Everyone goes to Lagos or Albufeira and thinks they’ve “seen” the Algarve. I live in Portugal, and trust me—those aren’t the spots you go to if you want actual peace. Aljezur is a whole different story. It’s tucked into the hills on the western Algarve, so it misses the massive tourist waves. The town feels slow, old, relaxed—white houses, a castle on the hill, and almost no noise besides wind and church bells. The real magic is Arrifana Beach. While the big Algarve beaches get crowded, Arrifana feels like a hidden cove. Go at sunrise and you’ll have the entire cliffside glowing orange with barely anyone around. Accommodations are easy—Aljezur has small boutique hotels, surf lodges, and Airbnbs scattered around the hills. The area gets travelers, but nowhere near the chaos of the southern coast. If you want the Algarve without the crowds and noise, this is the place.