3 Days in the Algarve: Benagil, Lagos and Sagres

Three days is enough for a great taste of the Algarve: the famous cliffs and sea caves, a beautiful old town, and a sunset at the end of Europe. Here’s our 3-day Algarve itinerary, based in Lagos or Carvoeiro.

Quick answer: Day 1: a boat or kayak to Benagil, then Praia da Marinha and the Seven Hanging Valleys trail. Day 2: Lagos: Ponta da Piedade, Praia Dona Ana and the old town. Day 3: Sagres and the sunset at Cape St Vincent, or a beach day. Base yourself in Lagos or Carvoeiro, and hire a car.

Why this route works

The most dramatic stretch of the Algarve runs from Carvoeiro west to Cape St Vincent, roughly 70 km. Everything in this plan is within about an hour’s drive of Lagos or Carvoeiro, so you spend your time on beaches and clifftops rather than in the car. Lagos suits you if you want restaurants and evening life. Carvoeiro is smaller and quieter, and closer to Benagil.

Day 1: Benagil and Marinha

• Morning: a boat trip or guided kayak to Benagil Cave while the sea is calm. Boats leave from Benagil, Carvoeiro, Portimão and other nearby towns, and trips usually take one to two hours. See Benagil Cave.
• Midday: swim at Praia da Marinha, a cove of golden cliffs and clear water reached by steps from the clifftop car park. See Praia da Marinha.
• Afternoon: walk part of the Seven Hanging Valleys trail along the clifftops. The full trail runs about 5.7 km one way between Praia da Marinha and Praia do Vale de Centeanes, so most people walk a section and come back. See the Seven Hanging Valleys trail.
• Evening: sunset on the Carvoeiro boardwalk at Algar Seco. See Carvoeiro.

Benagil rules: under newer rules from the maritime authorities, you can no longer land on the beach inside the cave, swim to it, or rent a kayak to go there on your own. Visits are by licensed boat trip or guided kayak tour, with time limits inside the cave. Check the current rules with your operator.

Day 2: Lagos

• Morning: Ponta da Piedade by small boat or kayak, weaving between arches, sea stacks and grottos. Trips usually last around an hour. You can also walk the clifftop paths from town. See things to do in Lagos.
• Afternoon: Praia Dona Ana and the old town. Walk the town walls, the small fort by the harbour mouth and the lanes around the main square.
• Evening: dinner and drinks in Lagos. See the best restaurants in Lagos.

Day 3: Sagres or a beach day

• Sagres: about 35 minutes’ drive west of Lagos. Visit the fortress on its windswept headland, the surf beaches such as Tonel and Mareta, and the famous sunset at Cape St Vincent, about 6 km further on, where a lighthouse marks the south-west tip of mainland Europe. See Sagres.
• Or relax: a beach day on Meia Praia or at a family resort.
• Or the east: Tavira and the islands, if you’re flying from Faro. See Tavira.

Food to try

Look for grilled sardines and fresh fish, octopus, clams and cataplana, a seafood stew cooked in a copper pot. Inland, try piri-piri chicken, and finish with sweets made from almonds, figs and carob.

When to go

This plan works best from May to October, when the sea is calmer and boat trips run most days. July and August are the busiest and hottest. In spring and autumn you get warm days and fewer crowds. In winter, boat trips may be cancelled in rough seas, but the clifftop walks are at their best.

Tips

• Book boats for the morning, when the sea is usually calmer.
• Arrive early at Marinha and Benagil for parking.
• Bring good shoes: the clifftop trails are uneven, and many beaches have steep steps.
• Tolls: the A22 motorway has electronic tolls, so ask your car hire company about a toll device. See Portugal tolls explained.
• From Faro airport: about an hour to Lagos. See Faro airport transfers.
• Where to stay: see the best hotels in Lagos or where to stay in the Algarve.

Got a week? See the 7-day Algarve itinerary.

Prices and details change, so please double-check before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Tell us in the groups.