The Algarve 3 Days Itinerary – Your perfect road trip

Enjoy the most of this stunning area with our Algarve 3 days itinerary

After visiting the Algarve we can not imagine a better long European weekend getaway. In just a couple of days, we visited historic sites, wandered through cute towns, enjoyed numerous beaches, and went on hikes along the stunning Algarve coast.

Of course, like any destination: the more time the better.

But what if you want to add the Algarve to your Portugal trip or you just want to enjoy a long weekend away, is 3 days in the Algarve enough?

3 Days in the Algarve gives you just enough time for a road trip to Faro, Tavira and Praia da Falésia on the first day. Hiking along the 7 Hanging Valleys Trail and a Benagil Cave tour on day two. Day 3 a walk from Lagos to Ponta da Piedade with a tour along the west coast beaches in the afternoon.

We know it sounds like a busy itinerary. We have added some suggestions to modify this itinerary in case you want to take things slightly slower.

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The Algarve 3-day itinerary

This Algarve 3-day itinerary can only be done in 3 full days, so late arrival the day before or early arrival on the first day for the best start. A car is the easiest way to get around and to save time.

Day 1 Faro – Tavira – Praia da Falésia – Carvoeiro

📸 Faro

After pick-up of your rental car, we head for our first stop: Faro, the Algarve’s capital city. Faro City is filled with beautiful cobbled streets, churches, and cafes.

The old town (Cidade Velha) surrounded by medieval walls is especially worth the visit. It’s a small area that you can explore for 2 hours or so.

You can enter the old town through the neo-classical Arco de Vila. The Arco de Vila was built in 1812 during the period when Faro was rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake that destroyed many parts of the Algarve.

Another important city highlight is the Igreja de Santa Maria (also known as the Church of Faro) along Largo Da Sé. The cathedral dates back to 1251 but was also heavily destroyed in the 1755 earthquake.

Now stands a cathedral with Renaissance, Gothic, and Baroque features. It is assumed that it was once the location of a Roman temple, a Visigoth temple (those who invaded the Roman Empire in the 3rd and 5th centuries AD), and a Moorish mosque.

If you have time to spare head to the Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Carmo & Capela dos Ossos. It’s a 15-minute walk just outside the walls of the old town of Faro.

This church is mainly known for the Chapel of Bones and Skulls (Capela dos Ossos) located in the garden at the back of the beautiful church. The chapel is made entirely of the remains of over 1000 skulls and bones as a reminder that life is momentary.

The entrance fee is 2 euros

Opening hours Capela dos Ossos:

• Monday to Friday: 10:00 to 13:00 and 15:00 – 17:30
• Saturday: 10:00 to 13:00
• Sunday Closed

🚘 Faro – Taviro: 35 minutes

📸 Tavira

Tavira is considered one of the prettiest towns in the Algarve with the Gilão rivers running right through.

To fully enjoy Tavira, stroll through the tiny cobblestone streets with tiled houses, cross its two bridges, and climb up the tower for a beautiful view.

The Tavira Castle is set on the highest point in town and was an important fort for the Moors.

Unfortunately, like many sights in the Algarve, it was severely damaged in the 1755 earthquake. So what you see today is mostly reconstructions of the 17th century.

You can climb up to take in the view. Other beautiful sights nearby are the Igreja de Santa Maria do Castelo and the Palacio da Galeria.

Once you have arrived in Tavira head to the old part of town, where you can find the highlights such as the Tavira castle with its nearby churches.

From there walk towards the river, and cross the famous Ponta Roma (Roman Bridge) for beautiful views. This bridge used to be an important crossing of the river in medieval times. The current bridge which is for pedestrians only was built in 1667.

🚘 Taviro – Praia da Falésia: 50 minutes

⛱ Praia da Falésia

Praia da Falésia is a stunning beach that you don’t want to miss. It is located in the overdeveloped tourist destination of Albufeira. While we recommend avoiding this part of the Algarve, this long-stretched beach is worth the stop. Somehow it doesn’t seem to be overcrowded.

The soft sand and the calm waves make it an ideal beach for swimming. The red rocky cliffs set along the beach are a stunning sight.

The cliffs at Praia da Falésia in the Algarve were formed over millions of years. The initial layers of sediment accumulated on the ocean floor. Over time these layers were hardened into sedimentary rock. Due to tectonic movements and sea level changes, the land was pushed causing the coastline to shift.

Erosion and wind eventually shaped the landscape revealing the colorful sedimentary rock layers.

If it isn’t real beach weather, we still recommend heading that way too. You can walk endlessly on this 8km beach.

🚘 Praia da Falésia – Carvoeiro: 45 minutes

🏨 Carvoeiro

Once you arrive at Carvoeiro head to your hotel and enjoy a nice dinner. If time permits and the sun has not set yet, head to Algar Seco for beautiful panoramic views.

Day 2 Carvoeiro – Praia da Marinha – Lagos

📸 Carvoeiro

On the second day, after breakfast head to Carvoeiro beach. After admiring the beach climb the stairs on the East side. If you follow the road up (don’t forget to look back for nice views of Carvoeiro), you will eventually arrive at the beginning of the wooden boardwalk.

Carvoeiro boardwalk

The boardwalk takes you along the coastline, providing stunning cliffs and ocean views. At the end of the boardwalk walk you will find Algar Seco, one of the highlights of Carvoeiro. This natural sight of rock formations is formed through water and wind erosion over millions of years.

There are paths leading along the limestone caves, pools, and rocks with high content of marine invertebrate fossils.

Algar Seco

We enjoyed exploring all corners of Algar Seco, often ending with amazing ocean views. As you can imagine it can get extremely busy during the high season. If so, be careful when exploring the unfenced areas.

A small tunnel at Algar Seco takes you to ‘Aboneca’ cave, meaning doll. It is a little cave with two openings facing the ocean. To be honest, I immediately thought it looked more like a skull.

But apparently, from the ocean, this stone formation with the two openings (as in eyes) looks very much like a doll. Hence the name.

Either way, it is a perfect place for a picture. The tunnel to the small cave is narrow so expect to stand in line, as people pose for the perfect picture. If the queue is too long, don’t worry if you miss out. There are many other amazing photo opportunities at Algar Seco.

🚘 Carvoeiro – Praia da Marinha: 14 minutes

🥾Hike the 7 Hanging Valleys Trail until Benagil

The Seven Hanging Valleys Trail (Setes Vales) is one of the most popular hikes in the Algarve. It lies between Praia da Marinha and Praia do Vale de Centianes and can be done both ways.

During the 6km hike, you will come across beaches, potholes, caves, and headlands while passing places such as Praia Benagil, Praia do Carvalho, and the Alfanzina Lighthouse.

It isn’t a circular hike, so you need to walk the same way back to return to your car. There are signs along the way leading you in the right direction.

For this itinerary, we suggest starting at Praia da Marinha for two main reasons:

• the parking area is pretty big here
• you can enjoy the amazing Marinha beach at the end of the hike

Since time is short, we also recommend walking half of the trail. If you stop at Benagil or Praia do Carvalho you can add a Benagil Cave Tour during your hike plus you have enough time to enjoy Praia da Marinha.

For avid hikers, we highly suggest doing the entire 7 Hanging Valleys trail hike. It reflects the beauty of the stunning ochre cliffs the Algarve is known for.

🚤 Benagil Cave Tours from Benagil Beach

The Benagil Cave is one of the most famous sea caves in the Algarve. It is only accessible by water. There is a beach in the cave which will appear depending on the tides.

The lighting, the different shades of yellow, and the small beach make this a magical place that attracts A LOT of people. Some come by kayak tour, others by boat.

A boat tour will take you to this popular cave but also to other sea caves and deserted beaches.

In the low season, you can walk up to the booths at the entrance of the beach to purchase a ticket. In summer it can get busier, so it is wise to arrange a tour in advance online.

Plan to need about 1h15m for the hike from Praia da Marinha to Benagil beach.

Hiking along the 7 Hanging Valleys Trail until Benagil together with an express 30-minute Benagil Cave boat trip is a perfect combo.

⛱ Praia da Marinha

Praia da Marinha has been listed among the most beautiful beaches in the world. Not sure if it is the most beautiful for us, but we have to agree…..

It is stunning.

The bright yellow-ochre cliffs and the various rock formations in and along the water make this beach unique.

The soft sand is fun for kids to play on, while the water is crystal clear and refreshing. We spent a whole afternoon here.

🚘 Praia da Marinha to Lagos: 40 minutes

🏨 Lagos

After check-in at your accommodation, head to Lagos old town where you will find many nice local restaurants for dinner. The town is nicely lit at night making it pretty to walk around.

Day 3 Lagos – West Coast Beaches – Sagres

🥾Lago to Ponta da Piedade

On the third day, walk through Lagos and its waterfront in the morning. Lagos has played an important role in the past. It was the base for maritime expeditions in the 15th century, it has a dark history in the slave trade, forts were built to protect the city from pirates and raiders and it has a rich cultural history.

Once you have explored this beautiful town head towards the south. You will pass the medieval caste Castelo de Lagos and the stronghold Forta da Ponta da Bandeira.

Further along, you will pass several beaches: Praia da Batata and Praia dos Estudantes.

Lagos Boardwalk

Continue walking until you arrive at a little street on the right called R. José Formosinho. It will lead you to a wooden boardwalk that the Lagos government completed at the beginning of 2024.

The boardwalk will take you along the coastline all the way to Punta da Piedade, the destination of this morning’s walk.

There are stairs and sometimes the boardwalk suddenly ends and reappears again in the distance. Just keep following and you will be treated to magnificent views. You will also pass the beautiful sandy beaches of Praia Dona Ana and Praia do Camilo.

You can take the stairs down to check these popular beaches out and perhaps even go for a quick swim if the weather permits.

Ponta da Piedade

It’s about a 1hour walk from Lagos to Ponta da Piedade, including taking little detours to take pictures from the many headlands.

Ponta da Piedade (Point of Mercy) is another impressive headland with rock formations (up to 20m high) emerging from the water.

It is extraordinary how the wind and water erosion have created the many arches and caves in the yellow-ochre cliffs.

And even today the rocks are still changing. When we were there a beach was closed because a huge part of the cliff wall had collapsed.

The Ponta da Piedade is a must-visit when in Lagos. Not only did we think Ponta da Piedade was an amazing sight, but we particularly liked the hike to this highlight. The best part was taking in the different views and exploring the different rock formations along the way.

There is a parking lot at Ponta da Piedade but we suggest going on foot from Lagos.

🚘 Lagos – West Coast Beaches

After returning from Punta da Piedada, it’s time to hop in the car and drive to the beaches set along the western coast of the Algarve.

The beaches on this side of the Atlantic Ocean are quite different compared to what we have seen earlier. They are wider, and known for their waves. The beaches that we visited looked pretty dramatic.

On our trip, we chose Praira da Bodaira and Praia da Cordoama. We suggest choosing two as well so you can get a good impression of the diversity of the Algarve beaches.

Praia da Bodaira is a wide far-stretched beach. A dirt trail takes you along the nice green vegetation towards a headland to a boardwalk. You can follow this boardwalk to see the spectacular waves crashing into the cliff walls.

Praia da Cordoama is known for its black stoned cliffs. It is an unusual sight to see the layers of rock neatly stacked. The tall cliffs looming over the beach are very impressive and we thought this was one of the nicest beaches to walk along.

At both beaches, we had lots of wind, and some rain, but we had sunshine as well. In the winter months, the weather can change in minutes here.

In the summer these beaches attract fewer people. The wide beaches offer enough space even in the high season.

🚘 West Coast Beaches – Lighthouse Cabo de São Vicente: 30 min.

📸 Cabo de São Vicente

Cabo de São Vicente is a headland and is the southwestern point of mainland Europe. In the past, this was the western tip of the known world. Some even referred to this headland as the end of the world.

The Greeks and Romans considered this place as a sacred place. We can imagine why since no one knew yet what was beyond the ocean.

The lighthouse that stands tall at the edge of the cliff, is one of the most powerful lighthouses in Europe and guides the ships along one of the busiest shipping lanes.

To enjoy the sunset it is best to go towards the end of the day.

From Cabo de São Vicente it’s just a 10 minutes drive to Sagres. Sagres is a small town and today it is popular among the surfing community. But this little town is also a great place to end the day with a nice dinner before continuing your journey back home or to another beautiful destination in Portugal.

The Algarve 3-day itinerary modifications

If you don’t have that much time or you don’t want to rush things then we suggest:

Day 1: choose two destinations only instead of three

Day 2: Book a Benagil Cave Tour from Carvoeiro instead of Benagil Beach. Once back decide if you want to do the 7 Hanging Valleys Hike or enjoy a beach day at Praia da Marinha.

Day 3: Choose the west coast beaches that are the easiest to reach such as Praia da Cordoama and Praia do Castelejo. From there decide if you have enough time to visit Cabo de São Vicente and Sagres.

Or if you did two destinations on the first day but want to do the one you skipped, then do this straight after the Ponta da Piedada walk. Only if you head home from Faro airport of course.

We think this Algarve 3-day itinerary will give you the best impression of the diverse and magnificent coast and towns that this area of Portugal is known for.

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More than just 3 days in the Algarve?

There is so much to see and experience in the southernmost region of Portugal. As you can expect, we can easily spend more than just 3 days in the Algarve.

By adding two more days you can do things at a slower pace, enjoy more gorgeous beaches, and visit other villages such as the fishing village Farragudo and Silves, a town known for its beautiful red castle.

To fully experience the Algarve we recommend going at least one week.

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The best time to do the Algarve 3-day itinerary

The best time to go to the Algarve depends on what you wish to do. If want to enjoy water activities and their stunning cliff beaches to the fullest, then the summer is a good time to go. Hikers, beach lovers, and city hoppers would love the Algarve in spring, autumn, and winter.

Each season has its pros and cons. Especially, if you are in the Algarve for just 3 days.

In the summer chances of nice weather are much higher plus it will be light till 9pm giving you more time to explore.

But it gets busy during the summer making parking more difficult in the towns and at beaches.

This isn’t the case in the other months when you can explore freely without the big crowds. Additionally, the Algarve is a perfect destination for an active holiday from October until May for its mild temperatures. In late spring and autumn, you even can swim in the stunning water.

However, the days are much shorter making it less attractive to enjoy the beaches in the late afternoon.

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Best way to get around the Algarve 3-day itinerary

There is no way around it. The best way to get around the Algarve is by car, especially if you are there for just a short time.

The car is flexible. It takes you from the best beaches and to little towns where there is limited public transportation. Plus you can go whenever you are ready, no need to wait for the next bus or train to arrive.

There are dozens of car rental companies at Faro Airport. We chose the cheapest one. Price wise it was convenient, but it took us much longer to pick it up and drop it off.

The office was just outside the airport so we had to wait for the shuttle bus to take us there. When returning the car we made sure we had extra time because we weren’t sure if the shuttle bus would take us to the airport straight away.

So to save time we recommend paying a bit more for a pick-up and drop-off near the airport.

Don’t want to drive? Then you can choose to move around by train or bus.

Trains run along the major cities such as Lagos and Faro, just like the buses. The Flixbus is very cheap. It’s just 4 euro one way.

Trainline is an excellent website for checking train timetables and booking a ticket. They even suggest cheaper alternatives such as the Flixbus.

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How to get to the Algarve

Depending on where you are coming from, there are various ways to get to the Algarve.

Our itinerary starts at Faro. But if you are coming from Lisbon, then you can do it the other way around. In this case, you start your Algarve 3 days itinerary in Lagos.

So what is the best way to get to the Algarve:

Fly to Faro the Algarve

The Algarve has an international airport in Faro and many airlines offer direct flights to the capital city of southern Portugal’s Algarve region. There are many car rental companies here so it’s a great starting point for a road trip.

By car from Spain to Faro

Faro is just a 2h15min drive from Sevilla, a beautiful city in Spain. Many tours operate day trips from Faro to Sevilla and vice versa. So if you happen to be touring around Spain, then you might consider heading to the Algarve for 3 days.

By car from Lisbon to Lagos

If you have already rented a car for your Portugal trip then it would be a 3 hours drive from Lisbon to Lagos. You can do the Algarve 3-day itinerary the other way around, so starting in Lagos and ending in Faro.

You can also choose to start in Faro. This will be an additional 1-hour drive.

By train from Lisbon to Lagos

Another popular way to get to the Algarve from Lisbon is by train. The trains run pretty frequently and take 4h25min. You will need to change trains in Tunes.

Train fares vary from €32 to €50, depending on the time you want to go.

When booking double-check from which station the train is leaving. Lisbon has two train stations. Santa Apolonia is in the old town and Oriente is in the city center.

By Bus from Lisbon to Lagos

There are two bus services from Lisbon to Lagos: Rede Expressos and Flixbus. They are cheaper than the train and take about 4 hours.

Like the train, the earlier you book the cheaper the tickets will be. In the high season the buses tend to sell out quickly, so make sure you book in time.

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Best places to stay for the Algarve 3-day itinerary

Accommodation in Carvoeiro

Carvoeiro is a popular town set along a beach. The many restaurants and bars provide enough entertainment for the big holiday crowd in the summer. In the winter, it seems to be the place where retirees enjoy the Portugal sun.

We have written an extensive post on things to do in Carvoeiro. Here we also included a longer list of great places to stay.

We highly suggest sticking close to town if you are only staying one night.

Casa Coral – this cute apartment is located in town and just 3 minutes from Carvoeiro Beach. You can enjoy the view of the beach from this accommodation. Restaurants and shops are just around the corner.

Casa Ocean – this bright and clean one-bedroom apartment is within walking distance from all the Carvoeiro has to offer. There is an onsite parking garage, so no hassle with finding a parking space.

Villa Welwitshia – this complex is located further away from town (5 minutes walk) making it ideal if you don’t want to stay within the heavy crowd that Carvoeiro attracts during the summer months. The private rooms are spacious and have all the amenities you need. The terrace overlooks a nice garden. Free parking is available.

Accommodation in Lagos

Lagos is an excellent base to explore the nearby highlights of the western Algarve. Its old town offers enough little streets to wander around, drink coffee, and enjoy a nice dinner.

Since you are only staying one night in Lagos we again suggest finding a place in the old town so you can easily discover this lovely town from your accommodation.

Lalitana Townhouse – This beautiful accommodation is located in the old-town Lagos, making it an ideal place if you are there for such a short time. From here you can easily explore the little streets of Lagos, and enjoy breakfast and dinner. It is located near the beaches as well. The top floor has a nice rooftop terrace.

HENRI’S APARTMENTS – Pateo de Santo António – At Henri’s Apartments you can choose from various themed rooms. All of them are beautifully styled with care. There is an out- and indoor pool and private paid parking available in their garage. It is located just outside town and close to the beaches.

Carvi Beach Hotel – This hotel is huge and it is located right next to the famous beach Praia de Dona Ana. We would normally not recommend this type of hotel, but if you are traveling during the off-season then it is a great option. The location, the breakfast, and the easy free parking are a huge bonus when staying here.

Accommodation in Faro

Faro has a lot of charming places to stay in its old town. However many of them do not have parking available. Therefore when looking for accommodation we highly recommend those that offer parking options.

You will soon notice that there isn’t a large selection. However, we highly recommend checking these out:

A Casa do Tenente – is set in a historical building in the old town of Faro. It is simple yet tastefully decorated. The high ceiling and large wooden door opening up to a small terrace make this a very charming place to stay. There is a shared kitchen and courtyard. Some rooms come with an ensuite bathroom while others have a private bathroom just outside their room.

Skyline Blue Dream – Looking for accommodation with a view? At this apartment, you can enjoy your breakfast looking over Faro city and the ocean in the distance. The apartment is nicely decorated, the rooms are big and it has free parking. Restaurants and the sights in the old town are within walking distance.

Faro Downtown Studios – This beautifully designed studio is a treat to stay in. The little details in the interior make this accommodation stand out from the others. Additionally, it is ideally located in the city center of Faro. Unfortunately, there is no private parking area available. Alternatively, you can park at Largo de Sao Pedro or Rua Serpa Pinto.

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Conclusion: the Algarve 3 days itinerary

We hope we have given you a good idea of how to spend your 3 days in the Algarve, especially for those visiting this part of Portugal for the first time. As mentioned earlier, it is a jam-packed itinerary. But luckily distances are not too far and you can always change the itinerary along the way.

In the end, the main thing is that you enjoy your time there and don’t feel rushed. The best things we experienced in the Algarve were the moments of sitting at the beach or standing on top of a cliff and taking in the spectacular yellow-ochre-colored rock formations together with the amazing blue-colored ocean.

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