Lisbon to the Algarve road trip in 7 days, along the wild west coast
Most people drive from Lisbon to the Algarve on the motorway in under three hours. Take a week instead and follow the coast: the palaces of Sintra, the turquoise coves of Arrábida, the cliffs and empty beaches of the Costa Vicentina, Cape St. Vincent and finally the golden sea caves of Lagos.
Lisbon
Explore Lisbon on foot: the castle for the view, the lanes of Alfama, the Baixa and dinner in Chiado or Bairro Alto. You will not need the car yet.
São Jorge Castle → Santa Luzia viewpoint and Alfama → Baixa and Praça do Comércio → Chiado and Bairro Alto
Night: Lisbon · hotels in Lisbon
Sintra and Cabo da Roca
Sintra is about 40 minutes from Lisbon by car or train. Arrive when Pena Palace opens and book a timed ticket online, then visit Quinta da Regaleira. Finish at Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of mainland Europe, before returning to Lisbon.
Pena Palace → Quinta da Regaleira → Cabo da Roca
Night: Lisbon · hotels in Lisbon
Arrábida, Setúbal and on to Milfontes
Pick up the car and cross the Tagus to the Serra da Arrábida, about 45 minutes away. Drive the ridge road, swim at one of the coves and have choco frito for lunch in Setúbal. In the afternoon drive about 2 hours south to Vila Nova de Milfontes.
Serra da Arrábida road → Portinho da Arrábida and the Arrábida beaches → Setúbal and choco frito
Night: Vila Nova de Milfontes · hotels in Vila Nova de Milfontes
Porto Covo, Cabo Sardão and Odeceixe
Head north for a morning in Porto Covo, then follow the coast south: storks nest on the sea cliffs at Cabo Sardão, Zambujeira do Mar sits above the waves and Odeceixe beach lies where the river meets the sea. Sleep near Aljezur.
Porto Covo and Pessegueiro Island (Ilha do Pessegueiro) → Cabo Sardão → Zambujeira do Mar → Odeceixe Beach
Night: Aljezur · hotels in Aljezur
Arrifana, Bordeira and Sagres
A day of wild beaches: the surf bay of Arrifana and the huge dunes of Bordeira. In the afternoon reach Sagres, visit the fortress and watch the sunset at Cape St. Vincent.
Arrifana Beach → Bordeira Beach and Carrapateira → Sagres Fortress (Fortaleza de Sagres) → Cape St. Vincent (Cabo de São Vicente)
Night: Sagres · hotels in Sagres
Lagos and Ponta da Piedade
Lagos is 35 minutes from Sagres. Walk the cliff path at Ponta da Piedade, see the arches from a boat or kayak and spend the evening in the old town.
Ponta da Piedade → Lagos Old Town
Night: Lagos · hotels in Lagos
Benagil and the Seven Hanging Valleys
Drive about 40 minutes east to visit the Benagil cave from the sea, then walk the Seven Hanging Valleys trail from Praia da Marinha. Faro airport is about 50 minutes away; Lisbon is around 2 h 45 by motorway.
Benagil Cave (Gruta de Benagil) → Seven Hanging Valleys Trail (Percurso dos Sete Vales Suspensos)
Night: Lagos · hotels in Lagos
Practical tips
- Days 3 to 5 have short distances but slow, winding roads. Do not plan more stops than you can enjoy.
- The west coast is windy and the sea is cold and rough. Swim only on beaches with lifeguards and watch the flags.
- Portuguese motorways use electronic tolls. Ask the rental company for a transponder.
- A one-way rental from Lisbon to Faro usually costs extra. Compare it with returning the car to Lisbon by motorway.
Want to go deeper?
Each part of this route is also a full circuit with more stops and extra days.
