Rota Vicentina: The Wild Algarve Walking Holiday

Make your way from Faro Airport to Odeceixe (approx 3hrs). This charming whitewashed village is a lovely place for a stroll. Enjoy it’s lively square or take a wander up to its famous windmill for wonderful views over the village.

Overnight Odeceixe

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Casas Do Moinho | Guest House

Casas du Moinho is a lovely collection of restored village houses spread out amongst the village. Relax at the outdoor swimming pool with a view over the windmill of Odeceixe.

Odeceixe Verde Guesthouse | Guest House

Featuring a garden and views of inner courtyard, Odeceixe Verde Guesthouse is a recently renovated bed and breakfast set in Odeceixe, offering city views, a sun terrace and a 24-hour front desk. All units feature air conditioning and a private bathroom with a walk-in shower. Buffet and continental breakfast options with fresh pastries, fruits and juice are available every morning at the bed and breakfast.

Casa Hospedes Celeste | Guest House

A charming little guesthouse right in the centre of Odeceixe run by the lovely Celeste. Rooms are simple but very cosy and comfortable.

Start your walk by heading along quiet fishermen’s trails to the beautiful beach at Odeceixe. Spot white and grey herons on your way to the beach at the mouth of the River Seixe before arriving at the impressive sand dunes of Odeceixe. From here the route winds through coastal upland areas and scented groves of pine and eucalyptus trees, passing the pretty village of Rogil. Arriving in Aljezur, you will be ready for a well-deserved rest and a delicious plate of freshly caught seafood.

Ascent: 186m

Descent: 175m

Overnight Aljezur

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Vicentina Hotel | 4 Star | Hotel

The 4* Vicentina Hotel is a lovely modern hotel offering a warm, friendly welcome. Enjoy relaxing in the outdoor pool or perhaps even a massage to soothe those tired legs.

Releash Aljezur | Guest House

Releash Aljezur is a small Boutique Guesthouse that offers a home in the middle of the picturesque Portuguese village of Aljezur. The guesthouse has 6 comfortable private rooms that are fully equipped. On the ground floor is a cozy living room with a bar, fireplace and breakfast area. The breakfast is local and traditional.

Before setting out for the day it is worth taking a climb up to the Castle of Aljezur, famously represented on the flag of Portugal. Enjoy views over the fertile valley below rich in flora and fauna. Continue along the Amoreira Valley with spectacular views over the beach before heading toward Ponta da Atalaia on the coast. Walk past sand dunes rich in lush vegetation and discover ruins dating back to prehistoric times. You may also spot fishermen harvesting goose barnacles, a must-try local delicacy. The wide sandy bay of Arrifana is wonderfully wild and rugged and a delightful place to end your walk.

As accommodation is limited in Arrifana, we will transfer you back to Aljezur for your overnight accommodation tonight.

Ascent: 314m

Descent: 259m

Overnight Aljezur

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Vicentina Hotel | 4 Star | Hotel

The 4* Vicentina Hotel is a lovely modern hotel offering a warm, friendly welcome. Enjoy relaxing in the outdoor pool or perhaps even a massage to soothe those tired legs.

Releash Aljezur | Guest House

Releash Aljezur is a small Boutique Guesthouse that offers a home in the middle of the picturesque Portuguese village of Aljezur. The guesthouse has 6 comfortable private rooms that are fully equipped. On the ground floor is a cozy living room with a bar, fireplace and breakfast area. The breakfast is local and traditional.

Transfer after breakfast back to Arrifana and get ready to enjoy a wonderfully varied day of walking. Begin by walking out of Arrifana with the ocean on one side and mountains on the other. Enjoy breath-taking views of the coast from rugged cliff-top paths before heading away from the coast into an area of peaceful forests and meadows filled with wildflowers during the springtime. Arrive at the delightful little village of Bordeira, where life moves at a wonderfully slow pace and rural traditions such as goat herding are very much alive. Continue to Carrapateira and enjoy wonderful views as you head towards the coast again.

Ascent: 377m

Decent: 443m

Overnight Carrapateira

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hortas do Rio | Hotel

Hortas do Rio is a sophisticated and relaxed hotel located in Carrapateira. Boasting a balcony with garden views, a garden, and a terrace, Hortas do Riois located 0.8 miles from Carrapateira Beach Surf Spot. The air-conditioned accommodation is 750 yards from Bordeira Beach, and guests benefit from private parking available on-site and free WiFi.

Pensão das Dunas | Guest House

Pensao das Dunas is an authentic guesthouse in the heart of the natural park. They offer a range of colourful rooms and apartments, with a lovely, flowery patio perfect for relaxing after a days walk.

Enjoy an exhilarating coastal walk around the rugged Ponta da Carrapateira today. There are numerous wonderful viewpoints all the way around the peninsula looking down on to glorious sandy beaches such as Bordeira and Amado. Look out for fishermen perched precariously on the cliffs and enjoy lunch whilst breathing in the sea-salt air and taking in the views! Return to Carrapateira for another relaxing night at your Casa.

Ascent/descent: 100m

Overnight Carrapateira

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hortas do Rio | Hotel

Hortas do Rio is a sophisticated and relaxed hotel located in Carrapateira. Boasting a balcony with garden views, a garden, and a terrace, Hortas do Riois located 0.8 miles from Carrapateira Beach Surf Spot. The air-conditioned accommodation is 750 yards from Bordeira Beach, and guests benefit from private parking available on-site and free WiFi.

Pensão das Dunas | Guest House

Pensao das Dunas is an authentic guesthouse in the heart of the natural park. They offer a range of colourful rooms and apartments, with a lovely, flowery patio perfect for relaxing after a days walk.

A short transfer (10mins) takes you to the village of Pedralva this morning, a picturesque little place lined with whitewashed houses featuring painted colourful doors.

Continue along peaceful forest tracks and through scented orchard areas. If you are travelling in spring, this area is home to an array of colourful wildflowers including forget-me-nots, yellow narcissi, hyacinths and purple orchards. After leaving the forest head to the coast and the rugged beach at Praia da Barriga, deep in the heart of the Costa Vicentina National Park. Continue into a lush forested area before catching a glimpse of the sea again as you arrive in Vila do Bispo.

Ascent: 509m

Descent: 469m

Overnight Vila do Bispo

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Pure Fonte Velha | Bed and breakfast

Pure flor de Esteva is a delightful little bed and breakfast run by the friendly Goncalves family. Relax in modern, well-equipped rooms.

Hotel Mira Sagres | Hotel

Located facing the Mother Church of the 16th century. Just 5km away from several wonderful and calm beaches, surrounded by the beach and the countryside and within the Vicentina/Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park, this hotel offers a nice and family-like stay. The hotel has 21 rooms. All equipped with private bathroom, satellite and cable TV, mini-bar, air conditioning, hairdryer, and safe.

Enjoy a wonderful end to the walk today as you head towards the most southwestern point of Europe, Cabo Sao Vicente.

Reaching Telheiro Beach and the Cape, enjoy fantastic views of the wild coastline as the waves crash below. If travelling in autumn lookout for the soaring seabirds who migrate here including booted eagles, black kites, sparrow hawks and black storks.

Arriving at Cabo Sao Vicente and the iconic lighthouse is a magical experience. Place yourself in the shoes of the pilgrims who used to finish their journey here at the burial place of St Vincent. Or in that of the fishermen who would have set sail from here into the unknown. After taking in the views, a transfer will collect you from the Cape and take you to your hotel in the thriving little coastal town of Sagres.

Ascent: 85m

Descent: 148m

Overnight Sagres

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

mareta-view-boutique-bed-and-breakfast-galleryview2

Mareta View | Bed and breakfast

Located in the centre of Sagres, Mareta View is a small boutique bed and breakfast set overlooking the sands of Mareta Beach. Enjoy a delicious breakfast in the tropical garden which also features a jacuzzi and in the evening it is just a short walk to several fantastic local restaurants.

Mareta Beach | Bed and breakfast

A boutique bed and breakfast with panoramic sea views over Mareta Beach in Sagres. Enjoy comfortable modern rooms and perhaps a nice strong coffee in their Italian style coffee bar.

Memmo Baleeira Hotel | 4 Star | Hotel

With views over the Baleeira harbour, this contemporary design hotel provides an excellent stay in Sagres at the end of your tour. The location offers you the chance to explore the town with its renowned gastronomy and various points of historical interest to visit, such as Sagres Fortress, the world's first nautical school, and Cape St. Vicente. Enjoy the hotel's swimming pool, bar & lounge and onsite restaurant.

If you have the time, we highly recommend adding a couple of extra nights in Sagres to relax and enjoy the beach. Otherwise, make your way back to Faro Airport for onward travel connections.

Rota Vicentina: The Wild Algarve