t Admiring the lighthouse at Cabo de São Vicente.
Experience Southern Portugal
There’s so much more to Southern Portugal than the sunny beaches of the Algarve. Here we show you how to make the most of a week in the south of the country.
Fly into Faro, capital of the Algarve, to explore its attractive walled old town. Inside, cobbled streets lead to the elegant Largo da Sé. Ascend the Sé’s bell tower for fantastic views over the water. Pedestrianized streets bustling with shops and cafés lead off the attractive waterfront square making it easy to find a spot for lunch.
Join a sightseeing cruise around the protected Parque Natural da Ria Formosa, looking out for the myriad birds that call the park home. Back in the city, you’ll find that the liveliest nightlife revolves around the harbour.
Drive north on the IP2 to Beja for a wander round its historic streets and a coffee break. Suitably refreshed, continue on to the whitewashed town of Évora. Begin your exploration of the town at the Roman temple, before heading to the 12th-century cathedral.
Momentos serves up a daily-changing organic menu. Later, take the cobbled alleys to the bustling Praça do Giraldo, then down Rua da República. End the day at the macabre Capela dos Ossos, inside the church of São Francisco.
Leave Évora for the fortified towns of Estremoz and Elvas. Medieval Estremoz has a remarkable 13th-century marble keep, overlooking the surrounding cork and olive groves. Come lunch time, A Cadeia Quinhentista, a quirky former prison, is a welcome spot.
Continue on the E802 to the, impressive fortifications of Elvas. On your way back to Évora, drop in at the marble town of Vila Viçosa to visit the vast Paço Ducal.
It’s time to leave the historic towns behind and hit the beach. It’s a long drive to the bustling town of Lagos, but you’ll be rewarded by some of the prettiest coves in the Algarve, surrounded by towering cliffs and offshore rock formations.
After freshening up after a day spent on the sand, enjoy a sundowner at one of the marina’s many lively bars.
Follow the N125 through the Parque Natural da Costa Vicentina, which clings to the Algarve’s western tip, all the way to Sagres. Roam the windblown Cabo de São Vicente, which juts into the Atlantic Ocean, with its landmark lighthouse.
Back in Sagres, take a dip in the warm shallow waters off nearby Martinhal beach. The restaurants lining the sheltered bay tempt with just-caught seafood menus.
Drive east on the A22 to Tavira, a pretty riverside town with a Roman bridge and lively market. Browse the vibrant stalls before selecting some fresh produce for lunch on the waterfront.
Clamber the ancient walls of the Moorish castle for wonderful town views, then head to the former convent of Nossa Senhora da Graça, now a pousada. Non-guests can visit the bar, which displays Moorish street foundations unearthed here during refurbishment.
In summer you can get a boat over to the Ilha de Tavira: a sandbar beach. Out of season, you’ll need to drive to nearby Quatro Águas and take a ferry. Bring a picnic and walk along the long, sandy stretch to find a restful spot.
You can soak up the sun and paddle in the sea here until late in the afternoon – it’s only a short drive back to Faro on the A22.
Experience Southern Portugal
t Admiring the lighthouse at Cabo de São Vicente.