By now, you may know that I love Portugal and I finally had the opportunity to plan the perfect trip to the Algarve and it did not disappoint. From the bustling streets of Lisbon, to the dramatic terraced landscapes of the Douro Valley, and the caves and sweeping sea views of the Algarve; Portugal is breathtaking.
The Algarve is Portugal’s southernmost region, known for its Atlantic beaches, white washed fishing villages, low cliffs, and sea caves that hide sandy beaches in private coves. Getting to the Algarve is simple by flying directly into Faro, by train to Faro from Lisbon, or by renting a car, which is by far the best way to give yourself the freedom to explore the region at your own pace.
For me, the perfect trip to the Algarve was for about 4 days after exploring Lisbon. Renting a car was simple from the airport in Lisbon and the drive was less than 3 hours with a rest stop to get to our Airbnb. Follow along to plan the perfect trip to the Algarve!
Where to Stay in the Algarve
The Algarve stretches from Lagos to Faro with tons of restaurants, bars, hotels, and villas so you will have your choice of where to stay. I opted for a somewhat rural Airbnb in Alcantarilha, which was a 30-45 minute drive from everything I wanted to see. But you will not go wrong with any accomodation in Lagos or Faro for more of an urban stay or anywhere in between. A few popular choices include:
The W Algarve in Albufeira
Tivoli Carvoeiro on a Cliffside near Carvoeiro Beach
Infante Guesthouse in Lagos
or 3HB in Faro
The Perfect Trip to the Algarve: Itinerary
Planning the perfect trip to the Algarve is simple because there is so much to do. Here is a sample of great things to do:
Day 1 in Algarve
Because we rented a house in the Algarve and drove from Lisbon, we opted to stop in Silves on the way. Silves was only about a 20 minute drive from our house, and has a beautiful castle to explore and a farmers market, Mercado Municipal, which is the perfect opportunity to stock up our house with local produce and cheeses. We also stopped at a few Vineyards to get some delicious local wines for our rented house as well. A few options include wine estates like Adego Do Convento do Paraíso, Adega Arvad, and Quinta dos Vales.
Day 2
Now that you have stocked up wine and hopefully some cheese (you know, the essentials), it’s time to hit the coast. Park your rental car at Praia Dona Ana and the walk the boardwalk trails of Ponta da Piedade. There are several opportunities to visit viewpoints, and beaches like Camilo Beach which has a sea arch, and of course, the Ponta Da Piedade grotto. From the grotto, there is an option to hop on a boat to see the nearby pillars and sea caves or head on to Lagos for a walk through town, snacks, and libations.
Day 3
It’s time to get adventurous and rent a kayak from Marinha beach and explore Benagil Cave, sea pillars, and sea caves. This was an unforgettable experience that took us into several caves, including the most famous, Benagil, and around a ton of sea arches and pillars that were stunning from the water. If boats aren’t your thing, you could opt to hike the 7 Valleys, which is a 7km hike from above. Either option you choose, be sure to go early because parking can fill up later in the day and there is a lot of boat traffic in this area.
Day 4
On your last day, check out the Algar Seco boardwalk trail which goes through tunnels, grottos, and cliffs with a windows to the sea. End the day at Carvoeiro beach for swimming and lunch.
Plan the Perfect Trip to the Algarve
This ended up being a perfect trip to the Algarve, so if it sounds good to you, plan your perfect trip with my tips above and follow along for more itinerary ideas and travel inspired recipes!
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