Five slow days, coast to coast
Five days is enough to feel the Algarve change beneath you — from the wind-hammered west to the soft tidal east. The trick is to move only twice: three nights in or near Lagos, two in Tavira. Let each coast set its own pace.
This is the route for people who'd rather eat well, walk a cliff path, and read on a quiet beach than tick off sights.
Day 1
Land in Lagos
- Settle in the old town; an easy first swim at Praia Dona Ana.
- Evening walk to Ponta da Piedade for the low light.
Local tip — Don't over-plan day one. Jet lag plus a long drive west is a bad combination.
Read up:LagosDay 2
The wild west
- Drive to Carrapateira; walk the Bordeira loop above the empty beach.
- Surf or watch the surf at Amado; lunch at a beach shack.
- Sunset at Cabo de São Vicente on the way back.
Local tip — Fill the tank before heading west — services are sparse out there.
Day 3
Central cliffs, then shift east
- Walk the Seven Hanging Valleys trail to Praia da Marinha; swim the cove.
- Lunch of cataplana, shared, near the coast.
- Drive east in the late afternoon to your Tavira base.
Local tip — Order the cataplana for two and don't fill up on the bread basket first.
Day 4
Tavira and the lagoon
- Cross the Roman bridge; count the tiled churches at an easy pace.
- Ferry to Ilha de Tavira for a long, calm-water afternoon.
- Dinner of clams à bulhão pato and grilled tuna.
Local tip — Walk ten minutes from the ferry landing for an empty stretch of island.
Read up:TaviraDay 5
Market morning, slow goodbye
- Early at Olhão's waterfront market — the best fish hall in the region.
- A last lagoon swim, or coffee in Cacela Velha over the water.
Local tip — Markets are best and freshest before 10am, especially on Saturdays.