The Algarve from West to East

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8 Days from

USD 1,749

Walking & Trekking

Ways to Travel :

Self-Guided Holidays

Activity :

Walking & Trekking

Activity Levels :

2 out of 7 - Leisurely / Moderate

Ages :

18+

Trip Code :

W07AV

On this 7-night twin-centre self-guided walking trip you'll discover the entirety of Portugal's Algarve, from the rugged cliff-strewn western Atlantic coastline to its eastern border with Spain.

Starting the first half of your week in the coastal town of Sagres and finishing in the city of churches, Tavira, highlights include visits to some of the Algarve's most varied and interesting beaches (including Odeceixe, which is the one of the most photographed and most popular beaches in the Algarve), exploring the maritime history of Portugal and Europe in Lagos and Sagres, and walking along the banks of the Guadiana River.

Highlights

Explore the cliff-strewn western coastline and its eastern border with Spain
Follow coastal paths, Alpine-esque mountains and the Guadiana River
Many stunning unspoilt beaches to visit
Lagos and Sagres' rich maritime history
Car hire is essential so you can fully explore the entirety of the Algarve on a variety of walks

Key Information

7 Nights, twin centre
Route notes and maps provided
A good chioice of walks on each day
Car Hire essential (included when booking a flight-inclusive package)

Countries visited: Portugal

What's Included

All accommodation
All breakfasts and 1 evening meal
Route notes and maps
A good chioice of walks on each day
Car hire (included when booking a flight inclusive package)

What's Not Included

Travel insurance
Single accommodation (available on request - compulsory supplement)
Solo traveller supplement (where only one person is travelling on a departure date)
Car hire (if booking a land only package, available at a supplement)
Visas and vaccinations

5 Days of Walking & Trekking

Terrain:

Walks are on well marked paths, terrain is mostly in good condition and consists of hard packed earth, stoney tracks and small sections of tarmac. Walking boots are essential and walking poles are recommended for some days.

Day 2

16 km / 9.9 miles

Day 3

7 km / 4.3 miles

Day 4

13 km / 8.1 miles

Day 6

9 km / 5.6 miles

Day 7

17 km / 10.6 miles

Responsible Travel

At Exodus we believe in the power of Responsible Travel.

Every time we travel, we are part of a global movement that creates jobs, builds more sustainable societies, encourages cultural understanding and safeguards common natural and cultural heritage. To learn more about what Responsible Travel means to Exodus click here…

Itinerary

Drive to Sagres, the beautiful coastal town where you will spend the first four nights. (Staying at Memmo Baleeira)

Meals Included: Dinner

From picturesque Bordeira, a valley trail takes you through eucalyptus and giant reeds to the cliff tops above the vast expanse of Bordeira Beach with its impressive sand dunes. The views are breathtaking! Descend to the beach, where you'll walk along the crashing surf to explore the dunes and meandering river estuary. Your return is along a sandy trail through the scented pine forest of Bordalete and the floodplain of the Bordeira River where bell-toting cattle graze lazily. (Staying at Memmo Baleeira)

Meals Included: Breakfast

A short but spectacular walk to two of the Algarve's most varied beaches and their unique rock formations sculpted by the Atlantic. Stroll through peaceful valleys and pine forest to reach the flower-strewn coast. Descend to Carruagem Beach with its swirling rock ridges and rock pools. Then take the sandy cliff trail to Amoreira Beach, one of the finest sweeps of shoreline in the region. After your walk, head to Aljezur to wander the cobbled streets and visit the ruins of the Moorish hilltop castle for superb views. (Staying at Memmo Baleeira)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Just over the border in the Alentejo is the attractive village of Odeceixe. You set off on the Rota Vicentina Pilgrims' Trail alongside the irrigation canal. Reaching the Atlantic, head along the wild and rugged coastline on the stunning Fishermen's Trail to the beautiful beach of Odeceixe - one of the most photographed in Portugal. Head back to Odeceixe alongside the river and through meadows to explore its narrow cobbled streets and tempting cafes. (Staying at Memmo Baleeira)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today you make your way to Tavira, your base for the next three nights. Choose to do a walk en route or visit one of the interesting villages or towns. Monchique or Lagos are both worth a visit, the small village of Saint Luzia near Tavira is famous for octopus restaurants or head to Tavira for lunch and explore the town in the afternoon. (Staying at Pousada de Tavira)

Meals Included: Breakfast

You head east, maybe stopping at the town of Alcoutim with its 14th century castle and small international ferry! Then to Laranjeiras, where the walk begins along the banks of the Guadiana River, passing pretty white villages and almond and olive groves. You'll climb between holm oaks and stone pines to a wonderful picnic spot. It's then on through the Laranjeiras ravine full of tamarisks, lavender and carob trees, spotting golden orioles as we go. (Staying at Pousada de Tavira)

Meals Included: Breakfast

A longer walk today, which is packed with interest and contrasting scenery and sights - first following the river through orchards and vineyards, then passing through cork oaks, cistus and pine plantations, to reach a wonderful view point over the Odeleite River. Heading down to the river there is a lovely picnic site to enjoy a break. Following on passing holm oaks and two windmills is evidence to the life in the area known as the Serra. (Staying at Pousada de Tavira)

Meals Included: Breakfast

It is a 35-minute drive back to Faro airport. Note: This is an idea of your itinerary; we have more walks for you to follow in our notes. Our Algarve representatives will explain everything at your welcome briefing. You can easily add extra nights in either hotel or shorten the holiday if you like.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Essential Info

Visa

Portugal

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Portugal. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/portugal
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/portugal
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/portugal/entry-requirements
• USA:  www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Portugal.html

Vaccination

Portugal

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus and rabies. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Eating and Drinking

All breakfasts and 1 evening meal.

The local speciality from the sea is the Barnacle Perceve, this is not taken from the bottom of boats but the bottom of submerged local cliffs, it is harvested by hand using a dangerous and traditional method, which involves one of the two collectors dangling by a rope from the top of the cliffs! They are a bit of a delicacy not too dissimilar to mussels. Away from the sea the dried hams, salamis and chouriço are as good as anything that Spain or Italy can produce. The strange sounding bread sausage Alheira is very good, invented by the Portuguese Jews during the Inquisition to avoid persecution, bread and non-pork products are used. Good quality meat is also on the menu, beef and pork are of a high quality and lamb in season is superb. Vegetables are plentiful and with big harvests of almonds and oranges, fruits are in good supply alongside another local vegetable, the sweet potato.

The Algarve’s other surprise is the quality of cheese; from mild to strong using cow, goat or sheep milk there is a great range of cheeses for all tastes, Queijo de Cabra do Algarve, is a particular favourite.

Weather

Coastal areas of Portugal can be known to be quite windy.However, the climate here is long, warm summers and mild winters, with most rain falling in the winter months, but possible in all other months. Seasons are marked, with pleasant temperatures in the spring, in the summer and in the autumn. Heat waves can push up temperatures between mid June and September.

Weather Charts

Is this trip for you?

Drive to each day's different walks and you'll embark on a journey through the undiscovered parts of the region where pretty whitewashed villages and lively towns intermingle with a mix of stunning scenery.

You'll meander along diverse landscapes, from river paths and untouched coastlines to the Monchique mountain range. Admire the colours and scents of the Spanish and green lavender that grows in abundance, along with more than 25 types of orchids, mystic thyme and flowering yellow broom. Overhead you can see Bonelli's eagles, sparrow hawks, black kites, azure magpies and golden orioles whilst flamingos make their home in the salt marshes. As autumn arrives, the Algarve is one of the best places in Europe to see the annual migration, and with the region's autumn and winter being similar to the UK's springtime, you can expect year-round warm temperatures.

Car hire is essential for this trip and is included when booking a flight-inclusive package.

Covid-19 refund commitment

You will get a refund if you have to cancel your trip due to COVID-19.

Availability

This trip is available on request. Please proceed with your booking online or contact our Sales Team for assistance.

The Algarve from West to East

On this 7-night twin-centre self-guided walking trip you'll discover the entirety of Portugal's Algarve, from the rugged cliff-strewn western Atlantic coastline to its eastern border with Spain.

5 Days of Walking & Trekking

Responsible Travel

Itinerary

Essential Info

Visa

Portugal

Vaccination

Portugal

Eating and Drinking

Weather

Weather Charts

Is this trip for you?

Hotels

Would you like to include flights with your booking?

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The Algarve from West to East