12 Days in Portugal - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas | kimkim Anyone who plans a European trip expects to find only beautiful historic cities and a lot of cultural heritage. Throughout the end of September and all of October, you can experience an extended summer. The city is still partly surrounded by the original 9th-century Romanesque walls. Check prices and availability: Quad-biking, ziplining, and a forest adventure park with high rope walkways are just a small selection of the evocative outdoor fun that is waiting for you at this resort town. Here's our detailed 7 Day Algarve Itinerary.. We recommend using the Discovercars.com car rental reservation platform to search for and book car rentals in the Algarve, Portugal. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. You can still see the Faro Harbor and the Igreja do Carmo during your walk. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. You can easily get there from all over Europe and Faro is perfectly placed in the center of the Algarve coast so you can easily reach your final destination from there. The fastest way to get to the Algarve is by plane. Then youre in luck because Ive set up the perfect Algarve itinerary for one week so that you can experience the absolute best of this mesmerizing region. While you have to keep in mind that there will be higher chances of rain, in general, the temperatures are not too bad. You can read more about this Segway tour here. And to rest your mind and body, why not visit Beliche Beach? It can only be reached by a long hike or short boat transfer and is therefore usually quite deserted, even in high season. Day 1: Beaches in Lagos, Lagos old town, Ponte da Piedade, Day 4: Water fun at Zoomarine Algarve or Slide and Splash. Whatever park you choose, it will be a day well-spent! You can read our complete review here. The summer is perfect if you like to enjoy an animated nightlife and get to know other travelers. If you dont want to drive its best to base yourself in one of the larger towns such as Albufeira, Vilamoura, or Lagos. From Lagos, take the bus or drive to the stupifying rock formations of Ponta da Piedade its only a 10-minute drive from Lagos. Sunset, when the cliffs seem to be on fire, is when this beach is at its best. Find the best car rental deals and explore around freely, at your own pace. You can hike the Ludo Trail to explore this natural park or you can do a Segway tour. Most cars are cancellable up to 2 days in advance without any fees. The town is surrounded by numerous picture-postcard beaches. Whether you are looking to enjoy the serenity of a cliff-enclosed beach or an adventurer chasing extreme water sports, there is a perfect beach for you. And I recommend you do the same. The Algarve is truly an all-around destination that will appeal to everyone. Winter Winter in Algarve is the perfect time to avoid the crowds, go surfing, and go hiking the many coastal walks. For those who like to walk and enjoy beautiful landscapes, this is an activity not to be missed. You can also visit the Algarve in winter. Where to stay in Tavira: Check in at the wonderful Tavira House. Best time to visit Algarve? With this article, we want to help you with your Algarve Itinerary. There are very different vibes from west to east and Ill make sure youll get a mix of both to really soak in the best of the Algarve. Dedicate at least an hour of your day to get to know all its relics, among them a wind rose over 130 ft high. This is also when the water is hot (if it ever gets hot in the Atlantic lets say the air is warm enough to enjoy the cool water) for going swimming and you can do water activities without a wetsuit. Algarve | www.visitportugal.com Finally, located on the tip of the Algarves southwestern coast, the small coastal town of Sagres is the perfect base to explore Costa Vicentina, a much less touristic region than Lagos. Faro is seen as the capital of the Algarve. There are several restaurants and cafes along the beachside where you can enjoy dinner and drinks. This centrally located hotel lies within walking distance from the Marina and Lagos old town. The most touristic part of the city is surrounded by the Faros ancient city walls (Muralhas de Faro), which protects the Old Town (Cidade Velha), where the Faro Cathedral is located. The Perfect Portugal Itinerary | Wanderlust Crew We booked a paratrike tour in Albufeira and flew over Praia da Falsia by sunset. Daytime temperatures in the winter months are normally up to 15 degrees celsius but can get colder with rain and feel warmer on sunny days. Vilamoura is an artificial town created to attract a high-heeled clientele to the Algarve coast. Planning a trip to Portugal? The whole hike takes about 6 hours return. The citys nightlife is spread across the old town and a 2-km long street called The Strip a little outside the city. We're a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program. The wooden boardwalk takes you on top of stupefying cliffs where you can take a detour through tunnels and archways to explore the cliffs up close. The region is especially worth a visit during the Medieval festival in August. With a jam-packed Algarve itinerary, 7 days go fast. I've visited most of the areas of the country on different trips because I could never muster the amount of time it would take to see the whole country at once. Of course, you can make changes, add, or remove elements to your liking. When on a boat you see much more of the coastline but you dont get to disembark inside the Benagil cave. Read more about visiting the Algarve in winter. Tips & Advice Plan the ultimate Algarve itinerary for sun, surf . The drive there takes less than 30 minutes, and it is where you will find Marinha Beach, which was once voted one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe. Since our itinerary begins on the Southern Coast of Portugal, the Algarve, you have two airport choices. Where to stay in Carvoeiro:Tivoli Carvoeiro is a fantastic luxury hotel on top of the cliffs with outdoor pools and a spa & wellness center to charge your batteries during your vacation.Villa Welwitshia is a wonderful hotel with a pool and only a short walk to the beach. The Segway tour treats you to all kinds of beautiful scenes in about an hour and a half. What I love about the Algarve is that theres always something new to see and endless reasons to return. If you prefer to go to a different place, there are plenty of nice restaurants along the road next to the promenade to choose from. Near the fish market, you will find rich images of women working in canning factories and fishermen returning with their catch. Paratrike tour. Here is an overview of the best vacation homes in Tavira. Plan every tiny detail of your trip to make the most of your Algarve holiday! 15 days / from 5804 USD. I suggest you have lunch at Tavira Island before heading back to Tavira for an afternoon of sightseeing. Just outside the charming town, you will find the Carvoeiro boardwalk, a 600-meter-long wooden promenade that hugs the shore. When hiking the 7 hanging valleys trail you pass the cave but all you can see from the top is a big gaping hole. Quinta do Lago is a gated community to the east of Vilamoura that includes more magical golf courses. The view from up there is indescribable and you get to see Castelejo Beach as well. Ryanair serves all the airports in Portugal, so you are sure to find a deal. For an overview of the best apartments and vacation homes in Portimo, click here. We started ended our three month European adventure in Portugal, and fell in love with its warm, inviting culture (and SUPER friendly people), its food and wine, and its beautiful landscapes from the terraced vineyards in the world-famous Douro Valley, to the stunning beaches on the Algarve. It was a great tour and we did see a lot of interesting places. How to spend the perfect holiday in the Algarve | Telegraph Travel Especially if you want to go a bit further as you can't access everywhere by foot (unless you're ready to walk pretty long distances). You can walk along the coast and admire the cliffs from a series of vantage points. For us, touring Portugal by car gave us the flexibility to do more day trips and go exactly where we wanted, when we wanted. The Algarve is a vast area, from east to west it has 160 km of the beautiful coast. Portugal's warm and dry south coast, stretching for some 100 miles, offers warm, sandy beaches framed by jagged rocks that give way to rolling green hills dotted with orchards. Driving takes one hour. The ferry is obviously the most scenic option as it traverses the lagoon. A Ria serves the typical Mediterranean seafood but if you want a break of all the seafood, Fim do Mundo restaurant is a delicious Portuguese steakhouse. Best places to visit in the Algarve - Lonely Planet To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. If you prefer staying in Olho, check out the following hotels: Real Marina Hotel & Spa (5-star), Monte das Perdizes (4-star), and Pure Formosa Concept hotel (3-star). Starting with Estudiantes beach, Dona Ana beach, and the mesmerizing Camilo beach, youll have a blast! There are many wonderful things to do in Tavira, but with half a day I suggest you start with the remains of Tavira Castle, the Camara Obscura, and venture down to Praa da Republica for a coffee before crossing the Roman bridge, and find a nice spot for dinner. Make sure you dont miss out on the Ponta da Bandeira Fort, Igreja de Santo Antnio, Castelo dos Governadores, and the Slave Market Museum. Here is a list that can come in handy all year round, just vary the number of winter/summer items depending on which time of the year you travel. It is also nice to have all the impressive sights all to yourself. Between beckoning beaches, enchanting caves, imposing rock formations, and historical heritage sites, the Algarve offers many things to do and places to discover. I hope youve enjoyed this one week in Algarve itinerary exploring some of my favorite highlights of this amazing Portuguese region. If you look at the map of Faro, you will see a huge coastal lagoon, the Ria Formosa, bordered by several barrier islands. From there, boats leave for Benagil Cave, known as the most beautiful cave in the world. Spread across the Algarve you find several water-/themeparks. There are trains from Lagos to Faro that take up to 1 hour and 45 minutes. We rented a car for our trip to Southern Portugal. Explore Portugal highlights-Lisbon, Lagos, Sintra, Porto. Thats not to say that Slide and Splash isnt fun. If you prefer a hotel, take a look at Villa Gale Albacora hotel which is just outside Tavira. Read more about the best time to visit Portugal. The Algarve is wonderfully varied; there are pristine beaches for families . Around 50 bird species are commonly spotted including flamingos, storks, bee-eaters, ibis, and many others. Check out my Mexico sites: Let's Travel to MexicoMexico Cenotes and Ruins Let's Travel to Cancun, Renting a Car In Italy: The Complete Guide 2023, 2 days in Los Angeles - The Best Itinerary, The Best Snorkeling Spots in the Caribbean, Everything you should know before traveling to Italy. The Strip on the other hand, is unlike anything you can find anywhere else in the Algarve. Here is an overview of our Algarve itinerary. There is so much to see and do that 7 days is the very minimum to see the highlights and leave some time to relax at one of the many beautiful beaches. Here is een overview of vacation homes in Faro. Continue with Recommended Cookies. The ferry starts running at 9:40 in the morning so it gives you time for a good breakfast first. North of the town is Castro Marim where 2 castles can be found and the nature park, named after it. And lastly, you can also go by train from Lisbon. With delicious Mexican food, The Green Room- Burritos & Cocktails is a great option if you also want a snack to accompany your cocktail. Lagos is still a good base for these three days but if you want to stay a little more centrally you could look at Portimo. Or, of course, for those who want to surf since that is when the best waves arrive in Portugal! If you click one of them, we may receive a small commission (for which we are deeply grateful) at no extra cost to you. Wander the town square, and enjoy a drink or sample the Algarve food at one of the many bars and restaurants. Since the last 2 days are near Carvoeiro you could also opt to spend 2 days in Lagos and 2 days in Carvoeiro. You can also do a day trip to the Spanish border and visit Vila Real De Santo Antnio and the adjacent natural park, Reserva Natural do Sapal de Castro Marim. Inside the cave, you will find a small secluded beach. Summer The summer months are the busiest months in the Algarve. Another option, leaving Lisbon, is by car, it is only 172 miles to Faro and less than 3h of travel. So what are you waiting for? If you enjoy a beer at the riverfront market in the evening, you cannot deny that this village exudes a certain charm and romance. Besides its undeniable historical value, the site also provides a privileged panoramic view of the entire coast and its incredible cliffs. Being located in the east of the Algarve the town is an excellent base from which to discover the less-visited gems of the eastern Algarve. You will find many surfing schools if you want to start surfing or just want to up your game. There are also numerous boats that sail along the coast and show the Benagil cave along with other caves and rock formations. 5 Day Itinerary in the Algarve: Serra de Monchique, Lagos and Silves. By having lived in several countries I have been able to share my experiences as a travel content writer for the last 4 years and I still have plenty more to tell. If you prefer staying in an apartment or vacation house in Tavira, click here. A full week in the Algarve doesnt need to be all about beaches, coastline, and historic charming villages. If you continue your trip and are looking for a Portugal itinerary, click here. Ria Formosa - visit Algarve and discover this real natural paradise. On this first day in Lagos, I suggest visiting Praia Dona Ana and Praia do Camilo. Public transportation is limited so whatever you wish to do, a road trip as we described here, or a few day trips. If you are looking for an apartment or vacation home in Faro, take a look at this overview. 3-7 day Algarve Itinerary: Surf, Beach and Hiking in the Algarve (Portugal) Visit the enchanting village of Sintra, then continue to the sun-kissed beaches of the Algarve. Adam and I at Praia da Marinha in Algarve, Portugal. Top 3 of the best place to stay in Algarve. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. If you have a car, you can drive a few minutes to the Pedras dEl Rei resort where theres parking and a walking bridge crossing to Tavira Island. If you do not have a car, you can get around the cities by train or bus. Places worth visiting are, amongst others, the Capela dos Ossos, Igreja do Carmo, the S Cathedral, and the Bishops Palace which is only open to the public during exhibitions. Happy travels! It comes with loads of suggestions and will make your travel planning less stressful and more enjoyable. With a full stomach, you can stop for a Sangria in Baixa de Faro before heading back to your accommodation. Check prices and availability: Eat a delightful lunch in the old town before heading to the beach and Ludo trails. A lively seaside resort that is overrun with tourists in the high season. Day 5-6: Parque Nacional Peneda-Gers: Go hiking in Portugal's only national park. All beaches are beautiful but some are even more heavenly than others. For longer itineraries, we use different bases in order not to spend too much time in the car. It is also where you can take the ferry to Ilha da Cultura and Ilha da Armona, 2 unreal inhabited islands in the lagoon where it looks as if time has stood still. There is no need to book your visit to the fortress, although there is a small fee to enter and explore the grounds. Next, we head to Sagres and Cabo de So Vicente, the westernmost tip of the Algarve. A good location to discover the central part of the Algarve. In addition to tiny villages, both islands also have some quiet beaches. How to get there? I recommend bringing sunscreen and a hat to cover your head no matter what time of the year you travel as the sun is strong all year round. At the cape, you find one of the most powerful lighthouses in Europe. It can be extremely busy in July and August and that can take away quite a bit of the charm of the destination. Hikers can explore hundreds of kilometers of trails in the Algarve. This is one of the absolute highlights of any Algarve itinerary. Pretty much everything on this itinerary is between those two spots with the exception of a few trails north of Sagres. If you are looking for a hotel in Portimo, click here. Theres no secret Lagos has some of the most beautiful beaches in Algarve. I always use the last day of my travel itineraries to check out a place that I havent had the time to see before. The Algarve is the beautiful southern coastline of Portugal. Make the most of your visit to Portugal's Algarve region, with these ten tips to get around the region. After so much exploring and driving along the West Coast, you might want to take it easier the next day. Visit our online shop here and place your order. More than enough to keep you busy for a whole day. Since the hike goes along the most popular beaches in Lagoa, it does not matter the time of the year you will always run into other tourists, making this a very safe trail for solo travelers. The Algarve, Portugal a Tourism and Holiday Guide - updated for 2023! CONTACT: Isabella @ boundlessroads.com | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube, Algarve Itinerary day 7 Drive back to Faro, Useful practical tips to traveling to Algarve. This tour is great for exploring the top things to see in Sagres. Budget Travel Portugal on a budget. Tavira is often described as the Venice of the Algarve. Road-tripping in Algarve is probably the best way to get around. This is Isabella, a serious case of wanderlust! I found in my academic career the chance to come across different cultures and languages while working as a scientist. The quiet, beautiful Algarve town is situated rigth next to a part of the most staggering coastline on the Algarve. This is the busiest part of the city, as many of the cafes, restaurants, bars, stores, and sights such as museums and historic buildings are concentrated there. Water sports enthusiasts will find something of their liking in the many water sports activities, while golfers can easily discover a different golf course every day. This is an amazing hotel and home to one of the best spas in the Algarve. The park is a great place for bird watching. It is easy to spend 2 wonderful days in this region. Here is a list of more great towns in the Algarve. In this 7 days Algarve itinerary I have included the highlights of the most scenic destination in Portugal that you must visit. The best times to visit the Algarve - Lonely Planet Day 7 Ponta da Piedade Sagres return to Faro, Reflections on this southern Portugal itinerary, Check my top picks for kayaking in Albufeira here, Weekend trip: How to spend 3 days in Algarve.
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