Slow Pace Winter Road Trip: Alentejo, Algarve & Lisbon

Suggestion for the day: Alqueva and Alentejo Wine Country 

The Alqueva reservoir, Europe's largest artificial lake, and the surrounding Reguengos de Monsaraz wine region are the reason many travelers extend their stay here. Don't Miss:

• Alqueva Reservoir boat trip: An optional boat tour onto the reservoir shows the flooded landscape and the scale of the dam that created it in 2002. 
• Adega José de Sousa: One of the oldest working wineries in the Reguengos de Monsaraz region, known for wine aged in clay talha pots, a Roman-era technique still used in the Alentejo. 
• Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve: This was the world's first certified Starlight Tourism Destination, worth stepping outside after dinner if the sky is clear. All suggestions are optional.

Drive from Monsaraz to your Algarve base, approximately 200 km (124 mi) through the Alentejo plains before reaching the coast. Arrival day, time to settle into and get oriented after the drive. All suggestions are optional.

Suggestion for the day: Unveiling Lagos' Charm 

Lagos, a captivating coastal town in the Algarve, beckons with its rich history, stunning beaches, and dramatic natural wonders. Immerse yourself in its vibrant atmosphere and discover a treasure trove of experiences! Don’t Miss:

• Historic Charm: Admire remnants of the city's defensive walls, a reminder of its past as a crucial port city.
• Santa Maria Church: Marvel at the ornate facade and intricate interior of this 18th-century church, a landmark in Lagos.
• Governor's Castle: Explore this imposing 16th-century fortress, offering panoramic views of the city and harbor. All suggestions are optional.

Suggestion for the day: Discover Faro’s Magic

Faro, the capital of the Algarve, boasts a rich tapestry woven with ancient history and modern vibrancy. 

Don’t Miss:

• Faro Old Town Walls: Stroll along these historic ramparts for panoramic views of the harbor and charming old town below.
• Sé Cathedral (Faro Cathedral): Marvel at this Gothic landmark showcasing intricate architecture. 
• Arco da Vila (Gate of the Town): Don't miss this majestic 18th-century archway marking the entrance to the old town. 
• Largo da Sé: This charming cobbled square is the heart of Faro's historic district, home to the cathedral, town hall, and bishop's palace.
•  Mercado Municipal (Municipal Market): Immerse yourself in the sights and smells of this lively market, overflowing with fresh produce, regional specialties, and local crafts.
• Beaches: While Faro itself offers beaches, nearby areas like Ilha de Faro (Faro Island) and Praia de Faro (Faro Beach) are popular choices for sunbathers and water sports enthusiasts. However, the true gems of this day trip lie in exploring the distinct characters of Faro and Olhão. All suggestions are optional.

Suggestion for the day: Albufeira's Beaches, History, & Charm

Albufeira, a vibrant resort town on Portugal's Algarve coast, beckons with its golden sands, charming old town, and exciting activities. This itinerary offers a taste of Albufeira's diverse offerings, allowing you to soak up the sun, delve into history, and experience the local flavor.

Beach Bliss: Choose your perfect beach paradise! 

• Praia dos Pescadores
• Praia da Falésia 
• Praia da Oura
• Praia de São Rafael
• Praia dos Olhos de Água

All suggestions are optional.

Suggestion for the day: Local Market Day 

• Visit your base town's municipal market for fresh produce, bread, and fish. Algarve markets are strongest early in the morning, and most wind down by early afternoon. A good day to plan a few home-cooked meals around what looks best in the kitchenette. All suggestions are optional.

Suggestion for the day: Ferragudo 

A short drive brings you to one of the Algarve's most photogenic and least touristy fishing villages. Don't Miss: 

• Castelo de São João do Arade: A small 16th-century fort facing Portimão across the river mouth, mostly viewed from outside.
• The old fishing quarter: Narrow streets of whitewashed, colorfully trimmed houses climbing up from the harbor. 
• Praía Grande: A wide beach just outside the village, quieter than the main resort beaches nearby. All suggestions are optional.

Suggestion for the day: Praia da Marinha 

Regularly ranked among Europe's best beaches, and one of the most photographed spots on this coast. Don't Miss:

•  The cliff-top boardwalk: A wooden walkway along the cliffs offers views down onto the beach and coves without needing to descend the stairs. 
• The staircase down to the sand: Steep but manageable, leading to a small beach framed by two natural rock arches. 
• Nearby Benagil village: A few minutes further along the coast, the starting point for most boat tours to the famous sea cave. All suggestions are optional.

Suggestion for the day: Portimão 

A working river town with more substance than its beach-resort neighbor Praia da Rocha. Don't Miss: 

•  Museu de Portimão: A well-regarded museum built inside a former fish cannery, covering the town's history from Roman times through the 20th-century canning industry. 
•  Riverside promenade: A pedestrian walk along the Arade river, especially pleasant in the early evening. 
•  Rua do Comércio: The main pedestrian shopping street in the town center. All suggestions are optional.

Suggestion for the day: Praia da Rocha 

The Algarve's original resort beach, large and dramatic even if more developed than the coves further east. Don't Miss: 

• The beach itself: One of the widest in the Algarve, backed by tall ochre cliffs and rock stacks rising out of the sand. 
• Fortaleza de Santa Catarina: A small 17th-century fort at the eastern end of the beach with views back along the coast. All suggestions are optional.

Suggestion for the day: Alvor 

A quieter fishing town built around a lagoon known for birdlife rather than a single big beach. Don't Miss: 

• Igreja Matriz de Alvor: A Manueline-style parish church in the small old quarter, notable for its carved stone doorway. 
• Ria de Alvor boardwalks: Wooden walkways cross the lagoon and salt marshes, good for an easy walk and birdwatching. 
• The old town streets: Narrow and largely untouched by the resort development along the coast just outside it. All suggestions are optional.

Suggestion for the day: Boat Trip to the Benagil Cave

 The single most photographed sight on this coast, best experienced by water rather than from the clifftop above. Don't Miss: 

• Algar de Benagil: A sea cave with a natural skylight opening in its domed ceiling, often called the Benagil Cathedral, and a small patch of sand inside only reachable by boat or kayak. *
• Boat tours: Depart regularly from Portimão, Carvoeiro, Armação de Pêra, or directly from Benagil beach, and usually combine the cave with nearby coves and Praía da Marinha from the water. These tours are popular and can sell out in peak season, advance booking is recommended, contact the Portugal Getaways team ahead of time. All suggestions are optional.

Suggestion for the day: Silves & Monchique

Two inland stops that pair naturally, the former Moorish capital in the morning and the Algarve's highest hills in the afternoon, about 30 to 40 minutes apart by car. Don't Miss:

• Castelo de Silves: A red sandstone castle with commanding views over the town and the Arade river, among the best preserved Moorish fortifications in Portugal.

• Sé de Silves (Cathedral): Built on the site of the city's main mosque after the Christian reconquest, just below the castle.
• Fóia (Monchique): The highest point in the Algarve at 902 meters (2,959 feet), with views stretching to the coast on a clear day.
• Caldas de Monchique: A small spa village tucked into the valley below Monchique, with thermal springs used since Roman times.

Suggestion for the day: Sagres and Cabo de São Vicente 

The far southwestern corner of Portugal, associated with the Age of Discoveries and dramatic Atlantic cliffs. This is a longer drive than most other days, plan for a full day out. Don't Miss: 

• Fortaleza de Sagres: A clifftop fortress historically linked to Prince Henry the Navigator, with a large stone wind rose in its courtyard. 
• Cabo de São Vicente: The southwesternmost point of mainland Europe, once believed to be the edge of the known world, with a still-active lighthouse. 
• Sunset at the Cape: A well-known local tradition, arrive with time to spare as parking fills up in the final hour before sunset. All suggestions are optional.

Suggestion for the day: Last Market Visit and a Slow Day 

• A final visit to the local market for anything you'd like to cook with, and a slower day to pack before tomorrow's drive north. All suggestions are optional.

Drive from the Algarve to Lisbon, approximately 270 km (168 mi) on the A2 motorway, tolled along most of the route.

 Arrival in a very different rhythm of city after the slow Algarve stretch. All suggestions are optional.

Suggestion for the day: Alfama and Miradouros 

Lisbon's oldest district, a maze of narrow streets that survived the 1755 earthquake largely intact. To explore Lisbon, we recommend leaving the car parked at your hotel and getting around on foot, tram, or metro. Don't Miss: 

• Castelo de São Jorge: A hilltop Moorish castle with the best panoramic views over the city and the Tejo River.
• Sé de Lisboa: Lisbon's Romanesque cathedral, one of the oldest buildings still standing in the city. 
• Miradouro das Portas do Sol: One of several viewpoints in Alfama looking out over the rooftops toward the river. 
• Tram 28: The historic tram route winds through Alfama's steepest streets, though it can get crowded; walking covers much of the same ground. All suggestions are optional.

Suggestion for the day: Sintra or Bélém 

Since the rental car is still with you, a day trip to Sintra is an easy option, or stay closer with a walk through Bélém. Don't Miss: 

• Palácio da Pena (Sintra): A colorful 19th-century Romanticist palace on a hilltop above the town, Sintra's best-known landmark. 
• Quinta da Regaleira (Sintra): An estate known for its symbolic gardens and the Initiation Well, a spiral staircase descending underground. 
• Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (Bélém): A UNESCO World Heritage monastery built to commemorate Vasco da Gama's voyage to India. 
• Torre de Bélém (Bélém): A fortified tower on the Tagus, one of Lisbon's most recognizable landmarks.
• Pastéis de Bélém: The original bakery for Portugal's custard tarts, a short walk from the monastery. All suggestions are optional.