1 week in the Algarve, Portugal

You've arrived in the Algarve! "Bem vindo a portugal" as they say here.

To get your Algarve road trip off to a good start, head for the largest city in southern Portugal: Faro. There, you'll start your Portuguese escapade by strolling through the charming narrow streets of Faro's historic centre. You will then pass under theArco da Vila to reach the marina. Don't forget to look up to see the many storks that nest here. You'll then be in the perfect place to embark on a magical excursion to meet the local wildlife. The Ria Formosa lagoon is teeming with birds. Don't hesitate to take a day trip to the lighthouse and a number of islets. Ilha Deserta, ilha do Farol and ilha da Barreta are all heavenly places to enjoy a swim in the sunshine!

Heading east! On this 2nd day, we're taking you on a tour of a charming little town: Tavira. The town lies on the banks of the River Gilao, which winds its way towards the Atlantic Ocean. Your day's programme will be divided into 2 parts: a morning exploring the town and an afternoon relaxing on the beach. What do you say... Not bad, eh 🙂

On the town side, it's time to take a step up to the Church of Santa Maria do Castelo for a panoramic view of the town's rooftops. The beautiful gardens of the Castelo de Tavira are sure to tempt you to take a short break and enjoy the countryside for a while longer. The walk along the river is also very pleasant: you'll find plenty of restaurant terraces for lunch or sipping a coffee. Once you've had your fill, hop aboard the shuttle and sail out to sea. Theilha de Tavira is the perfect place to laze on the beach and work on your tan for the rest of the day.

We're now on the third leg of your Algarve road trip. Today, you'll be exploring the pretty seaside resort of Carvoeiro! This town is a real living postcard: a dreamy little beach, colourful houses, fishermen's boats... a setting that will enchant your day. From the central beach, you can board a boat to visit the famous Benagil cave. Inside the cave is a beach lit by a shaft of natural light. Our little piece of advice is to go early to enjoy this magnificent setting on your own! And yes, such a beautiful place doesn't stay a secret for long... 😉

Come on, let's get motivated and embark on a day hike! It's the ideal way to discover some superb scenery while doing a bit of "sport" (I promise, nothing too physical 😜). The aim? 11.5km in 6 hours maximum, there and back. Are you up for the challenge? 😀

The "Percurso dos 7 Vales Suspensos" hike starts at the Praia de Vale Centiamos (not far from the town of Carvoeiro) and ends at the mythical Praia de Marinha, enough to make this walk a grand finale! Along the way, you'll enjoy some superb scenery, each more beautiful than the last, such as the beach and grotto at Benagil, the Alfanzina lighthouse and the Praia de Carvalho... A great day out!

We're now in the Algarve's second-largest city: Lagos. This is where you'll find one of the most emblematic sites in southern Portugal: Ponta da Piedade! Get out your cameras, you're going to be snapping away...! 🙂 This must-see spot is just 3 km from the town of Lagos. You can get there on foot, following the coast (and what a coast it is! 🤩 ). You'll be captivated by the superb orange-hued cliffs jutting straight out into the azure blue sea. To take in the scenery, don't hesitate to take a short break on one of the most beautiful beaches in the area: Praia do Camilo. If you still have some energy left, you can also explore the western part of the Pointe, towards Praia do Canavial. The scenery here is just as beautiful and certainly less crowded. At the end of the day, the town of Lagos and its many restaurants will be waiting for you.

The final leg of your Algarve road trip has arrived (yes, already...). At the wheel of your vehicle, all you have to do is drive to the extreme south-western tip of Portugal. The town of Sagres is right in your sights. It feels like the end of the world. The landscape changes radically from what you've seen so far, and the waves crash against the immense cliffs. Then, as the sun sets, Cape Saint Vincent offers you an incredible sunset, said to be one of the most beautiful in the world! So don't miss out... 🙂

Now it's time to return to your point of departure to catch your plane back home. It's only an hour and a half's drive from Cape St Vincent to Faro airport. If you ever feel like making a little stopover on the way, take the opportunity to have one last swim before heading back to France ;) The Praia de Faro is the perfect place to wait for your next flight, just 2 steps from the airport. You can even watch the planes take off and land from your beach towel.