We will be visiting Caramujeira for the first time for a week in mid September. I was wondering what you would consider as being THE one thing to do whilst we are there? I had heard you can go dolphin watching, is that possible in the region or at this time of year? Any other tips would be appreciated.
Thanks, OonaghG

Hope you are renting a car, it has a lovely beach, down a lot of steps, but is not the easiest place to get to/from. As to where to go, it depends - what are your interests, do you have a young/teenage family, or are you a young/mature couple?
Also - Look on the home page of this site - L/H side and go to Tourist info section, then look on R/H side and look in Sightseeing section.

Beach is fab buit steps, and when the tide is in, it really does come in!!!

And as said, depends on age group - everything is still open mid September, but less crowded - great time to come to the Algarve!

Ypu can never guarantee seeing dolphins but the chances are better in September as this is when the squid arrive which keep the dolphins in the area.
You can take a boat from Albufeira, Portimao or Lagos.( marinas ) There are many to chose from.

You can go on dolphin spotting trips from Portimao. The boats radio each other with sightings.

You could get lucky....as we did last February, we were on the clifftops almost opposite where you are going to stay, and we were lucky enough to spot a huge school of dolphins, possibly 50+, between 50 and 500 yards out, they took the best part of an hour to pass....coming up as many as 5 at a time.

It was an enthralling experience, like something out of an Attenbourgh programme.

Having said that......we havent seen one in over 6 weeks now. It all depends on your luck.

Whatever.......just walking those clifftops are a wonderful experience in itself.

Thanks for all your replies! We are a couple in our forties, no children, looking to do some chilling out, some walking, boat trip maybe. Not into golf! Haven't been to the Algarve for years and are unfamiliar with the area and if there were an amazing "must do" something would hate to miss it! Will definitely investigate the dolphin boat trips - even if we don't see dolphins we do enjoy a boat trip! We will have a car and thought about visiting Silves & Guia too. I will check out the sightseeing section you recommended, Sam

Not sure yet exactly where our villa is, we'll get directions when the tickets arrive at the end of August, but I think it is supposed to be less than 2km away from a beach, but from the pictures it looks nicely tucked away!

Any further ideas gratefully received.

OonaghG - doesn't matter what you do my friend, a week won't be enough - no matter what you read on this site, you will make up your own mind - and you'll come back again.

Enjoy, relax and have a great time.

Ha Ha! I'm beginning to realise this ! The area does sound great.
Might need directions to the beach though if it is tricky to find.
OonaghG

the beaches - marinha, benagil, albandeira etc are sign posted - no problems.

It's down near the sea, and you can't miss the sea.

As has been said before, a week wont be enough. If it is peace and quiet you want then you have chosen the right place and the right time. We went on a dolphin trip last year from Lagos and we saw a good dozen dolphins...what an experience. They are just beautiful. As far as beaches are concerned, again you have picked a lovely area as well as those mentioned locally there are a few more off the beaten track where peace, quiet and sea and sand all come together.
When my partner and I were out last September we headed straight for our favourite beach which is east of albanderia across the cliff tops heading towards Snr-de-Rocha. Look for the little path down to the beach between the trees and paradise awaits you. We love it as you dont get "tan lines" down there......if you know what I mean! As a must if you travel to Silves you must drive up to Bordeira and Carrapateria, stunning beaches that go on for miles and a fantastic drive.
You wont be bored!

Caramujeira is a lovely area and the beach with the hidden access east of Albandeira is perfect (but don't tell too many people where it is). It's easy to idle away the time at the beach and bar at Albandeira doing nothing but watching the waves break, people etc The cliffs are great for walking along. The must visit place (otherwise) is the west coast.

The beaches are easy to find, although the road to Albandeira is narrow and twisty - shame about the development part way to the beach which has brought some larger, fast travelling cars and more people on the beaches. However, it's still the perfect place for a relaxed holiday.

if you walk over the cliffs to the west of Albandera - you eventually reach a very secluded cove in a valley, with an island off-shore - its a perfect place - apart from the lots of (mostly german) walking tourist parties who seem to appear regularly july-sept.

I think my partner and I have found another gem as mentioned by maccasa (if its the same one) We love coming in the quiet season and have just returned to the UK after three weeks in Benagil area. Although the weather was unsettled, when the sun came out as always it was pleasant and warm. But the best thing about this time of year is that the beaches are near deserted. We walked from Marinha towards Albandeira across the cliff tops and saw the eyesore of a villa just neglected ! Continue on towards Albandeira and you drop down into a gully. Rather than cross over walk towards the sea and a very small but secluded beach opens up infront of you. Protected from the wind it was the perfect location to keep up that "all over tan" that Sarah and I enjoy. as has been mentioned a group of about half a dozen German walkers in their 50's wandered down, but they must have known about the beach as well, as they stopped for about 40mins, "skinny dipped" and left. How wonderfully liberating ! I am sure many of the locals ex pats know about this one as well as the one on the otherside of Albandeira.

SandyB, ssssssshhhhhhhhhhhh don't tell anymore people, we have been going to this beach for 29 years, back then we had the beach to ourselves for days at a time, over the years it has become very popular and sometimes too busy in peak season, a little gem of the Algarve though.