Algarve Portugal
3
Day Itinerary •
Portugal
Three days in the Algarve reveals the most extraordinary coastal landscape in Portugal, its remarkable golden limestone cliffs, sea stacks, hidden sea caves and extraordinary beaches giving the finest coastal scenery in southern Europe. From the dramatic Ponta da Piedade sea caves near Lagos to the extraordinary Benagil Cave and the remarkable Sagres headland, the Algarve delivers an unforgettable Atlantic coast experience. This route covers the essential Algarve experience: the extraordinary Ponta da Piedade sea caves and Lagos old town, the remarkable Benagil Cave boat trip, the finest beaches from Praia da Marinha to Meia Praia, the extraordinary Sagres fortress at the end of Europe and the remarkable Ria Formosa natural park and its extraordinary island beaches.
Best Time To Visit
April to June or September to October
Getting There
Fly into Faro Airport (FAO). Car hire at airport essential.
Getting Around
Car essential throughout. The Algarve is 150km long.
Budget Per Day
Approx 80 to 160 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Easy , beaches, boat trips and coastal walking
DAY 1
LAGOS
MORNING
LAGOS OLD TOWN AND CITY WALLS
Lagos is the most extraordinary historic town in the western Algarve, its remarkable 16th-century city walls enclosing a beautiful old town of whitewashed houses, the extraordinary Igreja de Santo Antonio with its finest gilded baroque interior in the Algarve, and the remarkable Slave Market, the first in Europe, now housing a museum. The extraordinary Praca Gil Eanes gives the finest town square atmosphere in the western Algarve. Church entry approx 4 euros. Drive: 15 min drive
MIDDAY
PONTA DA PIEDADE SEA CAVES
Ponta da Piedade is the most extraordinary sea cave complex in Portugal, its remarkable golden limestone sea stacks, arches and grottos rising from the most vivid turquoise Atlantic water giving the finest coastal rock landscape in southern Europe. The extraordinary boat trip through the caves from Lagos beach gives the finest sea-level experience of the formations. The clifftop path gives the finest viewpoint. Boat approx 15 euros. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
MEIA PRAIA BEACH
Meia Praia is the most extraordinary long beach near Lagos, its remarkable 4km stretch of golden sand and calm turquoise water giving the finest long beach experience in the western Algarve. The extraordinary dunes behind the beach and the remarkable views across the Lagos bay to the town and the Ponta da Piedade cliffs give the finest natural beach landscape in the western Algarve. Free beach.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Praia de Dona Ana below the Lagos cliffs is the finest hidden beach near the town, its remarkable position in a sheltered cove of extraordinary golden cliffs giving the finest small beach near Lagos. Accessible by steps from the clifftop path between Lagos and Ponta da Piedade. Free. Far fewer tourists than Ponta da Piedade.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Lagos old town Outstanding Portuguese coffee and pastel de nata in the finest historic town in the western Algarve. | Lunch: Fish restaurant in Lagos Outstanding fresh Atlantic fish lunch in the most extraordinary historic town in the western Algarve. | Dinner: Restaurant in Lagos old town Outstanding Algarvian dinner with local cataplana seafood stew and excellent regional wine.
DAY 2
CENTRAL ALGARVE
MORNING
BENAGIL CAVE BOAT TRIP
The Benagil Cave is the most extraordinary sea cave in Portugal, its remarkable domed ceiling open to the sky through a circular hole creating a natural cathedral of extraordinary golden light above a hidden beach inside the cave. Accessible only by boat, kayak or swimming from Benagil beach. The extraordinary cathedral effect of the sunlight through the oculus onto the sand below gives the finest natural spectacle in the Algarve. Boat approx 15 euros. Drive: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
PRAIA DA MARINHA
Praia da Marinha is the most extraordinary cliff beach in the Algarve, its remarkable golden limestone formations creating natural arches, sea caves and extraordinary rock pools around one of the finest beaches in Europe. The extraordinary clifftop walk from Praia da Marinha towards Benagil gives the finest coastal rock scenery in Portugal and passes the finest sea caves accessible on foot. Free beach. Drive: 15 min drive
AFTERNOON
CARVOEIRO VILLAGE AND ALGAR SECO
Carvoeiro is the most extraordinary traditional fishing village on the central Algarve coast, its remarkable whitewashed houses descending to a sheltered cove beach giving the finest traditional village atmosphere in the region. The extraordinary Algar Seco rock formation at the eastern end of the beach, a remarkable labyrinth of golden rock tunnels and caverns at sea level, gives the finest walking rock formation in the central Algarve. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Praia do Carvalho near Benagil is the finest completely hidden beach in the central Algarve, accessible only through a remarkable tunnel cut through the limestone cliff giving the most extraordinary hidden beach entry in Portugal. Almost entirely unknown to casual tourists. Free. 10-minute walk from the Benagil clifftop.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Early hotel breakfast before Benagil Early start essential. Benagil boat trips book out completely by 9am in summer. Book online the evening before. | Lunch: Beach restaurant at Praia da Marinha Outstanding fresh Algarvian lunch at the finest cliff beach in Portugal. Grilled fish and local wine. | Dinner: Restaurant in Carvoeiro village Outstanding Algarvian seafood dinner in the most extraordinary traditional fishing village on the central coast.
DAY 3
SAGRES AND WEST COAST
MORNING
SAGRES FORTRESS
Sagres Fortress is the most extraordinary headland fortification in Portugal, its remarkable position on the Sagres promontory above the point where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean giving the finest fortress view in southern Europe. The extraordinary windrose, a mysterious 43-metre compass rose of unknown origin on the fortress floor, and the remarkable Church of Our Lady of Grace give the finest heritage experience in the western Algarve. Entry approx 3 euros. Drive: 15 min drive
MIDDAY
CAPE ST VINCENT
Cape St Vincent is the most extraordinary headland in Portugal, the southwesternmost point of continental Europe where the Atlantic and the warm Mediterranean currents meet giving the most dramatic land's end experience in southern Europe. The extraordinary lighthouse, the most powerful in Europe, and the remarkable cliff-top views over the open Atlantic give the finest headland experience in Portugal. Lighthouse entry approx 3 euros. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
PRAIA DO AMADO AND THE WEST COAST
Praia do Amado is the most extraordinary surf beach in the Algarve, its remarkable position on the exposed west coast of the Alentejo receiving the finest Atlantic swells in Portugal giving the best surfing conditions in southern Europe. The extraordinary wild coastal landscape of the Costa Vicentina, the finest undeveloped coast in Western Europe, gives the most dramatic natural scenery in the Algarve. Free beach.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Praia de Bordeira on the wild west coast north of Sagres is the finest completely undeveloped beach in the Algarve, its remarkable wide bay of extraordinary dunes and Atlantic surf giving the finest wild beach experience in southern Portugal. Entirely free of beach infrastructure. Free. 30 minutes north of Sagres.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Sagres village Outstanding Portuguese coffee in the most extraordinary surf village at the end of Europe. | Lunch: Fish restaurant in Sagres Outstanding fresh fish lunch at the finest fishing harbour at the westernmost point of southern Europe. | Dinner: Farewell dinner in Lagos Outstanding final Algarvian dinner in the extraordinary historic town.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Lagos, Nights 1 to 2 The finest base in the western Algarve. Hotels from 80 to 200 euros. Walking distance from all Lagos sites. Carvoeiro, alternative Best base for the central Algarve beaches. Hotels from 70 to 180 euros. 30 minutes from Lagos. Budget option Guesthouses in Lagos old town from 45 euros. Book ahead for July and August when the town fills completely.
Top Tips
1. Benagil Cave boat trips sell out completely by 9am in July and August. Book online the evening before and take the first morning departure for the best light.
2. Ponta da Piedade: the boat trip from Lagos beach gives the finest sea-level experience. The clifftop path gives the finest aerial view. Do both.
3. Cape St Vincent: the most extraordinary sunsets in Portugal happen here. The last people to see the sun set in continental Europe stand on this cliff.
4. Praia da Marinha clifftop walk to Benagil takes 45 minutes and passes the finest sea cave formations in the Algarve. The finest free coastal walk in Portugal.
5. Cataplana is the finest dish of the Algarve , a remarkable copper clam-shaped pot containing seafood, chorizo and tomatoes cooked at the table. Order it.
6. The Algarve west coast north of Sagres is almost entirely undeveloped. Praia de Bordeira and Praia do Amado are the finest wild beaches in southern Europe.
Total Budget
80 to 160 euros/day