5-Day Itinerary: Algarve, Portugal Without Renting a Car

Overview

• Location: Algarve region, Portugal (Southern Coast)
• Famous for: Beautiful beaches, coastal cliff views, particularly Ponta da Piedade rock formations in Lagos
• Travel Style: Budget-friendly without car rental

Day 1: Explore Downtown Lagos

• Activities:
  • Walk around downtown, explore souvenir shops, and restaurants
  • Key spots:
    • Rua de Portugal
    • Praça Gil Eanes (favorite for its green-tile building)
    • Praça Luís de Camões
    • Praça Infante Dom Henrique
• Marcado:
  • Open 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM daily except Sunday
  • Rooftop restaurant not recommended; try the bakery for Pastel de Nata (€1.50)
• Visit:
  • Lagos Fortress: Free entry, great ocean views
  • Lagos Castle and City Walls
  • Student Beach: Features arch bridge, recommend relaxing here
• Dinner:
  • Eat at Mar (overlooks Student Beach) for a great meal with views

Day 2: Marina & Beach Day

• Breakfast/Brunch:
  • At the marina; explore pop-up canopies along the river
• Activity:
  • Boat tour options:
    • 1.15-hour Grotto Tour (€22.50)
    • 2-hour Grotto Tour (€29.50) – Recommended
• Visit Beaches:
  • Pinhão Beach
  • Continue to Dona Ana Beach
  • Optional: Dinner at the restaurant on Dona Ana Beach

Day 3: Chill Day & Cliff Walk

• Breakfast:
  • Café Nina recommended (brunch platter €1.15)
• Activity:
  • Boardwalk cliff walk from Dona Ana to Ponta da Piedade (3 km)
  • Camel Beach (views from above)
  • Ponta da Piedade: Iconic photo spot
• Relaxation:
  • Choose a beach or enjoy another boat tour

Day 4: Move to Carvoeiro

• Transport:
  • Uber from Lagos to Carvoeiro (€20)
• Explore:
  • Carvoeiro downtown; restaurant recommendation: Earth for ocean views
• Activity:
  • Book cave boat tour:
    • 1-hour tour or 1.5-hour tour to Marinha Beach (€35)
  • Visit Benagil Cave – iconic photo spot

Day 5: Final Day Activities

• Morning:
  • Breakfast in downtown Carvoeiro
  • View from the hill overlooking Carvoeiro Beach
• Activity:
  • Seven Hanging Valleys Trail (Carvoeiro to Marinha)
  • Highlights: Vale de Centeanes Beach, Benagil Cave from above, Marinha Beach
  • Relax at Vale de Sant'Ana Beach
• Transport to Airport:
  • Plan for an hour trip to the airport (€40 via Uber)
• Optional:
  • Kayak tour to Benagil Cave for iconic photos

Additional Resources

• Video Guides:
  • Ultimate Guide to Lagos Portugal – Recommended for planning