Algarve Coastal Trails
- Explore the cobbled streets of Sagres and Salema
- Stop at one of the many beach bars to enjoy the local food and wine
- Walk along the rugged cliffs above the turquoise sea and white beaches
- The fresh Atlantic air at Cabo de Sao Vicente lighthouse
- Find a quieter side to the Algarve as you walk through fishing villages
Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Faro and transfer to LagosAfter flying into Faro, a transfer (included) will take you to your hotel. After check-in and your in-person welcome briefing, enjoy exploring this historic, colourful city, which is renowned for its picturesque beaches, dramatic coastline and buzzing nightlife. With its ancient Moorish city walls, 17th century fort and modern marina complex full of bars and restaurants, it's a fantastic city to kickstart your walking tour.
It is also possible to fly into Lisbon and we can arrange a transfer from here at an additional cost if required.
Located in the very centre of Lagos, near the marina and the old town, this modern, yet traditional property is sure to relax you and is the perfect spot to begin your adventure.
A small boutique hotel in the centre of Lagos, featuring an outdoor inifinity pool with views of the marina and sea, and a rooftop bar. It's just a 7 minute walk to Meia Praia Beach. Each room comes with a balcony or terrace.
After a breakfast, begin your walking by wandering through the old and narrow streets of Lagos, which head down towards the sea.You'll see remains of the ancient walls surrounding the town. Follow the coast to Ponta da Piedade, a group of rock formations with carved out rocky pillars, natural tunnels and hidden caves. From here you can admire the varied hues of the amazing sea cliffs and see how the wind and sea have carved out these many varying shapes. The colours of the cliffs are a sharp contrast to the turquoise sea, and it's one of the most beautiful natural scenes in the Algarve.
Continue along the trail spotting seabirds and flora and fauna along the way. Arrive in the small town of Luz, originally a fisherman’s village but now a charming town protected by the Rocha Negra (black rock) cliff, a product of lava flow 150 million years ago. It also boasts a beautiful beach with golden sand. In Luz there is also a 16th century fortress, which now houses a restaurant with terrific views over the Atlantic. Perhaps you'd like to eat dinner here tonight on one of the terraces, and watch the sun go down.
Ascent/Descent: 300m/185m
Overlooking the bay of Praia da Luz with its sandy beach only 600 metres away, this family-run hotel sits peacfully on the hillside. Enjoy the outdoor swimming pools or the on-site spa with a sauna. Each air-conditioned room has a private balcony, either looking over the garden and swimming pool, or with views out to the sea. Both offer an ideal space to relax after a day of walking.
As you walk along the coast today, you will come across many small fishing villages and crumbling fortresses. You'll see the beautiful beach of Luz as you begin your walk. Stop along the way and absorb the sights and sounds of the fishing villages, as well as the sea along the coast. You'll see the incredible variety of seabirds' en route, and have opportunities to stop in a local café to sample some fresh fish while looking at the fantastic coast.
You'll finish at Salema, a laidback place with a beach and a fantastic range of restaurants. Spend the evening wandering through the streets of Salema and pick where you'd like to eat. Each restaurant will feature freshly caught fish of the day, such as sardines, mackerel, or sea bream.
Ascent/Descent: 200m/220m
Casa Praia Mar is located in the traditional fishing village of Salema, Algarve, 50 metres from an Atlantic beach. It offers an outdoor swimming pool surrounded by a lawn with sun loungers.
Begin your day with a short transfer from Salema to Barão de São João, a small inland village, characterised by its coloured window bars and distinctive Algarve chimneys, which have unusual geometrical shapes and lacework patterns. From here, walk along trails through stone pine forests and through other white-washed inland villages as you make your way back to Salema on the coast.
Another option is to have a day of rest in Salema, exploring the nearby coves and beaches, and a relaxing lunch in a local café. Alternatively, why not opt for a shorter 9km walk.
Long option ascent/descent: 300m/235m - 17km
Short option ascent/descent: 200m/200m - 9km
Casa Praia Mar is located in the traditional fishing village of Salema, Algarve, 50 metres from an Atlantic beach. It offers an outdoor swimming pool surrounded by a lawn with sun loungers.
Your walk today takes you along the unspoilt coastline with clifftop trails, secret beaches and lagoons. It is indeed a landscape of rare beauty. The trail passes the beaches of Ingrina and Zavial, where it's possible to stop at a beach bar and admire the views, and perhaps have a swim and a lunch of fresh seafood.
As this is the most challenging walking day, there is a shorter 10.5 km walk available, starting from Zavial (via a short car transfer) instead of Salema, which can be found in our app.
On arrival in Sagres, the most south western town on the Algarve, you really feel like you are walking to the ends of the earth and where the land, very distinctly, meets the sea. Try to give yourself time to wander around Sagres this afternoon or evening with its picturesque harbour and pretty plaza.
Long Option Ascent/Descent: 400m/285m - 17km
Short Option Ascent/Descent: 200m/130m - 11km
Overlooking the fishing port of Baleeira Bay and its five islands, this hotel is in an exquisite location. The views are fabulous, with golden sands as far as the eye can see. Memmo Baleeira offers minimalist interiors, comfy beds and a spa. Relax on the terrace overlooking the swimming pool, where snacks and beverages are served.
Starting from Sagres, walk along the high cliffs towards the lighthouse at Cabo de Sao Vicente, the south-western most point in Europe and the final destination for today’s walk. En route there will be opportunities to discover hidden beaches between the cliffs, admire constant views over the Atlantic ocean and imagine this area centuries before, when every port had a fortress and from where many ships set sail seeking new continents.
At the end of the trail, give yourself time to explore the lighthouse which was built over the remains of a 16th century Franciscan convent in 1846. A transfer back to Sagres is included.
Ascent/Descent: 200m/170m
Overlooking the fishing port of Baleeira Bay and its five islands, this hotel is in an exquisite location. The views are fabulous, with golden sands as far as the eye can see. Memmo Baleeira offers minimalist interiors, comfy beds and a spa. Relax on the terrace overlooking the swimming pool, where snacks and beverages are served.
One of our top picks in Sagres.Overlooking the Sagres fort and the lighthouse of Cape St Vicent, Pousada de Sagres enjoys a beautiful cliff-top location along the Atlantic Ocean. The sunbeds around the swimming pool offer breathtaking views of the coast. The hotel restaurant offers a great variety of traditional Portuguese meals.
The tour finishes after breakfast and an included transfer will take you back to Faro Airport.
This trip has a carbon score of 20kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 20kg is equivalent to 182 bananas. Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information on how we've carbon counted our trips.
Other Information
Is it for me?Experience the unspoiled parts of the Algarve by following trails along the coast from Lagos to Cabo Sao Vincente. If you love to walk along high cliffs and secluded bays, be surrounded by an abundance of wildlife and eat and drink fresh local food and wines, then this is a tour that would suit you perfectly.
Slower Adventures | Where walking and cycling meet easy-going exploring, our Slower Adventures are the perfect combination. Most days are filled with picturesque journeys with some free time to dive into the destination and experience the people, local food and culture as you go.
Multi Centre Walking | With a mix of loop and point-to-point walks stay 2 or 3 nights in one place which offers the chance to slow down and really explore a destination.
Solo Travellers, Families with Teens
The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years
This walking tour is graded moderate. The daily walks are relatively short, however the terrain is hilly and summer temperatures can be high. Daily walks are of 3 to 6 hrs. You should be a regular walker and have a good level of walking fitness to get the most from this holiday. An element of caution should be exercised when walking along the cliff tops as the trail can at times take you close to the edge, though these sections are relatively short. You should therefore have a good head for heights. The terrain on walks can also be rocky and uneven in parts, although not particularly steep so we recommend the use of walking poles to aid with balance.
Your holiday includes a mixture of 3 and 4-star hotels. A warm welcome plus relaxing and comfortable rooms and public spaces are assured. You can also take advantage of the warm weather and the fact that every hotel either has a pool or located near a beach.
Alternate accommodation
During the high season, you might be booked into alternative accommodations which are not listed in the description. Any alternative accommodation will be of the same or better standard as those described although they may not always have a pool.
Single Rooms & Solo Walkers
If you require single rooms within your party we would be happy to accommodate you although there is a single room supplement payable. Solo Walkers are also welcome on this tour but there is an additional supplement which is unfortunately quite high due to the fact that the shared transfer costs are quite high and not divided.
Meals
6 Breakfasts are included. You can either eat dinner in local restaurants or at the hotels, most of which have a restaurant. We recommend trying the traditional and locally-sourced food, especially the fresh seafood which is simply delicious. For lunches you can find local cheeses, meats and breads in local shops or markets, or the hotels may make you a packed lunch on request.
As the navigation on this tour is fairly straightforward, it does not have turn-by-turn directions. It will be necessary to use the Macs Adventure Smartphone App. Simply download the app for offline use and follow the route on your phone with the assurance that you will be able to find your way, even without turn-by-turn directions. The route is way-marked in places and not in others. Several trails have way-marks on the ground, so please do keep your eye out for these. You will receive a digital booklet one month prior to your arrival with information about these, including a description of the route and points of interest. Using the two elements alongside each other should go a long way to ensure you have a safe, enjoyable and problem free day.
- 6 nights in 3 and 4-star hotels
- 6 Breakfasts
- Baggage transfers
- Transfers at the beginning and end of the tour between the hotels and Faro Airport
- 2 required transfers during the walking days
- GPX tracks and access to our smartphone app
- Organisational assistance and backup from our area manager in Portugal and our office
- Travel insurance (required)
- Travel to and from Faro
- Dinners, lunches, drinks and snacks
- Personal equipment
- Mountain rescue / emergency assistance
- Additional nights before or after the holiday
- Transfers to/from Lisbon Airport if arriving there instead of Faro
This trip is available to start on any day from February to June and from September to December.
Time of Year
As the summer months can be extremely hot, making walking quite uncomfortable the departure dates are limited to spring and autumn months. The spring and autumn are great as the weather is a little cooler and you may see the bird migrations.
By Air:
Faro is the closest airport and is serviced by at least one carrier from almost every regional airport in the UK. Direct flights from outside of London tend to be with the low cost carriers or charter flights. Flight time from London is approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes. For more information on Faro Airport please go to the following website www.faroairport.eu
Airport transfers to and from Faro Airport are included in the cost of your tour.
The tour is also accessible from Lisbon Airport. To get from Lisbon Airport to the starting point of the tour, you need to take the subway into the city centre and catch a bus to Lagos (4 hours). A transfer is then included to take you to your hotel. We can also arrange a transfer from Lisbon Airport for you for an additional cost. Please note this is quite a high cost due to the length of the transfer involved.
From Sagres, the location of your last hotel, a transfer is included back to Faro Airport.
Again it is possible to be transferred back to Lisbon for an additional charge.
Your bags will be transferred between your accommodation when you change hotels. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per person.
The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants),sun hat, sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.
It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.
We suggest you book as soon as your plans are finalised as this area is extremely popular. You will find up to date availability on our website and we will always try and accommodate your plans so just ask.
This tour is suitable for most people that are in good physical condition. It is rated moderate because there are some elevation gains and losses. You will have to be careful when walking along the high cliffs but they are very wide so you don’t have to go close to the edge. Some of the trails maybe a bit rocky at times so you will have to be used to negotiating this type of terrain. As this is a self-guided walk you will be responsible for navigation, decision making and safety during your trip.
As the summer months can be extremely hot, making walking quite uncomfortable the departure dates are limited to spring and autumn months. The spring and autumn are great as the weather is a little cooler and you may see the bird migrations.
You will need good walking shoes/boots, comfortable walking clothes, waterproof jacket and trousers, a daypack and hats/gloves etc. There is a more comprehensive list in your information pack.
Faro is the closest airport and is an approximate one hour drive to Lagos, the location of your first hotel on the tour. Faro is serviced by at least one carrier from almost every regional airport in the UK. Direct flights from outside of London tend to be with the low cost carriers or charter flights. Flight time from London is approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes. For more information on Faro Airport please go to the following website www.faroairport.eu
All baggage transfers are included. We request that you have only one piece of luggage per person and it should weigh only 20kg.
You will be collected and dropped off at Faro Airport at the beginning and end of the trip. One of the days involves a transfer to the start of the day’s walking and another day a transfer at the end of the day back to the hotel. The details of these will be included in your route notes.
Our pre-departure information pack has detailed advice and a kit list on what to take. This includes good waterproof gear, walking shoes/boots, and lots of other useful bits and bobs.
You can use public transport or local taxis to continue to your next overnight stop.
-
WalkingWalk of the Week: Algarve Coastal TrailsRead More1 Min Read12 July 2016
-
WalkingWhere to go on your walking holiday in NovemberRead More2 Min Read15 September 2023
-
Active Travel in Portugal - Where Should I Go?Read More3 Min Read10 January 2020
-
Food & DrinkEating and Drinking in PortugalRead More4 Min Read24 February 2020
-
Save %8 Days 7 Nights
Rota Vicentina: The Wild Algarve
Walk the Rota Vicentina to Cabo Sao Vicente, and discover the authentic side of the AlgarveHighlights- Experience an unspoiled side of the Algarve
- Cross wild and rugged beaches
- Explore the whitewashed village of Odeceixe
-
Save %7 Days 6 Nights
Rota Vicentina: The Fishermen's Trail
Follow some of the best preserved coastline in southwestern Europe through the Alentejo regionHighlights- Walk Portugal's famous Rota Vicentina
- Follow the footsteps of Portuguese fishermen
- Spot white storks nesting on the cliffs
-
Save %12 Days 11 Nights
Best of the Rota Vicentina
Walk the best of the Rota Vicentina along an epic 100 mile stretch of rugged Atlantic Coastline.Highlights- Voted one of the top 6 coastal trails in the world
- Enjoy peaceful trails and deserted beaches
- Eat the freshest seafood in south west Portugal
- 8 Days 7 Nights
Porto & Peneda-Gerês National Park
Walk from one mountain village to the next in northern Portugal, and explore vibrant Porto.Highlights- Pilgrim paths, shepherd trails and Roman roads
- Striking mountain scenery and isolated villages
- Wine tasting in the bustling city of Porto
- 8 Days 7 Nights
Classic Chianti
Follow Tuscan trails through the unforgettable wine region of Chianti to SienaHighlights- Classic wine routes through the Tuscan hills
- Hand-picked accommodation in sublime locations
- Hike into the wonderful UNESCO city of Siena
- 7 Days 6 Nights
Loire Valley: The Châteaux Trail
Walk through the beautiful Loire valley, taking in the grand Châteaux de la Loire along the wayHighlights- Easy-going walking in the peaceful Loire Valley
- Wine-tasting in famous vineyards, such as Sancerre
- Classic chateaux of Chenonceau, Chinon and Amboise