Algarve Itinerary: 7 Days from Tavira to Sagres

Seven days is the perfect amount of time to see the best of the Algarve: golden cliffs and sea caves, whitewashed villages, the wild west coast, island beaches and a taste of the hills. Here’s our 7-day Algarve itinerary, from east to west.

Quick answer: spend 2 nights in Tavira (islands and the Ria Formosa), 3 nights in Carvoeiro (Benagil, Marinha, the Seven Hanging Valleys) and 2 nights in Lagos (Ponta da Piedade, Sagres and the west coast). Hire a car at Faro airport; the A22 motorway across the Algarve is now toll-free.

The route at a glance

The whole route covers roughly 200km of driving over the week, and no single drive is longer than about an hour and a half. Moving east to west means you start somewhere calm and finish with the drama of the cliffs and Cape St Vincent. If your flight home is early, swap the order and end in Tavira, which is only 30 minutes from the airport.

• Faro airport to Tavira: about 30 minutes.
• Tavira to Carvoeiro: about 1 hour on the A22.
• Carvoeiro to Lagos: about 35 minutes.
• Lagos to Sagres: about 35 minutes.
• Lagos to Faro airport: about 1 hour.

Days 1–2: Tavira and the east

• Day 1: arrive at Faro and drive 30 minutes to Tavira. Evening stroll over the old bridge and dinner by the river.
• Day 2: ferry to Ilha de Tavira, or walk to Praia do Barril and its anchor cemetery. Sunset at Cacela Velha.

On day 2, catch an early ferry from Quatro Águas, which runs all year (in summer boats also leave from the town centre). Spend the morning on the sand, then head back for lunch and climb to the castle ruins for views over Tavira’s rooftops. Cacela Velha is a 20-minute drive east, a tiny whitewashed village on a bluff above the lagoon. Arrive an hour before sunset to find a parking space.

See Tavira and the eastern Algarve and the best hotels in Tavira.

Days 3–5: Carvoeiro and the central coast

• Day 3: drive west (about 1 hour), stopping at Faro old town or Loulé market. Afternoon on Carvoeiro’s boardwalk to Algar Seco.
• Day 4: morning boat or guided kayak to Benagil cave, then Praia da Marinha and the Seven Hanging Valleys trail.
• Day 5: inland to Silves castle and the mountains of Monchique, or a beach day and Ferragudo for dinner.

Loulé market is busiest on Saturday mornings, when a big outdoor market joins the covered hall, so time day 3 around it if you can. In Faro, park outside the walls and walk in through the Arco da Vila. The Carvoeiro boardwalk to Algar Seco is short, about 15 to 20 minutes each way, and best in the late afternoon light.

Day 4 is the busiest day. Book the boat or kayak for the first slot of the morning, when the sea is usually calmest. Since August 2024, nobody may swim to the Benagil cave or land on its beach, and kayaks may only go in with a licensed guide. Afterwards, the Seven Hanging Valleys trail runs about 5.7km one way between Praia da Marinha and Vale Centeanes. Walk part of it and come back, or arrange a taxi at the other end.

On day 5, Silves castle takes about an hour. From there, it’s around 30 minutes up to Monchique and the viewpoint at Fóia, the Algarve’s highest point at 902m. Try the local medronho spirit and the cured ham before you drive back down.

See things to do in Carvoeiro, Benagil Cave and Monchique and Silves.

Days 6–7: Lagos and the west

• Day 6: Lagos: Ponta da Piedade by boat or kayak, Praia Dona Ana and the old town.
• Day 7: Sagres and the sunset at Cape St Vincent, or the wild beaches of the Costa Vicentina. Fly home from Faro (about an hour).

In Lagos, boat trips to Ponta da Piedade leave from the marina and the riverfront and usually last about an hour. You can also walk the clifftop boardwalks from the old town to the lighthouse in about 40 minutes. The wooden stairs down to Praia do Camilo have been closed since storm damage in the winter of 2025–26, so view it from above. For dinner, see the best restaurants in Lagos.

If you fly home on day 7 and still want Sagres, go in the morning: Sagres fortress and the cliffs take a couple of hours, and Cape St Vincent is 10 minutes further on. Allow about 1 hour 20 minutes from Sagres to Faro airport, plus time to return the car.

See things to do in Lagos and Sagres.

Without a car

The coastal train links Vila Real de Santo António, Tavira, Faro and Lagos. Since 19 July 2026 the whole line has been electric, and many (but not all) trains run straight through from one end to the other. Base yourself in Tavira and Lagos, and use boat trips and tours for Benagil. See Algarve boat trips.

Faro to Tavira takes about 35 to 40 minutes by train and Faro to Lagos roughly 1.5 to 2 hours. Fewer trains now need a change in Faro, but check the CP timetable: trains run about hourly between Faro and Vila Real de Santo António, but only about every two hours between Faro and Lagos. Coming from Lisbon by train, change at Tunes for Lagos. The airport is about 15 minutes by bus or taxi from Faro station.

Tips

• Book boats in the morning, when the sea is calmest.
• Arrive early at Marinha and Benagil to find parking.
• Swap in a day trip to Seville if you like. See day trips from the Algarve.
• Book accommodation early for July and August, when the best places in Tavira, Carvoeiro and Lagos fill months ahead.
• Pack for the wind at Sagres and Cape St Vincent. Even on a hot day it can feel cool at sunset.
• Mondays: some museums and monuments close, so check before planning a sightseeing day.

Is the Algarve worth visiting?

Yes, especially for beaches, boat trips, coastal walks, golf and family holidays. For a more authentic feel, choose Lagos, Tavira or a fishing village over the busiest resort strips. Avoid August if you dislike crowds.

Why the Algarve is worth it

• Beaches: coves, cliffs and endless sand. See the best Algarve beaches.
• Sea caves: Benagil and Ponta da Piedade. See Algarve boat trips.
• Walks: the Seven Hanging Valleys. See the trail.
• Sunshine: mild winters and hot summers. See the best time to visit.
• Families: calm beaches, resorts and water parks. See the Algarve with kids.

The downsides

• Overdevelopment in parts of the central Algarve.
• August crowds and high prices.
• A car helps: public transport is limited. See getting around the Algarve.
• Atlantic water: cooler than the Mediterranean.

Choosing where to stay

See where to stay in the Algarve and east vs west Algarve.

How many days do you need in the Algarve?

4 to 7 days is ideal. With 3 days, base yourself in one area, such as Lagos or Albufeira, and do a boat trip to the sea caves. With a week, split your time between the west (cliffs and coves) and the east (Tavira and the Ria Formosa), or add Sagres and the wild west coast.

What you can do

• 3 days: one base, beaches and a Benagil boat trip. See 3 days in the Algarve.
• 5 days: add Sagres or Tavira.
• 7 days: see the whole coast. See the 7-day Algarve itinerary.
• 10 days or more: add the Costa Vicentina, Monchique and Seville.

Choosing a base

See where to stay in the Algarve and east vs west Algarve.

Getting around

A car makes it easy to explore. See getting around the Algarve.

FAQ

Is a week enough for the Algarve?

Yes. Seven days lets you see the east, the central cliffs and the west without rushing, as long as you stick to two or three bases. Add three or four days if you also want the Costa Vicentina or Monchique.

Do you need a car for this itinerary?

It makes life much easier, as Benagil, Praia da Marinha, Cacela Velha and Sagres are hard to reach by public transport. Without one, base yourself in Tavira and Lagos, use the train between them and book boat trips for the caves.

Can you swim into Benagil cave?

No. Since August 2024 you can’t swim to the cave or land on its beach, and kayaks may only go in with a licensed guide. Boats can only stay inside for about two minutes, so the coast around it matters as much as the cave.

When is the best time for a week in the Algarve?

May, June, September and early October bring warm weather, calmer seas for boat trips and fewer crowds than August. Winter is mild, but December is usually the wettest month and some boat trips and restaurants close. See the best time to visit the Algarve.

More: where to stay in the Algarve and the best Algarve beaches.

From our sister blog: Our 7-day Algarve road trip itinerary on Sunset Travellers.

See also: the best tours in the Algarve.

Prices and details change, so please double-check before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Tell us in the groups.