Walking the Algarve's South West
Description
Summary
Description
Embark on an unforgettable 11-day journey through the breathtaking landscapes of Portugal's Algarve region. This multi-day tour is designed for those who love to explore nature's beauty on foot, offering a unique blend of coastal walks, forest trails, and charming village visits. You'll follow the Fishermen's Trail, discover the Rota Vicentina, and reach the south-western tip of Europe at Cabo de Sao Vicente. Along the way, you'll stay in a selection of comfortable hotels and enjoy local cuisine. From the coastal town of Sagres to the old town of Lagos, this tour offers an immersive experience of Portugal's rich history, culture, and stunning natural beauty.
Included
All continental breakfast and 5 evening meals included. The local speciality from the sea is the Barnacle Perceve, this is not taken from the bottom of boats but the bottom of submerged local cliffs, it is harvested by hand using a dangerous and traditional method, which involves one of the two collectors dangling by a rope from the top of the cliffs! They are a bit of a delicacy not too dissimilar to mussels. Away from the sea the dried hams, salamis and chouriço are as good as anything that Spain or Italy can produce. The strange sounding bread sausage Alheira is very good, invented by the Portuguese Jews during the Inquisition to avoid persecution, bread and non-pork products are used. Good quality meat is also on the menu, beef and pork are of a high quality and lamb in season is superb. Vegetables are plentiful and with big harvests of almonds and oranges, fruits are in good supply alongside another local vegetable, the sweet potato. The Algarve’s other surprise is the quality of cheese; from mild to strong using cow, goat or sheep milk there is a great range of cheeses for all tastes, Queijo de Cabra do Algarve, is a particular favourite.
We have included transfers on some of the days to either take you to the begining of your walk or back to your hotel after a day of walking.
Standard transfersFor flight inclusive packages transfers included from Faro airport at 12:30 and 17:30 and back to Faro airport at 10:45 and 15:45. Transfers are available at a supplement for land only bookings.
You'll stay in a wonderful variety of hotels, all with pools, including a charming hotel in Sagres with wonderful views of the fortress and over the crashing Atlantic below; a rustic house in Pedralva (every house in the village has been restored to provide accommodation!); a well-restored pensao (coaching inn) in Vila do Bispo complete with spa; and a family-run hotel just 20 minutes' walk from the old town of Lagos. We've included five evening meals so you're free to sample some of the area's superb local restaurants.
Route notes and maps
Map
Attractions
Praia da Arrifana
Meia Praia
Cabo de São Vicente
Praia do Camilo
Praia de Odeceixe
Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural ParkDaily Itinerary
Day 1 – Day 1: Arrival in Sagres
Day 1: Arrival in Sagres
Welcome to the beautiful coastal town of Sagres! Upon arrival, settle into your hotel, Memmo Baleeira (or similar), and spend the rest of the day at your leisure.
Day 2 – Day 2: Sagres to Pedralva via Carrapateira
Day 2: Sagres to Pedralva via Carrapateira
- Rocha Negra
- Meia Praia
- More
Start your day with a transfer to the starting point of the Fishermen's Trail. Follow the trail to the cliff tops and the stunning Amado beach. Continue your journey to the village of Carrapateira, where you can enjoy a picnic lunch or try local snacks. From there, follow the Rota Vicentina, passing one of the Algarve's best viewpoints, before reaching Pedralva. Spend the night at Aldeia da Pedralva (or similar).
Day 3 – Day 3: Exploring Pedralva
Day 3: Exploring Pedralva
- Meia Praia
- More
Today is yours to enjoy as you wish. Relax in the charming village of Pedralva or embark on one of our suggested walks. A cliff-top route takes you back to the beautiful Amado beach, offering breathtaking sea views. Alternatively, a shorter walk along the Marreiros plateau offers panoramic views of the rolling countryside. Return to your hotel, Aldeia da Pedralva (or similar), for a restful night.
Day 4 – Day 4: Pedralva to Vila do Bispo
Day 4: Pedralva to Vila do Bispo
- Praia da Arrifana
- Rocha Negra
- Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park
- More
Today's walk begins with a stroll through enchanting pine and eucalyptus forests. Choose between two routes: one following the Rota Vicentina to Vila do Bispo through pretty meadows, or a longer route looping into the Costa Vicentina Natural Park, leading to the Praia da Barriga. End your day at Hotel Mira Sagres (or similar) in Vila do Bispo.
Day 5 – Day 5: Exploring Vila do Bispo
Day 5: Exploring Vila do Bispo
- Farol de Sagres
- More
Spend the day at your leisure, wandering the quaint streets of Vila do Bispo, or choose one of our suggested walks. You could explore the cliffs and viewpoints above the village, or walk through rolling hills and gentle valleys to the village of Raposeira, home to the Guadalupe Chapel, a historic Knights Templar building. Return to Hotel Mira Sagres (or similar) for the night.
Day 6 – Day 6: Vila do Bispo to Sagres via Cabo de Sao Vicente
Day 6: Vila do Bispo to Sagres via Cabo de Sao Vicente
- Cabo de São Vicente
- More
Today's highlight is a visit to Cabo de Sao Vicente, the south-western tip of Europe. Follow country lanes and coastal trails, soaking in the superb scenery. Upon arrival, tour the lighthouse, visit the museum, or relax with a drink in the bar. A short transfer will then take you back to Sagres, where you'll stay at Pousada de Sagres (or similar).
Day 7 – Day 7: Exploring Sagres
Day 7: Exploring Sagres
- Rocha Negra
- Ponta da Atalaia
- More
If you can resist the allure of the hotel pool, consider a walk to the Ponta da Atalaia and Ponta da Baleeira headland. Enjoy stunning views over Sagres' impressive fortress and the Mareta and Martinhal beaches. Alternatively, head straight to Martinhal Beach for a leisurely stroll on the sand and a refreshing drink at one of the bars. Return to Pousada de Sagres (or similar) for the night.
Day 8 – Day 8: Sagres to Costa d'Oiro via Burgau and Praia da Luz
- Lagos
- More
Today's walk showcases the Algarve's stunning coastal scenery. A short transfer takes you to the starting point, from where you'll pass through the picturesque fishing villages of Burgau and Praia da Luz, with their whitewashed houses and beautiful beaches. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant or enjoy a beachside picnic. End your day at Costa d'Oiro (or similar).
Day 9 – Day 9: Exploring Lagos
- Lagos
- More
- Old Town Lagos
- Beach Morena
- More
A short walk from your hotel takes you to the Old Town of Lagos. Explore the 14th-century walls, wander through cobbled streets filled with shops, bars, cafes, and restaurants, and visit ornate churches and interesting museums. Don't miss the bustling marina, the pride and joy of Lagos. Return to Costa d'Oiro (or similar) for the night.
Day 10 – Day 10: Costa d'Oiro to Sagres via Figueira
- Lagos
- More
- Rocha Negra
- Praia do Camilo
- Praia de Odeceixe
- More
After a short transfer to Figueira, today's walk takes you through rolling countryside to the cliff-top headland above Praia do Zavial. Continue via the beaches of Ingrina and Barranco up to the Sagres plateau, crossing the tiny Praia dos Rebolinhos before a final stretch along Martinhal Beach back to your hotel, Memmo Baleeira (or similar).
Day 11 – Day 11: Departure from Sagres
Day 11: Departure from Sagres
Your memorable tour of the Algarve comes to an end after breakfast in Sagres. Safe travels!
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