Algarve Road Trip: Our 10-Day Itinerary Along the Algarve

Our Algarve Road Trip Route

In this article, we’ll walk you through a road trip along the Algarve that starts and ends in Faro and runs for a total of ten days.

Of course, there are other routes out there, and you’re completely flexible with how long you travel. That said, an Algarve road trip really doesn’t make much sense if it’s under a week — you’d just be rushing. You’ll find some alternative suggestions in the general travel tips below.

To give you a better sense of where everything is, we’ve put together a map of our Algarve road trip route.

How Can You Travel the Algarve?

The distances along the Algarve are really short, which opens up several ways to structure your trip.

#1 Hotel Hopping: the Classic Approach

• great for families
• if you only have one to two weeks
• more comfort

Here you move from hotel to hotel, stay a few nights, and take day trips by rental car. We strongly recommend booking your hotels in advance — they fill up fast, especially in summer. In our detailed article, you’ll find tips for great places to stay along the Algarve.

For your rental car, we recommend comparing options on Discovercars — you get a clear overview of what’s included, like insurance coverage, fuel policy, and the deductible.

Compare rental car deals on Discovercars

#2 Camper Van Road Trip: Hippie Vibes

• great for couples and solo travelers
• especially well suited for longer trips
• more flexibility

The Algarve is perfect for exploring by motorhome or camper van. If you don’t mind a more minimalist lifestyle and love being close to nature, you’ll love waking up right on the beach.

Wild camping is technically prohibited in Portugal. However, if you leave your spot clean and don’t leave all your gear outside overnight, it’s tolerated in many places. During peak season, though, there are regular checks — so be aware.

Rent a motorhome through TUI Camper

#3 As a Side Trip from a Lisbon Vacation

Heading to Lisbon and want to tack on a quick trip to the Algarve? No problem — the short distances in Portugal make that totally doable.

You basically have two options: rent a car in Lisbon and do a road trip through Portugal all the way down to the Algarve. Or take the train or bus to Faro and drive back to Lisbon in a rental car. Just keep in mind that one-way rentals usually cost a bit more.

Day 0: Arrival in Faro

Most car rental providers are located right at Faro airport. From there, it’s only ten minutes to the city center.

Depending on when you arrive, you can already explore the city a bit. We’ve picked out a few highlights in Faro that you can check out stress-free after checking into your hotel.

Our hotel recommendations for Faro:

#1 Old Town of Faro

Especially after a flight, strolling through Faro’s old town is a great way to stretch your legs. There are plenty of charming cafés and restaurants tucked into the alleyways where you can grab a bite and really settle in.

Make sure to check out the old city walls and the Igreja do Carmo church — they’re among the top sights in Faro. Beyond that, we love just wandering through the small lanes with their whitewashed houses.

#2 Capela dos Ossos

The Capela dos Ossos is seriously impressive — and a little eerie. The chapel is decorated floor to ceiling with the bones of Carmelite monks. It’s one of the absolute must-sees in Faro and costs just 2 euros to enter.

#3 Fishing Harbor

Take a walk down to Faro’s fishing harbor. There isn’t a huge amount to see here, but it’s lovely watching the boats bob in the water.

#4 Praia de Faro

We recommend wrapping up your arrival day with a relaxed afternoon at the beach. You can reach Praia de Faro from the city center in 15 minutes by car. It’s a great spot to breathe in the sea air, take a swim, and enjoy the view of the Ria Formosa Nature Park.

You’ll usually have the beach almost to yourself — it’s mostly Portuguese locals who come here.

If you feel like it, you can even have dinner right at the beach. There are several beachside restaurants, like Sal’Mare.

Day 1: Tavira and Ria Formosa

On the first morning of your Algarve road trip, you’ll head to Tavira, a traditional Portuguese village and one of the most beautiful places on the Algarve. You’ll spend the night there as well.

On the way, there’s a stop at the Ria Formosa Nature Park.

Our hotel recommendations for Tavira:

#1 Catamaran Ride on the Ria Formosa

The Ria Formosa is a lagoon landscape of marshes, dunes, and islands right along the coast. The nature park is only 25 minutes from Faro and makes for a wonderful stopover.

You’ll see the most if you book a boat tour through the park. It lasts three hours in total, leaving you the entire afternoon to spend in Tavira.

During the trip, you’ll visit two islands and, with a bit of luck, spot flamingos and cranes.

Book a boat tour on the Ria Formosa

How to Get to the Ria Formosa

Drive time: 25 minutes

Leave Faro on the IC-4 expressway, then turn onto the N125-10 national road. After that, continue a short distance on the M527.

#2 Mercado Municipal Tavira

After your detour to the Ria Formosa, continue on to Tavira. Stop by the market and grab a midday snack. The market is open Monday through Saturday until 3 PM.

You’ll find lots of locals here picking up fresh fruit, vegetables, and fish. There are also plenty of restaurants and cafés nearby for a proper sit-down meal — many of them right along the Gilão River.

How to Get to Tavira

Drive time: 45 minutes

From the Ria Formosa, take the N2 national road and then hop on the A22 highway. Take exit 16 and follow the signs toward Tavira.

#3 Castelo de Tavira

Tavira is a historically rich village, so of course there’s an old castle ruin to explore. It’s not particularly large, but it’s one of the top points of interest in town.

From up here you also get a really lovely panorama over the Ria Formosa Nature Park.

#4 Moorish Quarter

Just below the castle you’ll find the Moorish quarter — one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in Tavira, with small cobblestone lanes and charming old buildings. It’s wonderful to see how the Arab influence blends with Portuguese culture here.

#5 Praça da República

The Praça da República is the heart of Tavira. Originally a marketplace, today it’s lined with restaurants and cafés. It’s a great spot for dinner — just sit back and soak in the atmosphere on this beautiful square.

Day 2: Loulé to Carvoeiro

After checking out of your hotel in Tavira, your second day takes you to some real highlights of the Algarve: the picturesque village of Loulé, the beach Praia da Marinha, and the famous Benagil Cave.

You’ll spend the night in Carvoeiro.

Our hotel recommendations for Carvoeiro:

#1 Loulé

Loulé is one of the most beautiful villages in the Algarve’s hinterland. The town has quite a bit of history — it was founded as far back as the 8th century and there’s a castle here that’s worth a look. Beyond that, we recommend just wandering through the village at your own pace.

It’s one of the most authentic spots on the Algarve, where you’ll still encounter plenty of locals and get a real feel for Portuguese everyday life. Loulé is especially proud of its Moorish-style market hall, which not only looks stunning but is also packed with regional delicacies.

How to Get to Loulé

Drive time: 30 minutes

Take the A22 toward Lisbon and Faro. Then take exit 12 and follow the signs to Loulé.

#2 Praia da Marinha

Next up is Praia da Marinha — one of the most well-known beaches on the Algarve. You’ve almost certainly seen it a hundred times on Instagram. Those rock formations are so quintessentially Algarve.

You can either just snap a quick photo or stay a while, hit the sand, and take a swim.

How to Get to Praia da Marinha

Drive time: 35 minutes

Get back on the A22 toward Lisbon and take exit 7. Follow the national road until just before Lagoa, then turn off onto the M1154 at the roundabout.

#3 Benagil Cave

The Benagil Cave is the standout you absolutely cannot miss on your Algarve road trip! It’s a natural rock dome with a hole in the ceiling that lets sunlight stream in — truly one of a kind.

You can only view the cave from the inside at low tide, and it’s only accessible by sea. Various tours run by boat, kayak, or SUP to get you there. If you’re a strong swimmer, you can even swim from Praia de Benagil.

We recommend the kayak tour — it’s only two hours long and fits perfectly into your second day.

Book a kayak tour to the Benagil Cave

How to Reach the Benagil Cave

From Praia da Marinha it’s less than two kilometers. Your best bet is to just follow the signs.

#4 Carvoeiro

After your kayak tour, you’ll head on to Carvoeiro, where you’ll also spend the night. It’s a small coastal town with its own little town beach — a perfect way to wind down the evening. The beach is especially family-friendly, and we love the colorful fishing boats bobbing in the water.

With narrow lanes and whitewashed houses, the town center is great for a leisurely stroll. You’ll find plenty of restaurants and cafés here for dinner.

How to Get to Carvoeiro

Drive time: 15 minutes

From Benagil, take the M1273 and then merge onto the N124-1. Just follow the signs to Carvoeiro.

Day 3: Portimão

After checking out in Carvoeiro, today you’ll head to Portimão. It’s one of the largest resort towns on the Algarve and there’s plenty to see in and around the city.

On the way, we’ve planned two more stops: the rock formation Algar Seco and the beach Praia dos Tres Irmãos.

Our hotel recommendations for Portimão:

#1 Algar Seco

Algar Seco, alongside the Benagil Cave, is one of the top natural wonders on the Algarve. It’s a stretch of coastline with impressive rocks, caves, and grottos — you can reach the caves by boat or kayak tour.

That said, we actually think the Carvoeiro Boardwalk is even better. It’s a trail that leads directly from the castle in Carvoeiro to Algar Seco — just 500 meters. Do it right after breakfast and it’s a lovely way to start the day.

#2 Praia dos Tres Irmãos

Before you reach Portimão, make sure to stop at this beach. Massive rock formations jut out of the sea, and at low tide you can walk through a double arch of stone in the small cove behind them.

The beach is especially popular with families in summer. There’s a restaurant and restrooms on site, and in summer lifeguards are on duty and you can rent loungers and umbrellas.

How to Get to Praia dos Tres Irmãos

Drive time: 35 minutes

From Carvoeiro, take the N125 national road and then turn off onto the N124. Instead of heading straight to Portimão, follow the signs toward Alvor. From there, just follow the signs.

#3 Ribeirinha in Portimão

After your beach stop, you’ll arrive in Portimão. One of the nicest things to do here is a stroll along the Ribeirinha. The Arade river flows through Portimão, and alongside it there’s a really lovely riverfront promenade for a leisurely walk.

The path is lined with palm trees and boats bob on the water. You’ll also find plenty of restaurants in the side streets for a midday bite.

How to Get to Portimão

Drive time: 15 minutes

Take the same route back the way you came. This time, turn off toward Portimão.

#4 Old Town of Portimão

From the Ribeirinha, you can continue straight into the historic center of Portimão. Honestly, the outskirts aren’t pretty — lots of high-rises and crumbling facades.

But the further you get into the old quarter, the more traditional buildings you’ll see. Tucked between restaurants and cafés, you’ll keep coming across beautiful churches like the Nossa Senhora da Conceição or the Igreja do Colégio.

Day 4: Lagos

Day four brings the moment you’ve been waiting for: Lagos! Lagos is the most popular city on the Algarve. There’s so much to see and do here that we’ve planned two nights in Lagos.

On your first day, the focus is mostly on the city itself. In the morning, though, there’s still a quick excursion to Ponta da Piedade.

Our hotel recommendations for Lagos:

#1 Ponta da Piedade

Just before Lagos, a headland juts out into the sea — Ponta da Piedade. The highlight here is the rugged sea cliffs and the secluded beaches hidden between them.

The best way to explore the rock formations is on a SUP or kayak tour. That way you can paddle into all the caves and grottos that aren’t accessible from land.

From Lagos: SUP Tour to Ponta da Piedade

Kayak and Boat Tour to Ponta da Piedade

#2 Old Town of Lagos

Lagos is one of the most beautiful places on the Algarve: great shopping, excellent restaurants, and buzzing cafés.

Even though Lagos has become quite touristy, you can still find corners that feel genuinely Portuguese. Especially worth seeing are the large squares, like the Praça Gil Eanes.

Be sure to duck into the small side streets too. The unassuming spots are usually where you’ll find the most delicious Portuguese food.

#3 Forte da Ponta Bandeira

Just outside the city walls of Lagos stands the Forte da Ponta Bandeira. The castle served to protect Lagos and looks like something straight out of a storybook — complete with a drawbridge, battlements, and turrets.

The complex is still very well preserved and offers a really great view of the beach and the city behind it. We actually love the scenery just as much in bad weather as in good. The white stone stands out even more starkly against a dark sea — absolutely stunning!

#4 Port of Lagos

The port of Lagos is seriously impressive: you’ll see everything from tiny dinghies to large sailboats and luxury yachts.

Real legends were born here — countless sailors have set out from Lagos on voyages around the world.

Around the marina there are also some great restaurants. We love the ones that don’t look too fancy — those are usually the ones serving the best fresh fish.

Day 5: Lagos

You’re halfway through your Algarve road trip — but don’t worry: there are still some really beautiful places ahead!

You’ll spend a second night in Lagos, but today you’ll head out of the center. We’ll give you a little preview: with a bit of luck, you might spot dolphins in the wild!

#1 Meia Praia

Spend the morning relaxing at the beach. Meia Praia is right next to the old town and is the main beach of Lagos — easy to walk to.

Meia Praia looks a bit atypical for the Algarve, since there are none of the usual cliffs and rock formations. Instead, you get a miles-long sandy beach backed by dunes.

It’s especially perfect if you’re traveling with kids or want to swim. There are hardly any currents or waves and the water stays very shallow.

#2 Boat Tour with Dolphin Watching

After that, we’ve got a really cool activity on the Algarve lined up: off the coast, you can watch dolphins in their natural habitat. We can barely think of anything more exciting!

We especially love this tour because you’re accompanied by a marine biologist. Your guide not only has incredible knowledge about the animals — data is also collected simultaneously for wildlife conservation projects. So it’s not just a typical tourist excursion; it serves a greater purpose too.

Your meeting point is conveniently right at Meia Praia.

Book the Dolphin Watching Boat Tour

#3 Cliff Walk

Right below the old town are several beautiful coves connected by narrow footpaths. Start at Praia de Dona Ana, for example. The path then leads you right along the cliffs to Praia do Camilo.

If you keep going, you’ll eventually reach Ponta da Piedade, where you already went on an outing the day before.

We recommend doing the cliff walk at sunset — the coastline looks even more beautiful in that light. The walk from Lagos to Ponta da Piedade is about two kilometers.

#4 Nightlife in Lagos

Lagos is the place on the Algarve to party. It’s not everyone’s scene, but if you feel like going out during your Algarve road trip, this is definitely the place to do it.

The old town is packed with pubs, bars, and clubs right next to each other. Things usually get going around 11 PM — and when it ends is anybody’s guess.

Because Lagos is super compact, it’s easy to hop from one venue to the next.

Day 6: Sagres

From Lagos, you’ll continue on to Sagres — equally well-known on the Algarve. The town is smaller than Lagos, but just as famous for its location at the southwestern tip of Europe.

You’ll spend a total of two nights in Sagres. On the first day, you’ll explore the town itself; on the second, the sights in the surrounding area. Let’s go!

Our hotel recommendations for Sagres:

#1 Burgau, Salema, or Vila do Bispo

On your way, you’ll pass through many small villages like Burgau, Salema, or Vila do Bispo. We recommend stopping to check out at least one of them.

There isn’t a huge amount to see. But this is where you experience the real Algarve away from mass tourism. We love just wandering through the streets, browsing little boutiques, and sipping a proper Portuguese coffee.

#2 Old Town of Sagres

To be completely honest, Sagres can feel a bit run-down at first glance — especially if you’re coming straight from Lagos, which is very modern and well-developed.

Personally, we actually like this laid-back atmosphere. It’s less over-the-top touristy and simply feels more authentic. Often it’s the unassuming spots that sell the most beautiful handmade crafts.

Beyond that, Sagres draws mainly nature lovers and surfers — and you’ll definitely feel that surf vibe on every corner.

How to Get to Sagres:

Drive time: 35 minutes

From Lagos, simply follow the N125 all the way to Vila do Bispo. There, turn onto the N268 toward Sagres and drive into town.

#3 Praia do Tonel

You can easily reach Tonel beach on foot in ten minutes from Sagres. It’s a wild beach surrounded by rugged red and black cliffs.

Even though it’s so close to Sagres, it’s never very crowded. It’s not ideal for swimming or families — the waves can get big, especially in winter, and the currents can be strong. That’s exactly what draws surfers here, though.

In the cove there’s a rock called Lion’s Rock. You’ll usually see fishermen perched on top of it, and you find yourself wondering how they got up there — and more importantly, how they plan to get back down.

#4 Fortaleza de Sagres

The Fortaleza de Sagres is the top attraction within the town. Built by Henry the Navigator, it served for a long time as the town’s defense. Inside, you’ll still find the old cannons, watchtowers, and a chapel.

You can reach the fortress from the center in about 20 minutes on foot. It sits on a small headland that juts out into the sea in front of Sagres.

The best time to visit is at sunset. The golden hour is when it’s most beautiful here, and you can watch the sun disappear behind Cabo de São Vicente.

Day 7: Sagres

Your second day in Sagres definitely won’t be boring. Topping your to-do list is a visit to Cabo de São Vicente — one of the top attractions on the Algarve.

Afterward, you’ll head back to Sagres for another night.

#1 Cabo de São Vicente

Cabo de São Vicente is the most famous sight in Sagres — the southwesternmost point on the European mainland, and you’ll truly get that feeling of standing at the end of the world.

On the cliffs there’s a lighthouse, which unfortunately can no longer be visited from the inside. The last thing we expected to find here was a bratwurst stand proudly advertising itself as the last German bratwurst before America — only on the Algarve!

The view is simply breathtaking: rugged cliffs and wild ocean as far as the eye can see. Unfortunately, there are always huge crowds of tourists, which takes some of the magic away. Your best bet is to arrive very early in the morning.

How to Reach Cabo de São Vicente:

Drive time: 10 minutes

You can reach Cabo de São Vicente easily via the N268. The road leads all the way to the lighthouse, and there’s a parking lot there as well.

#2 Fortaleza do Beliche

On the way back to Sagres, stop to take a look at Fortaleza do Beliche. The fortress was originally built to protect the fishermen in the cove below. Today, much of the walls and the chapel of Santa Catalina are still standing.

The image of the fortress set right against the cliffs makes for a great photo!

#3 Praia do Beliche

Just a little further from Fortaleza do Beliche, back toward Sagres, lies the beach of the same name. It’s a wide cove surrounded by tall, white sandstone cliffs.

The beach is great for surfing, but Beliche is also wonderful for simply soaking up some sun. Even in summer, there are very few people here. The rock walls also shelter you nicely from stronger winds.

Day 8: Carrapateira

Today you’ll leave the southern coast behind and head to the west coast instead. It’s far less touristy overall: just small villages, not much tourist infrastructure, but lots of greenery and some truly stunning beaches!

Today you’ll check out two of them: Praia da Bordeira and Praia do Amado. If you’re up for it, there’s also a little adventure on the agenda — more on that in a moment!

Our hotel recommendations for Carrapateira:

#1 Praia da Bordeira

One of our absolute favorite beaches on the entire Algarve! Bordeira is a wild and beautiful beach, several kilometers long and framed by rugged cliffs. The beach is so vast that you’ll often be completely alone. Be especially careful when swimming, since there are no lifeguards on site.

If you surf, this beach will be particularly exciting — there are good waves here year-round for every skill level.

How to Get to Bordeira

Drive time: 25 minutes

From Sagres, follow the N268 to Carrapateira. Just past the village, turn left and after a short stretch you’ll reach the beach.

#2 Praia do Amado

Praia do Amado used to be an under-the-radar pick. Word has gotten out, though — it’s a truly great surf spot, and international surfing competitions are held here. Super exciting to watch!

But even when there’s no competition going on, it’s worth the detour. Amado has much more infrastructure than Bordeira. You can rent loungers, there’s a restaurant on the beach, and lifeguards are on duty in summer.

How to Get to Amado

Drive time: 10 minutes

From the parking lot at Bordeira, a road runs along the coast back toward the south. Just follow it for about ten minutes.

#3 Take a Surf Lesson for Beginners

You’ll spot surfers just about everywhere on the Algarve, since it’s home to some of the best surf spots in all of Portugal. If you want to try surfing yourself, Carrapateira is the perfect place to do it.

Your surf instructor will first walk you through the basics of surf theory and then help you catch your first waves. You don’t need to worry about gear — you’ll be provided with a wetsuit, surfboard, and everything else you need. No prior experience required.

If a surf lesson isn’t your thing, you can simply spend more time at the two beaches and have a relaxed day.

Book a beginner surf lesson in Carrapateira

Day 9: Aljezur

You’ll also spend your second-to-last day on the west coast of the Algarve. On the agenda: pure nature, great beaches, and a visit to a castle. Sounds good? Let’s take a closer look!

Our hotel recommendations for Aljezur:

#1 Praia de Arrifana

Praia de Arrifana is very popular among surfers — the beach offers great waves, generally more beginner-friendly in summer and better suited for experienced surfers in winter.

But even if you don’t surf, Arrifana is simply stunning. The beach is surrounded by towering cliffs from which you can take amazing photos.

You’ll need to walk a short distance to get down to the beach below, but it’s absolutely worth it!

How to Get to Arrifana

Drive time: 30 minutes

To reach Arrifana, follow the N268 toward Aljezur, just like the day before. Just before Aljezur, turn left onto the M1003-1, which will take you all the way to Arrifana.

#2 Castle of Aljezur

The castle in Aljezur is one of the few genuine attractions in the area. It’s a bit weathered by now, but you can still get a good look at the stonework and towers.

The main reason to make the detour, though, is the fantastic view over Aljezur. The castle sits on top of a hill and you can see really far from up there.

How to Reach Aljezur

Drive time: 15 minutes

From Arrifana, head back on the M1003-1 until just before Aljezur. Turn left there and the road will take you directly to the castle parking lot. The castle is also signposted.

#3 Praia de Monte Clerigo

After your detour to the castle, it’s time for more beach hopping — this time to Monte Clerigo. It’s a tiny little town that seems to have been squeezed onto a hillside, with the beach of the same name lying below it.

There are usually far fewer people here since Monte Clerigo isn’t as well known. You can also do some great surfing here.

The town has a few wonderfully rustic fish restaurants. Definitely take the chance to eat here.

How to Get to Monte Clerigo

Drive time: 10 minutes

From the castle, head back to the M1003-1 and simply follow it all the way to Monte Clerigo.

#4 Praia de Odeceixe

Praia de Odeceixe is located at the very northern end of the Algarve. Whether you want to check out another beach is entirely up to you — otherwise you can simply spend more time at Arrifana and Monte Clerigo.

Odeceixe is especially good for families. Behind the beach, a river flows into the sea, creating calm, shallow water for swimming even on rougher days.

How to Get to Odeceixe

Drive time: 30 minutes

From Monte Clerigo, head back to Aljezur and take the N-120 from there. It will take you to the town of Odeceixe. Turn left there to reach the beach.

Day 10: The Algarve’s Hinterland

Your last day on the Algarve — and of course it needs to be a real highlight. Don’t worry! Today you’ll explore something completely new: the Algarve’s hinterland. You’ll pass through the Monchique mountains, wine estates, and small mountain villages.

Afterward, you’ll head back to Faro, where you’ll spend your last night — right near the airport for an easy departure the next morning. You already know our hotel recommendations for Faro from the first day.

#1 Serra de Monchique

The Serra de Monchique is the mountainous hinterland and the green heart of the Algarve. Instead of driving back the same way along the coast, take the mountain roads and discover something new. There’s hardly any traffic, though the road gets a little adventurous in places thanks to the switchbacks.

There are viewpoints along the way with a gorgeous vista over the forests. We also recommend a stop in the charming village of Monchique itself.

If you want to spend more time in nature, there are plenty of hiking trails. The classic route leads from Monchique up to Foia — the highest peak in the Monchique mountains. The hike takes about two hours one way, though, so you may not have time for the other stops.

How to Get to Monchique

Drive time: 35 minutes

In Aljezur, get on the N267 and follow it to the end. Turn left there onto the N266 and continue a short way to Monchique.

#2 Silves

Silves was actually the former capital of the Algarve, which is why this small town has more cultural treasures than you might expect at first glance.

Otherwise, Silves has a relaxed pace of life, with lovely sidewalk cafés, cobblestone streets, and some shops. Here you experience the Algarve away from mass tourism — genuine Portuguese everyday life.

The area around Silves also has many beautiful estates where wine, olives, and fruit are grown. Some of the wineries even offer tours where you can sample the local Portuguese wines.

From Silves: Winery Tour with Tasting

How to Get to Silves

Drive time: 35 minutes

From Monchique, take the N266 to Porto de Lagos. Turn onto the N124 there and follow it to Silves.

#3 Estoi

Estoi is a charming village on your way back to Faro. During the day, many day-trippers come here to visit the Palácio de Estoi — the top attraction in Estoi, and honestly there’s not much else to see.

But the complex is truly a dream: the palace dates back to the Rococo period, is completely pink with ornamental touches of the typical Portuguese azulejo tiles, and is surrounded by beautifully crafted gardens.

How to Get to Estoi

Drive time: 40 minutes

From Silves, take the N124-1 and get on the A22 highway. Take exit 14 to reach Estoi.

Questions and Answers About Your Algarve Road Trip

Still have questions about how to best plan your Algarve itinerary? You’ll likely find your answers here.

#1 Where Should You Fly Into?

You have two options: Faro or the airport in Lisbon. For an Algarve road trip, Faro is the obvious choice since you’re already in the region.

Lisbon, on the other hand, is the larger airport, and depending on where you’re flying from, flights to Lisbon may be cheaper. You’ll just need to figure out how to get from Lisbon to the Algarve.

You could rent a car in Lisbon, especially if you’ll be flying back from there as well. The drive down to Faro takes about 2.5–3 hours.

#2 When Should You Travel to the Algarve?

The best time to visit the Algarve is between March and September. Our top tip for a road trip is a trip in September.

If you’re after a proper beach vacation, June, July, and August are ideal. That said, it’s also peak season, so expect more crowds.

#3 How Far Are the Distances on the Algarve?

The distances on the Algarve are very short. From Faro to Lagos takes just one hour by car — incredibly convenient, especially if you’re traveling with young kids.

#4 How Much Time Should You Plan for an Algarve Road Trip?

We recommend staying for at least one to two weeks. Less than a week doesn’t really make sense — you’d just be rushing from place to place.

We think ten days is the perfect middle ground. That said, many people do seven or fourteen days as well.

#5 What Can You Do on a Seven-Day Algarve Road Trip?

Spend just one night each in Lagos and Sagres and focus only on the activities that interest you most. You can also combine the excursions from Days 8 and 9 and simply visit fewer beaches on the west coast.

#6 What About a 14-Day Algarve Road Trip?

Our ten-day Algarve road trip already covers the entire Algarve. If you have more time, simply slow the pace, discover even more beautiful beaches, add more activities, or take a rest day here and there.

If you’re looking for inspiration, check out these two articles: