3 days in Algarve

Day by day

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

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

   1. Morning

      Benagil Cave

      A domed sea cave with a round hole in its roof opening onto the sky, a small sandy beach inside and light pouring down onto the water.

   2. Late morning

      Seven Hanging Valleys Trail

      Walk it early in the morning or in the late afternoon; there is little shade and the cliff edges are unstable, so stay on the marked path.

   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

      South of Lagos, a headland of sandstone pillars, arches and grottoes stands above turquoise water, with a lighthouse and a long wooden stairway down to a small landing stage.

   5. 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: Cape St Vincent and Fortress of Sagres

   Cape St Vincent, Fortress of Sagres and Ria Formosa Natural Park, then Albufeira 'The Strip' in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Cape St Vincent

      Bring a jacket; the wind is fierce even on warm days, and it gets cold quickly after sunset.

   2. Late morning

      Fortress of Sagres

      On a flat promontory jutting into the Atlantic, this fortress is associated with Prince Henry the Navigator and the early Portuguese voyages of discovery.

   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

      Ria Formosa Natural Park

      Take a public ferry from Olhão to Culatra or Armona for an island beach day at a fraction of the price of a private tour.

   5. 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.

3. Day 3: Faro Old Town and Cathedral and Capela dos Ossos, Igreja do Carmo

   Faro Old Town and Cathedral, Capela dos Ossos, Igreja do Carmo and Silves Castle, then Lagos old town in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Faro Old Town and Cathedral

      Faro's Cidade Velha is entered through the 19th-century Arco da Vila gate, often topped with a stork's nest.

   2. Late morning

      Capela dos Ossos, Igreja do Carmo

      Visit the gilded church first, then the chapel, which is small and takes only a few minutes.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Piri-piri chicken

      Churrasqueiras (grill houses) in Guia and across the region; ask for the sauce on the side if you prefer less heat.

   4. Afternoon

      Silves Castle

      The red sandstone walls of Silves Castle crown the hill above the town that was the Moorish capital of the Algarve, then called Xelb.

   5. Evening

      Lagos old town

      Lively bars and pubs around Rua 25 de Abril and Rua Cândido dos Reis, popular with backpackers and surfers.

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

With 3 nights, Lagos keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Albufeira ($$) suits families, nightlife, beach and budget. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 15–22 hours of visiting over 3 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.

More or fewer days

• One day in Algarve
• 2 days in Algarve
• 5 days in Algarve

Questions travellers ask