1-Month Algarve Stay & Lisbon City Break with Car

Suggestion for the day: Day Trips North of Lisbon: Óbidos, Fátima and More

• Óbidos: a walled medieval village, about 1 hour from Lisbon (estimated), where the local cherry liqueur is served in a chocolate cup
• Fátima: a Catholic pilgrimage site with the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima, about 1 hour 15 minutes from Lisbon (estimated)
• Nazaré: a fishing town on the Atlantic coast, known for its giant waves in winter
• Batalha and Alcobaça: two monasteries that are UNESCO World Heritage sites, close to each other

Good to know: these places are north of Lisbon, so two or three fit in one day: for example Óbidos and Nazaré, or Fátima, Batalha and Alcobaça. Distances are estimates.

All suggestions are optional.

Suggestion for the day: Belém and the Riverfront

• Jerónimos Monastery: a UNESCO World Heritage monastery from the 16th century
• Belém Tower: a UNESCO World Heritage fortress on the river
• Pastéis de Belém: the custard tarts that the neighborhood is known for
• The riverfront: a walk along the Tagus, with the Monument to the Discoveries on the bank

Good to know: some sights in Belém close on Mondays, so check the opening days. Tomorrow you drive to the Algarve, so tonight is a good time to pack.

All suggestions are optional.

Check out of your hotel and drive south on the A2 motorway. The trip to the Algarve is about 278 km/ 172 mi, around 3 hours. Check in to your accommodation with a kitchenette, then buy groceries for the first days.

Suggestion for the day: Your First Evening

• A grocery stop: a supermarket near your accommodation, so the kitchenette is ready from the first night
• A short walk: around the neighborhood, to find the nearest cafe and market

Good to know: tolls on the A2 are not included in the rental car.

All suggestions are optional.

Suggestion for the day: Lagos and Ponta da Piedade

• Ponta da Piedade: golden cliffs and sea caves just south of Lagos
• Lagos old town: a walled town with a marina and small streets
• Praia Dona Ana: a beach below the cliffs, quiet in winter

All suggestions are optional.

Suggestion for the day: The Seven Hanging Valleys Trail

• The trail: a coastal walk of about 6 km (estimated) from Praia da Marinha to Praia de Vale Centeanes
• The views: cliffs, sea stacks and small beaches along the way
• A picnic: a good use of the kitchenette on a clear day

Good to know: wear walking shoes, and stay away from the cliff edge in wind.

All suggestions are optional.

Suggestion for the day: Sagres and Cabo de São Vicente

• Cabo de São Vicente: the southwestern tip of mainland Europe, with a lighthouse
• Sagres Fortress: a fortress above the Atlantic
• Praia do Beliche: a beach reached by a short walk down

Good to know: it is windy on the cape, so bring a jacket.

All suggestions are optional.

Suggestion for the day: Albufeira’s Beaches

• Praia dos Pescadores: golden sand and calm water next to the old town, with a lively atmosphere
• Praia da Oura: a long stretch of golden sand with water sports and beachfront restaurants
• A seafood lunch: cataplana, a seafood stew cooked in a copper pan, at one of the beachfront restaurants

Good to know: in winter the Atlantic is cold, so these beaches are best for walking and sunbathing rather than swimming.

All suggestions are optional.

Suggestion for the day: Albufeira

• The old town: white streets and small squares above the beach
• Praia dos Pescadores: a beach in the heart of the old town
• The harbor: restaurants serving grilled fish

All suggestions are optional.

Suggestion for the day: The Benagil Caves by Boat

• Benagil caves: sea caves on the coast near Lagoa, seen from a small boat
• Where the boats leave: from Benagil, Carvoeiro and Portimão
• The coast on the way: small beaches between the cliffs

Good to know: boat trips are not included and depend on sea conditions in winter. The Portugal Getaways team can help you book one.

All suggestions are optional.

Suggestion for the day: Silves

• Silves Castle: a Moorish castle built of red stone
• The cathedral: a Gothic cathedral beside the castle
• The Roman bridge: a bridge over the river at the foot of the old town

All suggestions are optional.

Suggestion for the day: Monchique and Foia

• Fóia: the highest point of the Algarve, with views over the coast on a clear day
• Caldas de Monchique: a small spa village in the woods
• Local products: honey and medronho, a fruit spirit from the region

Good to know: the weather in the hills can be colder and cloudier than on the coast.

All suggestions are optional.

Suggestion for the day: The Almond Blossom

• The hills inland: almond trees flower in January and February, depending on the year
• Small villages: stops for coffee and the local pastries
• A picnic: with the groceries from the kitchenette

All suggestions are optional.

Suggestion for the day: Faro Old Town

• Arco da Vila: the neoclassical gate that leads into the walled old town
• Faro Cathedral: a cathedral with a bell tower that you can climb for views over the old town and the lagoon
• Faro Municipal Museum: the history and archaeology of the Algarve, in a former convent
• Igreja do Carmo and the Chapel of Bones: a church with a chapel lined with human bones

Good to know: the old town is small and easy to walk, so park outside the walls and go in on foot.

All suggestions are optional.

Suggestion for the day: A Boat Trip on the Ria Formosa

• The lagoon: a protected area of islands, marshes and sandbanks, with boat tours that leave from Faro, Olhão and Tavira
• Island hopping: Armona, Culatra and Farol, each with its own beaches
• Birdwatching: flamingos, herons and egrets are common in the lagoon
• Seafood by the water: fresh fish and shellfish at the small restaurants on the islands

Good to know: boats and ferries run less often in winter, so check the timetable, and some island restaurants close in the low season.

All suggestions are optional.

Suggestion for the day: Olhão and the Islands

• The market: fish and vegetable halls on the waterfront
• The islands: boats to the Culatra and Armona islands, which have beaches and no cars
• A fish lunch: a restaurant by the water

Good to know: boat times change by season, so check the timetable.

All suggestions are optional.

Suggestion for the day: Tavira

• The old town: a river town with white houses and churches
• The Roman bridge: a seven-arched bridge over the river
• A walk by the river: cafes and small shops

All suggestions are optional.

Suggestion for the day: Manta Rota and Cacela Velha

• Manta Rota: a long stretch of golden sand with calm water, close to the Spanish border
• Cacela Velha: a small whitewashed village on a hill, with views over the Ria Formosa lagoon

Good to know: Cacela Velha is very small, so park at the village entrance and walk in.

All suggestions are optional.

Suggestion for the day: Carvoeiro and Algar Seco

• Praia da Marinha: a beach with rock formations and clear water, a short drive from Carvoeiro
• Algar Seco: rock formations and tunnels with a walkway above the sea
• Carvoeiro: a small village with a beach between two cliffs
• A coastal lunch: a restaurant in the village

All suggestions are optional.

Suggestion for the day: Loulé and Alte

• Loulé market: a market hall with fruit, cheese and local sweets
• Alte: a small white village in the hills, known for its springs
• The countryside: orange and almond trees on the road between the two

All suggestions are optional.

Suggestion for the day: Beja and the Alentejo

• Beja Castle: a medieval castle whose tower gives views over the city and the plain
• Museu Regional de Beja: regional history and art, in a former convent
• The Alentejo countryside: rolling hills and cork oak forests on the way
• Alentejo food: a plate of açorda, the bread and garlic soup of the region

Good to know: Beja is about 1.5 hours from the Algarve by car (estimated), so leave early.

All suggestions are optional.

Suggestion for the day: Évora and Monsaraz

• Roman Temple: a well-preserved Roman temple in the center of Évora
• Chapel of Bones: a chapel decorated with human skulls and bones
• Évora Cathedral: a Gothic cathedral with a cloister
• Monsaraz: a medieval hilltop village with a castle and views over the Alentejo plain
• Alentejo wine: a tasting at a local winery

Good to know: Évora is about 2 hours 30 minutes from the Algarve by car (estimated). It is a long day, so leave early, or choose just one of the two towns.

All suggestions are optional.

Suggestion for the day: Seville, Spain

• Royal Alcázar: a palace with Moorish tilework and gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage site
• Seville Cathedral and the Giralda: a large Gothic cathedral, with a former minaret that is now its bell tower
• Santa Cruz: the old Jewish quarter, with narrow lanes and small squares
• Plaza de España: a semicircular square with tiled alcoves and a canal
• Tapas: a stop at a traditional tapas bar

Good to know: Seville is about 2.5 hours from the Algarve by car (estimated). Spain is one hour ahead of Portugal, so plan your return. Bring your passports, and cross-border fees apply to the rental car.

All suggestions are optional.

Suggestion for the day: Huelva, Spain

• Monasterio de La Rábida: a monastery linked to Christopher Columbus and his voyages
• Muelle del Tinto: an old iron pier that tells the story of the region’s mining past
• The beaches: long beaches at Islantilla and Punta Umbría

Good to know: Huelva is about 2 hours from the Algarve by car (estimated). Spain is one hour ahead of Portugal. Bring your passports, and cross-border fees apply to the rental car.

All suggestions are optional.

Suggestion for the day: Alcoutim and the Guadiana River

• Alcoutim Castle: a medieval castle above the town, with views of the Guadiana River
• The riverfront: a promenade along the river and the old streets of the town
• Nossa Senhora da Conceição Church: the main church of the town, with a terrace over the river
• A river cruise: a boat trip on the Guadiana, which forms the border with Spain
• Sanlúcar de Guadiana: the Spanish village on the opposite bank

Good to know: Alcoutim is in the northeast of the Algarve, about 1 hour from Tavira by car (estimated).

All suggestions are optional.

Suggestion for the day: A Portuguese Cooking Class

• A traditional dish: cataplana, the seafood stew cooked in a copper pan, or caldeirada, a fish stew
• Portuguese pastry: pastel de nata, the custard tart
• Algarve sweets: almond and fig sweets, a local specialty

Good to know: classes are optional and carry an additional cost. Ask the Portugal Getaways team to add one when you book. With a kitchenette in your accommodation, you can cook the dish again afterwards.

All suggestions are optional.

Suggestion for the day: Algarve Wine

Visit a local winery, see how the wine is made and taste the wines of the Algarve. You can go on your own or book a guided tour with the Portugal Getaways team.

• Wineries to look for: Cabrita Wines, Quinta dos Vales, Quinta do Francês

Good to know: if you taste wine, choose a designated driver, since the rental car is yours for the day.

All suggestions are optional.

Drive back to Lisbon on the A2 motorway, about 3 hours, and check in to your hotel for the last night. The car stays with you until the next day.

Suggestion for the day: Your Last Evening

• Praça do Comércio: a large square on the river, with arches and cafes
• The riverfront: a walk along the Tagus at sunset
• A farewell dinner: a Portuguese restaurant in the center

Good to know: tolls on the A2 are not included in the rental car.

All suggestions are optional.