Algarve Gyms, Dance Classes and more

Keeping Fit In The Algarve

Staying blissfully balanced while on your holiday in the Algarve is all part of the experience. The region’s stunning scenery will not only enhance your regular fitness routine but encourage you to try some new ways to work out too.

Walk or jog your way to fitness

The Algarve's natural splendour provides an ideal backdrop for outdoor fitness pursuits. For invigorating walks and active runs, you are spoilt for choice with a network of well-signposted and maintained routes for all levels, along with beautiful beach promenades and paths for a daily wander. The stunning coastline around Carvoeiro and Sagres is a popular choice for mid-level walkers. For something more challenging, lace up your hiking boots and embark on the 12km Seven Hanging Valleys walk that begins just east of Carvoeiro. Considered one of the best hikes in Europe, the trail traverses seven ‘hanging’ valleys, ochre-coloured cliffs, amazing limestone rock formations and even a lighthouse.

Yoga and Pilates

Find peace of mind amidst the Algarve's serene landscapes through mindful and wellness activities. The region is dotted with resorts, retreats and health centres offering yoga, pilates and meditation classes, allowing you to harmonise mind, body, and spirit amidst verdant gardens and overlooking the ocean's expanse. On top, there are many excellent yoga and wellness professionals who offer private classes in the comfort of your Algarve holiday villa or the destination of your choice.

Contact Iberian Escapes Concierge services and we will book you yoga and pilates classes, or even a holistic massage.

Water sports in the Algarve

Alternatively, channel your inner adventurer with activities along the Algarve's pristine shores. Water sports not only elevate your heart rate but also immerse you in the region's singular beauty.

If you have always wanted to try activities such as surfing, kitesurfing and SUP (Stand-up paddleboard) the Algarve offers the ideal opportunity. Favourable climatic conditions, thermal summer winds and warm, shallow lagoons make it ideal for water sports enthusiasts of all levels. Many instructors and gear hire services are located around the coastline of Lagos, while the pristine beaches of Praia do Faro and Praia do Beliche are famed spots for mid-level surfers. Advanced-level board breakers often head to the Costa Vicenta on the Algarve’s western coast - an untamed coastline backed by wild vegetation that is home to many hundreds of bird species and wildlife - a spot that is also popular with hikers and nature lovers.

Cycling Adventures

The Algarve may just be the perfect destination for cycling enthusiasts. A temperate (but rarely too hot) climate, precious coastal paths, and a variety of inland landscapes make two wheels a perfect way to discover the region. For family holidays, there are a variety of routes through vineyards and orchards with lunch at a traditional restaurant to reward them for their efforts. For more advanced peddlers, there are several long-distance tracks and also challenging mountain bike trails, such as the hills around Monchique.

Popular bike routes, which are also shared with hikers and walkers, include the Grande Rota do Guadiana (Vila Real de San Antonio to Alcoutim) that follows the Guadiana River, and the Ecovia Litoral which snakes along the entire length of the Algarve coastline from east to west. There are plenty of bike hire tours and hire places in larger towns such as Tavira and Faro.

For private cycling guides and tours, contact our Concierge services and we will have you peddling your way through the Algarve in no time.

Hitting the gym

Of course, many of us are loath to interrupt our gym routine while on holiday. Though outdoor activities such as jogging and cycling are naturally very popular in the Algarve, there are a handful of gyms where you can work up a sweat and stick to your regular fitness routine.

Short-term memberships in gyms are perhaps not as common in Portugal as they are elsewhere in the world. For this reason, we strongly suggest signing up for an affiliate programme such as Train Away before you leave home. Being a top holiday destination though, many gyms and fitness centres in the Algarve region do offer day and weekly passes, though always best to phone ahead and check.

There are some world-class fitness centres in the Algarve. These are our top recommendations:

The Campus in Quinta do Lago is a prestigious sports retreat that offers a comprehensive wellness experience, featuring a cutting-edge gym, tennis courts, swimming pools, and personalised training programs. With world-class facilities and expert instructors, it caters to fitness enthusiasts of all levels and day passes are available. 

The SAYANNA wellness and spa is part of the EPIC SANA Algarve Hotel, a beautiful resort nestled amidst pine forests and overlooking the stunning Praia da Falésia beach, It hosts a modern fitness centre with a range of equipment and personalised training sessions. After your workout, unwind with a dip in the indoor or outdoor pools or book a massage.

In Portimão the Beto Fitness Club offers a non-nonsense gym and lots of classes such as body combat and body pump. A Turkish sauna and chill-out lounge is also on site.

Browns is a large sports resort in Vilamoura that offers pretty much everything for fitness lovers of any age. From football training camps to Olympic-level swimming pools and a well-equipped gym. Many people love it so much that they choose to stay on-site in one of the villas! Day and week passes are also available.

Don’t forget, we are the Algarve holiday experts and our knowledge extends to the best fitness, wellness and sports facilities and experts in the region. If you want to book a tennis court, fancy a private massage at home, or need a guide for your outdoor adventure, we are only too happy to help!