Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
An Algarve Road Trip From Pristine Coasts to Classic Villages
Portugal - Algarve - Aljezur - Tavira - Vila Nova de Cacela - Ria Formosa
Starting in Aljezur on the wild western coast, discover a more laid-back side of southern Portugal, where surfers drift between beaches and dusty inland roads lead to tiny hilltop villages and sweeping coastal walks.
From there, continue east to Tavira, one of the Algarve’s prettiest towns, complete with everything from tiled churches and cobbled streets to orchards and waterfalls. Your final stop is Vila Nova de Cacela, set near the lagoons and sandbanks of Ria Formosa Natural Park, where sunsets feel particularly cinematic and days end with freshly grilled seafood and ice-cold glasses of local wine. Does it get better than this?
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
Passports at the ready: your Portuguese getaway begins today. This morning, head to the airport and fly direct to Faro, a journey of around three hours from the UK.
When you arrive, pick up your hire car at the airport and hit the road towards Aljezur, on the Algarve’s wilder western edge. The drive takes around an hour-and-a-half, swapping busy resorts for rolling countryside, eucalyptus groves and glimpses of the Atlantic.
You’ll spend the next three nights just outside Aljezur, less than half a mile from the coastline. Once you’ve settled in, head out for your first glimpse of the Costa Vicentina – even a quick stroll down to the beach is enough to understand why people fall hard for this part of Portugal.
Aljezur is the sort of place where plans quickly become optional – one minute you’re grabbing coffee in town, the next you’re watching surfers carve through Atlantic waves at Arrifana Beach. Spend the next couple of days exploring the Costa Vicentina, where sandy shores, dramatic cliffs and winding coastal trails steal the show.
Monte Clerigo is perfect for a lazy beach afternoon, especially at low tide, when natural rock pools appear along the shore. Further south, Amado and Bordeira feel wonderfully untamed, while Amoreira offers scenic walking trails through dunes, pine forests and river marshes teeming with birdlife.
Away from the coast, venture inland towards Monchique, a mountain region of forested hills and whitewashed villages. Wander cobbled streets, browse artisan shops and head up to Foia, the Algarve’s highest viewpoint – cameras at the ready…
Back in Aljezur, don’t miss watching the sunset from the old Moorish castle overlooking the town. Golden light, whitewashed houses and the sound of the ocean in the distance? Not a bad way to end the day.
This morning, drive one-and-a-half hours east across the Algarve towards Tavira, one of the region’s prettiest towns. You’ll be spending the next three nights here, so o nce you’ve settled in, head into the town to explore.
Straddling the Gilao River, Tavira is all cobbled lanes, tiled churches and whitewashed houses topped with decorative chimney pots. Wander across the Roman bridge, stop for a coffee in one of the small squares and climb up to the castle gardens for rooftop views across the city.
As evening rolls in, settle into a terrace restaurant for grilled fish and a chilled glass of local wine.
Today, see a different side of the Algarve as you discover Tavira’s countryside with a local guide. Beyond the beaches lies a quieter landscape of sleepy hamlets, cork trees, hidden waterfalls and winding backroads that most visitors never see.
Back in Tavira, spend the rest of your day exploring properly. Visit churches like Sao Paulo and Santo Antonio, browse the small museum dedicated to the town’s Moorish past or simply wander without much agenda at all – Tavira rewards aimless strolling.
Fancy venturing further afield? Olhao is known for its lively fish market and excellent seafood restaurants, while Loule mixes cobbled alleys with galleries, antique shops and bustling cafes. Or, perhaps tonight calls for a fado performance and another long Portuguese dinner. Decisions, decisions…
This morning, continue east towards Vila Nova de Cacela, close to the lagoons and sandbanks of Ria Formosa Natural Park. When you arrive, check into your hotel, your home for the next three nights.
Spend the rest of today and tomorrow however you please, whether you’d rather take a dip in the pool or get stuck into your holiday read on the terrace. If you fancy venturing out, stroll into nearby Carvoeiro, winding your way along charming, cobbled streets and soaking up views over the sparkling bay.
Each evening, enjoy a sundowner at your hotel before donning your glad rags and heading back into town in search of a tasty local dinner – our clued-up Concierge is on hand to recommend some hidden gems.
Today is all about the eastern Algarve's beautiful coastline. Explore Ria Formosa, a protected natural park made up of lagoons, islands, marshes and sandy beaches stretching for miles along the coast.
You could spend the day beach-hopping, stopping at little seafood restaurants or wandering through nearby fishing villages like Cacela Velha or Fabrica, where colourful boats bob beside the shore and life feels refreshingly unhurried.
Fancy getting out on the water? We can arrange a private boat trip through the lagoons, where flamingos, spoonbills and other migratory birds drift through the wetlands.
This evening, find one last sunset spot overlooking the Atlantic and raise a glass to southern Portugal – preferably with grilled sardines nearby.
Enjoy a final relaxed breakfast before driving back to Faro Airport, around 45 minutes away. Drop off the hire car, breeze through security and settle in for your three-hour flight home.
By now, you’ll have seen a very different side of the Algarve – one of wild beaches, sleepy villages, long seafood lunches and countryside escapes hidden just beyond the coast. Chances are, you’ll already be planning a return before the plane has even taken off…
Suggestions
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
TAVIRA WITH A LOCAL
Explore Tavira with a private guide, who’ll lead you through the town’s cobbled lanes, tiled churches and hidden corners while sharing stories of its Moorish past. Naturally, there’s also time for coffee and a pastry along the way...CRUISE THROUGH RIA FORMOSA
Swap roads for water on a private boat trip through the lagoons and islands of Ria Formosa Natural Park. Along the way, keep your eyes peeled (and cameras poised) for quiet beaches, winding channels and plenty of birdlife – including flamingos, if you’re lucky.
Why visit Portugal with Original Travel ?
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire nowA few of the benefits of travelling with us to Portugal
- Our local Concierges
- The Original Travel app
- Destination Dossier
- 24-hour helpline
- Expert guides
- 100% carbon absorption
