The Algarve Loop

A road-trip loop starting from Faro: ochre cliffs, whitewashed villages, cork-oak backcountry and sea caves. A 12-day core route, easily adjusted from 10 to 15.

• Recommended length: 10–15 days
• Start / finish: Faro Airport
• Loop distance: ≈ 500 km
• Best season: April–June and September–October

Overview of the regions covered

• Faro & Ria Formosa (days 1–2)
• Eastern Algarve (days 3–4)
• Inland & Silves (days 5–6)
• Central coast (days 7–9)
• Sagres & Costa Vicentina (days 10–11)
• Back to Faro (day 12)

Day 1 — Faro & Ria Formosa

Night in Faro (arrival). Pick up the car at the airport and explore the old town: the Sé (cathedral), the Arco da Vila and the Bone Chapel. Late in the day, walk the boardwalks of the Ria Formosa nature park.

Good to know: the A22 motorway crossing the Algarve has been toll-free for cars since 2025 — no Via Verde transponder needed for this loop.

Day 2 — Ria Formosa islands & Olhão

Night in Faro — ≈ 10 km. Boat crossing to Culatra or Armona island: wild beaches and car-free hamlets. Back on the mainland, wander through Olhão, an authentic fishing port with cube-shaped houses and a fish market.

Good to know: allow half a day for the return boat trip.

Day 3 — Tavira & Cacela Velha

Night in Tavira — ≈ 45 km. Tavira, split in two by the Gilão river: medieval castle, Misericórdia church, cobbled lanes. Then Cacela Velha, a tiny village perched above the lagoon — one of the finest viewpoints in the eastern Algarve.

Good to know: the oysters from Tavira and Santa Luzia are among the best in the country.

Day 4 — Alcoutim & the Guadiana valley

Night in Tavira — ≈ 90 km round trip. Head inland to Alcoutim, facing Spain across the Guadiana river. Dry hills, a modest castle, an Algarve with no beach and no crowds.

Good to know: an optional day if you only have 10 days.

Day 5 — Loulé & Alte

Night in Loulé or Alte — ≈ 75 km. Loulé's Moorish-style municipal market (spices, cured meats). In the afternoon, Alte, a white village with openwork chimneys, plus a walk to its springs and small waterfalls.

Good to know: Loulé market is at its liveliest on Saturday mornings.

Day 6 — Silves & Monchique

Night in Silves or Monchique — ≈ 55 km. Silves, the former Moorish capital, crowned by its red sandstone castle. Then up to Monchique in the Serra, among eucalyptus and cork oaks; you can drive on to the Fóia summit.

Good to know: Monchique is medronho country — the local fruit brandy, best tasted at a distillery.

Day 7 — Carvoeiro, Praia da Marinha & Benagil

Night in Carvoeiro/Lagoa — ≈ 40 km. The heart of the ochre cliffs. Carvoeiro and the Seven Hanging Valleys trail. Praia da Marinha, often ranked among Europe's most beautiful beaches, then a boat trip to the Benagil sea cave.

Good to know: book the boat trip the day before.

Day 8 — Ferragudo, Portimão & Alvor

Night in Lagos — ≈ 45 km. Ferragudo, a blue-and-white fishing village spared by mass tourism. Portimão and its busy harbour, then Alvor and its lagoon.

Good to know: seafood cataplana is especially good on the Ferragudo/Portimão side.

Day 9 — Lagos & Ponta da Piedade

Night in Lagos — ≈ 10 km. The walls and old town of Lagos, then the cliffs and turquoise coves of Ponta da Piedade, on foot or by kayak.

Good to know: come early in the morning for the light and to avoid the crowds.

Day 10 — Sagres & Cabo de São Vicente

Night in Sagres — ≈ 35 km. The Sagres fortress on its headland, then the Cabo de São Vicente lighthouse, known for one of the finest sunsets in the country.

Good to know: Beliche and Mareta beaches are worth a stop.

Day 11 — Costa Vicentina: Carrapateira, Aljezur & Arrifana

Night in Aljezur — ≈ 45 km. Carrapateira and its wild surf beach, Aljezur and its Moorish castle, then Arrifana with its clifftop above a well-known surf beach.

Good to know: cooler water and bigger waves than on the south coast.

Day 12 — Back to Faro

≈ 100 km. Return along the A22, with a possible stop in Guia (piri-piri chicken) before dropping the car at the airport.

Good to know: leave plenty of time before your flight; car returns can be slow in high season.

Shortening or extending the loop

For 14–15 days: extend the Costa Vicentina up to Odeceixe and Zambujeira do Mar, add a hiking day in the Serra de Monchique, and a lazy beach day around Carvoeiro/Praia da Marinha.

For 10 days: drop day 4 (Alcoutim) and merge Ferragudo/Portimão/Alvor into the Lagos day.

Good to know before you go

Rental car & tolls: good news — the A22 running the length of the Algarve has been toll-free for private cars since 1 January 2025 (as have other former toll motorways in the country). No Via Verde transponder is needed for this loop. One exception: the A2 towards Lisbon is still charged (barrier-free electronic tolling, via Via Verde or payment at a CTT post office within 5 days) if you continue beyond the Algarve.

Benagil cave: reachable only from the sea (boat from Benagil, Lagos, Portimão, Albufeira or Vilamoura, often combined with dolphin watching, or by kayak/paddleboard). Swimming there is not advised (currents, rocks). Book ahead in summer, and favour mornings or the shoulder season.

When to go: April–June and September–October offer the best balance of weather, crowds and prices; July–August is very busy along the coast.

At the table: cataplana, grilled sardines, Guia piri-piri chicken, Tavira/Santa Luzia oysters, arroz de marisco, almond and fig pastries (dom rodrigo, morgado), and medronho as a digestif in Monchique.

*Distances and driving times are indicative — check the final route with a GPS before setting off, especially for the mountain roads around Monchique.*