5 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

      Go early in the morning on a calm day; the boat queue builds by mid-morning in summer and the sea can make access impossible. (1–2 hours by boat or kayak, mid-priced).

   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. (2–4 hours, free).

   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

      Come at sunset for warm light on the cliffs, then walk the clifftop paths back towards Praia do Camilo. (1–2 hours, free).

   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. (1 hour, free).

   2. Late morning

      Fortress of Sagres

      Walk the full loop around the promontory to see fishermen on the cliffs and the blowholes on the west side. (1–1.5 hours, low cost).

   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. (Half a day, low cost).

   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

      Climb the cathedral tower for the panorama over the Ria Formosa and look out for storks nesting on the rooftops in spring. (2 hours, low cost).

   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. (30 minutes, low cost).

   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

      Visit in the morning before the heat, and come in August for the town's medieval fair if your dates allow. (1–1.5 hours, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Lagos old town

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

4. Day 4: Day trip to Seville

   About 2 hours by car or coach each way. Getting there: Car or coach from Faro or Albufeira.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Seville

      About 2 hours by car or coach (Car or coach from Faro or Albufeira); about 200 km.

   2. Day

      Seville

      Andalusia's capital has the Alcázar palace, the Gothic cathedral with its Giralda tower and the tiled Plaza de España. Best for culture, couples and first-timers.

   3. Evening

      Back in Algarve

      Dinner: try Octopus.

5. Day 5: Monchique and Fóia and Zoomarine

   Monchique and Fóia, Zoomarine and Algar Seco and the Carvoeiro boardwalk, then Vilamoura Marina in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Monchique and Fóia

      Drive up in the late afternoon for the light, then eat piri-piri chicken or chouriço in Monchique's restaurants on the way down. (Half a day, free).

   2. Late morning

      Zoomarine

      Arrive at opening in summer to find shade and good seats for the first shows. (Full day, expensive).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Octopus

      Santa Luzia near Tavira calls itself the octopus capital of Portugal, with many restaurants on its waterfront.

   4. Afternoon

      Algar Seco and the Carvoeiro boardwalk

      Come at low tide on a calm morning to explore the rock pools below; there is a small bar built into the rocks. (1 hour, free).

   5. Evening

      Vilamoura Marina

      Upmarket cocktail bars, lounges and a casino around the marina.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Benagil Cave before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 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 25–35 hours of visiting over 5 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
• 3 days in Algarve

Questions travellers ask