09 Jul Algarve Route System: The Best 5, 7, 9 & 14 Day Algarve Road Trip Itineraries
Wondering how many days you need in the Algarve? Here’s exactly how I’d plan a 5, 7, 9 or 14-day road trip based on my own experience driving across southern Portugal.
When I first booked my trip to the Algarve, it was for a rather unusual reason.
At the time, Wizz Air had just launched a direct route to Faro, and the airfare was unbelievably cheap compared to flights to Lisbon or Porto. The hotel prices looked good, renting a car was affordable, and everything simply fell into place.
So, I thought, “Why not?”
I had heard so many people talking about the Algarve that I wanted to see what all the fuss was about.
To be honest, I arrived with a very specific expectation. Just like before visiting Tenerife, everything I had seen online suggested that the Algarve was mainly a beach destination. Beautiful coastline, impressive cliffs, turquoise water… and not much else.
If you’ve already read my 11 Days in Algarve, Portugal — Honest Impressions After a Road Trip Through Algarve article, you’ll probably remember that I wrote something surprising at the end of that article.
Unlike Tenerife, I didn’t immediately feel that overwhelming desire to come back.
That feeling hasn’t completely changed. And yet, something unexpected happened.
It has now been two months since we returned, and I find myself thinking about the Algarve more often. I think about the incredible food, the beaches, the small towns we visited, and all the places we simply didn’t have enough time to see.
Looking back now, I almost regret staying only eleven days.
If I could do the trip again, I would probably add another three days without thinking twice.
The funny part is that I originally chose eleven days for a very practical reason.
Those were simply the cheapest flight dates available. Flying into Faro cost only a fraction of what we would have paid for Lisbon, so the decision practically made itself.
Now that I know the region much better, I see it completely differently.
There are restaurants I’d happily return to, beaches I’d love to spend another afternoon on, and several villages that never made it into our original itinerary.
That’s exactly why I decided to write this guide.
Why I Created These Algarve Itineraries
Almost every travel guide I write starts with the same philosophy.
In an ideal world, you would spend as much time as possible in every destination.
Unfortunately, that’s not how real-life works.
Most people don’t have the luxury of taking 10, 11, 14 or even 20-day holidays. Work, family and everyday life usually decide how much time we have.
After publishing my 11-day Algarve guide, I started receiving the same questions repeatedly.
Some people asked if eleven days weren’t simply too many.
Others wanted to know how many days they really needed to experience the best of the Algarve.
That immediately reminded me of one of the most popular articles on ASITravel: Andalusia Route System, where I built several road trip itineraries based on the number of days available.
I realized the Algarve deserved the same treatment.
Instead of giving everyone the same itinerary, it makes much more sense to help you choose one based on the amount of time you have.
That’s exactly what this guide is about.
Whether you’re planning a 5-day Algarve itinerary, a 7-day road trip, 9 days exploring the region, or you’re lucky enough to have two full weeks, my goal is simple:
To help you organize a trip that feels enjoyable instead of exhausting.
One Thing Before We Start
Before we dive into the itineraries, there’s one thing I’d like to say.
Right after coming home, I kept telling people that the Algarve hadn’t impressed me as much as Tenerife.
That is still true. But something else is also true.
As time passed, I caught myself thinking about those days in Portugal more often.
One of the questions I receive most often is: “Didn’t you get bored after eleven days?”
Not even close.
In fact, looking back now, I honestly think we could have stayed longer.
There were still restaurants I wanted to try. More beaches worth spending an afternoon on. A few small villages we never had the chance to visit.
That’s probably the strongest argument I can give you before we begin.
If you’re currently planning five days in the Algarve, try to stretch your trip to seven if you can.
If you’re planning seven, see whether nine is possible.
And if you already have nine days available, you may find yourself wishing you had two weeks instead.
From my experience, the Algarve is one of those places where slowing down almost always makes the trip better.
5-Day Algarve Itinerary
If I only had five days in the Algarve, I would make one decision immediately.
Even though I really liked Faro, I would choose Lagos as my base without hesitation.
And here’s why.
Most of the spectacular rock formations, dramatic coastlines and famous beaches that made the Algarve world-famous are concentrated around Lagos.
Yes, the food is fantastic. Yes, the weather is wonderful.
But let’s be honest.
Millions of people travel to the Algarve because of these beaches.
Everything else—the charming towns, protected natural areas and relaxed atmosphere—is what makes them stay longer.
If I only had five days, I would stay in Lagos for the entire trip.
I would also rent a car without thinking twice.
Every itinerary in this guide assumes that you have your own vehicle.
In my opinion, it’s by far the best way to explore the Algarve at your own pace.
Day 1 – The Best Beaches Around Lagos
I’d dedicate the first day to exactly what most people come to the Algarve for.
I’d make a list of the most beautiful beaches around Lagos and visit them one by one. Whenever possible, I’d walk between them. If that’s not practical, I’d simply drive to the next one.
This is the order I would recommend:
• Praia da Batata
• Praia dos Estudantes
• Praia do Pinhão
• Praia Dona Ana
• Praia do Camilo
• Ponta da Piedade
If possible, save Ponta da Piedade for the end of the day.
Watching the sunset from there was one of the highlights of our entire trip and, in my opinion, one of the best sunset spots in the Algarve.
Parking Tips
• Praia Dona Ana – dedicated parking area directly above the beach.
• Praia do Camilo – the parking lot is quite small, so try to arrive early.
• Ponta da Piedade – search for “Ponta da Piedade Parking” on Google Maps and you’ll find the main parking area.
Where I’d Have Dinner
After spending an entire day exploring the coastline, I’d finish the evening at one of these two restaurants.
• Jurasqueira Praça da Armas if you’re looking for excellent traditional piri-piri chicken.
• Adega da Marina if you want classic Portuguese food, generous portions and a relaxed local atmosphere.
Day 2 – Aljezur, Arrifana and (Optionally) Cabo São Vicente
On the second day I’d drive north towards Aljezur and Praia da Arrifana.
If you still have plenty of energy, you can continue all the way to Cabo São Vicente before driving back to Lagos.
Whether you should do that depends entirely on your travel style.
Some people enjoy seeing as much as possible in a single day.
Others prefer slowing down, having a long coffee break and enjoying each place without constantly checking the clock.
Aljezur isn’t a large town. You can comfortably explore it in around two hours.
But maybe you’ll want to stop for a coffee. Maybe you’ll want to take your time driving towards Arrifana. Maybe you’ll spend an hour on the beach or have lunch overlooking the Atlantic before continuing your journey.
There’s another important point I’d like to make.
The season matters.
If you’re visiting during summer, when daylight lasts well into the evening, this itinerary feels relaxed and very manageable.
During spring, autumn or any period with shorter days, you’ll naturally have fewer hours of daylight. On top of that, the Atlantic water around Arrifana is noticeably colder than around Lagos, so you may end up spending less time on the beach than you originally planned.
One thing I’ve tried to do throughout this article is create itineraries that balance driving, sightseeing and relaxing.
If you’re travelling during summer and still feel like exploring more, I’d also recommend stopping at Praia da Bordeira before heading to Cabo São Vicente.
The enormous sand dunes make it one of the most unique beaches we saw in western Algarve.
Day 3 – Praia da Marinha, Benagil and Carvoeiro or Ferragudo
Day three is probably the most famous itinerary in the Algarve.
I’d spend it exploring Praia da Marinha and Benagil, before finishing the day in either Carvoeiro or Ferragudo.
If you’re visiting Praia da Marinha, try to arrive as early as possible. The parking area isn’t particularly large and fills up surprisingly quickly.
If you manage to find a spot there, it is perfect. If not, another good option is parking near Benagil and starting from there instead.
From here you have two choices. The first is driving between the two locations. The second is walking the spectacular coastal trail connecting Praia da Marinha and Benagil Cave.
Which option you choose depends entirely on how much time you have, how many places you’d like to visit that day and how much walking you’re comfortable with.
The trail itself isn’t difficult.
However, during the middle of summer, under the Portuguese sun, it can become much more demanding than it looks on the map.
At the end of the day comes the hardest decision.
Carvoeiro or Ferragudo?
We visited both and genuinely enjoyed them.
If I had to choose just one, I’d personally go back to Ferragudo. It felt smaller, quieter and much more intimate. As a photographer, I also found far more interesting scenes there.
If you ask my girlfriend, though, she’d choose Carvoeiro without hesitation.
So this time I’ll give you both recommendations.
Mine is Ferragudo. Hers is Carvoeiro.
Honestly, I don’t think you can make the wrong choice.
Day 4 – Tavira and Faro
Day four is a little more ambitious than the previous ones, but I think it’s worth it.
I’d combine Tavira and Faro in a single day.
The reason is simple.
I wanted to leave the final day much more relaxed, giving you enough time to enjoy the beach instead of constantly driving from one place to another.
Of course, this isn’t the only way to organize the trip.
For example, you could do:
• Day 4: Tavira + Faro
• Day 5: Beach day
Or:
• Day 4: Tavira + Olhão
• Day 5: Faro, skipping the beach altogether.
Some of you may even prefer Olhão over Tavira, and that’s perfectly fine.
Travel is personal.
If I were doing this trip again, I’d start the morning in Tavira. It’s one of those towns that deserves to be experienced slowly. Have a coffee. Order a pastel de nata. Walk around without constantly thinking about the next destination.
Later in the afternoon I’d drive to Faro and spend the rest of the day exploring the old town before heading back to Lagos.
The drive takes roughly an hour and, in my opinion, it’s completely worth it.
If someone asked me today how I’d organize a five-day Algarve Road trip, this would be the exact itinerary I’d recommend.
One Important Thing About Every Itinerary
One of the questions I get asked most often is whether these itineraries involve too much driving.
The honest answer is it depends.
If you look at a map, the distances don’t seem particularly long. But real life isn’t always as straightforward as Google Maps.
Some roads are single carriageways. You might spend twenty minutes looking for a parking space. Traffic can be much heavier than expected, especially around the most popular beaches during the summer months.
That’s exactly why I deliberately avoided giving precise driving times or daily mileage.
The same journey I completed in May in about an hour could easily take an hour and forty minutes in July or August.
The same goes for parking.
I was lucky enough to find one of the last parking spaces at Praia da Marinha, but during peak season you may not be nearly as fortunate.
My advice is simple.
The evening before—or even the morning of your trip—check the weather forecast, have a quick look at traffic conditions and don’t be afraid to adjust your plans.
Let’s say you plan to visit Praia da Marinha, but you notice heavy traffic in that direction while Cabo Sao Vicente looks much quieter.
Swap the days.
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with doing that.
I know it’s important to have a plan, but the best road trips I’ve ever done have always been the ones where I adapted the itinerary to what I found on the road instead of following it blindly.
7-Day Algarve Itinerary
If I had seven days in the Algarve, I’d keep the first three days the same.
That’s because I genuinely believe they cover the absolute highlights of the region.
From there, I’d slow the pace down a little.
On Day 4, I’d visit Tavira and Olhão.
On Day 5, I’d dedicate the day to Faro, finishing with a few relaxing hours at the beach.
You’ll quickly realize that Faro isn’t just somewhere you pass through before flying home.
It’s a city where you can easily spend four or five enjoyable hours wandering through the old town before heading to the coast for the rest of the afternoon.
I’d Split the Accommodation
This is also the point where I’d seriously consider changing hotels.
Instead of spending the entire week in Lagos, I’d split the trip like this:
• 4-5 nights in Lagos
• 2-3 nights in Faro
Once you move east, reaching places like Tavira, Olhão and even returning towards Praia da Marinha or Benagil becomes much easier.
It also gives you much more flexibility if the weather changes or you decide to swap a couple of days around.
Day 6 – Alte and Loulé
Changing your base to Faro also opens another excellent day trip.
I’d spend it visiting Alte and Loulé.
If I had to choose only one, I’d go to Alte without hesitation.
It felt like one of those villages where you simply leave the car at the entrance and start walking.
Small streets. Whitewashed houses. A slower pace.
Exactly the kind of place where you stop thinking about sightseeing and simply enjoy being there.
Loulé, on the other hand, felt larger and considerably busier.
If you’re short on time, I’d always recommend Alte.
If you have the entire day available, visiting both is perfectly manageable.
Day 7 – Albufeira or One Last Beach Day
For your final day, you have several options.
If you’ve always wanted to see Albufeira, this is probably the right moment.
As I mentioned in my Algarve Road Trip article, we personally weren’t huge fans of it.
That doesn’t mean you won’t be.
Travel is subjective, and many people absolutely love Albufeira. If you decide to skip it, I’d spend one last day at the beach instead.
One of my favorite options is Praia de Faro.
The beach sits just a short drive from Faro Airport, and I genuinely enjoyed lying on the sand while watching aircraft take off and land in the distance.
Another great alternative is Praia da Falésia, one of the Algarve’s most famous beaches thanks to its striking orange and red cliffs.
Looking back, I think that’s probably what I’d choose today.
I still regret taking my camera there but deciding not to use it. Instead of photographing everything, I simply enjoyed the sunshine, the sea and the atmosphere.
Sometimes that’s exactly what a holiday should be.
If, after six busy days, all you want is to relax before flying home, Praia de Faro is probably the perfect place to end your trip.
9-Day Algarve Itinerary
Once you have nine days available, the philosophy changes again.
At this point, I wouldn’t try to squeeze in more attractions.
I’d simply spend more time enjoying the places that deserve it.
The very first thing I’d add is another full day around Lagos. I’d spend the morning wandering through the old town. No schedule. No pressure.
Just walking through the narrow streets, browsing small shops, stopping for a coffee and occasionally making my way back towards the coastline.
Later in the day, I’d drive to Burgau.
It’s a tiny fishing village with a beautiful beach and one of those places we ended up liking far more than we expected.
Of course, you can do it the other way around.
Arrive in Burgau early, enjoy the beach while it’s still quiet, then head back to Lagos for lunch before spending the evening exploring the historic centre.
One thing becomes obvious as your trip gets longer.
Lagos becomes increasingly important.
It’s no longer just a base. It becomes somewhere you want to spend time instead of simply sleeping before the next day’s drive.
Separate Carvoeiro and Ferragudo
With nine days available, there’s no reason to squeeze everything into one afternoon.
Instead of combining Praia da Marinha, Benagil, Carvoeiro and Ferragudo in a single day, I’d split them.
One day could be dedicated to Praia da Marinha, Benagil and Carvoeiro.
Another could be spent enjoying the beach before exploring Ferragudo at a much slower pace.
Even if you’ve already visited Carvoeiro, I’d still recommend making time for Ferragudo.
It’s one of those villages that feels completely different. Small. Intimate. Full of little streets climbing gently uphill.
I enjoyed it both in the morning and again towards sunset.
Whenever you decide to go, I honestly don’t think you’ll regret adding it to your itinerary.
One Extra Day
If you still have another free day, this is where I’d finally include something I didn’t manage to do myself.
I’d start in Sagres, continue to Praia do Beliche, and finish the day at Cabo São Vicente.
I think this creates a much more balanced itinerary.
Instead of trying to fit Cabo São Vicente into the same day as Aljezur and Arrifana, you give western Algarve the time it deserves.
That also means you can stop at Praia da Bordeira without constantly worrying about the clock.
Rather than rushing across the entire west coast in one day, this becomes a route focused almost entirely on the Sagres peninsula.
Personally, I think it works much better this way.
14-Day Algarve Itinerary
If you’re lucky enough to have two full weeks in the Algarve, I think the philosophy of the trip should change completely.
I’ve always believed it’s good to see as much as possible.
But not at the expense of enjoying the journey.
At some point you must accept that a holiday shouldn’t feel like a race from one attraction to the next. There’s no prize for ticking off every beach, every viewpoint or every village if you’re too exhausted to appreciate any of them.
That’s why, if I had fourteen days, I wouldn’t spend my time looking for ten more places to add to the itinerary.
Instead, I’d use those extra days to enjoy the Algarve more slowly.
I’d leave one or even two full days with absolutely no plans.
Maybe I’d spend the entire day at the beach.
Maybe I’d return to a restaurant that served one of the best meals of the trip.
Maybe I’d sit on a terrace for two hours without feeling guilty that I should be somewhere else.
I’d also dedicate another day to Lagos itself.
Not because there are dozens of attractions to tick off, but because it’s the kind of place that’s simply enjoyable to experience. Walk through the old streets. Stop for a coffee. Browse a few small shops. Sit by the marina. Watch the sunset again.
Sometimes those become the moments you remember the most.
The same applies to some of the smaller towns.
If I visited Burgau in the morning and loved it, maybe I’d go back one evening.
The same goes for Tavira.
I’ve often realized that the second visit is better than the first.
The first time, you’re busy discovering a place. The second time, you’re simply enjoying it.
To me, that’s exactly what the extra days are for.
They’re a buffer.
A chance to slow down, let your body rest after several days of driving, and spend more time in the places that genuinely stayed with you.
Which Algarve Itinerary Would I Choose?
If someone asked me today which itinerary I’d recommend, this would probably be my answer.
5 days is enough to see the Algarve’s biggest highlights.
You’ll understand why so many people fall in love with the region.
7 days gives you enough time to explore without constantly feeling rushed.
You can start discovering the eastern Algarve while still enjoying the spectacular coastline around Lagos.
9 days is where the trip becomes much more enjoyable.
Instead of simply visiting places, you begin experiencing them.
You have time to return somewhere you loved, spend longer at the beach or enjoy a slow lunch without worrying about the next stop.
And if you have 14 days, I honestly wouldn’t spend them trying to see twice as many places.
I’d spend them enjoying the Algarve twice as much.
Final Thoughts
Looking back, I understand why my feelings about the Algarve changed after coming home.
It wasn’t one of those destinations that impressed me immediately.
Instead, it slowly grew on me.
Weeks later, I found myself thinking about the incredible food, the beaches, the small villages and the relaxed atmosphere far more often than I expected.
That’s usually a good sign.
If you’re planning your own Algarve Road trip, I hope these itineraries help you organize it in a way that matches the time you actually have available.
And remember something I’ve learned after many road trips.
It’s always worth having a plan.
Just don’t be afraid to change it once you’re there.
Sometimes the best memories come from the places you never planned to spend so much time in.
Continue Planning Your Algarve Trip
If you’re still organizing your trip, these guides will help you plan every part of your Algarve Road trip:
• Portugal Travel Guide – everything I’ve written about travelling around Portugal.
• Honest 11-Day Algarve Road Trip – my complete day-by-day experience, including what I’d change if I visited again.
• Where to Stay in Algarve – how I chose my accommodation and which towns I’d recommend.
• Best Food in Algarve – the restaurants that genuinely impressed me.
• Best Piri-Piri Chicken in Algarve – where I had my favorite piri-piri chicken.
• Best Pastéis de Nata in Algarve – the bakeries I think are worth the detour.
Hopefully, together these guides will help you build the Algarve trip that fits you best.
No Comments