We went on our Algarve holidays and road trip after already traveling to this region four times before. For us, the Algarve is one of the most beautiful destinations in Europe, almost at any time of the year. What makes this southern region of Portugal so special is the excellent climate, stunning landscapes and beaches, incredibly delicious food, and its very laid-back locals.
The short distances in the region also make it perfect for a road trip. From eastern Faro to Sagres in the far west, it’s just 116 kilometers, or about a 1.5-hour drive by car. And despite the relatively short distances, there is an incredible amount to see and experience.
Our Algarve Holidays and Road Trip Itinerary
We started our journey at Faro Airport, located in the eastern part of the Algarve. The road trip took us westward to the small surfer village of Carrapateira. On this page, we’ll show you which activities and sights are truly worth experiencing during the trip.
Algarve Holidays & Road Trip Content
Faro
The city of Faro is perhaps one of the most underrated places in the Algarve. Unlike most towns in the region, Faro is not located directly on the beach. Instead, the Ria Formosa Natural Park stretches in front of the city, consisting of numerous islands and lagoons. Only beyond this area will you find the stunning sandy beaches, about 8 kilometers away from the city. However, even without a direct sea view, the capital of the Algarve offers plenty of exciting sights and thrilling activities.
Parking in Faro Old Town
If you’re traveling by car, the Parque de Estacionamento Saba da Pontinha is a highly recommended option. It is located right in front of the pedestrian zone, offers affordable rates, and serves as the perfect starting point to explore the city’s attractions. Additionally, the parking garage is open 24/7, clean, and monitored.
Sights and Activities in Faro
A trip to the Ria Formosa Natural Park* is one of the most beautiful nature experiences in the region. Particularly fascinating are the numerous bird species that call this area home. Along with herons, spoonbills, cormorants, and cranes, you can also spot storks and flamingos here.
The old town of Faro is one of the most beautiful and largest in the Algarve. The narrow streets are surrounded by historic buildings and offer a glimpse of a typical Portuguese town. Especially compared to many tourist destinations in the Algarve, the authentic Portuguese charm is truly noticeable here.
Our highlight was the visit to the Cathedral of Faro. If you climb the steps to the rooftop, you’ll be rewarded with a spectacular panoramic view over the city and the natural park.
Top Sights and Activities in Faro
- Ria Formosa Natural Park*
- Cathedral of Faro
- Old Town Vila Adentro
- Museum Museu Municipal de Faro
- Carmo Church and Capela dos Ossos (Bone Chapel)
Beaches
The beaches are all located on the barrier islands of the Ria Formosa. Praia de Faro is by far the most popular beach and can be reached in just a few minutes by bus or rental car.
Loulé
In our previous vacations, we always skipped visiting Loulé. However, during our road trip, we finally explored the largest city in the Algarve and didn’t regret it. Similar to Faro, Loulé still offers an authentic Portuguese experience, where tourism plays a minor role, if any at all.
The picturesque squares and historic buildings of the old town are worth a visit on their own. The heart of the city is undoubtedly the lively market held in front of the impressive neo-Moorish-style market hall.
Sights and Activities in Loulé
- The Mercado Municipal de Loulé, a vibrant market offering local products and handicrafts.
- The Castle and City Walls of Loulé, reflecting the city’s history and culture.
Shopping in Loulé
If you happen to experience one of the rare rainy days in the Algarve, Loulé offers probably the largest shopping options in the region. Here you’ll find the large MAR Shopping Algarve mall and right across from it, the Designer Outlet Algarve.
We actually had a very rainy day in October and ended up spending quite some time there. Besides international clothing brands, you’ll also find several local vendors.
Vilamoura
Vilamoura is practically the first major beach resort in the Algarve if you’re traveling from Faro like we did. As expected, everything here revolves around the beaches and the sea.
The area boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the Algarve, including Praia da Falésia and Praia de Vilamoura. We visited the lovely Praia da Falésia and experienced quite strong waves during our stay. Since we love waves and had our bodyboards with us, it turned out to be the perfect beach day.
Sights and Activities in Vilamoura
- Aquashow Park: Portugal’s largest water park, featuring spectacular attractions, including Europe’s tallest free-fall slide and exciting rides like White Fall and Wild Snake.
- Vilamoura Marina: Home to luxury yachts, restaurants, bars, and plenty of shops for leisurely strolls.
- Cerro da Vila: Explore ancient Roman baths with ruins, mosaics, and artifacts.
- Vilamoura Tennis Center: Offering top-class courts and professional facilities for tennis players or those wanting to learn.
- Family Golf Park: Enjoy a fun and relaxing time on one of the mini-golf courses.
- Karting Almancil: For go-kart enthusiasts, this track offers a well-developed and large racing experience.
Albufeira
Although Albufeira may be the largest tourist hotspot in the Algarve, we really like this place. Despite its popularity, Albufeira has managed to preserve its Portuguese charm, especially in the old town.
The narrow streets and squares of the old town are filled with numerous bars, restaurants, cafés, clubs, and pubs. Many of them cater specifically to British tourists. The old town ends at the Albufeira Tunnel, which takes you directly to the large beach promenade of Praia do Túnel ou Peneco.
About 2 kilometers from the old town lies the modern downtown area, known as “The Strip.” The Strip is Albufeira’s party mile, lined with clubs and bars. It mainly attracts a younger crowd aged between 18 and 30.
Albufeira Old Town Parking
We always used two parking spots during our visits to Albufeira. Northwest of the old town, there’s the R. Maria Teresa Semedo de Azevedo 2 parking zone with plenty of free parking spaces. It’s only 250 meters from the old town.
If you want to park closer to the beach, you can also use the large paid parking garage Parque P1 Albufeira Telpark. This parking garage is very close to the escalator that takes you to Praia dos Pescadores beach.
Beaches
The beaches of Albufeira are among the most beautiful in the Algarve. The city beach, Praia do Túnel ou Peneco, offers excellent infrastructure with numerous ice cream stands and restaurants. A special feature is the Elevador Do Peneco, an elevator that transports visitors about 25 meters down from the old town to the beach.
At the eastern end of Praia do Túnel ou Peneco, Praia dos Pescadores seamlessly connects. Here, you’ll find many restaurants directly on the beach promenade. This beach also offers a unique access point to the old town via a large outdoor escalator.
Excursions from Albufeira
Albufeira is centrally located in the Algarve, making it a convenient starting point for exciting day trips. From the harbor, you can join boat tours to the Benagil Caves*.
You can reach the spectacular Zoomarine Water Park, Slide & Splash*, Aqualand Algarve*, and Aquashow Park by rental car within 20 to 30 minutes.
Armação de Pêra
Armação de Pêra is not a particularly beautiful town. Most of the beach resort is filled with large apartment buildings that accommodate numerous tourists during the high season.
However, the town has several great advantages for a successful stay. Its location is perfect for trips to major attractions. The famous Benagil Caves* and water parks like Zoomarine and Slide & Splash* are just a short drive away.
Armação also boasts some of the most beautiful and largest beaches in the Algarve. The gently sloping Praia Armacao de Pera and Praia Grande de Pera are particularly popular with families.
As a former fishing village, Armação de Pêra offers a wide range of fish restaurants serving fresh seafood. You’ll find everything from simple, high-quality restaurants to fine dining experiences.
Hidden Gems in Armação de Pêra
Restaurant Tip: At the Olivalmar Restaurant, located on Praia do Vale do Olival beach at the far west of Armação de Pêra, we have enjoyed the excellent food with a sea view several times.
Activity Tip: If you’re looking for an exciting horseback ride along the Algarve, you’ll find a great riding stable here. We’ve gone riding twice with Solid Rocks Algarve Horse Trail Adventures and had a lot of fun.
Carvoeiro
Among the beach resorts, Carvoeiro is perhaps the most beautiful. Thanks to building regulations, there are no high-rise building blunders here. The location is also spectacular, as it is in close proximity to the famous Benagil Caves and the striking rock formation Algar Seco, one of the most popular photo spots in the Algarve.
Carvoeiro is considered a year-round destination because the beaches are protected from the wind by the rock formations, even in winter. The old town stretches from the elevated areas down to the beach, with colorful Portuguese azulejo tiles on the façades creating a picturesque atmosphere.
In addition to boat tours to the Benagil Cave, the Algar Seco viewpoint is the most exciting destination. Located just about a kilometer east of Carvoeiro, it offers spectacular caves, cliffs, and rock formations. A well-lit boardwalk leads from Carvoeiro to Algar Seco in just 10 minutes, providing breathtaking views of the sea.
Portimão and Praia da Rocha
Portimão and Praia da Rocha are often considered one and the same place, but the differences couldn’t be greater. Portimão is a port city with about 50,000 inhabitants, which we didn’t find particularly exciting. The city seems to revolve entirely around its large harbor.
However, there is one fascinating feature in the harbor worth seeing and experiencing. The caravel, or more commonly called the “Santa Bernarda” pirate ship, has its home port here. You can view the ship at Pier Vasco Da Gama.
You can also take a tour on the Santa Bernarda along the rocky Algarve coastline. The central location of Portimão allows for a spectacular route towards the eastern Algarve, passing the Alfanzina Lighthouse, entering the Benagil Cave by dinghy, and visiting the caves near Praia da Marinha. You can book the Santa Bernarda tour online here. *
Praia da Rocha
Praia da Rocha is located at the southern end of Portimão and is essentially a huge tourist resort. The beach here is very wide and long. Life takes place on Avenida Tomás Cabreira, the street running parallel to the beach. It is lined with numerous cafés, bars, restaurants, shops, clubs, and nightclubs.
As soon as the sun sets, the big party begins. If you want to experience the nightlife in the Algarve, you’ll find a wide range of options here, just like on the strip in Albufeira.
Lagos
For us, Lagos is one of the most complete holiday destinations in the Algarve. The city has a beautiful old town without any architectural blunders. The narrow streets and squares are lined with numerous restaurants, cafés, bars, and shops. You can easily explore the city’s main attractions on foot within an hour.
10 Top Attractions in Lagos
- Praça Infante Dom Henrique (Historical Slave Market)
- Jardim da Constituição
- Castelo dos Governadores
- Porta de São Gonçalo
- Forte Ponta da Bandeira
- Igreja de Santo António
- Mercado Municipal de Lagos (Market Hall)
- Praça Gil Eanes
- Praça Luís de Camões
- Marina de Lagos (Harbor)
Parking in Lagos Old Town
Parking in Lagos is not a problem, although there are few free parking spaces. Paid parking is available at reasonable rates. For us, the best-located and most affordable parking spaces were along the main street Av. dos Descobrimentos, near the harbor.
If you visit Lagos during the summer months, it might be difficult to find a parking space there. Alternatively, you can always park at the large Parking Parque da Frente Ribeirinha, located on Av. dos Descobrimentos between the Historical Slave Market and the Old Town.
Lagos Coastline and Ponta da Piedade
The coastline near Lagos is one of the most spectacular regions in Portugal. Just 4 kilometers south of the city center lies the breathtaking rock formation of Ponta da Piedade. Along with the Benagil Cave, Ponta da Piedade is one of the most exciting attractions in the Algarve.
If you are in Lagos, a boat tour to Ponta da Piedade* is a must-see. You can watch our video about it here. Additionally, you can take a hike along the top of Ponta da Piedade. We did this as well and highly recommend this trip.
Lagos, the Gateway to Surfing
While exploring the old town, you will notice numerous surf shops. The reason for this is that surfing really begins from Lagos onward. We stayed at a hotel on Praia de Porto de Mós beach and watched every morning as the surf schools brought many surf students to the beach early in the morning.
Beaches
The beaches of Lagos, including Praia Dona Ana and Praia Camilo, are known for their golden sands and stunning rock formations. Praia da Batata is located right next to the fort and is the closest beach to the old town.
Meia Praia, with a length of 3 kilometers, is the largest beach in the area. It is home to popular hotels such as Vila Gale and Iberostar Selection, both accessible from the old town via the harbor area. Our favorite beach was Praia de Porto de Mós.
Sagres
Sagres is famous for being the southwesternmost point of mainland Europe. For us, it was the final stop of our Algarve road trip before heading all the way back.
Sagres seems to be the center for surfers in the Algarve. Upon our arrival, we saw surfers and numerous surf shops everywhere in the streets. The atmosphere in the town is accordingly cool and laid-back.
We didn’t plan to surf in Sagres but had booked a horseback riding tour in the surrounding area. If you also want to go horseback riding in the Algarve, we can highly recommend this horseback riding tour*.
Top Attractions in Sagres
The Cabo de São Vicente is a stunning cape with 60-meter-high cliffs and a lighthouse that rises 86 meters above the sea. You can drive right up to the cape. The view over the coastline is particularly impressive.
The second famous landmark in the town is the Fortaleza de Sagres, a fortress located on a roughly one-kilometer-long cliff known as Ponta de Sagres.
Algarve Holidays & Road Trip Travel Guide
We have compiled the most exciting excursions and our favorite providers for travel bookings here. It is important to us that the booking platforms offer fair prices, high-quality services, and excellent customer support.
Our Top Excursions and Activities in the Algarve
Ponta da Piedade Boat Tour along the Algarve Cliffs*
Day Trip to Monchique and the Highest Mountain in the Algarve, Mount Fóia*
Booking.com* is our top choice for accommodations, thanks to its fast and flexible service, huge selection, and competitive prices.
Get Your Guide* is our first choice for high-quality excursions and activities when traveling.
Viator* also offers tours. If we can’t find what we’re looking for on Get Your Guide, Viator often has great alternatives.
Skyscanner* is our go-to platform for finding affordable flights.
Sixt* is our preferred provider for car rentals. They often have excellent discount offers.
