Madeira & Algarve: 7-Night Package with Car

Suggestion for the day: Eastern Madeira

Eastern Madeira covers traditional villages, volcanic peaks, and a peninsula known for its unusual landscape.

• Santana: known for triangular thatched-roof houses called "palheiros," a symbol of traditional Madeiran architecture
• Machico: the first capital of Madeira, with a historic center and a beach
• Pico do Areeiro: Madeira's third-highest peak, with panoramic views over the Curral das Freiras valley on a clear day
• Ponta de Sao Lourenco: a nature reserve at the island's easternmost tip, with volcanic rock formations and hiking trails

All suggestions are optional.

Good to know: Madeira stays mild year-round. Summer (June to September) averages 23-25C (73-77F). Spring and autumn run 18-21C (64-70F). Winter (December to February) averages 16-17C (61-63F). Pico do Areeiro is significantly cooler and windier than sea level at any time of year, bring a layer regardless of season.

Return your Madeira rental car and take the direct flight to the Algarve, approximately 1 hour 40 minutes. Pick up your new rental car on arrival.

Suggestion for the day: Settle In

Take some time to explore your hotel's amenities, then head out for a first look at your Algarve surroundings. In the evening, a local restaurant near the coast is a good introduction to the region, fresh seafood and cataplana, a traditional seafood stew, are both worth trying.

All suggestions are optional.

Suggestion for the day: Albufeira

Albufeira is a resort town on the Algarve coast with an old town, beaches, and a marina. A boat tour to the Benagil Caves is a popular add-on from here.

Beaches: Praia dos Pescadores, Praia da Falesia, Praia da Oura, Praia de Sao Rafael, Praia dos Olhos de Agua.

Old Town: whitewashed houses, small shops, and the Igreja Matriz, a Gothic church. The Albufeira Marina is worth a stroll toward evening.

All suggestions are optional.

Suggestion for the day: Lagos and Ponta da Piedade

Lagos is a coastal town with defensive walls dating to its history as a port city.

• Santa Maria Church: an 18th-century church
• Governor's Castle: a 16th-century fortress with harbor views
• Ponta da Piedade: cliffs, grottoes, and rock formations, best seen by boat tour

Beaches: Dona Ana Beach, Praia do Camilo, Meia Praia, Praia da Batata, Praia dos Pinhao. Surfing, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding are all available locally, contact the Portugal Getaways team if you'd like a specific tour arranged.

All suggestions are optional.

Suggestion for the day: Salema, Sagres, and Cabo de São Vicente

Morning in Salema: a quiet beach town, with two sets of preserved dinosaur footprints near the beach.

Afternoon in Sagres: a windswept town with maritime history. The Sagres Fortress, a 15th-century monument on a clifftop, has coastal views from its ramparts.

Sunset at Cabo de São Vicente: the southwestern tip of mainland Portugal, sometimes called the "End of the World" for its historical role as the edge of the known world for European explorers, and a good spot to end the day.

All suggestions are optional.

Good to know: the Algarve runs warm most of the year. Summer (June to August) averages 28-31C (82-88F). Spring and autumn run 20-25C (68-77F). Winter (December to February) is milder than most of Europe, averaging 15-17C (59-63F), with more rain than summer but still plenty of sunshine.