The Algarve has been on the sailing destinations map since the ‘60s, yet this beautiful and diverse region is not all heavily developed. Away from the high-rise resorts is a natural, unspoiled coastline that’s amazing to discover on a sailing itinerary – a network of wide sandy stretches and rocky coves, edged on one side by clear-as-glass water and on the other by a sweep of distinctive red-hued cliffs.

Arriving in Faro

For this sailing itinerary the point of departure will be Faro, and the easiest way to reach the Algarve region is by plane, so the initial destination should be Faro Airport. You can find flights to Faro from almost any major city in Europe.

There are several options to rent a boat around this region: Marina de Faro or Marina de Olhao, Porto de Recreio de Olhao, in Olhao.

Weather in Algarve

The Algarve area boasts a magnificent all year-round climate, with sunshine and blue skies for most of the year. Despite being located on the Atlantic coast, it has more a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and long, hot summers.

In other words, the sailing season lasts 12 months, because it's never too hot nor too cold, with steady and predictable winds.

During the summer months the sun will shine most of the days, but you’ll have relatively moderate temperatures due to the influence of the Atlantic Ocean. The temperatures settle around 30 °C (86 °F), and most frequently you’ll have a Northerly wind. The Azores High-Pressure and the Iberian Low-Pressure systems cause this northerly airflow, which increases during the afternoon due to the warming of the Iberian Peninsula.

Sailing in spring and autumn it’s also possible because the temperatures are around 20 °C (68 °F), the sun is shining, but keep an eye on the weather forecast, because sometimes the Atlantic Low-Pressure system can reach the Algarve.

Planning the itinerary

The starting point for this sailing itinerary in Algarve will be the Marina de Faro, located in the city with the same name. The marina has good amenities and around it you can find plenty of restaurants, accommodation and retail stores to provision your yacht.

For this itinerary, you will sail around 115 nautical miles and you should consider spending more than one week on this itinerary, to have enough time to discover this incredible place.

You must prepare in advance, consult the weather forecasts and choose your own pace and itinerary, if this one seems too advanced for your knowledge. Depending on your yacht type, pace, skills and other factors, the information below might vary.

• Leg 1 - Faro to Albufeira - 30 nautical miles - 6 hours
• Leg 2 - Albufeira to Lagos - 25 nautical miles - 5 hours
• Leg 3 - Lagos to Portimao - 10 nautical miles - 2 hours
• Leg 4 - Portimao to Vilamoura - 25 nautical miles - 5 hours
• Leg 5 - Vilamoura to Faro - 25 nautical miles - 5 hours

1. Faro to Albufeira - Leg 1

Sailing to Albufeira

If you charter a boat in Faro, usually you can check-in around 14.00. Around the marina there are several retail shops and minimarkets, from where you can provision your boat.

After leaving the marina, follow the navigation marks and head South towards the Barra Nova lighthouse, the point of exit in the North Atlantic Ocean. Once in the ocean, head NW towards Albufeira for another 20 nautical miles. Depending on your speed and yacht type, you should reach the Marina de Albufeira in about 4 hours.

Sightseeing in Albufeira

Albufeira is one of the most popular seaside resorts and sailing destinations in the Algarve. Located on the coast in the centre of the region, the town is synonymous with sailing, tourism and boasts some of southern Portugal's best beaches.

Once a quiet fishing village, Albufeira still retains something of its traditional character, best to discover in the old town, which is a maze of steep, narrow streets lined with whitewashed houses and fishermen's cottages that lead down to a fabulous beach.

One of the landmarks you should visit is the Archaeological Museum, where you can find a good collection of  artifacts from: prehistory, Roman period, Islamic period and modern age. Set over two floors, the most interesting artifacts include Stone Age flint tools, fragments of mosaics unearthed from a nearby Roman villa, and a collection of weathered 16th century keystones.

Timetable

• Address: Praça da República 1, Albufeira
• Schedule: Tuesday to Saturday: 9:00 – 17:30 / Monday, Sunday: closed
• Price: Regular ticket: 1.00 € / Children: free

As a well-known resort, Albufeira will also delight you with amazing beaches:

• Praia dos Pescadores
• Praia dos Aveiros
• Praia da Oura
• Praia de Peneco

Accommodation when sailing to Albufeira

Good accommodation can be found at Salgados Palace***** with starting price from 382 € / night or Hotel Sol e Mar Albufeira**** from 260 € / night.

2. Albufeira to Lagos - Leg 2

Sailing to Lagos

Marina de Lagos is 25 nautical miles away from Albufeira and you should reach the destination in about 5 hours. From the Lagos lighthouse to the marina, keep an eye on the channel depth, because in some areas it only has 2 metres.

Sightseeing in Lagos

For this leg we recommend sailing close to the coast, because on your starboard side nature will delight you with some amazing rock formations. Close to the town of Alporchinhos we recommend visiting:

• Algar Albandeira
• Rock formations close to Marinha Beach
• Benagil Caves
• Algar Seco
• Ponta da Piedade

Once in Lagos, you should know that you can also visit Ponta da Piedade by boat tours.

The city is an enjoyable sailing destination, at least for one day, offering a blend of gorgeous natural scenery, historic and cultural sites along with an incredible culinary experience.

Some of the landmarks worth visiting are: the beautiful Santo Antonio Church, the Mercado dos Escravos and the charming 17th century Castle of Lagos.

Accommodation when sailing to Lagos

Good accommodation can be found in Lagos: Boavista Golf & SPA – Bela Colina Village***** with starting price from 230 € / night or Hotel Marina Rio**** from 140 € / night.

3. Lagos to Portimao - Leg 3

Sailing to Portimao

As soon as you leave the marina, head back East and sail for 9 nautical miles to reach the Marina de Portimao. In the proximity of the marina there are also other options to find a berth on the Arade River, at Praia da Rocha Harbour or Doca de Sao Francisco.

Sightseeing in Portimao

Portimao’s incredible beauty combined with an extensive number of seaside activities to do, historical and cultural buildings to explore, make this town a perfect place to drop the anchor.

The town of Portimao presents some of the best beaches in the region with extensive sandy beaches and calm, warm and turquoise water. Among the most popular beaches in Portimao, we recommend:

• Praia da Rocha
• Praia do Vau
• Praia dos Tres Castelos
• Praia Joao de Arens

One of the top attractions in this area is the beautiful Santa Catarina Fortress, built on Praia da Rocha and over river Arade, which was partially destroyed during the 1755 earthquake. The fortress maintained its military purposes until the 20th century when it was occupied by the Civil Guard and the Maritime Police, but nowadays it serves exclusively as a tourist attraction.

Accommodation when sailing to Portimao

Good accommodation can be found in Portimao, like Algarve Casino Hotel***** with starting price from 191 € / night or Penina Hotel & Golf Resort***** from 135 € / night.

4. Portimao to Vilamoura - Leg 4

Sailing to Vilamoura

Sailing to Vilamoura should take around 5 hours, being 25 nautical miles away from Portimao. Vilamoura Marina is a well-known marina offering top amenities but also lots of restaurants around it, where you can taste the delicious local dishes.

Sightseeing in Vilamour

Known for being one of the most stylish resorts in the heart of the beautiful Algarve coastline, Vilamoura makes for an amazing sailing destination. The town is centred around Vilamoura Marina, which boasts top hotels, fine dining, shops, golf courses and clubs.

If you just want to relax at the beach, you can choose from:

• Praia da Falesia
• Praia de Vilamoura
• Praia da Lagoa

If you are interested in water sports, then this is the place for you. There is a wide variety of water sports to choose from: paragliding, snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing or jet skiing.

For golfers, this is a true paradise where you can enjoy one of the six championship golf courses.

If you fancy a gamble, there’s also the Vilamoura Casino, which also puts on evening entertainment and glamorous shows.

Accommodation when sailing to Vilamoura

Good accommodation can be found in this resort, like: The Lake Resort***** with starting price from 425 € / night or Vilamoura Garden Hotel**** with starting price from 189 € / night.

5. Vilamoura to Faro - Leg 5

Sailing to Faro

After you leave the marina, head SE and follow the coastline until you reach the Barra Nova lighthouse, then follow the channel until you reach Marina de Faro. On this leg you will sail around 25 nautical miles and you should reach Faro in about 5 hours.

Sightseeing in Faro

Faro, the capital of the Algarve and the main getaway to the region, is a historic and culturally rich city surrounded by unspoiled island beaches and the impressive Ria Formosa nature reserve.

Arco da Vila is a beautiful and monumental arch that replaces the Arab gateway of the Old City that was partially destroyed by an earthquake in 1755. The present gorgeous design of the arch was built by the Italian architect Francisco Xavier Fabri, and it’s one of the finest examples of Italian neoclassical style in the Algarve region and Portugal.

Faro’s history stretches back more than 2000 years. It was occupied by the Phoenicians, Romans, Visigoths, Byzantines and Moors, so wondering around the Old Town might be a good history lesson. Featuring lovely cobblestone streets, important landmark buildings, museums, Roman passages, captivating churches, distinguished tiled houses and lively squares, Faro’s Old Town is a delight and the best takeaway before your departure from this amazing sailing adventure.

Accommodation when sailing to Faro

Good accommodation can be found at: 3HB Faro***** with starting price from 249 € / night or Hotel Faro & Beach Club**** from 160 € / night.

Capetanos sailing and general recommendations

For an amazing sailing adventure in Algarve, we recommend to plan in advance, consult the charts, weather conditions and choose the most suitable time and boat, according to your sailing skills.

We hope that information in this sailing guide will contribute to your decision for your next holiday in the Algarve area, one of the top destinations in Portugal and Europe. 

Sailing bugdet calculator / rent boat calculator Algarve

These calculations are performed for one-week charter on a 40-foot catamaran in mid-august and crew of 10. The total may differ depending on many factors like boat amenities and construction year, mooring fees, dinner out, etc.

1-week total	12.580 €
4 cabins catamaran	8.200 €
Skipper (optional)	1.050 €
Food	600 €
Water	70 €
Diesel	210 €
Moorings	850 €
Food out	1.600 €