Planning a trip along the coastal region of southern Portugal known as the Algarve? You`re set for a treat filled with pristine beaches, crystal clear ocean waters sparkling in the sun, and charming towns sprinkled along Portugal’s southern coast.
In this guide to planning an Algarve trip itinerary, we will use our experience spending one week on the Algarve coast to assist you in arranging the perfect Algarve vacation.
The Algarve was our final destination on a three month long European journey, which found us arriving in southern Portugal at the end of November. We had intentionally planned it that way because we were aware that the Algarve would offer refuge from colder, drearier conditions taking hold elsewhere across Europe during that time of year, and our presumption proved accurate.
The entire stretch of Portugal’s southern perimeter from Sagres to Tavira is covered by a mix of lovely beaches, coastal escarpments, and towering limestone palisades that practically beg to be explored. It’s also just a truly pleasant place to unwind on the sand with a novel, or to get out on the water and do some surfing or kayaking.
This detailed guide outlines planning your Algarve trip, covering logistics to maximize your time and avoid issues. Also included is a 4 day Algarve road trip itinerary visiting some favorite spots from our journey.
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post, like hotel links, are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we make a little bit of money if you click through and book. That being said, we would never recommend something to you that we don’t stand behind 100%.
Table of Contents
How Much Time Do You Need on the Algarve?
Ultimately, it depends on your objectives.
Here’s the long version.
The longer your time frame, the more relaxed your trip will be. You’ll have more opportunity to laze on the beach, drive along the coast, and stop for whatever else catches your attention.
With a shorter visit to the Algarve, you’re going to be hitting the highlights without too much time to slow down and relax, which is the best part about the Algarve, in our opinion.
It’s a great addition to the other places you’ll visit on a Portugal itinerary – Lisbon, Porto, and other cities – because the pace is slower, and there aren’t any traditional “sightseeing” sights to see.
Three days touring the Algarve region allows exploration of places like Sagres, a coastal town known for surfing located at Europe’s southwest tip, as well as time spent checking out areas near Lagos and hiking the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail, along with experiences on its sandy coastlines.
Spending 4 days on the Algarve allows for additional activities. You can rent kayaks to explore the Benagil Caves and the eastern Algarve’s beaches in addition to the items mentioned previously.
A full week on the Algarve allows for plenty of time to split between activities and relaxing on the shore. If you’re seeking a more relaxing beach vacation, 7 days on the Algarve is a good choice.
If the Algarve region is part of a broader itinerary for Portugal, we’d recommend spending three to five days there.
Where to Stay in the Algarve
Before delving into specifics, let`s first take a step back to broadly consider “strategy,” for lack of a better word.
You have a couple options regarding your approach to residing in the Algarve.
At one end of the spectrum, you could stay in a different locality every single night, moving around, unpacking and repacking each day, and experiencing numerous diverse towns and cities.
If there`s one thing we learned on our three month trip around Europe, it’s that packing can be very difficult. So we’d propose avoiding it as much as you can.
Being in one place for the entire stay means not having to worry about check-in times or packing multiple times, but it could require more driving to see different areas.
If you have four days or more, we would advise dividing your time between two locations to best experience both.
Select one location in the western Algarve, between Lagos and Sagres, and one location further east, around Carvoeiro. This will provide you with two different experiences, reduce driving, and avoid too much repacking.
Want more details on where to stay? We have an entire guide comparing five excellent locations in the Algarve region you should read.
Which Towns on the Algarve Should You Stay in?
Now that we’ve talked strategy, let’s talk specifics. We chose Lagos and Carvoeiro as our two home bases, and really enjoyed both for different reasons.
Lagosis a more developed town that sees a huge influx of visitors every summer.
The historic center is charming, with many bars, restaurants, cafes, and shops to choose from, all within walking distance of most of the places to stay. It’s lively and busy, so don’t expect a tranquil stay if you’re here in the summer.
When in Lagos, we remained at The Salty Lodge, an apartment-hotel with spacious flats that had everything we required for our stay, like a full kitchen.
If you’re looking for something more tranquil than Lagos, consider viewing the sleepy fishing village of Salema, approximately 20 minutes westwards.
If you’re seeking to spend your time surfing, investigate settling in Sagres, which is very much a surf community.
Carvoeiro has a rather diverse character than Lagos. It’s more easygoing and residential, though the compact downtown region close to the coast has an okay choice of spots to eat and drink.
The appeal here is the location, which is central to numerous amazing beaches and coastline stretches to explore.
We enjoyed relaxing on our deck at Hello Villas, which is a pleasant complex of townhouse style one and two bedroom units that we stayed in.
If you’re seeking a smaller, more charming town on this beautiful stretch of coastline, take a look at Alvor,or Ferragudo.
Getting Around the Algarve
After traveling partly by train and bus for part of our trip to the Algarve, and then renting a vehicle for the second part, we have a strong perspective that the best way to enjoy the Algarve is by renting a car.
Sure, there is a regional train network that connects the major towns on the Algarve, but often the best beaches will be a bit outside of town, and a car makes it easier to get there.
Independent transportation will provide more flexibility, as trains only pass a few times daily and determining local and regional bus schedules (or availability) proves difficult.
Tips for Renting a Car in Portugal
We think renting a car is necessary for your trip, but determining the most suitable rental option requires consideration of your travel itinerary.
Here are a few aspects to think about concerning renting a automobile in Portugal that we discovered over the course of our journey.
- If you’re renting a vehicle in one location and returning it somewhere else, your rental will involve an extra “one-way” charge that rises depending on the distance between places. As a reference, we picked up our car in Lagos and dropped it off in Évora, around a three hour drive apart, and the fee was fifty Euros. We imagine the fee would be similar for Lisbon.
- Car rentals from the Lisbon or Faro airports will likely include an approximately 30 Euro surcharge depending on the company. You could bypass this fee by collecting the vehicle from Lagos instead, though picking it up at Faro Airport offers more practicality if arriving there.
- Always always always rent a car through trusted multinational corporations like Avis, Hertz, and Europcar. To be completely transparent, this basically contradicts what we believe about traveling (supporting local businesses primarily), but we advise staying clear of renting a vehicle through local companies, who are usually more inclined to nickel and dime you to death. Trust us on this one.
We rented a vehicle twice during our three month European adventure, once in Sicily, once on the Algarve.
Both times we utilized AutoEurope to match rates from various rental companies and locate the best prices, booking a car through Europcar, which was a pleasant experience on both occasions. We would advise both.
A Note on Toll Roads in Portugal
There are toll roads on the Algarve (and throughout Portugal), meaning you will pay a fee to use the major, faster highways. The two you’re most likely to encounter are the A2 between Lisbon and the Algarve, and the A22 between Lagos and Faro.
You have three options.
- Pay the tolls in cash as you drive or at the local post office if it’s an electronic toll road (don’t do this one, it seems super inconvenient to have to track down a post office at least 48 hours after using the toll road).
- Pay a couple of Euros a day for a transponder through the rental car company (this is our recommendation and is what we did just in case we needed it, though we managed to avoid all toll roads).
- Bypass toll roads entirely and spend an extra 10-20 minutes on the road (we used the “avoid tolls” setting in Google Maps).
Additional data on toll roads in Portugal is available here.
A 4 Day Algarve Itinerary: Planning the Perfect Algarve Road Trip
Now that we’ve looked at the crucial logistical information necessary to strategize your trip, let`s examine precisely what activities to participate in while visiting the Algarve coastal region.
Day 1: Lagos and Around
On your first day, settle in and explore the area around Lagos. There are some amazing beaches within walking distance of the center of Lagos, a bustling little beach town with lots of bars and restaurants (many of them overtly catering to tourists).
A little further out, there are some beaches that are more readily accessible by vehicle.
We are presuming that most of the morning will be spent reaching Lagos from your arrival point, so consider this a half day.
Walk from Lagos to Praia dos Estudantes and Praia da Dona Ana
Two of our favorite beaches along the entire coast spanning Sagres to Tavira were within walking distance of Lagos.
The first, Praia dos Estudantes, is one of the Algarve’s most famous beaches thanks to the Roman bridge that is visible from the beach.
Next, stop by Praia do Pinhão, where you can pick up a coastal route up on the bluffs that takes you to the third beach on your tour-de-Lagos-beaches.
The final beach, Praia da Dona Ana, is also among the most visited beaches throughout the entire region. It’s a small cove, accessible from both ends, and the best perspectives of the beach are from the bluffs on the eastern side (which is where you’ll find yourself if you follow the coastal trail).
All three beaches would be a good spot to relax in the sunlight for a few hours. Be sure to bring sunscreen and plenty of water.
Go to Lunch at Restaurante Chico Zé
For seafood that has been caught as freshly as possible, head north from Lagos center for about 10 minutes to Restaurante Chico Zé.
It’s a family run establishment where meals are only served at lunch and there is regularly a line outside during the high season and occasionally during shoulder seasons. Don`t miss trying the grilled sardines, which are prepared along with potatoes.
They also have a rotating selection of other grilled meats and seafood. Not a place for vegetarians – barely any vegetables available!
An alternative situated closer to town would be Tasca Da Lota, within walking distance of the city center near the train station. It only accepts cash payments.
End the Day at Ponta da Piedade
For sunset, travel out to Ponta da Piedade, which is a distinctive rock formation surrounded by vertical cliffs. Most boat tours leaving from Lagos stop here because of a series of cool sea caves and hidden grottoes.
On foot, you can descend the long flight of stairs to reach the cliff base – just be aware you`ll need to climb back up. Once there, it`s also worth finding the westbound trail from the parking lot and walking along the boardwalks for more amazing coastal panoramas.
While traveling, stop at Praia do Camilo, a small, hidden beach that can only be accessed by navigating a lengthy set of steep staircases (and, of course, climbing back up when finished).
It should be mentioned that it`s possible to connect the beaches near Lagos with Ponta da Piedade through hiking along the coastal cliffs, but the walk would be quite lengthy.
Day 2: Sagres and the Western Algarve
On your second day, head out to explore the windswept coast to the west of Lagos, eventually making it to the furthest point to the southwest in Europe.
Sagres is a sleepy little surf town, at least when we were there in the early winter when only the most committed surfers were in town.
We’d begin by driving all the way out to Farol do Cabo de São Vicente, the southwestern-most point in Europe, and making your way back east towards Lagos.
Farol do Cabo de São Vicente
Initially, this entire stretch of coast reminds of the area near where Alysha grew up in California – Point Reyes National Seashore. This lighthouse specifically, along with the picturesque cliffs upon which it sits, are comparable to the Point Reyes Lighthouse.
Located at the furthest southwestern point in Europe, this area offers beautiful views but limited activities. It`s primarily a place to admire scenic vistas and say you`ve visited the remote southwestern edge of the continent.
Praia do Beliche
The stone steps going down to Praia do Beliche are not intended for those lacking courage. Most staircases in Portugal, whether guiding up to a church bell tower or down to a unseen beach, are steep. These are on an entirely other level.
As we drove upwards, we noticed that, despite the fact that it was kind of a blustery and chilled day (the blustery part is accurate of basically every day in Sagres, which is notoriously breezy), the parking area was full of campervans with surfboards and wetsuits spread about.
Bear in mind, this is the final few days of November, meaning the water temperature is likely to be very, very frigid. A hard pass for us.
Both the shore itself and surrounding region are pleasant, and due to the distance from major population centers on the Algarve, it maintains a calm atmosphere compared to locales nearer Lagos.
It`s one of the top surfing spots across all of Europe, so if you enjoy surfing (or want to learn), this beach should be on your list.
The Town of Sagres
The village of Sagres is, well, tiny. There isn’t much going on, and it had very laid back ambiance when we were there in November.
It’s worthwhile making the trip to the Fortaleza de Sagres, which necessitates paying a few Euros for access, however the panoramic views from the promontory are worth it. It is certain to be windy whenever you visit – it almost consistently is.
We liked Praia da Mareta ( here on Google Maps) too, a broad, sandy shoreline with cliffs on either end.
That beach is one of the better options for swimming since it has protection from the cliffs, and it does not get too crowded even during the peak summer season. Praia do Martinhal ( here on Google Maps) is another pleasant beach just a brief trip east of Sagres.
To arrive there, you drive back out on the primary highway taken into town, then take a winding path down to the beach (we took a wrong turn and found ourselves in the residential development that suspiciously resembles a Florida retirement community).
From here, you have a couple possibilities, and it depends on your interest in additional beaches and pristine coastline.
- Head back to Lagos and take a well-deserved siesta before discovering a spot to have dinner and drinks.
- Travel northward alongside the shoreline to Praia da Arrifana ( here on Google Maps), another marvelous beach that will provide a nice taste of Portugal’s Atlantic Coastline. Multiple other seasides exist in the vicinity, but many are on questionable dirt paths that your rental automobile may dislike considerably. Praia da Amoreira ( here on Google Maps) is also worthwhile stopping as it lies just north of the initial beach and has an exceptional route guiding to the northern termination of the shoreline.
- Return to Lagos, but quickly divert to Salema, a tranquil fishing village with an expansive, sandy beach where literally not a single place was open in the afternoon we were there. We’d imagine that changes radically in high season.
Day 3: The Seven Hanging Valleys Trail
On your third day, travel to your second home base location and hike one of the premier trails located in southern Portugal – the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail.
The Seven Hanging Valleys Trail
This hike, best done traveling from east to west starting from Praia da Marinha to Praia do Vale de Centeanes, was one of our favorite activities experienced in Portugal. And we’re from the coastal region of California, which we learned is very comparable to the Algarve region in terms of natural scenery, vegetation, and wildlife.
- Hours: Open daily. Summer hours (April 1 to October 31) are 8am to 7:30pm with last entry at 7pm. Winter hours (November 1 to March 31) are 8am to 5pm with last entrance at 4:30pm.
First, an overview of the full return hike.
- Length: The primary route extends 7 miles / 11.4 km, with shorter alternative routes also available
- Ascent Gain: 1,200 ft. / 365 meters
- Season: Year round
- Trail Format: Out and Back (we have ideas on alternate routes below)
- Difficulty: Easy / Moderate
- Starting point for the trail: Either the Praia da Marinha beach or the Praia do Vale de Centeanes beach
- Dog Friendly: Yes!
If a full-length hike seems too strenuous, you have options to shorten the route.
- Option 1: The Full Route, Round Trip – 7 miles / 1,200 feet of elevation gain (11.4 km / 365 m). Hike the entire path out-and-back from Praia da Marinha to Praia do Vale de Centeanes, and then back the same way you came.
- Option 2: Completing the Entire Route in One Direction – 3.5 miles / 600 feet of elevation gain (6 km / 180 m). For this choice, hike the full trail but only travel in one direction. Transportation must then be arranged via taxi, rideshare, or other means to return your vehicle parked at the first trailhead (or find an alternative to driving).
- Option 3: Partial Hike Out and Back – 3.3 miles / 600 feet of elevation gain (5.6 km / 180 m). Hike the section between Praia da Marinha and Praia do Carvalho, which we feel showcases the trail`s best attractions. You can continue on to the picturesque Farol de Alfanzina lighthouse for an extra 2 miles (3.2 km) roundtrip.
If attempting this hike in summer, plan to either a) be on the trail hiking by 8:00 am at the latest with adequate water and sunscreen or b) be utterly miserable hiking through the heat of midday. Seriously, start early.
If interested in completing the entire trail, you should visit our Seven Hanging Valleys Trail Guide, which provides additional details to aid tackling it safely with a great experience.
Sunset at Praia do Vale de Centeanes
End your day at the destination for the trail you hiked earlier, which offers a truly scenic place to watch the sunset.
Either proceeding down to the coast, where you`ll be able to rest on the golden sand and observe the sun dip under the horizon, or walking back up on the bluff facing east of the coast (where you came down during the hike) and walking out to the point, where there are many benches positioned facing west.
Day 4: Benagil Beach and Caves
On your fourth day, get out on the water and explore the rugged Algarve coastline by boat.
In this case, we’d propose exploring via kayak because there are seemingly limitless numbers of secret beaches and caves where you’ll be able to actually disembark inside the cave, which is not possible on a speed boat trip (at least in my experience).
If you’re a beginner in a kayak, we’d also recommend joining a guided tour rather than trying to do it yourself. We love kayaking, but the weather was a bit cold for us, and most companies were shut down for the winter by then. We added it to our list for next time instead.
Which excursion you opt for depends on your starting point, as there are tours departing from different areas near Benagil Beach, which is just east of Carvoiero.
One straightforward way is to participate in a guided tour leaving directly from Benagil Beach (here is a sunrise tour, which offers the most ideal conditions thanks to calm waters and fewer individuals present).
Many tours exploring the scenic coastline near Benagil are accessible from the neighboring towns of Albufeira or Portimão, or alternatives that utilize stand up paddleboards rather than kayaks
The Headlands West of Carvoiero
After a break in the afternoon, head back out to explore the beaches and cliffs around Carvoiero. We’re going to provide your favorite spots, but be sure to do some exploring and inquire locally to see if you can discover one or two of your own.
From east to west, here are the spots we delighted in:
- Praia do Paraíso: With major Greek vibes as you descend the white steps to this small, secluded beach, Lots of steps to reach the beach but we feel it`s worth the effort.
- Miradouro da Arriba da Salgadeira: Head out onto the spit for superb coastal views in both directions. It’s very breezy.
- Praia dos Caneiros: Beautiful beach with golden sand and shallow, turquoise water located far enough from town to mean it’s quieter than other beaches in the area.
- Farol da Ponta do Altar: The lighthouse itself is fine, but the superb views of the beaches east of the lighthouse warrant its inclusion. Walk east from the parking lot along the cliffside above Praia do Torrado (we were unable to find a safe way down to the beach without specialized climbing gear, which we avoided).
Afterwards, getting dinner in Carvoeiro’s charming downtown area would be good. Another nice option is out at Quinta Dos Santos, a lovely winery / brewery / restaurant on a farm 15 minutes outside of town.
You could craft this into a nice loop route, starting in town then going to each beach, dining at Quinta Dos Santos, and returning to the city center.
More Time in the Algarve: Choose Your Own Adventure
Generally, if you have more time on the Algarve coast, we’d recommend dedicating it to relaxation rather than numerous activities. More beach visits and scenic drives along the coast would be preferable to scheduled activities.
However, here are a handful of specific things we believe are worth dedicating your time to.
Surfing Lessons: I’m unsure if there is a better location in Europe to learn how to ride waves (or surf if, unlike us, you already have experience). Regrettably, winter was not the time for us to try our hand at surfing, but during warmer months we would be interested.
Albufeira:A charming small coastal town with wide silvery sand beaches nearby that merits a full day, if not an overnight stay. It`s only half an hour by car from Carvoeiro, so it`s an easy day trip. Here`s a guide we found helpful.
Visit Olhão, Tavira, and Faro: Traveling further eastward, you’ll discover the charming towns of Olhão, renowned for its waterside fish market, and Tavira, along with the major city in the region, Faro, home to the area`s sole airport. We actually spent one night in Tavira while passing through Portugal from Seville, and it proved a lovely riverside community. The finest meal we enjoyed on the Algarve was at O Tonel, in the heart of Tavira’s old quarter. Do not miss Ria Formosa Natural Park and Ilha de Tavira, both reachable from this coastal stretch.
What to Do with Less Time on the Algarve
If you have a limited number of days on the Algarve, your choices will depend on your interests. For us, who aren`t too keen on just lounging on the beach, we’d cut those parts first and focus on road trips and hiking along the coast.
Be that as it may, we additionally totally understand that you may be entirely into unwinding on the shoreline, which is the reason we’re putting our inclination out there for you.
The other thing to consider is where to stay. With 1-3 days on the Algarve, we’d suggest picking just one base and remaining there for the whole time. We’d advise Lagos for most people, because it’s a central point between the eastern and western parts of the coast.
However, as mentioned earlier, charming small towns abound throughout the Algarve region, so Lagos is by no means the sole community capable of hosting an enjoyable visit.
With everything taken into account, here is how we would spend three days on the Algarve.
What to Do with 3 Days on the Algarve
On your first day, follow the itinerary as written above.
On your second day, opt for either the Benagil Cave tour via kayak, or hiking the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail.
You could also combine options by doing part of the hike (we`d suggest going from Praia da Marinha to Carvalho Beach), then returning to Benagil Beach to meet a tour (or vice versa, depending on tour timing).
On your final day, replicate “Day 2” outlined above including a road trip west to the Algarve coast and stop in Sagres to see Europe`s southwesternmost point.
When to Visit the Algarve?
In each single guide, we state something along the lines of “summer is the busiest and most sweltering time of year – visit in shoulder season rather!”
And, to be clear, that’s likely more accurate of the Algarve than other places in Portugal (and Europe as a whole).
But, at last, it relies upon when you can take a trip. If you have youngsters, chances are summer is when they have time off from teachings and are able to go on more extended journeys.
Just know that if you visit the Algarve in the summer, you’re going to experience scorching hot temperatures that make it difficult to be out in the sun for more than an hour at a time, and hordes of other tourists flocking to the same tiny seaside fishing villages that, all of a sudden, aren’t nearly as charming.
So when we say “VISIT IN SHOULDER SEASON,” we truly emphasize it. Autumn and spring will bring more moderate temperatures and fewer individuals – particularly fewer children and families . If your schedule permits avoiding travel in the summer, we’d strongly advise it.
We were actually in the Algarve over the winter – at the end of November into the beginning of December – and it was generally pleasant. The weather was very mild, though too cold for spending a day on the beach (which isn’t really our thing anyway).
It’s a much more pleasant time to hike the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail, which is more what we’re into.
The other thing to know about visiting in the off-season is that various places will be closed – bars, restaurants, other services oriented towards tourists – particularly in the smaller beach towns that become very inactive when the tourists depart for the winter.
Where to Start and End Your Algarve Road Trip / Getting to the Algarve
There are basically two ways to arrive at the Algarve that are going to be great for 95% of individuals, and it to a great extent relies upon what the rest of your trip to Portugal resembles. The two choices are coming to or from Lisbon (by vehicle or transport/prepare) or flying specifically to the Algarve.
Coming from Lisbon
If your trip starts or ends in Lisbon and you’re going directly to/from Lisbon to the Algarve, then you can rent a vehicle or take a train/bus to make the journey.
We strongly recommend renting a vehicle for your Algarve itinerary, and if you’re flying into and out of Lisbon, then it likely makes the most sense to rent a car in Lisbon, drive to the Algarve region, and return the car to Lisbon.
In any case, that proposition turns out to be somewhat more costly on the off chance that you’re renting the vehicle for a one-way venture gratitude to “one-way” rental auto charges.
If you’re flying into Lisbon and out of Faro (or vice versa), then it probably makes more sense to take the train or bus to Lagos or Faro and rent the car from there to avoid the one way fee.
Coming from Elsewhere and Only Visiting the Algarve
If your trip does not involve areas near Lisbon and is merely a visit to the Algarve region, then there is only one airport you will be able to fly into: Faro Airport.
You can either rent a vehicle from there, which requires an “airport rental fee” of about 30 Euros, or take a bus or train to Lagos and rent from there.
For what it`s worth, we`d likely shell out the additional Euros for the airport fee here given the public transit connections between Faro and Lagos aren`t excellent.
Planning a visit to Portugal?
Here are our other Portugal travel guides to help plan an incredible trip (even if gluten must be avoided!).
If there isn’t a connection noted below, it signifies we’re still working diligently on compiling it – thorough, in-depth guides require time and care. However, rest assured we are dedicating effort to the task.
Portugal:
Lisbon
- 25 Remarkable Activities to Do in Lisbon: A Complete Guide
- 3 Days in Lisbon: Planning the Perfect Itinerary for Lisbon
- Experiencing Lisbon in One Day: The Top Sites in 24 Hours
- Places to Remain in Lisbon: Our Guide to 4 Amazing Locations to Remain
- Gluten Free Lisbon: A Complete Guide to Lisbon’s Best Gluten Free Eateries
- Outstanding Coffee Establishments in Lisbon: 9 Remarkable Lisbon Coffee Houses to Add to Your List
Porto:
- Spending a Day Exploring Porto.
- Where to Reside in Porto, Portugal: The 3 Best Places to Reside
Gluten Free Options in Seattle, Washington
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The Algarve:
