No matter where you go in Portugal, it’s going to be stunning – and the Algarve just happens to be one of the most stunning places of all. One of the most exciting experiences of a holiday is setting up your camera and taking some truly breathtaking shots, and everything which the Algarve has to offer is naturally photogenic with absolutely no filter required. 

Here are just some of the best places in the Algarve to take an exceptional travel shot. 

1Albufeira

One of the most popular locations of the Algarve, Albufeira is a stunning place to visit, with plenty of great photo opportunities and idyllic spots to set up your equipment and get the best shot you can. The great thing about Albufeira in terms of photography is that it’s a fantastic mix of everything, whether it be a shot of the ocean at sunset with golden beaches all around or a lively street shot in the evening along Albufeira’s popular party scene. Albufeira also has some fantastic architecture, with a real old-town feel, complete with winding cobbled streets and terracotta houses, meaning there is plenty to pique your creative interest and many experimental shots to take. 

If you’d rather have more peace and space to set up your photography equipment, away from the hustle and bustle of the main town (or maybe in addition to the crowds in order to get a happy mix of tranquil and busy shots), consider renting a villa in order to be in control of your own space and take photographs of the surrounding area. Most villas in Albufeira are set in quiet, residential areas, a short way away from the main town centre, meaning you’ll get the peace you need, but you won’t be too far away from the action. 

Explore a little further, and you’ll always find quaint little coves and rock pools, all perfect for photo opportunities. The Praia dos Pescadores beach is situated right by the old town. 

2Ponta da Piedade, Lagos

This is a stunning, scenic spot, located along the coastline of Lagos, and made up of a group of rock formations which reach 20 metres in height. The great thing about this location is that there are many coastal paths you can walk along, meaning you have many options for a photo spot, and also have the opportunity to walk further to find your best viewpoint. There is plenty of room on these coastal paths to set up a tripod should you need it, and there is a handy car park nearby. 

You can even book a tour from this location in order to have a closer look at the beautiful coves and cliffs based here, meaning great opportunities for close up photography shots. 

This place is also home to a famous lighthouse, which dates back to 1913. A photo of the lighthouse would be a stunning shot on a beautiful day with a blue, cloudless sky as a backdrop. 

3The Benagil Caves 

These caves are definitely a must-see, whether you’re taking a photograph or not! This is one of the most popular tourist attractions of the Algarve and for good reason. If you’re eager to take more shots of rock formations and caves, then this has to be at the top of the list for sheer beauty. These caves are located next to Benagil Beach, which is between Portimao, Albufeira and Lagoa. This means you can combine a trip to the caves with some Benagil Beach shots, too. 

The caves feature a large hole in the roof of the rock, meaning the glorious sky is visible beyond (which would make for a stunning photo, as you can imagine). The ocean is also visible from inside the cave, and there is a sandy embankment meaning you have the option of standing and setting up your photos rather than being confined to a boat. It’s a magical little grotto. 

4Praia da Marinha

If you’re going to take some beach photos, then you’ll want to do it right. Praia da Marinha is one of the most beautiful beaches in the whole of Portugal – not just the Algarve. You are able to walk along a coastal path and reach the Arco Natural Algarve: a natural bridge, which is the perfect subject for any great photography shot. Making it more photographic is the heart-shaped rock formation, perfect for any photo (which a lot of people have taken advantage of with their Instagram posts!).

Not only is this one of Portugal’s most beautiful beaches, but it has been voted one of the twenty most beautiful beaches in the world – and that’s a lot of competition, to say the least.

If you need further convincing of why this beach is the perfect photography shot, its sandy beach and crystal water have often been used in television advertising campaigns. 

5Ria Formosa

If photographing wildlife is more you’re sort of thing, you might want to try Ria Formosa. This is a beautiful paradise, a colourful oasis full of local birds, and a visit here gives you wetlands and lagoons to explore on foot as well as with your camera. Ria Formosa houses over 20,000 birds during their winter period and is also an official stop-over point in the migration routes between Europe and Africa. So if you’re a bird-lover, here is your photography paradise.

It’s actually been voted as one of the seven natural wonders of Portugal, and this spot truly is a natural wonder, due to its ever-changing landscape as a result of continuous movement of winds and the tide. This means a photograph at Ria Formosa will be exceptionally unique if the land decides to change after you have taken it. It may never look like that again. 

It’s officially a protected area and a very special place to be. Expect to photograph barrier-island, marshes, dune, saltpans and woodlands, offering an array of flora and fauna just waiting for that perfect macro shot. Ria Formosa encompasses the best offerings for photography.

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