There is so much to see and do within the Algarve region.

Your holiday to the Algarve could be packed with numerous enjoyable day trips, and discover the very best of the region.

There are the historic and characterful towns of Tavira, Lagos and Faro, there are the lively resorts of Albufeira and Praia da Rocha or the unspoilt coastlines of Sagres.

A holiday in the Algarve can be relaxing, but it can also be thrilling, cultural and packed with new experiences. This article will detail the best day trips in the Algarve.
Note about public transport: There is reasonable public transport connecting the major town along the coastline and inland to Silves and Loule. If you wish to be visiting more remote regions a car is highly recommended.
Related articles: Top 10 Algarve - Best beach

The top 10-day trips within the Algarve are:
1) Tavira 2) Lagos 3) Sagres and Cabo de São 4) Silves 5) Faro 6) Albufeira 7) Loulé 8) Olhão 9) Vila Real de Santo António 10) Monchique and the Algarve hills
The interactive map below shows the best day trips in the Algarve.
The towns are marked in blue, the best natural features of the Algarve are shown in green, and the theme/waterparks are in yellow.

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
Theme/water parks (yellow) 1) Slide & Splash 2) Aqualand 3) Zoomarine 4) Aquashow Park
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)
Note: Lisbon is a fantastic city but is too far for a day trip from the Algarve. If you wish to visit Lisbon plan to be there for at least two days or three days to include Sintra. (Our Lisbon guide)
The following section will provide details of each of these towns, and links to further in-depth information.

When tourists imagine the quintessential Portuguese town they are thinking about 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 still retains its authentic Portuguese atmosphere.

Along with being the finest town in the Algarve, Tavira is also close to pristine beaches, which situated along the seaward side of the Ilha de Tavira.
Related articles: Tavira guide

Tavira is bursting with character

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

Sagres is like nowhere else in the Algarve. Its remote location, rugged landscapes and ceaseless winds mean few tourists venture this far west. The colossal Atlantic waves that break on the vast sandy beaches have made the town a popular destination for experienced surfers.

This mix of isolation, surfing, and hardened fishermen gives Sagres a unique atmosphere, making it a fantastic destination for a day trip if you enjoy the outdoors and nature's raw beauty. The main sights of the town are the fishing harbour and the Fortaleza de Sagres, a unique fort protected on three sides by towering cliffs.

Even further to the west is the Cabo de Sao Vicente, the southwestern tip of mainland Europe. This bleak and windswept headland was thought to be the end of the known world up until the 14th century. Standing at the edge of the cliffs is a lighthouse with the second most powerful beam in Europe, visible from up to 50 km out to sea.
Related articles: Sagres guide

Huge waves, massive cliffs and strong winds at the 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.

During the Moorish era (9th to 12th century), Silves was an important trading town and defensive stronghold that ruled over much of southern Portugal.

The town is dominated by a massive red brick castle, which is one of the best-preserved Moorish buildings in the Algarve. Below the castle are cobbled streets, an ancient cathedral, impregnable town walls and the slow-flowing Rio Arade.

Being slightly inland, Silves has barely been altered by tourism, retaining its distinctly Portuguese atmosphere. There are bustling cafes, a lively daily market and charming, cobbled streets.
Silves is the best non-coastal town in the Algarve and is small enough to be easily explored as a day trip.
Related article: Silves introduction

The view over Silves

The statue of King Sancho I, who laid Silves to a 3-month siege in 1189

Although one of the most overlooked destinations in the Algarve, Faro has a surprising amount to offer as a day trip.

The compact historic centre is encircled by ancient city walls and contains a gothic cathedral, baroque city hall and the ruins of a citadel. The modern city centre lies outside the city walls, and is filled with pleasant pedestrianised shopping streets and pretty plazas.

The Igreja do Carmo church is one of the most visited sights of Faro, due to the macabre Capela dos Ossos - bone chapel.

Faro is on the edge of the salt-marshes and lagoons of the Ria Formosa nature reserve, and these mudflats are a haven for seabirds and small marine life. To best explore the Ria Formosa join one of the boat tours which depart from the harbour.
Related articles: Faro introduction – The bone chapel

Faro's old quarter is delightful

The Arco da Vila is the ornamental gat into the old quarter of Faro

Albufeira is the largest and liveliest resort town of the Algarve and is an enjoyable destination for a day trip.

It has a reputation for drinking, parties, and over-the-top holidays, but actually, there is a charming old quarter, a colourful marina complex, and pretty cliff-top walks.

The Old Town of Albufeira is centred around the original fishing village and comprises of whitewashed houses (now restaurants, bars and hotels) and cobbled streets that led down to a magnificent beach.

If you do want to experience Albufeira’s party side, then head to ‘The Strip’, a street of themed bars offering all-day drinking promotions, wild nightlife, and comfort-food restaurants to recover from the night before.

Albufeira makes a surprisingly good day trip, and for a full guide of what to see and do in a day can be read here.

The pretty old town of Albufeira

The marina complex is where all of the boat tours depart from

And of course, there is Albufeira’s nighttime shenanigans along the strip

Loulé is a traditional market town and the ideal destination if you want to experience the real Portugal.

The highlight of Loulé is the daily market, which is housed in a building inspired by Moorish architecture. Within the market are a variety of stalls selling fresh produce, handicrafts and gifts.

Loulé has a pretty town centre, while to the south is a warren of cobbled streets lined with traditional workshops and whitewashed houses.

The best time to visit Loule is on a Saturday morning, when it comes alive with an additional two markets. There is a fresh produce farmer’s market hosted outside the covered market, and a bustling gypsy market on the edge of the town.
Related article: Loule guide

Loulé is a pretty place to visit as a day trip

The covered market in Loulé

Overlooking the saltwater lagoons and waterways of the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa is Olhão.

This hard-working fishing town is one of the few coastal towns in the Algarve where tourism is not the primary industry. The focus on fishing rather than tourism gives Olhão a unique atmosphere, which is complemented by many outstanding and inexpensive seafood restaurants.

For a day trip, you could visit the pretty harbour front and distinctive market building, while inland lies the fisherman’s quarter with its cubic-shaped houses.

As part of the day trip, you could also catch the ferry and head to the beaches on the Ilha da Armona or visit the fishing village on the Ilha da Culatra.
Related article: Olhão guide

The red brick market building of Olhão

The fishing quarter of Olhão is where the excellent seafood restaurants are located

The waterfront of Olhão, overlooking the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa

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.

Vila Real de Santo Antonio sits on the banks of the mighty Rio Guadiana, overlooking the Spanish border. The town has a grandeur beyond its size, and the centre is lined with impressive Baroque architecture.
As part of the day trip, it is possible to cross the Guadiana River by ferry to the Spanish town of Ayamonte.
Related articles: Vila Real de Santo Antonio

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

Portimão and Praia da Rocha make for a fantastic day trip, as they combine two very different aspects of modern Algarve. Praia da Rocha is an attention-grabbing beach town that knows how to party and guarantees a fun time, whereas Portimão is more authentically Portuguese, with hidden highlights that are well worth seeking out.

Portimão has a pretty waterfront that has been transformed from the warehouses and fish processing factories that once lined its docks. Within the town are grand plazas and bustling shopping streets, but the true hidden gems of Portimão are its fresh fish restaurants near the Ponte Velha de Portimão bridge.

Praia da Rocha is an energetic beach resort that combines a stylish marina and trendy beach clubs with the holiday fun of themed bars and lively nightlife. The beach at Praia da Rocha is one of the Algarve’s finest, and the many bars and restaurants make it an entertaining place to end a day of sightseeing.
Related articles: Guide to Portimão

Praia da Rocha is famed for its outstanding beach

The Convento do Colégio dos Jesuitas in Portimão

The pretty waterfront of Portimão, blending modern charm with its rich maritime heritage.