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Portugal walking holiday: experience western Algarve
    • Portugal - Mainland Portugal
    • 7 days
    • Walking
    • Self-guided
      • From January to December
    • 2 - 10 travellers
      • Comfort
      • Charming
      • Trip code : K1106
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About the Portugal walking holiday: experience western Algarve trip

About the walking trip in Portugal

In southern Portugal, the Algarve extends from the Andalusian border to Cape St. Vincent. The western Algarve called "Barlavento" has 2 very different coastlines. From Lagos to Sagres, the southern coast alternates between ochre cliffs and beaches or coves protected from the prevailing winds, in a Mediterranean atmosphere. Agaves, palm trees or umbrella pines adorn the lookouts of the coastal paths and the small white villages of Burgau, Salema, Figueira or Luz offer a welcome break from the walking with their shady terraces.  From Cape Saint-Vincent, it is the Vicentine coast - a wild coastline where the elements are still king. Here, you can admire the Atlantic Ocean in all its glory. Ochre cliffs, golden dunes, multicoloured and fragrant moors, rivers and streams, pine forests and mimosas make up a palette of landscapes. 

On this self-guided Portugal walking holiday, you can admire the exceptionally well preserved biodiversity of fauna and flora at the south-western tip of the European continent, far from the influences of intensive agriculture and industry. In addition to very natural hikes, the "Barlavento" also offers  the traveller a chance to discover the culture and fascinating history of the great maritime discoveries. From Lagos to Cape Saint-Vincent, via Pointe de Piedade or the fortress of Sagres, the epic of the first caravels launched towards Africa, Asia or America mingle with the Roman or Moorish past. And as for the Portuguese hospitality, you will not be disappointed! 

Highlights of the trip 

  • The diversity and beauty of the coastal hikes
  • The biodiversity in the Vicentine Coast Natural Park
  • The fortified city of Lagos and the spectacular "Ponta da Piedade"
  • Cape Saint-Vincent and the Sagres fort
  • The local hospitality and regional cuisine
  • Daily swimming opportunities


    Go private or go guided ! Customize your holidays with a local specialist here 

From the blog

Portugal walking holiday: experience western Algarve : Day by Day

Day 1 - Your arrival in Faro and Burgau

algarve walk tour

  • Private transfer from Faro airport to your hotel in Burgau on the coast (1h).  Depending on your arrival time, you can enjoy the beach in Burgau or the pool at your hotel.
  • Night in Burgau

  • We recommend :
    . Combining our different trips for a 2 week discovery of Portugal: 
      - Start your discovery of Portugal with a trip to Lisbon and Sintra
      - Combine this walking trip in the Algarve with the walking holiday on the Vicentine coast and the Alentejo region: the "Tuscany" of Portugal
    . Having an extra night in Faro

  • Access:
    . From Lisbon by train-bus-private transfer - Contact us
    . Faro : regular domestic & international flights 

Day 2 - From Lagos to Burgau via Ponte da Piedade

algarve hike tours in ponta di piedade

  • Walk - Lagos > Ponta da Piedade > Burgau
  • 4 hours / 15km - 9,3 miles / Ascent: +400 m / Descent : -400 m
    . The walking time does not include visiting Lagos
  • Transfer to Lagos (20 min), the city that sent the first caravels off to Africa at the start of the 15th century. We recommend exploring the streets of Lagos on foot, from small squares to impressive monuments such as the Lagos fort and the superb São Antonio church. The itinerary takes you to the da Piedade point, an exceptional, natural monument with its ochre creeks, arches and islets. The coastal trail leads back to Burgau via Praia da Luz with beautiful panoramic views of the ocean. you can enjoy the beach in Burgau.
  • Night in Burgau
  • MEALS included: Breakfast 

Day 3 - From Burgau to Figueiras

hiking portugal algarve

  • Loop Walk - Burgau > Figueiras > Burgau
  • 4 to  hours / 16 km - 10 miles / Ascent: +450 m - Descent: - 450 m
  • From Burgau, you follow the southern coast heading west via beaches and cliffs that offer stunning panoramic views. The little whitewashed village of Salema, nestled in a small valley by the sea is a great place for a rest and where you can still see the fishing boats on the beach. Then heading inland towards the village of Figueiras you will discover traditional farming: olive, carob, almond, pomegranate and fig trees are the main figures of non-irrigated agriculture “sequeiro”. You will also spot irrigated gardens along the way where everything grows. The itinerary ends on a beautiful little beach, where you can rest a while and enjoy a swim before your taxi transfer back to Burgau. 
  • Night in Burgau
  • MEALS included: Breakfast 

Day 4 - Along the south coast to Sagres forteress

best walking tours portugal algarve with beautiful sagres

  • Walk - Burgau-Ingrina > Sagres
  • 5 hours / 16 km - 10 miles / Ascent: +400 m - Descent: - 400 m
    . The walking time does not include visiting Sagres fortress
  • After a short taxi transfer (20 min), the fishermen's paths lead along the cliffs and through multicoloured moors rich with the scent of aromatic plants, and from creeks and coves to beaches. It is possible to swim, weather permitting! The itinerary takes you to the port “da Baleeira” which as the name suggests, used to be a whaling port for hunting sperm whale.  At Sagres point, the fortress of the same name built from the 15th century, is a mecca of history and geography.  Legend has it that it was here, on the edge of an abyss, that Henry the Navigator had a vision of Portugal's maritime expansion project towards the other continents.
  • Night in Sagres
  • MEALS included: Breakfast 

  • We recommend : 
    . Visiting Sagres fort 
    . The Mareta beach at the end of the walk and close to the accommodations

Day 5 - Carrapateira on the Vicentine coast

walking in portugal in sand dunes of carrapateira

  • Loop Walk around Carrapateira 
  • 3 to 4 hours / 12 km - 7,5 miles / Ascent: +150 m - Descent: - 150 m
  • A private transfer will take you to Carrapateira (20 mn), a fishing and surfing village in the heart of the Vincentine Coast Natural Park. You cross a flowered dune ridge to reach the small river of Bordeira and the long beach of the same name. The hike continues along the eroded coast, where, amazingly, some storks still manage to nest by the sea, a phenomenon unique to Vincentine. You return to the village of Carrapateira where you can include a visit of the small “Terra e Mar” museum dedicated to traditional farming and fishing. Transfer back to Sagres
  • Night in Sagres
  • MEALS included: Breakfast 

Day 6 - Cape Saint Vincent, the edge of Europe

cape saint vincent walk tour

  • Walk - Vila do Bispo > Cape Saint Vincent
  • 4 hours / 15 km - 9.3 miles / Ascent: +100 m - Descent: - 200 m
  • Transfer to Vila do Bispo (10 mn), a barnacle fishing village. Endemic dwarf palms, cushion plants, junipers or rockroses nestle in cliffs of all colours and stand out against the shades of blue of the ocean. The Cape lighthouse, the Roman "promontorium sacrum" is grandiose. You are standing on the edge of the world : Cape saint Vincent! Inside the lighthouse, a small maritime museum allows you to travel a little further in time and space. Return by taxi to Sagres (8 min). Enjoy a great swimming back in Sagres.
  • Night in Sagres.
  • MEALS included: Breakfast 

Day 7 - Bye Bye Algarve: end of your trip in Faro

best portugal walk and hike

  • Transfer from Sagres to Faro. End of your trip in Faro
  • Faro is a peaceful little city, on the edge of the lagoons and salt flats of the “Rio Formosa”. Take the time to stroll in the pedestrian streets of the centre adorned with typical Portuguese mosaic. Near the marina, the old city "Vila dentro" - behind the city walls - is a gem of Pombaline architecture of the 18th century. You will be astonished by the storks nesting on the steeple of the cathedral, the orange trees on the squares ... 
  • MEALS included: Breakfast

  • We recommend
    . Having an extra night in a seafront hotel in Sagres, Faro or in the town of Tavira. 
    . Faro has a picturesque cidade velha (old town) surrounded by medieval walls that protect a gothic cathedral, an episcopal palace and pretty little cobbled streets.
    . Enjoying an excursion through the Ria Formosa Natural Park by boat or kayak from the marina in Faro.
    . Strolling through the Vila Dentro, the intramural city of Faro, beautifully decorated with traditional Portuguese mosaic and admire the orange trees in the squares.                                                           
    . Visiting the bone chapel in Faro

- Add an extra night in Faro or in Tavira !

  • Faro, the capital of the Algarve deserves a visit at the beginning or end of your stay !
    The preserved inner city is largely pedestrianised, with storks nesting over certain monuments and Jacaranda trees.
    . The Cathedral, the Chapel of the Bones and the City Museum are worth a visit, and there are several possibilities to discover the Natural Park of the Ria Formosa departing from the marina.
    . The islands of Farol, Culatra and Deserta are very close to Faro and boast lagoons, sandbanks with turquoise waters, barrier islands with dune cords and inifinate beaches. From the marina you can take a boat out to these islands. Kayak excursions or guided boat trips are possible.

  • Tavira is one of the most charming towns in the Algarve. On the banks of the river Gilão, its beautiful traditional houses, medieval old town, sub-tropical gardens and lively squares make it a great place to be. The superb beaches of Barril, Cacela Velha or Tavira Island are accessible on foot, by boat or kayak.

  • Contact us

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      Go Private or go guided ! Customize your holidays with a local specialist here 

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    Trip details
    Portugal walking holiday: experience western Algarve
        • Portugal - Mainland Portugal
        • 2 adults (2x670€)
        • 0 children (0x670€)
      • 7 days
      • Comfort
    Total 1340€
    Deposit 400€
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