Best of the Algarve Map and Itinerary

DAY 1 Arrive in Algarve

Faro is the closest airport to Slives and is serviced by dozens of carriers from all over Europe. You will be collected at Faro Airport and transferred to Silves.

Silves is a history laden town, filled with crumbling walls of ancient beauty. The Castle and Cathedral are next to each other and both are worth visiting while you wander round the streets of this charming town, acclimatising yourself to the relaxed Portuguese way of life.

The arcades of the market hall, by the river are the best place to sample the famous Portuguese Churrasqueria and Pastelerias.

Overnight: Silves

DAY 2 Countryside North of Silves—15 km

The trail today sees you leaving Silves and walking out along the levadas, paths that run beside irrigation channels. The levadas lead you through tiny hamlets into the rural splendour of the Algarve.

Your sense of smell will be working as hard as your legs today as you walk through citrus groves, past bushels of rosemary, thyme and lavender, before walking back through eucalyptus plantations to Silves.

Overnight: Silves

DAY 3 Monchique via Picota—17 km

A transfer after breakfast takes you up into the mountains surrounding Monchique. Here you will take the gentle climb up Picota, the second highest peak in the area. The views from the top are spectacular and it displays the multifaceted beauty of the Algarve before you.

You then descend into the thermal spa town of Monchique, a shimmering vision of white painted buildings in a sea of green. Here you can treat yourself to a little Medronho (strawberry liqueur) but be warned, it packs a punch.

Overnight: Monchique

DAY 4 Monchique to Bensafrim—18km

In contrast to yesterday, today is all downhill walking, so an easier day as you head down through the foothills of the Serra de Monchique, towards the Algarve coast. The views are amazing as you walk down through the eucalyptus, cork oak and pine plantations.

You will eventually come to the manmade Lake Bravura, a little wildlife haven where you can still see some traditional agricultural practices. After arriving in Bensafrim you will be collected and transferred to the cosmopolitan town of Lagos for your overnight stay.

Overnight: Lagos

DAY 5 The Budens Wetlands—14 km

You will be collected after breakfast and transferred to the start of today’s walk. Crossing through the Budens Wetlands is a real highlight of the trip. The variety of birdlife is amazing and it is a stopping point for many species on route to/from Africa, so in the Spring and Autumn it can be mind-blowing.

From here on you will be walking along the Algarve coastline, with its sun baked cliffs looking onto the inviting waters of the Atlantic. Passing medieval forts and Roman ruins, not to mention sheltered sandy bays and stunning cliff top vistas, this makes for one of the best days walking on the whole trip.

Overnight: Salema

DAY 6 Salema to Sagres—16 km

Today you are walking through the Cabo sao Vincente National Park along ancient tracks which drop down to sandy bays as you make your way to Sagres.

The park is an outstanding area of natural beauty and it is common to see great cormorant and stork nesting on the rocks by the sea. Again, this is part of the migration corridor to Africa particularly for birds of prey and seabirds.

Overnight: Sagres

DAY 7 Sagres to Cabo Sao Vincente—14 km

Today you will be walking to the ‘End of the World’ or at least that is what the Romans thought. This is the most south westerly point in Europe and is famed for its fortifications as well as its wild seas and vertical cliffs.

The history of this rugged tip of Portugal stretches back to Neolithic times, with standing stones in the area to confirm this fact. A dramatic place to end the trip.

Overnight:Sagres

DAY 8 Depart Sagres

After breakfast you will be transferred back to the airport for your departure from the Algarve.

Additional Nights and Extensions

You can add additional nights at any point along the walk.

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