2 days in Algarve

Day by day

1. Day 1: Benagil Cave and Seven Hanging Valleys Trail

   Benagil Cave, Seven Hanging Valleys Trail, Ponta da Piedade and Cape St Vincent, then Lagos Old Town in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Benagil Cave

      It sits east of Benagil village on the cliff coast and is seen from boats, kayaks or the clifftop path above.

   2. Late morning

      Seven Hanging Valleys Trail

      It passes above Benagil Cave's roof opening, and Praia da Marinha's golden sea stacks are one of the classic Algarve views.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Cataplana

      Seafood restaurants across the region, especially around Olhão, Portimão and the old towns of Lagos and Faro.

   4. Afternoon

      Ponta da Piedade

      Small boats from the landing and from Lagos marina weave through the grottoes.

   5. Late afternoon

      Cape St Vincent

      The Romans called it the end of the known world, and crowds gather here for sunset over the Atlantic.

   6. Evening

      Lagos Old Town

      Visit the Mercado de Escravos museum in the morning, then lose yourself in the lanes around Praça Gil Eanes before lunch.

2. Day 2: Fortress of Sagres and Ria Formosa Natural Park

   Fortress of Sagres, Ria Formosa Natural Park, Faro Old Town and Cathedral and Capela dos Ossos, Igreja do Carmo, then Albufeira 'The Strip' in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Fortress of Sagres

      Inside are a giant stone wind rose, a small chapel and a cliff-edge walk with views to Cape St Vincent.

   2. Late morning

      Ria Formosa Natural Park

      Boat trips from Faro, Olhão and Tavira visit the islands of Culatra, Armona, Deserta and Tavira, and the marshes are home to flamingos, spoonbills and seahorses.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Grilled sardines

      Riverside grills by the old bridge in Portimão are the classic spot; seasonal sardine festivals take place in summer.

   4. Afternoon

      Faro Old Town and Cathedral

      Its cobbled lanes lead to the cathedral, a mix of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles whose bell tower gives a view over the town and the lagoon.

   5. Late afternoon

      Capela dos Ossos, Igreja do Carmo

      The church itself has richly gilded woodwork.

   6. Evening

      Albufeira 'The Strip'

      Avenida Sá Carneiro in Areias de São João is a long string of bars and clubs popular with young crowds and groups.

Before you go

• Benagil Cave: Rules on landing and swimming inside the cave have tightened in recent years; book a licensed boat or kayak operator and check their current itinerary.

If it rains

• Swap in Loulé Market (Loulé): Go on a Saturday morning when the weekly market adds hundreds of stalls, and try local almond and fig sweets.

Where to stay for this itinerary

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 14–20 hours of visiting over 2 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 9.6 hours in December to 14.7 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

Getting between stops: Car. A car is the easiest way to explore beaches, cliffs and inland villages.

More or fewer days

• One day in Algarve
• 3 days in Algarve
• 5 days in Algarve

Questions travellers ask