Top 2 Itineraries in Vila Real de Santo António

No matter how long you plan to stay, there’s a perfect trip to Vila Real de Santo António.

A 3 to 5-day stay in Vila Real de Santo António offers just enough time to soak in the highlights

With a few extra days, you can dive deeper into Vila Real de Santo António’s most iconic landmarks, stroll through charming neighborhoods, and savor local cuisine at a leisurely pace.

With the open road ahead, you’ll uncover Portugal's most scenic landscapes, visit charming towns, and discover hidden gems along the way.

For sun seekers, beach vacations in Vila Real de Santo António offer the perfect escape. Whether 5, 7 or 10 days, spend them unwinding on sandy shores, swimming in crystal-clear waters, and soaking up the coastal beauty. With plenty of time to relax and explore, a beach trip to Vila Real de Santo António is the ideal way to recharge.

Explore all the best trips for every travel style below and make your next trip to Vila Real de Santo António truly unforgettable!

If you’re as convinced as we are that Vila Real de Santo António belongs on your bucket list, you're in luck. The best trips to Vila Real de Santo António are just a quick search away.

Enter your dates below to discover the best travel packages in Vila Real de Santo António and start planning your next trip!

Discover the perfect Vila Real de Santo António itinerary with our handpicked list. Each of these 2 itineraries is crafted to match different travel styles. So whether you're in Vila Real de Santo António just for a weekend, or you plan to see more on a longer city break or road trip, there's an itinerary for you!

With detailed routes, top attractions, and insider tips, these itineraries will help you experience the best of Vila Real de Santo António without missing a thing. Dive into our list and learn how to plan the ultimate trip to Vila Real de Santo António!

A scenic 10-day road trip through Madrid, Málaga, Sintra, Belém, and Granada is one of the best ways to experience Portugal. With the freedom to travel at your own pace, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to make spontaneous stops between the planned activities on your itinerary.

A 10-day itinerary means that Vila Real de Santo António can easily be combined with other top destinations in Portugal without stress. While it’s possible to travel between Madrid, Málaga, Sintra, Belém, and Granada by public transport, renting a car in Portugal opens up a whole new level of freedom!

So, with 10 days to spend, all you need is a rental car, some hotel reservations, and this iconic road trip itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive in Málaga

• Arrival city: Málaga
• Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Málaga, e.g., Hotel Catalonia Ronda
• Sightseeing: Palmeral de Las Sorpresas

Begin your road trip adventure by picking up your rental car at the airport upon arrival in Málaga. Drive to your centrally located hotel, which offers convenient access to local attractions. Spend the day exploring nearby sights, and in the evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant, sampling regional flavors and soaking up the atmosphere.

Day 2: Explore Málaga

• Destinations: Málaga
• Driving distance: 219.99 km, approx. 3 hours and 14 minutes
• Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Seville, e.g., Fernando III
• Sightseeing: Santa Iglesia Catedral Basílica de la Encarnación, Museo Picasso Málaga, Castillo de Gibralfaro, and Alcazaba
• Recommended tour: Alcazar and Seville Cathedral Tour with Skip-the-Line Tickets in Seville, Spain

Set out on a day of discovery and visit Santa Iglesia Catedral Basílica de la Encarnación, Museo Picasso Málaga, Castillo de Gibralfaro, and Alcazaba. Take time to enjoy the scenery and local highlights of Málaga, with the freedom to stop at whatever sight catches your interest. By the end of the day, check-in at a new hotel, located in central Seville.

Day 3: Discover Sevilla

• Destinations: Sevilla
• Driving distance: 214.98 km, approx. 2 hours and 57 minutes
• Accommodation: hotel in Merida, e.g., Apartamentos Lusitania
• Sightseeing: Plaza de España, Catedral de Sevilla, Setas de Sevilla, La Giralda, and Royal Alcázar of Seville
• Recommended tour: Full Merida Tour with tickets

Spend the day exploring Plaza de España, Catedral de Sevilla, Setas de Sevilla, La Giralda, and Royal Alcázar of Seville. Take scenic drives or walking tours to experience the area’s charm at your own pace. End the day by checking into a new hotel, conveniently located in central Merida.

Day 4: Experience Sintra and Sintra

• Destinations: Sintra and Sintra
• Driving distance: 362.37 km, approx. 4 hours and 40 minutes
• Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Lisbon, e.g., Star inn Lisboa
• Sightseeing: Quinta da Regaleira, Cabo da Roca, and National Palace of Pena
• Recommended tour: Sintra Small-Group Day Tour from Lisbon, Portugal

Continue your journey through Sintra and Sintra, where you can explore Quinta da Regaleira, Cabo da Roca, and National Palace of Pena. Make time for a break at a cozy café or scenic picnic spot. Wrap up the day by checking in at a hotel in the heart of Lisbon.

Day 5: Enjoy Sightseeing in Lisboa and Fátima

• Destinations: Lisboa and Fátima
• Driving distance: 269.34 km, approx. 3 hours and 36 minutes
• Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Lisbon, e.g., Star inn Lisboa
• Sightseeing: LX Factory, Oceanário de Lisboa, Time Out Market Lisboa, and Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima
• Recommended tour: Full-Day Sintra and Cascais Tour starting from Lisbon, Portugal

Drive through Lisboa and Fátima, stopping to visit LX Factory, Oceanário de Lisboa, Time Out Market Lisboa, and Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima. Embrace the opportunity to explore smaller towns and hidden gems off the beaten path.

Day 6: Embrace the Spirit of Lisboa

• Destinations: Lisboa
• Driving distance: 300.38 km, approx. 3 hours and 55 minutes
• Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Lisbon, e.g., Star inn Lisboa
• Sightseeing: Castelo de S. Jorge, Belém Tower, Padrão dos Descobrimentos, and Praça do Comércio
• Recommended tour: Age of Discoveries Walking Tour in Belém

Spend time discovering Castelo de S. Jorge, Belém Tower, Padrão dos Descobrimentos, and Praça do Comércio, with plenty of opportunities to engage in outdoor activities or enjoy local culture. After a day of exploring, check into a hotel in Lisbon.

Day 7: Spend Time in Mérida and Toledo

• Destinations: Mérida and Toledo
• Driving distance: 380.19 km, approx. 4 hours and 14 minutes
• Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Lisbon, e.g., Star inn Lisboa
• Sightseeing: Alcázar de Toledo, Teatro Romano de Mérida, and Santa Iglesia Catedral Primada de Toledo
• Recommended tour: Alfama Tour in Lisbon Old Town

Explore Alcázar de Toledo, Teatro Romano de Mérida, and Santa Iglesia Catedral Primada de Toledo at a relaxed pace. Make spontaneous stops for sightseeing, photography, or lunch at a family-run restaurant. Finish the day by checking into another comfortable hotel in the center of Lisbon.

Day 8: Explore Madrid

• Destinations: Madrid
• Driving distance: 349.27 km, approx. 4 hours and 20 minutes
• Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Vila Real de Santo António, e.g., AP Cabanas Beach & Nature
• Sightseeing: Museo Nacional del Prado, El Retiro Park, Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, and Plaza Mayor

Continue your road trip through Madrid, enjoying the flexibility to explore Museo Nacional del Prado, El Retiro Park, Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, and Plaza Mayor and nearby points of interest. As the day winds down, arrive at a new hotel in central Vila Real de Santo António.

Day 9: Wander Through Granada

• Destinations: Granada
• Driving distance: 230.87 km, approx. 3 hours and 35 minutes
• Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Málaga, e.g., Hotel Catalonia Ronda
• Sightseeing: Nasrid Palaces, Mirador de San Nicolás, Alhambra, and Catedral de Granada
• Recommended tour: Caminito del Rey with Pickup from Málaga City

Visit Nasrid Palaces, Mirador de San Nicolás, Alhambra, and Catedral de Granada as you navigate scenic routes. Take time to enjoy local markets, trails, or viewpoints that catch your eye. At the end of the day, check-in at a comfortable hotel in central Málaga.

Day 10: Uncover Málaga

• Destinations: Málaga
• Driving distance: 140 metres, approx. 2 minutes
• Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Málaga, e.g., Hotel Catalonia Ronda
• Sightseeing: Plaza de la Constitución
• Recommended tour: Alcazaba Malaga Guided Tour

Continue your exploration of Plaza de la Constitución, taking your time to enjoy scenic drives or leisurely strolls that add to the adventure. End the day by checking into a lovely hotel in Málaga.

Day 10: Bid Farewell to Málaga

• Departure city: Málaga
• Driving distance: 140 metres, approx. 2 minutes
• Sightseeing: Plaza de la Constitución

Savor an hour or two for souvenir shopping or revisiting a favorite spot before it’s time to say goodbye to Málaga. Drop off your rental car at the airport a couple of hours before departure for a seamless end to your trip.

The estimated cost for a rental car and accommodations for each night along the route is around 994 EUR for two people, providing a value-for-money way to experience what's beyond Vila Real de Santo António. So, if you’re ready to explore iconic landmarks, scenic routes, and charming towns at your own pace, this 10-day road trip itinerary through Madrid, Málaga, Sintra, Belém, and Granada is an excellent choice.

Looking for something different?

A 6-day beach vacation in Vila Real de Santo António offers the perfect mix of sun, sand, and relaxation.

Highlights of the best beach vacation itinerary in Vila Real de Santo António:

• Beaches: Spend your days at Praia de Cabana.
• Accommodation: Enjoy a relaxing stay close to the beach at places like AP Cabanas Beach & Nature for easy access to nearby dining and activities.
• Beach activities: Dive into beachside fun with options like surfing, kayaking, and kiting or windsurfing, and more.
• Dining experiences: Savor the flavors of the coast at Estrela do Mar, A Barquinha, and O Noel, and other nearby dining spots.
• Nightlife: Enjoy live music and late-night entertainment at bars like Rei da Poncha, RoofTop Eva, and Bar Paris, and more.
• Cultural experiences: Explore Praia da Lota, Church Cacela Velha, Centro Cultural António Aleixo, and Praia Adão e Eva, local markets, and souvenir shops.

With a well-planned 6-day beach vacation itinerary in Vila Real de Santo António, you can fully unwind, knowing your time is optimized for some of the best local beaches and daily activities.

Day 1: Begin Your Beach Escape in Vila Real de Santo António

Arrive in Faro, settle into your hotel, and take in the sea breeze as you prepare for 6 days of relaxation and adventure. Enjoy a refreshing swim at Praia de Cabana or explore the attractions near your accommodation as you settle in Vila Real de Santo António.

Day 2: Relax at a Top Local Beach

Enjoy a day under the sun at Praia de Cabana, a top beach in Vila Real de Santo António. In the afternoon, make sure to visit Praia do Barril, Praia dos Tesos, and Tavira Island for an exploration of local attractions. As evening approaches, head to one of the best restaurants in the area to taste the freshest local dishes.

Day 6: Explore the Local Scene

Spend a sun-filled day at Praia de Cabana. In the afternoon, explore the local scene by visiting Praia Adão e Eva, Centro Cultural António Aleixo, and Praia da Lota. As the day winds down, enjoy a meal and a refreshing drink while admiring the beautiful views.

Day 6: Say Farewell to Vila Real de Santo António

Wrap up your trip with a leisurely morning exploring any missed highlights in Vila Real de Santo António. Pick up last-minute souvenirs, grab a coffee at a beachfront café, and savor one last view of the sea before you say goodbye.

For more beach vacation ideas, explore all beach vacations in Vila Real de Santo António. Whether you're seeking a brief escape or an extended stay by the sea, these trips offer pre-planned, customizable itineraries, making it simple to enjoy the best of Vila Real de Santo António's coastline.

As you explore Vila Real de Santo António, you’ll find countless layers of history, art, and local charm waiting to be uncovered.

Finding the right place to stay is essential for a comfortable trip. This is why we've also gathered our top recommendations for the best places to stay in Vila Real de Santo António for you.

Wherever your journey takes you, we’re here to make every step memorable. From expert tips to local insights, count on us to help you experience Vila Real de Santo António in a way that feels truly unforgettable!