Algarve is a stunning region in the South of Portugal, famous for its rugged limestone cliffs, quaint fishing villages and delicious food. It is perfect for a road trip, as a road trip in Algarve will allow you to truly take in the breathtaking natural landscape and to explore the typical Portuguese towns at your own pace.
This itinerary is focused on the South of Portugal but it also includes a short visit of Lisbon and Sintra, two of the most popular destinations of this beautiful country. It is the perfect mix between beautiful hikes, cute Portuguese towns and relaxing time at the beach.
Through this 8-day road trip in Algarve, you’ll discover the historic charm of Lisbon, the dreamy atmosphere of Sintra and explore ancient castles and typical Portuguese towns, hike along breathtaking cliffs, swim in the turquoise water of the Atlantic Ocean and see many stunning sunsets.
8 Days in Lisbon & Algarve:
Road Trip Itinerary Overview
Arrival in Lisbon
Depending on when you arrive in Lisbon, you might have some time to explore the city or not. I arrived late in the evening so it was not possible. If you have a couple of hours I would just walk around the centre to find something to eat, then prepare for your next day.
Where to stay in Lisbon?
For the purpose of this itinerary, where you will only stay in Lisbon for a day, I would suggest staying in one of the central area: Baixa or Chiado neighbourhood. They are close to metro or bus stops, and you can reach pretty much every famous spot easily.
In general, the best areas to stay in Lisbon are the Baixa district that is close to everything, the Avenidad da Liberdade that has many high-end hotels and the Alfama district, with its typical Portuguese vibe.
Day 1. Exploring Lisbon
Morning: Baixa and Chiado districts (Free Walking Tour)
Since you’ll only have a short time in Lisbon, you won’t be able to see everything. To get a first glimpse of the city, I recommend doing a Free Walking Tour that will take you to the central areas of Lisbon. Many tours start in Praça dos Restauradores, and even if you haven’t booked one in advance you’ll probably be able to join one there.
The guide will give you very interesting historical explanations, recommendations and fun facts about the city, and the tour will most probably take you to some of the most famous landmarks of Lisbon in the Baixa and Chiado districts.
Afternoon: Alfama and Bairro Alto districtis
Alfama is the oldest and most characteristic district of Lisbon, and it is there that the traditional fado music originated. You will love its cobbled streets, beautiful houses adorned with colourful azulejos and stunning miradouros.
Bairro Alto is also one of the oldest districts of Lisbon and it is very similar to Alfama but has a more artistic and alternative vibe. It truly comes to life in the evening with a bustling nightlife. During the day, you’ll find plenty of independent shops and bookstores.
Evening: dinner at a fado restaurant
This will be your last evening in Lisbon so I would highly recommend you to try and eat at a fado restaurant so you can discover this emotional music that originated in the heart of Lisbon. If you skip this, don’t worry, you’ll have an opportunity to listen to fado music later on!
Day 2. Visiting Sintra and going to Aljezur
Lisbon > Sintra, SIntra > Aljezur for the night
The timing of this day will depend on when you set your car rental pick up and booked your visit of the Palacio da Pena in Sintra. We took our car at around 11.30 am/12, and had tickets for 2 pm to visit the Sintra palace.
Drive to Sintra
This ride will only last about 30 to 45 minutes. You might struggle to find a parking spot in Sintra, but I still recommend staying in the centre as you won’t have a lot of time to spend there!
Sintra is a charming town made famous by its stunning castles and palaces, and the beautiful surrounding nature. There are many things to see in Sintra and it definitely requires more than an afternoon to properly enjoy it, but it would be a shame to skip it entirely on your way to Algarve. Since you’ll only have a few hours there, it is best to go straight to the most famous of its landmarks: Palacio da Pena.
Head over to the palace
Once you get to Sintra, take a bite in one of the many cafés or restaurants, stop by the Tourist Information Office to get a map and walk all the way up there, passing by the enchanting Villa Sassetti. This can take a good hour and can be tiring, that’s why it’s best to arrive to Sintra well in advance before your booked visit.
Visit the Palacio da Pena in Sintra
Visit to Palacio da Pena – Useful information
Visit the official website of Palacio da Pena to buy your tickets. A ticket for adults will cost you 20 euros.
Make sure to arrive there on time and count the time it will take you to reach the palace into account. It can range from 30 minutes to one hour. You also have the possibility to book a shuttle or transport to take you there.
Palacio da Pena is a stunning and incredibly colourful fairytale-like palace, with beautiful interiors and breathtaking view from its courtyards. You can take the audioguide for your visit but I honestly wouldn’t recommend it as it gives the same information as what you’ll find on the descriptive panels.
Once you have explored the magical interiors and courtyards, head over to the enchanting gardens, stopping at some of the fountains, little towers and lakes. It is a very peaceful walk, and the size of the gardens make it so that it really does not feel too crowded.
Head to Aljezur for the night
Before going back to the car in Sintra, head to the centre of town, take a delicious pastel de nata from one of the shops and take the time to eat it on the main square, taking in the enchanting atmosphere of this stunning Portuguese town.
Finally, it’s time for a 3-hour drive to the Southern town of Aljezur, so keep in mind the length of the trip and start heading there whenever you feel comfortable.
Day 3. Carrapateira and Cabo de São Vicente hike
Aljezur > Carrapateira > Sagres > Lagos for the night
Spend some time in Aljezur
Our arrival in Aljezur was a bit complicated the previous day, so in the morning we simply settled for a nice brunch in the vegan café ROOTS, then started our third day. You can also of course have a walk in the centre of Aljezur, which is anyway a very small town!
Admire the huge waves of Bordeira’s beach
The first stop of your road trip itinerary on day 3 is to head towards the town of Carrapateira, and more specifically to Bordeira’s beach, not for swimming, but to see the huge waves of the Atlantic ocean crashing into the fine sand, and the many surfers enjoying them. There are many viewpoints around there that will offer you a beautiful view over the beach and the surrounding limestone cliffs.
Hike to Cabo de São Vicente & stop at Praia do Beliche
After Carrapateira, head to the town of Sagres, where I recomment you to stop at a supermarket for snacks or lunch. Then, head to the Sagres Fortress, park there and start the hike going from Sagres to the Cabo de São Vicente, the South-Westernmost point of Europe.
At the Cabo de São Vicente, you’ll get a beautiful view of this typical lighthouse, the rugged limestone cliffs and of the ocean. Enjoy the views for a bit, maybe drop by the café or shop to rest, then take the bus back to Sagres but stop on the way at the beach “Praia do Beliche”. This was one of my favourite beaches because it felt very peaceful, there weren’t many tourists and it was simply beautiful!
Hike – Sagres to Cabo de São VicenteLength of the hike: 6 km one way
Time needed: around 1h30 minutes one way
Difficulty: fairly easy, but there are very few shaded spots
Starting point: Sagres Fortress
Finishing point: Cabo de São Vicente
Suggested stop: Praia do Beliche
After one hour or two, it’s time to get back to Sagres, either with the bus or walking back the way you came. We arrived in Sagres just in time for the sunset, and the golden light of the sun on the orangey sand and cliffs, surrounded by the deep blue water was absolutely stunning and a great preview of the Algarve region.
Lagos for the night
When you are back at the Sagres Fortress, depending on the time, you can either visit it – though I found it quite underwhelming – or go straight to Lagos. We had our accommodation a bit further away from the centre as it was easier to have a parking spot for the car. After such a long day, I recommend eating at the accommodation if you can, or go out in Lagos for dinner.
Day 4. Silves, Carvoeiro and Benagil cave
Lagos > Silves > Carvoeiro > Lagos
Exploring Silves
On this 4th day of your Algarve road trip, you’ll spend the morning exploring the historic town of Silves, that used to be Algarve’s capital. Here, you can just walk around in its peaceful cobbled streets and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the typically Portuguese town. It is pretty small so a morning is enough for this.
Stop over to Café da Rosa for a coffee and pastry in a pretty square with a fountain, then start going up the hill to visit its Moorish Castle and the Se Cathedral. Stop somewhere to eat on your way back to the car and you’re off to your next stop.
Carvoeiro and boat tour of the caves
After visiting Silves, simply head South and you’ll reach, after a 20-minute drive, the beautiful coastal town of Carvoeiro. For parking, I recommend you drive a bit up and park next to Algar Seco. Then, you can walk to the town through a beautiful boardwalk that has a stunning view over the cliffs and sea.
Once you get to the centre of town, book your ticket for a boat tour to the caves (if you are going during the high season, I recommend you to book it in advance). While you wait, you can walk around the pretty town or just relax at the beach.
Most boat tours will take you to many beautiful caves, including the famous Benagil cave, and to the Praia da Marinha beach. You’ll see the stunning limestone cliffs from below and, on your next day of this Algarve road trip, you’ll see the beautiful sea from the top of the same cliffs.
After your boat tour and a nice walk around Carvoeiro, head back to your car through the same coastal path (I recommend going at around sunset for breathtaking views and colours).
Dinner and night in Lagos
Your drive back to Lagos will take you around 35/45 minutes, and you can park outside of the historic town. Now, you can just walk around the city and explore its buzzing streets, then find a place to eat in one of the many restaurants there.
Day 5. Seven Hanging valleys hike
Lagos > Praia da Marinha > Olhão
On the fifth day of your road trip through Algarve you will be hiking what is probably one of the most famous hiking paths of Portugal, if not Europe. You will leave your accommodation in Lagos and then reach Olhão in the evening. This day of your Algarve road trip is solely dedicated to this hike so you can enjoy it as much as you can and take your time for it!
Seven Hanging Valleys Hike
The Seven Hanging Valleys hike is definitely a must-do in Algarve, even if you are not that much into hiking. It will take you to some of the most beautiful beaches of Algarve and it offers non-stop breathtaking views.
Seven Hanging Valleys HikeLength of the hike: 6 km one way
Duration of the hike: 2-3 hours one way
Difficulty: moderate, because of its length and the sometimes uneven path
Starting point: Praia da Marinha or Praia do Vale de Centianes
Finishing point: Praia da Marinha or Praia do Vale de Centianes
I recommend starting in the morning in Praia da Marinha, hiking all the way through Praia do Vale de Centianes, stopping midway to eat in one of the shaded parts of the hike, then walk the way back to your starting point (Praia da Marinha) and have some well-deserved beach time there, in one of Europe’s most beautiful beaches.
If you don’t want to do the hike both way, there are buses or taxis that can take you from one end of the hike to another, and you can also just walk a portion of it then go back!
After the hike, relax a bit on the stunning Praia da Marinha beach, then head back to your car and drive roughly 1 hour to the little town of Olhão.
Walk around Olhão
In the morning, you can walk around Olhão for a bit, stop for breakfast in one of the many cafés and restaurants by the beachfront or in one of its cute cobbled streets. It is a small town, so you probably won’t need more than a couple of hours for this.
Visit Faro and fado show
From Olhão you can easily reach the famous city of Faro in around 15 minutes. Park outside of the city walls then walk around its old town.
One must-do in the historical centre of Faro is to visit the Igreja de Santa Maria, one of the oldest buildings of the city. There, visit the interior of the church, its cute and peaceful courtyard and the Bones Chapel. If you are not scared of heights, walking up the Bell Tower will offer you a stunning view over the city and the Ria Formosa natural reserve.
Take your time to explore the old town and stop by the Tourist Information office to book a fado show. While you wait, you can walk around the harbour or stop for ice cream in the shopping streets. Another great thing to see in Faro is the Igreja do Carmo, which has an even more impressive Bones Chapel.
At this point, you can either continue to explore Faro or head to the beach for a relaxing afternoon.
Vale do Lobo beach
Within a 30-minute drive from Faro, you’ll get to a large beach called Praia de Vale do Lobo, a long golden-sand beach backed by impressive cliffs. It is in quite a rich and fancy area and you can either rent a spot or just lay on the sand a bit further away. The views from there are really stunning, though it can be a bit windy. The waves are also quite strong so you should also be careful if you want to swim!
Dinner in Faro or Olhão
After a day of exploring, you can stop to Faro on your way back to Olhão and have a nice dinner there, simply head back to your accommodation or have dinner in Olhão on the beautiful street by the sea lined with restaurants.
Day 7. Exploring Tavira and Ria Formosa
Olhão > Tavira > Olhão
Located within a 30-minute drive from Olhão, Tavira is a beautiful little town next to the Ria Formosa Natural Park and lagoon. It is not in many itineraries but it is really worth the visit during your road trip in Algarve. This seventh day of your Algarve road trip is completely dedicated to it and it was probably one of my favourites!
Spend the morning exploring Tavira
There are plenty of things to do in Tavira, and as always in Algarve, just walking around its cute cobbled streets is a great experience. Some amazing places to visit in Tavira include the stunning Mediterranean Garden and the Igreja da Misericordia, a real must-do for its beautiful walls covered in azulejos.
To get a better view of the town and its history, a visit to the Camera Obscura will give you a 360° view over the city, and you will learn interesting facts about the city, its main sight and its history. A ticket for adults costs 5 euros (3 euros for children) and it is usually open during weekdays from 11 am to 3 pm, but make sure to check beforehand!
Enjoy the beach in Parque de la Ria Formosa
After exploring Tavira, you can take a ferry to Tavira island, a small island right in front of the town, located in the Ria Formosa Natural Reserve. The 20-min boat ride is really peaceful and will allow you to get a glimpse of the Natural Park. Once you get there, choose the beach you want to stay at and relax or just wander about exploring the beautiful nature.
Dinner in Tavira
When you go back to the town, you can enjoy Tavira by night and have a nice dinner in one of its many typical restaurants. I happened to be there during the Mediterranean food fair, and there are plenty of places to eat around.
Day 8. Back to Lisbon
This is the last full day of your roadtrip in Algarve, so I’d suggest having a nice and chill breakfast in Olhão, walking around the town and along the waterfront and enjoy its peaceful atmosphere.
The drive back to Lisbon is of around 3 hours, so I’d suggest leaving Algarve in the late morning so you can get to Lisbon, leave your rental car and still explore the city a little bit.
Once you get to Lisbon, and if you didn’t have time at the beginning of your trip, you can continue your wandering around Lisbon’s bustling districts or enjoy a peaceful sunset by the Tagus river, with a stunning view over Lisbon’s famous suspension bridge that you can admire from Praça do Comércio. I found that this was the perfect way to bid farewell to the city and the country.
Useful information
Lisbon and Algarve roadtrip
Important things to know
- The 8 days do not include the days of arrival and departure, so you might have to adjust some things if you want to fit them there.
- This road trip starts and ends in Lisbon, where you’ll need to rent a car on day 2.
- You will see Lisbon and Sintra very briefly. It is barely enough to get a glimpse of them, so if you have time I would highly suggest spending at least 2-3 full days in Lisbon and 1 full day in Sintra.
- Apart from the car rental and accommodation, I recommend reserving a table in a fado restaurant in Lisbon (Day 1 or Day 8, evening) and booking in advance the tickets to see Palacio de Pena in Sintra (Day 2, early afternoon).
When is the best time to visit Portugal?
Portugal, especially if you go to Lisbon and the South of Portugal, is blessed with great weather almost all year round. However, it can get very hot in the summer, and summer will also be the season with the highest number of tourists.
For these reasons, I would say that the best months to visit Portugal and go on a road trip from Lisbon to the Algarve region are April/May, and September/October. Winter can also have great weather, though some attractions might be closed and the beaches could be inaccessible.
How long should you stay in Algarve?
Algarve is a stunning region that is worth exploring for several days, if not weeks. Longer is always better, but I found that this road trip itinerary in Algarve gave me a great overview of this beautiful region, and offered a perfect balance between relaxing by the beach, going on great hikes and exploring cute towns.
I would say that one week is the minimum time you should stay in Algarve if you really want to explore the area and not stay in only one place.
Do you need to rent a car in Portugal?
Renting a car is not necessary if you only stay in Lisbon, but for this road trip in Algarve, and if you want more freedom to explore little towns in your own time, I would highly suggest renting a car!
We opted for Europcar and had a bit of a misadventure with some faulty things in the car, but to be honest we mostly went with that option because it was the cheapest at the time of booking.
What should I pack for a week in Portugal?
If you follow this road trip itinerary in Algarve, there are several things that you must absolutely pack in my opinion, other than regular clothes and toiletries:
- sunscreen for every day, regardless of whether you are in a city, at the beach or on a hike – the sun there is no joke!
- a hat and sunglasses for the same reasons, and especially for the hikes
- your own water bottle – preferably heat-resistant, to survive during hikes, walks, at the beach and at any time during the day
- good walking/hiking shoes, as you will be walking a lot, both for hikes and in Lisbon. If it is warm you might want to pack sandals too, but I would suggest avoiding wearing them on days when you’ll have to walk a lot
- of course, regular beach stuff: swimsuit, towel, flip flops, etc.
Do they speak English in Portugal?
In Lisbon and more touristic places, pretty much everyone will speak English. In smaller towns and less touristic places, the level of English will be a bit more basic but it is still widely spoken and you shouldn’t struggle too much.
Regardless of all of this, I would anyway suggest to learn some simple phrases in Portuguese and maybe have a translator app or dictionary.
Can you bathe in the sea in Algarve?
Algarve is pretty much in between the Atlantic ocean and the Mediterranean sea. There are some huge waves on the beaches that fully face the Ocean (like Carrapateira), where I’d say swimming is a bit less relaxing and could be very difficult on some days.
However, in most beaches facing South, you’ll have no problems swimming in the sea. There might be stronger waves than, say, in France or Italy, though.
One thing to keep in mind is that the water can be quite cold, but it is at its warmest in August and September.
