Carvoeiro is a fantastic holiday destination, which is ideally situated for exploring the entire Algarve via day trips.

These day trips could involve discovering the rich seafaring history of Lagos, the buzzing atmosphere of Albufeira or the quaint fishing village of Ferragudo.

While most visitors to Carvoeiro come to enjoy the beach and glorious climate, there's also a wealth of fascinating destinations to discover as day trips.

This article will detail the best day trips from Carvoeiro, along with suggestions for farther flung destinations accessible with a rental car.
Insight: Carvoeiro has very limited public transport, so to get the most from the region a rental car is needed.
Related articles: Carvoeiro introduction – Carvoeiro beach guide

The best day trips which are close to Carvoeiro are:
1) Silves
2) Portimao and Praia da Rocha
3) Albufeira
4) Monchique
5) Ferragudo
If you're content to travel a bit further with a car, we recommend the following day trips:
1) Lagos
2) Far western Algarve (Sagres, Cabo de São Vicente, Burgau)
3) Faro
4) Vilamoura & Quarteira
The map below details the location of the main day trips of the Algarve.
Towns for day trips are marked in blue, the best natural features of the Algarve are shown in green, and the theme/waterparks are in yellow. Carvoeiro is indicated by marker 9.

Towns for day trips (blue) 1) Sagres 2) Burgau 3) Lagos 4) Alvor 5) Praia da Rocha 6) Portimão 7) Ferragudo 8) Monchique 9) Carvoeiro 10) Albufeira 11) Vilamoura 12) Quarteira 13) Loule 14) Faro 15) Estoi 16) Olhão 17) Tavira 18) Castro Marim 19) Vila Real de Santo António
Natural sights (green) 1) Cabo de São Vicente 2) Ponta da Piedade 3) Benagil Caves 4) Praia da Marinha 5) Praia da Falésia 6) Ilha Deserta 7) Parque Natural da Ria Formosa 8) Cemitério das Âncoras (anchor cemetery)
Theme/water parks (yellow) 1) Slide & Splash 2) Aqualand 3) Zoomarine 4) Aquashow Park
The following section provides details of the best day trips from Carvoeiro, with links to further in-depth guides. The first section lists the best day trips that can be easily reached by public transport, while the second section features the most popular day trips in the Algarve, but will require a car to visit due to their distance.

The following day trips can be easily reached from Carvoeiro by the use of public transport. The regional bus company of the Algarve is Vamus (www.vamusalgarve.pt/) and the train company is Comboios de Portugal (CP - www.cp.pt)

Ferragudo is one of last remaining unspoilt fishing villages of the central Algarve, and is a delightful place to visit. Within the village is a traditional fisherman's quarter, a charming harbour front and an abundance of Portuguese character.

Ferragudo lies on the sheltered waters of the Arada estuary, and to the south of the village are the golden sands of the Praia Grande beach and the picturesque Praia dos Caneiros.

Ferragudo is small and only takes a couple of hours to fully see, but during the summer, a ferry connects Ferragudo to Portimão, and they can both be visited as a day trip.
Related articles: Day trip to Ferragudo

Ferragudo is a joy to explore

Silves is one of the best destinations in the Algarve to visit for a day trip.
This delightful town was the capital of the Algarve region during the Moorish era (9th to 12th century), serving as a major stronghold and important trading town.

Remnants of this glorious past are found throughout the town, including the imposing red brick castle, the massive town walls, and the Gothic church built on the site of a former mosque.

Along with these historic buildings, Silves has an authentic Portuguese atmosphere, with bustling cafes, charming cobbled streets and a lively daily market. If you're looking for a day trip that combines a genuine taste of Portugal with fascinating sights to explore, you should visit Silves.
Related article: Silves introduction

The Ponte Romana bridge was the original crossing point of the Rio Arade

The view over Silves

Portimão and Praia da Rocha may be close together, but they are different in almost every conceivable way.

Portimão is the largest city in the western Algarve and was traditionally a centre for sardine fishing, shipbuilding and fish processing. For a day trip it offers a scenic waterfront, bustling shopping streets, and a historic centre with grand plazas. The hidden gems of Portimão are the excellent fish restaurants close to the Ponte Velha de Portimão bridge.

Praia da Rocha is a lively holiday destination that lies on one of the finest beaches in the Algarve. The town caters for everyone, with themed bars to the western side and a stylish marina and trendy beach clubs at the mouth of the Arade River.

There is a lot to see in Portimão and Praia da Rocha, and they both make for an enjoyable day trip.
Related articles: Guide to Portimão

The Convento do Colégio dos Jesuitas in Portimão

Praia da Rocha is famed for its outstanding beach

The scenic waterfront of Portimão, transformed from its industrial past into a vibrant promenade.

Zoomarine is one of the Algarve's top attractions, perfect for a fun-filled family day trip. This marine-themed waterpark combines the best aspects of a zoo and waterpark to offer entertainment, education and adventure for all ages.

The main attractions include impressive dolphin and sea lion shows, bird of prey demonstrations, and tropical bird performances. For thrill-seekers, the park features water slides, flumes and a wave pool along with a relaxing beach area. Zoomarine also offers the Dolphin Emotions Experience, allowing visitors to interact closely with dolphins.
Simply a fun day out for everyone.

The beach area and flumes of Zoomarine

The highest point in the Algarve is Mount Fóia (902m), located within the picturesque Serra de Monchique mountain range. If you have a car, exploring this region can make for an enjoyable day trip.

The recommended route follows the N266 into the hills, with your first stop at the charming village of Caldas de Monchique. This village is famed for its hot springs (31°C), which are reputed to have healing properties due to the rich mineral content and a pH of 7.6. In Caldas de Monchique, spa hotels have been constructed over the springs, but there is a natural spring at Fonte dos Amores in the shaded forests, just as the N266 winds around the valley. This picturesque spot is also perfect for a picnic.

Next is the pretty town of Monchique, with the 16th-century Igreja Matriz church, the ruins of the Convento de Nossa Senhora do Desterro monastery and many wonderful viewpoints, such as the Miradouro de São Sebastião.

From Monchique, it is only a short drive to the summit of Fóia, with its spectacular view southwards over the Algarve and out to the Atlantic Ocean.

For the final part of the day, you could drive westwards along the scenic N267 as it twists through the rolling hills down to the village of Aljezur. Here you can visit the Castelo de Aljezur or take a short drive to the stunning Praia da Amoreira beach.

The magnificent panoramic views from the top of Mount Fóia

Albufeira is the Algarve's largest and liveliest resort town, and makes for an exciting day trip..

There is a pretty old quarter, which manages to respectively integrate the numerous restaurants and bars within the historic centre. At the base of the old town is a wonderful beach, which is always a hive of activity in the summer season.

To the east of Albufeira is the new town centred around "The Strip", a chaotic street of themed bars and late-night clubs, which actively encourages excessive drink and general craziness.

If you are after a party focused holiday and want a big night out then The Strip is the place for you.
Related article: Albufeira introduction

Albufeira’s main beach on a hot summer’s day

The Percurso dos Sete Vales Suspensos (Trail of the Seven Hanging Valleys) is one of the Algarve’s most stunning coastal hikes. This 5.7km trail offers breathtaking views of dramatic cliffs, secluded beaches and turquoise waters.

Starting at Praia da Marinha and ending at Praia de Vale Centeanes, the hike takes you through a range of diverse landscapes including limestone cliffs, natural arches and lush vegetation. Highlights include the iconic Benagil Cave and the picturesque Praia da Marinha. This moderately challenging trail is well-marked and suitable for most people.
Related article: The Percurso dos Sete Vales Suspensos

The Percurso dos Sete Vales Suspensos passes many interesting cliff features

The following destinations are a bit further from Carvoeiro, so a car is essential for these day trips.

Historically, Lagos was a centre for seafaring and exploration.

The city contains a diverse selection of tourist attractions, including the ornate Igreja de Santo António, the Bandeira fort and the Mercado Municipal.
The charming historic centre is full of cafes, shops and restaurants, while at the end of the estuary is a modern marina complex.

South of Lagos lies the Ponta da Piedade, one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the Algarve. This dramatic headland formed of golden sandstone rocks has been carved into unique features by winter storms.
Related articles: Introduction to Lagos

The historic centre of Lagos and the estuary leading to the modern marina

The Ponta da Piedade headland is one of the finest natural features of the Algarve

Quarteira and Vilamoura are fascinating as they reflect the two extremes of the Algarve.

Vilamoura is unlike any other location in the region, as it was purpose-built during the 1980s as a centre for golfing and luxury yachting. Today, Vilamoura retains an air of exclusivity and refinement, and is the most sophisticated resort town of the Algarve.
Here you’ll find million-dollar yachts moored, minor celebrities playing golf and fine-dining restaurants surrounding the marina.

Quarteira is more residential, with a busy fishing harbour, and is a popular holiday destination with Portuguese tourists. The town is without the finesse of Vilamoura but is famed for its inexpensive seafood, where a delicious meal will cost the same as a single cocktail in Vilamoura.

Vilamoura and Quarteira are only a short walk from each other and can be easily combined in a single day trip.

The marina complex of Vilamoura

Sagres is the most westerly town of the Algarve and is situated in a region of massive cliffs, vast beaches and raging seas. These powerful seas attract experienced surfers, and the town has developed into a hub for surfing, with numerous surf schools, beach hangouts and laid-back bars. The town may have a ramshackle appearance, but spend any time here and the unassuming, trendy vibe will become apparent.

For a day trip, Sagres offers a working fishing harbour, three stunning beaches, numerous hiking trails and a unique fort. The Fortaleza de Sagres covers the entire southern headland, with only the northern side conventionally defended by a wall, while the three remaining sides are protected by sheer cliffs. Inside, the fort can be best described as sparse, but as with everything in Sagres, the dramatic scenery is the main attraction.

A trip to Sagres is always combined with a visit to the Cabo de Sao Vicente, the southwestern tip of mainland Europe. Up until the 14th century, the headland was believed to be the end of the known world and the bleak landscape only enhances this once-held belief. The main attraction of the Cabo de Sao Vicente is the distinctive lighthouse that has the second most powerful beam in Europe, with its light being visible for 50km.
Related articles: Sagres guide

The powerful lighthouse perched atop the cliffs of Cabo de São Vicente

The Fortaleza de Sagres with the Cabo de Sao Vicente headland in the distance

The fishing harbour of Sagres lies on the sheltered side of the peninsula.

For most tourists Faro is regarded as a transit destination, either flying into the city's airport or catching a connecting train, but there is a surprising amount to see within the city.

There is a delightful old quarter dating from the Moorish era, charming pedestrianised shopping streets and a pretty fishing harbour. An enjoyable half-day can be spent exploring the old quarter of Faro, with its gothic cathedral, castle ruins and city walls.

The day could be extended with a boat tour of the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa or with a visit to the Ilha Deserta (the Deserted Island).
Related articles: Faro introduction – The bone chapel

Faro's old quarter is delightful

The mudflats and water ways of the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa as seen from the top of Faro Cathedral

Loulé is a bustling Portuguese market town and great location to first-hand experience typical Portuguese daily life.

At the centre of the town is a covered market (closed Sunday) with stalls selling local produce, handicrafts and fresh fish.

Surrounding the market are pretty cobbled backstreets, traditional houses and pleasant plazas. Loulé is an unhurried town with a distinctive Portuguese ambience and is a joy to explore.

On Saturdays, there is a large gypsy market held on the western side of the town and a large farmers market in the streets surrounded the covered market.
Related article: Loule guide

Loule is a pretty place to visit as a day trip

Alvor is the perfect destination for a slower-paced day. The town lies on the magnificent Praia de Alvor beach and overlooks the calm waters of the Ria de Alvor Estuary.

Alvor has a delightful waterfront where small fishing boats are moored, while within the town there are traditional whitewashed houses and cobbled streets. The town is a popular holiday destination filled with a mix of bustling cafes, independent shops, and family-run restaurants.

South of Alvor are the Passadiços de Alvor boardwalks, a series of raised wooden footpaths that cross the Alvor estuary wetlands and extend along the beachfront. To the far eastern side of Praia de Alvor beach are the Praia dos Três Irmãos rock formations. Alvor may not have as many sights as other day trip destinations, but its calm, authentic Portuguese atmosphere makes it a visitor favourite.

The picturesque Ria de Alvor Estuary

The scenic Passadiços de Alvor boardwalk crossing the wetlands.

Alvor is the perfect destination for a relaxing day trip.

When tourists imagine the quintessential Portuguese town, they will be thinking about somewhere like Tavira.

This delightful town straddles the Gilão River and boasts over thirty churches, a castle, and cobbled streets lined with traditional tiled houses. There is no prettier town in the Algarve than Tavira, and being located in the much quieter eastern Algarve, it retains its authentic Portuguese atmosphere.

As well as being the finest town in the Algarve, Tavira is also close to pristine beaches. These lie along the seaward side of the Ilha de Tavira and are reached by a ferry.
Tavira is a long journey from the main tourist areas of the Algarve, but it is truly worth the effort. If you have a car, Tavira should be one of the first destinations you visit.
Related articles: Tavira guide

Tavira has a pretty historic centre that includes a mix of Moorish-era buildings.

Tavira has a relaxed and slow pace, which is very different from the hectic central Algarve

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