THINGS TO DO IN ALGARVE WITH YOUR DOG: TOP 5 BEST DOG FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES IN ALGARVE

Well, after spending a week in the Algarve with Snow, we can finally give you an honest answer. It's not one of the most pet friendly places we have ever been to. As it is a sun and beach tourism, the activities and excursions focus on just that: sun and beach. That's great if you just want to go to the beach, but if you're like us who also like to see something else, well, not so much. We didn't have any problems with Snow, I mean, he was treated very well everywhere and nobody gave us any trouble anywhere, except on the tourist trains, which apparently aren't allowed there. Even so, there are plenty of activities and great things to do with your dog. In fact, we were not bored at all with Snow. We just thought it would be a bit more accessible.

Now we are going to tell you what are the 5 best pet friendly activities inAlgarve In our opinion

1. 1. Ponte da Piedade boat tour: this is the activity we liked the most, as it is something different and with the hot weather we really appreciated the ride. The tour is booked directly at the marina in Lagos, because at Civitatis the tour is done in a speedboat, so they DON'T allow pets. We booked with Lagos Grotto Trips, and the woman told us that they only accept dogs on this tour, precisely because of the type of boat. They have many hours available, but we recommend doing it first thing in the morning or after five in the afternoon. After boarding, we left the marina and headed south along the coast of Lagos, passing through narrow passages such as the Siamese, the Arc de Triomphe and the corridor. Once there, we navigate among the fascinating rock formations of the area and enter the Ponta da Piedade caves, one of the most fascinating natural attractions of the Algarve. We will also visit the interior of caves such as the famous Cathedral, the Kitchen, the Salon and the Skull. After touring the most outstanding caves along the coast of Lagos, we returned to the local marina while admiring the fantastic beaches of southern Portugal and enjoying the breeze of the Atlantic Ocean. Praia da Batata, Praia dos Estudantes, Praia do Pinhão, Praia da Dona Ana o Praia do Camilo. There's a lot to discover!

2. Cape St Vincent: another essential place to visit with your dog. It is located in Sagresand there is a fortress that is indeed pet friendly. Entrance costs €3 per person, and you can stay there for as long as you like. We went in the morning, but they say it's best to visit at sunset, because it's beautiful to watch the sunset on the edge of the cliffs. Be prepared for the wind to be very strong all the time. Poor Snow almost flew off and was a bit uncomfortable at first. If you are not travelling with a dog, you can opt to do the excursion to Sagres, Cape San Vicente and Silves, the tour lasts 9 hours, and you will be picked up from your hotel.

3. Visit the Albufeira: one of the days we decided to visit Albufeira, and if you go early and with time, it is a very good plan to go with your dog because there are so many beaches, and you can even take a dog-friendly tour! We arrived around 11am, but in the middle of July it's very crowded, so you have to be prepared and be patient. We parked quite far away and had to walk down to the centre, but there was plenty of shade, so Snow held up well. We arrived at the viewpoint Pau da BandeiraFrom this place you will get the best views of the city. We really liked it because you have an incredible panoramic view, and it's great for taking photos. In this post of things to see in Algarve with a dog in 6 days we tell you in more detail what Albufeira has to offer.

4. Visit the beaches: Algarve is characterised by an infinity of beaches, and most of them are dog friendly, so it's another great plan and probably the one you'll repeat the most on your trip to the Algarve. We went to Meia Praia, located in Lagos, but anyway we are going to upload a post with all the pet friendly beaches in Portugal, by areas, to make it easier for you to find them.

5. Walk around Lagos: it was the city that we liked the most of all by far, quieter than others and the truth is that it had everything: restaurants, shops, a seafront promenade, etc. You can visit the historic centre, walk around the marina, visit the Slavery Museum, the Governadores Castle, and Porta de São Gonçalo, among other things. 

You are probably used to seeing blogs where they sell you excursions, activities and plans that make no sense at all. And in fact, we have seen other blogs with the same subject as ours, where the Algarve is painted as the BEST place to go with your dog. And the reality is that no, it's not the best place. Firstly, because of the weather, which is very humid and hot, which in the summer months can be a killer for your dog. Secondly, because of the inaccessibility of some beaches, places and plans where, unfortunately, dogs are not allowed. So we're going to be honest, there are A LOT of activities to do with a dog, but only a few of them are dog-friendly. Our best advice? If you want to book activities such as kayaks and so on, do it directly at the beach where you are going to go, because that way you can be sure that your dog is allowed. We want to make a living from this because we love creating content, but we will never mislead you by saying things that aren't true, or try to sell you something that is absolute b*llsh*t.

If you've been wanting to see more about the Algarve with a dog, don't miss this post: things to see in Algarve with a dog in 6 days.