Tour The Algarve From West To East

Others

Route notes and maps. Luggage transfers. Selection of walks each day.

Accommodation

You’ll stay in two hotels of contrasting styles: in Sagres, sitting on the cliffs above the Atlantic Ocean, is the modern boutique 4-Star Memmo Baleeria, and heading east in Tavira is the 4-Star Pousada de Tavira, a former C16 convent, which has now been tastefully converted into a lovely hotel.

Meals

All breakfasts and 1 evening meal. 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.

Not included:

Others

— Travel insurance — Single accommodation (available on request - compulsory supplement) — Solo traveller supplement (where only one person is travelling on a departure date) — Car hire (if booking a land only package, available at a supplement) — Visas and vaccinations

Insurance

Insurance is not included. Travel insurance is required for this tour. Please make sure you are adequately covered. If you require travel insurance, TourRadar has partnered up with World Nomads to provide a hassle-free experience. More information can be found here (http://www.tourradar.com/travel-insurance).

Optional

Optional experiences are available on this tour for an additional cost and will be provided to you with your finalised travel documents.

Flights

As we have travellers from all over the world, flights before and after the tour are not included in the tour price and you need to arrange these separately by yourself once your tour is guaranteed. As we specialise in organising the best tours around the world for you, we are unable to advise on flight prices or book flights on your behalf. We recommend that you do not book your flights until your place on the tour has been confirmed. Check out the following link which is powered by Skyscanner to book your flight - https://flights.tourradar.com

Transport

Group B air-conditioned hire car is included for travel to and from the hotel when booking flight inclusive packages.

Guide

As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader.

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Arrive In Faro (Dinner)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Arrive In Faro (Dinner)

Drive to Sagres, the beautiful coastal town where you will spend the first four nights. (Staying at Memmo Baleeira)
Day 2 Day 2: Bordeira And The Beach (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Bordeira And The Beach (Breakfast)

From picturesque Bordeira, a valley trail takes you through eucalyptus and giant reeds to the cliff tops above the vast expanse of Bordeira Beach with its impressive sand dunes. The views are breathtaking! Descend to the beach, where you’ll walk along the crashing surf to explore the dunes and meandering river estuary. Your return is along a sandy trail through the scented pine forest of Bordalete and the floodplain of the Bordeira River where bell-toting cattle graze lazily. (Staying at Memmo Baleeira)
Day 3 Day 3: Aljezur And The Amoreira Cliff-Top Loop (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Aljezur And The Amoreira Cliff-Top Loop (Breakfast)

A short but spectacular walk to two of the Algarve’s most varied beaches and their unique rock formations sculpted by the Atlantic. Stroll through peaceful valleys and pine forest to reach the flower-strewn coast. Descend to Carruagem Beach with its swirling rock ridges and rock pools. Then take the sandy cliff trail to Amoreira Beach, one of the finest sweeps of shoreline in the region. After your walk, head to Aljezur to wander the cobbled streets and visit the ruins of the Moorish hilltop castle for superb views. (Staying at Memmo Baleeira)
Day 4 Day 4: Odeceixe And The Fishermen’S Coastal Trail (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Odeceixe And The Fishermen’S Coastal Trail (Breakfast)

Just over the border in the Alentejo is the attractive village of Odeceixe. You set off on the Rota Vicentina Pilgrims’ Trail alongside the irrigation canal. Reaching the Atlantic, head along the wild and rugged coastline on the stunning Fishermen’s Trail to the beautiful beach of Odeceixe - one of the most photographed in Portugal. Head back to Odeceixe alongside the river and through meadows to explore its narrow cobbled streets and tempting cafes. (Staying at Memmo Baleeira)
Day 5 Day 5: Heading East (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Heading East (Breakfast)

Today you make your way to Tavira, your base for the next three nights. Choose to do a walk en route or visit one of the interesting villages or towns. Monchique or Lagos are both worth a visit, the small village of Saint Luzia near Tavira is famous for octopus restaurants or head to Tavira for lunch and explore the town in the afternoon. (Staying at Pousada de Tavira)
Day 6 Day 6: A Walk Along The Guadiana (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: A Walk Along The Guadiana (Breakfast)

You head east, maybe stopping at the town of Alcoutim with its 14th century castle and small international ferry! Then to Laranjeiras, where the walk begins along the banks of the Guadiana River, passing pretty white villages and almond and olive groves. You’ll climb between holm oaks and stone pines to a wonderful picnic spot. It’s then on through the Laranjeiras ravine full of tamarisks, lavender and carob trees, spotting golden orioles as we go. (Staying at Pousada de Tavira)
Day 7 Day 7: Don Quixote Trail (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Don Quixote Trail (Breakfast)

A longer walk today, which is packed with interest and contrasting scenery and sights - first following the river through orchards and vineyards, then passing through cork oaks, cistus and pine plantations, to reach a wonderful view point over the Odeleite River. Heading down to the river there is a lovely picnic site to enjoy a break. Following on passing holm oaks and two windmills is evidence to the life in the area known as the Serra. (Staying at Pousada de Tavira)
Day 8 Day 8: Leave Tavira (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Leave Tavira (Breakfast)

It is a 35-minute drive back to Faro airport. Note: This is an idea of your itinerary; we have more walks for you to follow in our notes. Our Algarve representatives will explain everything at your welcome briefing. You can easily add extra nights in either hotel or shorten the holiday if you like.

8 days tour

The Algarve From West To East

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip The Algarve From West To East

Day 1: Arrive In Faro (Dinner)

Day 2: Bordeira And The Beach (Breakfast)

Day 3: Aljezur And The Amoreira Cliff-Top Loop (Breakfast)

Day 4: Odeceixe And The Fishermen’S Coastal Trail (Breakfast)

Day 5: Heading East (Breakfast)

Day 6: A Walk Along The Guadiana (Breakfast)

Day 7: Don Quixote Trail (Breakfast)

Day 8: Leave Tavira (Breakfast)

Experience Style

Accomodation level

Experience Type

Physical Rating

Age range

Who talk about us:

Best cities to travel to

America

Europe

Asia

Africa

Oceania