Algarve travel tips for 7 days:
- ✈️ Book your flight to Faro (best prices)
- 🚗 Car hire in Faro: best prices (rated 4.6 on Trustpilot)
- Best hotels in the Algarve (most popular with travellers)
- See all the activities to do in the Algarve
- Guided Benagil Cave tour with kayak
- Benagil Caves and dolphin watching with a biologist
- Albufeira: 2-hour surf lesson
- Boat tour of the Ria Formosa islands from Faro
- Lagoa: Slide & Splash water park entrance ticket
- Catamaran excursion from Lagos
- Pastel de nata cooking class
- Visit a vineyard in the Algarve
Best activities to do with the family (free cancellation)
- Zoo Marine Algarve + dolphin experience Algarve
- Karting experience at Karting Almancil Family Park
- Lagoa: Slide & Splash water park entrance ticket
- MiniGolf Adventure Park: entrance ticket
- Off-road quad bike tour
- Double or triple parasailing in Albufeira
- Jet ski hire in Albufeira
- Half-day buggy excursion
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Visit the Algarve in 7 days: from Faro to Cabo de São Vicente
Here are the most beautiful towns of the Algarve to visit, with a suggestion of activities not to be missed for a dream holiday in the Algarve.
Visit Faro, the capital of the Algarve
In general, many visitors arrive at Faro airport, then hire a car to visit the Algarve. Whatever the case, take the time to explore the old town (Cidade Velha) with its ramparts and Faro Cathedral.
From Faro, don't miss discovering the Ria Formosa by boat, a magnificent nature reserve where you can watch birds. Once there, you can also do a hike on the São Lourenço trail, about 3.3 km there and back.
What to do in Faro?
Find the best activities with free cancellation
- Boat tour of the Ria Formosa islands from Faro
- Guided tour: Benagil Cave and Marinha Beach
- Catamaran excursion to Deserta Island with stop
- Tourist train ticket (Hop-On Hop-Off)
- Algarve Life Sciences Centre Museum individual ticket
Where to sleep in Faro?
Here are the best addresses to stay in Faro
- 3HB Faro, a superb hotel in the centre of Faro rated 9.5 Exceptional on Booking.com and 9.6 for its location.
- Hotel Faro & Beach Club, rated 8.4 Very good on Booking.com and 9.5 for its location.
- Roots Hotel, in the centre of Faro, rated 9.1 Exceptional on Booking.com and 9.3 for its location.
Explore Tavira and Cacela Velha
For this new day in the Algarve, head to Tavira! Here, you can:
- stroll along the Gilão river,
- visit Tavira Castle, as well as the Church of Santa Maria
- feast on seafood
Don't miss the beaches of Tavira Island (go there by ferry) or explore the charming village of Cacela Velha with, in the distance, a direct view of the Ria Formosa natural park.
What to do in Tavira?
Where to sleep in Tavira?
Here are the best addresses to stay in Tavira
- AP Maria Nova Lounge - Adults Friendly, rated 8.5 Very Good on Booking.com with a magnificent outdoor pool
- OZADI Tavira Hotel, superb accommodation rated 8.8 Superb on Booking.com with pool
- Pousada Convento de Tavira, a peaceful hotel in Tavira, rated 8.9 Superb on Booking.com and 9.6 for its location.
Be amazed in Albufeira and have unique experiences
If you come to visit the Algarve in 7 days, take a little time to visit Albufeira and its Fishermen's Beach. It is one of the most visited towns in the Algarve for its large number of activities. You won't get bored!
The historic centre is worth a visit, as it is quite picturesque with its pretty whitewashed houses and typical Algarve architecture.
For those who want to enjoy the beach, Albufeira is the destination par excellence with:
- Praia da Falésia,
- Praia Santa Eulália,
- Praia de São Rafael,
- or Praia dos Alemães.
What to do in Albufeira?
Find the best activities with free cancellation
- Benagil Cave tour from Albufeira: this cave is only accessible by sea, so you will need to go by boat or kayak.
- Excursion with a biologist: dolphin watching and Benagil Cave visit
- On a 47-seat motorboat: Benagil Caves and dolphin watching
- By catamaran: coastline and Benagil caves
Albufeira: Activities for fun
- Jet ski hire in Albufeira
- Double or triple parasailing
- Half-day buggy excursion
- 90-minute off-road quad bike tour
Where to sleep in Albufeira?
Here are the best addresses to stay in Albufeira:
- Vila Gale Collection Praia, a superb hotel rated 8.9 Superb on Booking.com
- 3HB Falésia Garden, rated 8.7 Superb on Booking.com
- Vila Maria Hotel - Adults Only, rated 8.8 Superb on Booking.com
Make a stop in Carvoeiro, one of the most beautiful towns in the Algarve
During these 7 days in the Algarve, take the time to explore the Algar Seco cliffs and the magnificent Carvoeiro beach (Praia do Carvoeiro). A postcard landscape!
Continue your visit by walking along a path linking the ruins of the Fort of Nossa Senhora da Encarnação to Algar Seco. You can't miss it, it is a route of about 600 metres on wooden walkways. A must-do here to admire the cliffs sculpted by the erosion of the sea, the wind, and breathtaking landscapes.
Head to Portimão to see one of the most beautiful beaches in the world
Start by visiting the town centre and walking along the marina. You can also visit the Portimão museum, located in a former cannery. Nearby, if you have time, go for a stroll in Ferragudo. A charming little village where time seems to have stood still, with its lanes and its church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição.
Then it's time to relax at Praia da Rocha beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in the Algarve, with its ochre cliffs and clear waters. You won't be disappointed!
If you feel like walking, take the walking route (called Percurso dos Sete Vales Suspensos) starting from Vale de Centeanes beach, right next to Carvoeiro. You will arrive at Praia da Marinha, another of the most splendid beaches!
Otherwise, here are a few other beaches nearby:
- Vau beach
- Careanos beach
- or Três Castelos beach with its Miradouro dos Três Castelos. The perfect place to admire Rocha beach in the distance.
Parking tip: the best is to park your car at the paid Castelos car park.
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What to do in Portimão?
- Benagil Cave: guided kayak tour
- Portimão: Fun 3D Art Museum entrance ticket
- Speedboat excursion to see the sea caves
- Pirate boat cruise with cave visit
Where to sleep in Portimão?
Here are the best addresses to stay in Portimão
- NAU Morgado Golf & Country Club, rated 8.7 Very Good on Booking.com with an exceptional location for visiting the Algarve in 7 days
- RR Hotel da Rocha, superb accommodation rated 8.8 Very Good on Booking.com and 9.6 for its location
- AP Oriental Beach - Adults Friendly, a magnificent adults-only hotel in Portimão, rated 8.8 Very Good on Booking.com and 9.5 for its location.
Visit Olhão and Estoi
Go and visit the red-brick market of Olhão and the old fishermen's quarter with its houses and washing hanging from the windows. Olhão is 5 km east of Faro and hosts the Festival do Marisco de Olhão (Seafood Festival) every year in August. This is where the Marim Environmental Education Centre (called Centro de Educação Ambiental de Marim) is located. Not far away is the town of Estoi with its palace and gardens. Worth seeing if you have time.
Fancy some fresh air? Go by boat to explore the lagoon islands, such as Armona or Culatra.
Spend a day in Lagos and Ponta da Piedade
If you come to visit the Algarve in 7 days, allow a day to come to Lagos. Here, we love its historic centre with its lanes, its lively atmosphere, its marina and Dona Ana beach.
But if you come here, it is to walk along the coast to Ponta da Piedade. You will see spectacular views of the cliffs, unique in the world.
What to do in Lagos?
- Catamaran excursion from Lagos
- Cruise off the Algarve
- Guided kayak tour
- Pastel de nata cooking class
- Visit a vineyard in the Algarve
Go to Sagres and Cabo de São Vicente
Finally, head to Sagres! During this day, don't miss seeing :
- the Church of Our Lady of Grace (Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Graça in Portuguese)
- the Rosa dos Ventos (a sundial)
- The Sagres Fortress, built in the 15th century, then renovated after the 1755 earthquake.
- and above all, Sagres Point (Ponta de Sagres) located at the south-western tip of the Iberian Peninsula. In front of you, the Atlantic Ocean and nothing else. You are as if alone in the world, at the end of Europe!
And of course, we will end this journey at Cabo de São Vicente to admire the sunset. The westernmost point of Europe, with its most impressive cliffs.
What to do in Sagres?
Other tourist sites to visit in the Algarve if you have more time:
- Go on a hike in the Monchique mountains, enjoy the panoramic views from Picota or the highest point of Foia.
- Visit the Convento de Nossa Senhora de Desterro in Monchique
- Visit the historic town of Silves, with its famous Moorish castle and cathedral.
- Go to Luz to admire the sunset in a seaside restaurant. The atmosphere there is magical!
- Do the Ao Sabor da Maré hiking trail
- Visit Almancil and do the buggy tour
- Take a trip to Loulé to experience the rhythm of Portuguese life
- Explore the Castro Marim Castle
- Visit the Algarve vineyards such as Quinta dos Capinhas, the Morgado Do Quintão wine estate or Quinta da Tôr
The most beautiful beaches of the Algarve: our top 5
Here are the 5 most beautiful beaches in the region if you come to visit the Algarve in 7 days. Beaches not to be missed for their spectacular scenery, impressive cliffs and crystal-clear waters.
1. Praia da Marinha in Lagoa
Ranked among the most beautiful beaches in the world, Praia da Marinha is famous for its rock formations, unique in the world.
2. Praia da Falésia in Albufeira
This long golden-sand beach is lined with ochre and red cliffs. You will see, it stretches for several kilometres, ideal for long walks or for admiring the sunset. There is even a restaurant if you want to have lunch on site with a sea view.
3. Praia de Benagil in Lagoa
This beach is best known for the Benagil Cave, a natural formation unique in the world with an open dome. Note that it is only accessible by boat, kayak or paddle board. To see it, we strongly advise you to book (free cancellation) because you may not be able to visit it once there if the site is full.
4. Praia do Camilo in Lagos
This beach is actually a small cove surrounded by golden cliffs. To get there, you will need to take a long staircase. At the bottom, you will see that the water is crystal clear (if the wind isn't blowing), perfect for swimming and snorkelling.
5. Praia da Rocha in Portimão
We will end our top 5 with this emblematic beach of the Algarve with its sublime rock formations and lively atmosphere. You will find many bars and restaurants nearby.
