Portugal: the Algarve Region - 7 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Faro, Explore

Olá, and welcome to Portugal! After you make your way through the airport in Faro, pick up your rental car and head to your hotel. Check in and spend the rest of the day relaxing or wander around town and explore the Algarve's capital on your own. Faro is home to a beautiful old, walled town, charming narrow streets, delicious restaurants, museums, art galleries, and a gorgeous cathedral. In the town square, check out the Igreja do Carmo, an 18th-century Rococo church with twin bell towers, then enter the eerily captivating Capela dos Ossos (Chapel of Bones).

In the evening, take your pick from the city's wonderful restaurants. If you love seafood, you've come to the right place—you'll find dozens of restaurants across town grilling up the catch of the day, which you can enjoy with a bottle of crisp white on an outdoor terrace. 

Day 2: Day Trip to Tavira & Santa Luzia

Today, you'll set out to discover two of the eastern Algarve's most picturesque places. Start your adventure in Tavira, a historic town known for its whitewashed buildings, charming narrow streets, and a Roman bridge that spans the tranquil Gilão River. Explore the town's rich heritage by visiting the impressive Tavira Castle and the beautiful Santa Maria do Castelo Church. Next, make your way to Santa Luzia, a quaint fishing village celebrated as the "Capital of Octopus." Stroll along its scenic waterfront, adorned with vibrant fishing boats, and pause for lunch.

The Ria Formosa Natural Park is a biodiverse wetland system teeming with wildlife. It covers much of the eastern end of the Algarve, giving the wild, quiet, soft-sand beaches at this end a distinctly different vibe to the dramatic golden cliffs to the west. If you have time, venture to the nearby Praia do Barril, a stunning beach accessible by a scenic miniature train or a leisurely walk through the nature reserve. At the end of the day, you'll return to Faro for a relaxing evening in town. 

Day 3: Drive to Lagos via Silves, Bike Tour

As you head west this morning, you'll stop in Silves, the ancient Moorish capital of the Algarve. The town has a relaxed ambience far removed from the hectic pace of the coastal towns. Wander around the quaint lower area close to the riverfront, stroll cobbled streets, and take your pick of lovely open-air cafés. Find the remains of the solid fortifications and the city's traditional white-painted cathedral, and take in the city's distinctive red-brick castle that dominates the skyline. The structure underwent a major restoration project during the 1940s and is worth an up-close visit.

After lunch, continue east to Lagos. After you check in to your hotel, you'll jump on a beach cruiser bike for a leisurely scenic ride. Your private guide has designed a relaxed coastal tour that avoids any uphill climbs. Meet downtown and make your way to the cliffs overlooking the ocean, stopping to take in the views by the lighthouse. Continue through natural landscapes and into the old town. You'll hear about the medieval slave cemetery, ride along the castle walls, explore cobblestone streets, view churches and the former slave trade market, and a fort from the Age of Discovery.

Day 4: Catamaran Cruise to Benagil Cave, Beach Time

Explore the Algarve's iconic soaring cliffs and curious coastal formations today with a half-day catamaran cruise. Depart Lagos destined for the world-famous Benagil Cave. Along the way, you'll pass the beaches of Carvoeiro and Algar Seco, as well as the Alfanzina Lighthouse and Praia da Marinha. Relax on the catamaran's twin sunbathing nets and enjoy the gentle breeze as you cruise along this unforgettable coastline, exploring secret spots only accessible by sea. Anchor in the coves of João de Arens to swim and snorkel before returning to shore.

Spend the rest of today discovering some of the Algarve's spectacular beaches at your own pace. Praia Dona Ana is the Algarve's most photographed beach, a 534-foot (160 m) sandy stretch flanked by rugged rock formations, while Ponta da Piedade is hidden behind tall cliffs, brimming with crystal-clear water. Head to Praia do Pinhão for a tranquil, wilder beach hidden behind tall ocher cliffs, or opt for one of the most iconic Algarve beaches at Praia do Camilo, where a dramatic staircase winds down to a small patch of sand where you can explore grottoes and rocky outcroppings.

Day 5: Drive from Lagos to the Wild Coast, Sunset in Sagres

After a relaxing breakfast this morning, hit the road for the Parque Natural del Suroeste Alentejano, the southwest corner of Portugal. The western Algarve, Portugal's least developed region, has nationally protected nature reserves, pristine beaches, wild coastlines, and jagged cliffs and is home to Europe's southwesternmost point: the stunning Cabo de São Vicente (Cape St Vincent). Spend the day discovering the coast—lie on Portugal's best beaches, get pampered at a local spa, explore nature preserves, or get your adrenaline pumping with your pick of coastal and water activities.

Tonight you'll be staying in Sagres at the extreme western tip of the Algarve. Sagres feels like the end of the world today, so try to imagine how the Portuguese explorers felt during the country's Age of Discovery when they set sail from here to explore the uncharted world. As twilight approaches, find a spot on the cliffs and watch the sun sink into the Atlantic Ocean.

Day 6: Parque Natural del Suroeste Alentejano

Today you'll keep exploring one of Portugal's protected natural parks, the Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina. The spectacular park hugs the Algarve's cliffy coastline along the Atlantic Ocean and into the Alentejo, covering a stretch of over 75 miles (120 km) of lush greenery and wild fauna tucked amid steep coastal landscapes. The coast, characterized by rugged rocks, boulders, sea stacks, and stratified cliff faces caused by centuries of erosion, is perfect for long walks. See if you can spot the locals here, like fishing eagles and white storks.

Later in the day, you'll drive a short distance north and arrive in the small, idyllic village of Pedralva, filled with whitewashed homes and bordered by feathery fields. Check in to your hotel, then wander through the village's quaint streets and spend the remainder of the day enjoying the tranquility of the other Algarve. The town is especially quiet and off-the-beaten-path, surrounded by farmland and nature. Here you're sure to unwind, connect with the locals, and enjoy the area's beautiful flora and fauna. 

Day 7: Drive to Faro, Depart

This morning, enjoy one final delicious Portuguese breakfast before preparing to head off. if you have time before your flight, relax and soak up the chilled pace of your small village before making the 90-minute drive back to Faro to return the rental car ahead of your flight. Safe travels!