Last updated: 05/09/2023
Everything you need to know to put together your Algarve Route, to have an incredible trip to this paradise in the south of Portugal with beautiful beaches and many interesting attractions! Our suggestions include the attractions of the cities of Lagos, Portimão, Lagoa, Albufeira, where the most beautiful beaches Of region.
THE ALGARVE REGION
The southernmost region of Portugal is the Algarve, famous for its natural beauties, including beautiful golden sandy beaches, colorful cliffs, crystal clear waters in turquoise and emerald green tones. The region has a rich history in the context of the Great Navigations, housing several forts and castles dating back to medieval times. Another striking feature of the Algarve is its typical architecture with white houses and colorful tiles. The region is home to many interesting cities and it would be impossible to visit them all in a single trip. For this reason, our itinerary suggestion includes four cities that concentrate most of the best beaches in the Algarve.
Read more: Portugal: The 10 best beaches in the Algarve
HOW MANY DAYS TO STAY IN EACH CITY
How many days should I reserve to visit the beaches of each city? Below, you will find suggestions for how long to stay in each of the cities. This doesn't mean it's the ideal number of days, but an idea of how to distribute your script. The best person to know how many days it is worth staying in each of the cities is the person who is putting together the itinerary, who will be able to adapt it according to tastes, preferences, needs and interests. Our suggested distribution of days in the Algarve is as follows:
- LAKES: 2 to 3 days – Portugal: What to do in Lagos, Algarve – Guide and Tips
- PORTIMÃO: 1 to 2 days – Portugal: What to do in Portimão, in the Algarve – Guide and Tips
- LAGOON: 2 to 3 days – Portugal: What to do in Lagoa, Algarve – Guide and Tips
- ALBUFEIRA: 2 days - Portugal: What to do in Albufeira, Algarve – Guide and Tips
ITINERARY SUGGESTIONS: 5, 7 or 10 DAYS
Below, check out some suggestions that we give to put together a nice and efficient trip to the main beaches of the Algarve:
- 5 DAYS: If you only have 5 days to discover the Algarve, our recommendation is that you choose a maximum of two cities to visit so that you can enjoy it without rushing around. Preferably, try to combine nearby cities, like Lagos and Portimão or Lagoa and Albufeira. The cities with the most beautiful beaches are Lagos and Lagoa. Seeing them in 5 days is possible, but you'll have to prioritize what you want to see and remember that it can take a long time to find a parking space, depending on the time of year.
- 7 DAYS: With 7 days, it starts to get calmer to make two cities with great peace of mind and it's super feasible to include a third. Is it possible to see the 4 cities mentioned in just one week? Again, yes, but you'll need to prioritize what you want to see and consider the time of year you travel, as in summer the number of tourists increases a lot and the trip can become a hassle.
- 10 DAYS: In 10 days, you will have enough time to visit most of the best beaches in peace and quiet. It's a great time to see the best of what these four cities have to offer, stopping to relax on the beaches, taking walks along the coast and exploring the friendly little towns of these villages.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE CITIES
To help you organize your itinerary in the Algarve, below are several posts that we publish in each of the cities to help you from choosing the hotel and tours to restaurant suggestions. We separate the tips for each of the regions:
LAKES
- ROAD MAP: Portugal: What to do in Lagos, Algarve – Guide and Tips
- ACCOMMODATION: Portugal: Accommodation at Merry's House in Lagos, Algarve
- RESTAURANTS:
PORTIMÃO
- ROAD MAP: Portugal: What to do in Portimão, in the Algarve – Guide and Tips
- RESTAURANT: PurEssence Café: Vegan food in Portimão, Algarve
LAGOON
- ROAD MAP: Portugal: What to do in Lagoa, Algarve – Guide and Tips
- RESTAURANT: Portugal: L'Oasis Pizzeria in Armação de Pêra, Algarve
ALBUFEIRA
- ROAD MAP: Portugal: What to do in Albufeira, Algarve – Guide and Tips
- ACCOMMODATION: Portugal: Vila São Vicente Hotel in Albufeira, Algarve
- RESTAURANTS:
- TOUR: Portugal: Boat trip in Benagil and beaches in Algarve
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Read more about Portugal:
HARBOR
- Portugal: What to do in Porto – 2 or 3 days itinerary
- Portugal: How to get from Porto Airport to the center
- Port: Hotel One Shot Aliados Goldsmith 12
- Portugal: Guided Tour of the beautiful Palácio da Bolsa in Porto
- Restaurante Onze: Haute cuisine in Porto
- Porto: Restaurant Francesinhas Al Forno da Baixa
- Cálem: Tour in the most visited cellar in Port Wine
- Vices at the Table – Bad Habits: Pizza and culture in Porto
- Porto.CARD: Savings tip in the city of Porto
- Porto: Lello Bookstore, the most beautiful bookstore in the world
- Portugal: Ribeira Square Restaurant in Porto
- Kind Kitchen: Casual Vegan Food in Porto
- Portugal: Curiosities and Tours on the 6 Bridges of Porto
LISBON
- Portugal: How to get from Porto Airport to the center
- Lisbon accommodation tip: Brown's Downtown Hotel
- Portugal: What to do in Lisbon – 3 days itinerary
- Portugal: Guide to where to eat in Lisbon (with map!)
- Lisbon: Dinner with Fado performances at Adega Machado
- Lisbon Card: Savings tip in the Portuguese capital
- Portugal: The historic Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon
- Portugal: How to visit São Jorge Castle in Lisbon
- Portugal: Visiting the Belém Tower in Lisbon
- Portugal: How to get from Lisbon Airport to the center
- Portugal: Discover the National Pantheon in Lisbon
- Ao 26: Vegan restaurant in the center of Lisbon
- Orteá Vegan Collective: The best vegan restaurant in Lisbon
- Portugal: The charming Amélia Lisboa Restaurant
