This guide to discovering the Algarve in 5 Days Itinerary for Unforgettable Adventure is a must-read. Deciding on a destination for a holiday could be the most difficult part. There are so many things to take into consideration such as the length of days, budgets, and how to get around. Even though my husband and I are used to travelling, we still struggle to choose whether to see cities, mountains or beaches. Then we came across this southern part of Europe.
Algarve! A paradise nestled along Portugal’s southern coast. Known for its stunning beaches, picturesque cliffs, and vibrant culture, the Algarve sounds like a perfect place for us. Having to deal with a long and gloomy winter in The Netherlands, we just can’t wait to feel the sun again.
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Finding Flights and Arriving in the Algarve
To kick off the Algarve adventure, we started searching for flights to Faro Airport, the main gateway to the region. You can use flight comparison websites like Skyscanner or Google Flights to find the best deals. From most major European cities, direct flights to Faro are available and affordable, especially if booked in advance.
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Now, let’s explore Algarve! We flew with Eurowings from the Cologne Airport, Germany. We managed to grab a last-minute deal to Algarve where the airport transfers and accommodation were included in the package.
Day 1: Arrival
Touched down at Faro Airport in the evening and we had to wait for our transfer. It wasn’t that long but we were the last to be driven to our accommodation. However, the beautiful sunset along the way managed to impress us. Besides, the drive was friendly too. After we’ve checked in, we decided to just rest for the evening.
Day 2: Exploring Sagres
We started our day with breakfast and headed towards the receptionist. If you wonder where we stayed, the name is Clube Albufeira Garden Village. As the name suggested, Albufeira is one of the regions in Algarve. Then we rented a car from this place. The reasons were; that it would be easier for us to return the car and they provided the transportation to the airport. Besides, we’ll have the freedom to explore places at our own pace and discover hidden gems along the way.
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i) Praia do Martinhal
We drove off from our accommodation in the afternoon to Praia do Martinhal. It took a little bit more than one hour from Albuifera to this place.
ii) Sagres Fortress
A must-see whilst in Sagres, it’s also referred to as Fortaleza de Sagres. Unfortunately, the fort was just closed for the day when we arrived. For your information, the entrance ticket is €3 per person. The fortress is open daily from 9.30 am to 8 pm during the peak season and from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm during the off-season.
Despite we couldn’t enter the fortress, there was an amazing landscape waiting to be explored. Even more breathtaking was the stroll that led us to the promontory’s tip, which offered breathtaking views of the steep seashore cliffs below. In the second picture on the right, we can see Cabo St Vincent Lighthouse from the fortress.
iii) Praia do Beliche
We stopped at Praia do Beliche before we headed to Cabo St Vincent Lighthouse. It was on the route and the attraction was recommended by our dear friends. There were stairs to get down to the beach but we didn’t do it because suddenly it was cloudy again. When we were there, there was only one person on the beach and given the fact that the temperature was still low, nobody was swimming in the water.
iv) Cabo St Vincent Lighthouse
The car ride only took around 10 minutes to get to the lighthouse from Sagres Fortress. The sea was gorgeous and blue, but it was wild and merciless. The cliffs dropped sharply to more than 70m in height, with seabirds nesting in crags and sheltered coves. In our opinion, this location has different and unique vibes.
v) Praia do Castelejo
Then we went farther up to Praia do Castelejo. Once again, it was convenient to go around by using a car. If you’re looking to rent a car then check the options here. The journey took about 25 minutes from the Cabo St Vincent Lighthouse. We were welcomed by the strong wind and it was rather cloudy.
Praia do Castelejo has become one of the Algarve’s most popular surfing beaches. Measuring half a kilometre, or almost a third of a mile, it is a large and well-known natural landmark. It is surrounded by black schist cliffs that rise to a height of 156 meters (512 feet) at one point, making them the highest on the entire Algarve coast.
There is a viewpoint at the top where you can enjoy the view of the cliffs and the coastline. This viewpoint is called Torre da Aspa. We didn’t go to the viewpoint because it was getting really cold and windy.
The End of The World?
For thousands of years, people used to believe that the Earth was flat and that it ceased to exist in Sagres. It was the last explored point in the ancient world. For this reason, the Romans called Sagres Promontorium Sacrum, which meant the end of the world. Sagres appreciates views of the Atlantic Ocean, making it appealing to beachcombers.
To those who love surfing, relaxing beaches, and quiet roads for cycling or even walking, Sagres is a highly recommended place to be. We enjoyed the places that we visited and surely were amazed by the landscape because it was different from the Netherlands.
Accommodation in Sagres
If you would like to stay in Sagres, consider staying at the Memmo Baleeira Hotel, which offers stunning sea views and comfortable rooms. For budget travellers, Sagres Sun Stay offers affordable dormitory options.
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Day 2: Discovering Monchique
Journey to Monchique
We started our day in the afternoon because we arrived late from Sagres. The accommodation where we stayed was an apartment with a kitchen. Thus we prepared meals by ourselves most of the time. That was also to save time to find halal restaurants and based on our research the options were limited.
i) Convento de Nossa Senhora do Desterro
Frankly to say we packed our bags for a hike in Monchique. However, we just couldn’t find our way and the tourism centre was closed. To not waste any more time, we decided to take our car and park as close as possible to this location.
When we arrived, one gentleman showed us the path to enter the ruin. He then let us wander around and don’t worry you won’t get lost. You may want to check our video which has drone footage through this link. Then, we met with the caretakers outside and we had a long and nice conversation with one of their friends. He spoke fluent English and told us a bit about himself and the history of the place.
Apparently, before the same earthquake that wrecked most of Lisbon in 1755, it was occupied by the Franciscan order of monks. Since then, it has undergone partial reconstruction before being abandoned for the second time. The structure now gives a distinct, and unique ambience where the surrounding nature gradually takes over it.
ii) Watermill
After we grabbed some snacks in the city, we went to visit a watermill. It was confusing because we missed the landmark. The landmark as shown in the first picture was actually at a bus stop. There were so many vehicles that we passed along the road. When we drove through the path, it was hidden by a camper. Fortunately, there was one villager who showed us how to get there when we got lost and stopped on his property. Lucky! However, it didn’t last long.
Actually, the vehicles that we saw, were parked there for one purpose; a gathering at the windmill! We called it a party for the whole village. You can imagine some loud music, many people, and they even put an inflatable playground for kids. The area was cramped and we just managed to get the second picture. Nevertheless, we found a creek and that was sufficient to comfort our hearts.
iii) Miradouro da Fóia
With over 900 meters in height, this is the highest point in Algarve. If you put “Viewpoint of the FOIA” on your map, you will get there. As a photographer, I’ve done some research and there were many articles suggesting that one shouldn’t miss the sunset on this mountain.
We arrived at the top before sunset and had some time to spare. If you come off-season, make sure to wear suitable jackets or coats. Even though the day was bright, don’t let the weather fool you. It was freezing! Two souvenir stores were still open so we decided to check them out. They had a variety of souvenirs as well as handmade items.
The stunning sunset!
From the top, we drove to the right on N266-3 where we passed the sculpture of a cyclist. The terrace slopes were just gorgeous and we couldn’t take our eyes off this view. We stopped there for a while. If you would like to see more of the view, you may want to watch it here. It was really worth it to come up here and we strongly recommend you to go to this viewpoint.
Accommodation in Monchique
Stay at Villa Termal das Caldas de Monchique Spa Resort, a lovely retreat offering wellness treatments and a relaxing atmosphere. For a more budget-friendly option, consider Central Monchique Guest House, which provides cosy accommodations and a friendly environment.
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Day 3: Leisuring Day at Lagos and Albufeira
i) Praia dos Estudantes
New day new place! We started our day earlier to catch the sunrise at Praia dos Estudantes. There was no one when we arrived but it was the time of high tide. We forgot to check that however, the beach was still accessible.
Praia dos Estudantes is famous for its Roman-style bridge located on the beach; as you can see in the picture above. It is a small beach but because the location is close to the centre of Lagos, it is convenient for tourists to visit. Thus, we bet it will be crowded during summertime.
There are some ways to go to Praia dos Estudantes. You can go there by car, bus, boat tour and beach walk. A tip for the beach walk; you can walk from Praia da Batata through the tunnel on the right which is visible during low tide.
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ii) Ponta da Piedade
After we’ve captured the sunrise at Praia dos Estudantes, we drove to the Ponta da Piedade. By car, it only takes 7 minutes but you can also do your morning walk which takes around 18 minutes, depending on how fast your paces are. Since we arrived early in the morning, there were still plenty of parking spots. We also saw some campers parked over there. For your information, the parking is free. So you can take your time as long as you want.
There were wooden walkboards that would lead you straight to the spot. Once again, the stunning colours of the cliffs contrasted with the blue sea water enchanted us. Besides from this point of view, you can also enjoy these rock formations from the sea, as part of the boat tours. There are many tour companies for boats, hiking and so on. You can check the options below.
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iii) Grotto Pioneers
This location is situated nearby with Ponta da Piedade. There are stairs, a quite long one to get down the cliffs. This area is used as a small port where passengers will be embarked from here for the tour boats. We were there in the morning and it was off-season so we didn’t see their operation yet. However, according to our friends, tour boats are highly recommended because they will offer a different view of these amazing landscapes.
Do you know that there are also boat tours for Dolphin watching? Here it is for you to book the tour in advance.
iii) Shop and Piri-Piri!
We took a nap back in our accommodation and went to a shopping mall in the afternoon. The weather was turning gloomy and windy thus we decided to do a bit of window shopping. The shopping mall is called MAR Shopping Algarve, situated at Almancil. There is also IKEA over there, so you won’t miss the place.
For our dinner, we went to a restaurant which was called RANIAS Halal Restaurant. We enjoyed the ambience of the restaurants. The lady was friendly, the meals were delicious except the chicken was a bit on the dry side. Despite that, the spices were authentic and the portions were generous.
iii) Shark Fin!
Do you happen to know about this place? Personally, we felt like this was the hidden gem of Albufeira. This spot is located at Praia da Falésia. We first drove to Adriana Beach Resort but we couldn’t find our way to the location. Then we asked a guard at the resort who told us that we could drive through private property (Google Maps did show this route).
After the confirmation, we drove into the area which was not too far from the resort. A word of advice, do drive slowly because of the uneven paved roads with trees alongside. We spent about 15 to 20 minutes to also enjoy the sunset and that was how we ended our day.
Accommodation in Lagos
Lagos is a bustling town known for its vibrant nightlife and beautiful beaches. Consider staying at the Tivoli Lagos, which offers comfortable rooms and excellent amenities. If you’re on a budget, the Lagos Youth Hostel provides clean and affordable accommodations.
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Activities in Lagos
Lagos is famous for its water activities. Consider joining a dolphin-watching tour or a kayaking trip to explore the coastal caves. For a unique experience, try a sailing trip along the Algarve coast.
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Day 4: Visiting Three Regions
i) Silves
Silves Castle or locally known as Castelo de Silves is situated in the region of Silves. It is regarded as one of Portugal’s most important and picturesque Muslim fortresses, as well as the largest in the Algarve. This beautiful castle was classified as a national monument in 1910. We highly recommend visiting this castle especially if you are fond of history.
ENTRANCE FEES
- Silves Castle entrance fee: €2,80.
- Silves Castle & Archaeological Museum entrance fee: €3,90.
- Group Price (for groups of 20 persons or more): € 2,20.
- Children, Students, Cartão Jovem card holders, and over 65s: € 1,40.
The Café Castelo de Silves, located in the Silves Castle, is a great place to stop for a cup of coffee or a cold beverage.
OPENING TIMES
Silves Castle is open every day (except for Christmas Day and New Year’s Day).
- 1st of April – 31st of May: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- 1st of June – 31st of August: 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- 1st of September – 30th of October: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- 31st of October – 24th of March: 9 a.m. – 5.30 p.m.
❗ Last entrance: 30 minutes before closing time.
HOW TO GET HERE
From Lagos, you can take a taxi, train or bus lines 80 and 113 to get to the castle. By car, it will take around 35 minutes if you use routes with tolls. The good news is that the tolls weren’t expensive. The price ranges between 40 cents euro and above.
Here is the link to the castle: https://maps.app.goo.gl/oeX2h2DBndYyYdfw6
ii) Carvoeiro
A visit to Carvoeiro isn’t complete without Benagil Cave. Benagil cave is Portugal’s most magnificent sea cave. It has therefore become the most famous destination in the Algarve. We drove to Benagil Cave which took about 25 minutes from the Silves Castle. There was a parking area and we had to walk a bit more to reach this location.
As you can see, you can access the cave by using a kayak or taking boat tours. Obviously, we didn’t do that because we were confused about whether we could take either way to get into the cave. We read that starting September 10, 2023, the Portuguese government put restrictions to limit how visitors can access the cave. This is due to an extremely busy summer with multiple boat tours, kayak tours, and people swimming to the cave. There were also several incidents putting visitors in danger.
Nevertheless, we still can visit Benagil Cave. We wrote more about how Benagil Cave here which included the best time to visit, ways to get there and so on.
iii) Albufeira
We must say that this is a perfect location for landscape photographers. Pine Cliff is the name and to get here we had to walk through The Pine Cliff Resort – Algarve. We parked our car just outside of the resort and walked in. It was a bit of a distance and the sign was rather confusing. However, we managed to find our way to get to this spot. There was an elevator to get down and there was also a wooden walkboard to the beach.
There was nobody at the beach when we got down there but it would be a different scene during summer. Praia do Barranco das Belharucas is situated here which stretches over kilometres eastwards as far as Vilamoura. It was a calm and clean beach. Of course, we stayed there for a while and left after the sunset.
On the way back to our accommodation, we decided to make the most of the evening. Instead of calling it a day we drove to the Albufeira Old Town. The temperature was nice to walk around the area. Many souvenir shops, restaurants and bars were still open. So you don’t need to worry if you need a bite or drinks.
In the town, we found the unique shape of a bar as you can see in the first picture. We didn’t go inside but we walked to our next destination; Albufeira Tunnel. It connects the old town area to the main beach of Albufeira. This 20-meter-long tunnel runs through the cliffs. Adjacent to the tourism area, the tunnel leads to Praia do Túnel (Praia Peneco).
Old Town Albufeira is a historic city, and it is easily accessible from the large public beach. The narrow cobblestone lanes and stunning Moorish architecture provide a place for hundreds of shops, restaurants, and pubs. We spent some time here just to stroll around and enjoy the night vibes of the city.
Day 5: Lagos and Alvor
i) Praia do Camilo
It was the last day and we witnessed a shocking scene. The Titanic hit an iceberg! The rock formation is famous because it resembles the shape of a ship and the next rock to it looks like an iceberg. There was a wooden walkboard and stairs to get down to the beach. Unfortunately, the stairs were closed for a reconstruction where we were there.
Praia do Camilo is located between Praia da Dona Ana and Ponta da Piedade. Visitors come here all year round, even when it’s off-season. Even though it might not be warm enough for sunbathing, many people come by to enjoy the view. It is also a popular beach for snorkelling and when we were here, we saw a few divers.
ii) Lagos Old Town
Though the municipality of Lagos is well-known for its breathtaking beaches and magnificent limestone cliffs, there is still much to see. The Old Town is situated one kilometre from the Marina de Lagos and 700 meters from the Estudantes Beach and Praia de Batata.
Lagos is also suitable for families with kids. You might want to check out the zoo below:
How to Get to The Zoo
By car, it will take around 21 minutes from Old Town Lagos and it will take 38 minutes by public transport.
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We parked our car at Parque de Estacionamento and from there we walked around. The Old Town offers a relaxing vibe which is suitable for any type of traveller. In our opinion, it isn’t that big but it will make you sweat during summer. Worry not, there are plenty of restaurants and also ice cream shops. We also had our dinner here. The restaurant is called 7 Hills Indian Restaurant. The workers were friendly, the meals were delicious and worth your bucks.
Would you like to see the old town more than just pictures? Check out our video below.
iii) Praia dos Tres Irmaos
Praia dos Três Irmãos, located in western Algarve, Portugal, is regarded as one of the region’s most stunning beaches. It is also famous for its stunning rock formations and the many hidden caves that can be explored. The sunset from this beach is gorgeous as well. You can find the beach of Praia dos Três Irmãos in Alvor, near Ria de Alvor Natural Reserve.
This stunning spot is popular with both visitors and families with children. Given the fact that there are many caves and beautiful rock formations, the children also love to play in the area. However, always be on the lookout for the possibility of rockfall. Avoid staying directly beneath the cliffs.
The water was still cold to swim when we were there. Despite that the stroll on the beach was pleasant. We also enjoyed discovering and walking underneath the small tunnels here and there. We ended our trip by spending a few hours here until sunset.
There is no doubt that Algarve is a stunning region with a rich mix of natural beauty, historical charm, and vibrant culture. Whether you’re exploring the dramatic cliffs of Sagres, hiking in Monchique, enjoying the nightlife in Lagos, or relaxing on the beaches, there’s always something for everyone. With careful planning and budgeting, you can have an unforgettable trip without breaking the bank. We hope you’ll find this article of Discovering Algarve: 5-Day Itinerary for Unforgettable Adventure helpful.
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