What to do in Vale de Santa Maria

Activities, attractions and tours

Vale de Santa Maria Attractions

Let Expedia help you to experience the best that Vale de Santa Maria has to offer! If you’re planning a trip to Vale de Santa Maria, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling to Vale de Santa Maria with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Places of interest in Vale de Santa Maria

Vale de Santa Maria is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay in Vale de Santa Maria, and make it a breeze to explore Vale de Santa Maria and the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Vale de Santa Maria to make sure that you enjoy your holiday to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit to Vale de Santa Maria, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights in Vale de Santa Maria.

Vale de Santa Maria attractions

Vale de Santa Maria has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions in Vale de Santa Maria to keep you entertained. Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Vale de Santa Maria.

Looking for things to do in Vale de Santa Maria can be time-consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine of Vale de Santa Maria or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Vale de Santa Maria attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season. Happy trails!

Things to do

Albufeira: Dolphin Watching and Benagil Cave

Albufeira: Dolphin Watching and Benagil Cave

£27
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
Albufeira: Dolphin Watching and Benagil Cave
Loulé: TechSalt’s Rock-Salt Mine Tour

Loulé: TechSalt’s Rock-Salt Mine Tour

£21
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Loulé: TechSalt’s Rock-Salt Mine Tour
Albufeira: MiniGolf Adventure Park Entry Ticket

Albufeira: MiniGolf Adventure Park Entry Ticket

£12
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
Albufeira: MiniGolf Adventure Park Entry Ticket
Vilamoura: Benagil Cave Boat Tour with Entry&Dolphin search

PREMIUM Benagil Cave Boat Tour with Entry & Dolphin search

£36
per adult
86% of travellers recommend
PREMIUM Benagil Cave Boat Tour with Entry & Dolphin search
Tour boat passengers taking photos of the Insonia Caves in Algarve

Grotto Cruise and Dolphin Watching from Albufeira

£34
per adult
84% of travellers recommend
Grotto Cruise and Dolphin Watching from Albufeira
Picture 1 for Activity Albufeira: Dolphin Watching and Benagil Cave Boat Cruise

Albufeira: Small-Group Dolphins & Benagil Cave Boat Tour

£35
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
Albufeira: Small-Group Dolphins & Benagil Cave Boat Tour
Benagil: Benagil Caves and Secret Spots Guided Kayaking Tour

Benagil: Benagil Caves and Secret Spots Guided Kayaking Tour

£25
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
Benagil: Benagil Caves and Secret Spots Guided Kayaking Tour
From Albufeira: Half-Day Algarve Jeep Safari

From Albufeira: Half-Day Algarve Jeep Safari

£34
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
From Albufeira: Half-Day Algarve Jeep Safari
Caves and Dolphin Watching Cruise from Albufeira

Caves and Dolphin Watching Cruise from Albufeira

£33
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Caves and Dolphin Watching Cruise from Albufeira
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Top places to visit

1. Albufeira Old Town Square

Albufeira Old Town Square (Jardim Público de Albufeira) is the beating heart of the atmospheric Albufeira Old Town. This tree-shaded public space offers superb dining, entertainment, people-watching and shopping experiences. Visit Albufeira Old Town Square at any time of the day to witness a true essence of this ancient fishing village.
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A bustling street in a historic town with white buildings, shops, and signs for restaurants and bars.

2. Falesia Beach

Falésia Beach comprises a long stretch of golden sand at the foot of tall, colorful cliffs. It is part of a scenic strand running for about 4 miles (6 kilometers), between Vilamoura and Albufeira. Marvel at the dramatic hues of red and orange that stain the white cliff face bordering the beach.
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A beach with red cliffs and calm waters.

3. Vilamoura Marina

With about hundreds of spaces for boats, Vilamoura Marina is a large and busy harbor in the center of the town. All types of yachts and cruisers adorn the picturesque marina, which is bordered by restaurants, bars and clubs. Watch people go by and soak up the lively atmosphere amid the town’s charming waterways.
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A marina with several yachts docked, surrounded by multi-story buildings with shops and restaurants.

4. Benagil Beach

Surrounded by blue-green waters and cliffs ranging in color from pale beige to gold, Benagil Beach is postcard material. Come here simply to sunbathe and swim, or take a boat trip to view the nearby caves, coastal cliffs and dramatic rock formations.
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A beach with turquoise waves crashing against a sandy shore under a large rock formation.

5. Oura Beach

Be energetic or simply relax at Oura Beach (Praia da Oura). With abundant water sports, a picturesque Algarve backdrop and a promenade lined with bars and restaurants, this is one of the liveliest beaches of Albufeira. Oura Beach is home to several large resort hotels, thus making it a busy coastal destination year round.
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A coastal scene with a boat named 'PORTIMÃO' and 'COOL FLY' on turquoise water, rocky cliffs, and buildings in the background.

6. Faro Island Beach

Faro Island Beach is one of the area’s most picturesque and popular sandy stretches. Cafés, restaurants and watersports operators sit along the strand, which lines 3 miles (5 kilometers) of a narrow sand bar. Enjoy the unobstructed views of the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Formosa River on the other.
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A tall white lighthouse with a red top, surrounded by a wooden fence and a white building with a yellow roof.

Recommended things to do in Vale de Santa Maria

Number of things to do
524
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Albufeira Audio Guided Walking Tour 2h30 and 20 reviews: £6
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Vale de Santa Maria

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Vale de Santa Maria

A beach with a sunset, calm sea, and a boat in the distance.

Albufeira

A beach with waves, a jet ski, and a cityscape in the background.

Gale

A coastal landscape with clear waters, rocky formations, and a sandy beach.

Ferreiras

A crowded beach with people, umbrellas, and buildings in the background.

Cerro de Aguia

A coastal town with multi-story buildings, a sandy beach, and a rocky hillside.

Caliços

Frequently asked questions

Is Vale de Santa Maria worth visiting?
Whether you want to experience the local charm and cultural attractions or try regional foods and explore in nature, there's no shortage of things to do in Vale de Santa Maria.
How do I spend a day in Vale de Santa Maria?
Start your adventures with a visit to the must-see sights in the area. Then, explore other parts of Vale de Santa Maria for a bite to eat and some shopping.
What is the top tourist attraction in Vale de Santa Maria?
From cheap activities for all kinds of travellers to popular attractions and tours, scroll up for a range of unmissable things to do in Vale de Santa Maria.
Is three days enough to stay in Vale de Santa Maria?
Three days is enough for a quick getaway to Vale de Santa Maria — you'll tick off the main attractions and get a good idea of the local vibe. But if you want to really experience it all, stick around for at least seven to ten days to discover some hidden gems too.
What are some activities to do in Vale de Santa Maria with kids?
Whether you're travelling with young explorers or playful teenagers, a schedule filled with fun activities takes your trip to the next level. Take a look at our recommendations for what to do in Vale de Santa Maria with kids.

What to do in Vale de Santa Maria for adults?
From fantastic food and cultural highlights to thrilling adventures and one-of-a-kind experiences, there are plenty of exciting things to do in Vale de Santa Maria for adults.
Are there free things to do in Vale de Santa Maria?
There are lots of free things to do in Vale de Santa Maria. Explore the parks or join in on free events and festivals. Vale de Santa Maria offers plenty of budget-friendly experiences that let you experience this area without breaking the bank.

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