more about The most stunning beaches in Algarve.
Sport Events in the Algarve
All year round you can attend sport events in Algarve, namely motor sports. For instance, the ‘Rallye Casinos do Algarve’ (in various locations), the FIM Superbikes World Championship (Portimão) and the International Motorcycle Meeting in Faro (which is one of the largest in Europe).
Keen runners can watch the ‘Crosse das Amendoeiras em Flor’ (International Cross Country Race) in various locations, the ‘Grande Prémio dos Reis’ (Faro) and the ‘Milhas do Guadiana’ (Vila Real de Santo António) between Portugal and Spain.
Bike loverscan watch ‘Volta ao Algarve”. Other major events are the ´Maratona BTT Alte’, (MTB) in Faro and the ‘Maratona & Meia Maratona de BTT Algarve Maniacs” (MTB), in Armação de Pêra (Silves).
Like a paradise for golf lovers, and not to be missed, the Portugal Master, for the European Tour, is the main golf tournament in Portugal. This event takes place in Vilamoura, at Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course, where you can watch the world’s best golfers.
Other Places to Visit in Algarve
- Aljezur: Self-guided walking tour in Aljezur, Portugal
- Lagos: Self-guided walking tour in Lagos, Portugal
- Portimão: Self-guided walking tour in Portimão, Portugal
- Algarve: Best things to do in Algarve, Portugal: find our selection
- Algarve: The best beaches in Algarve, Portugal
Other near Portugal travel destinations
- Alentejo: Self-guided walking tour in Mértola, Portugal
- Alentejo: Castro Verde, Portugal: Self-guided walking tour
| To learn more about other LikedPlaces, go to our Destinations in Portugal page. |
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