Forget the tourist traps and head straight for the water. Take the ferry to Ilha do Farol for the best beach shacks in the Algarve, or ditch the crowds entirely for a day trip to Barreta Island. Spend your afternoon kayaking through the labyrinthine channels of Ria Formosa Natural Park before grabbing fresh seafood in town. It is raw, coastal, and significantly cooler than the resort heavyweights next door. Just book the boat early.
