The Perfect Road Trip Through Portugal

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Portugal’s Algarve Region along the southern coast is best seen by car.

The trip: Six Days, 100 Miles

When to go: The height of tourism season is July and August. But since temperatures stay mild and warm throughout most of the year, there’s hardly a bad time to visit, and many consider spring and fall to be the best times.

Day One - Lisbon to Sagres

Fly straight into Lisbon and rent a car. For the first leg, drive to Sagres a village in the less-developed southwestern corner of the country (…) Watch the sunset from Cabo de São Vicente lighthouse, also the southwesternmost point of Europe.

Day Two - Praia do Beliche

Have breakfast in town (…) and save room for the sweet, creamy egg custard filled tart pastel de nata, a delicacy found throughout the region. Visit the remains of old fortress walls overlooking panoramic ocean views at the Fortaleza Sagres (Sagres Fort). Then, drive to Praia do Beliche and spend the afternoon in the small bay, surrounded by towering, gray cliffs.

Day Three - Ponta Ruiva and Vila do Bispo

Rent some surf gear in Sagres and off-road to Ponta Ruiva beach. (…) After surfing, have lunch in the central town Vila do Bispo. End the day watching the sunset on the beach at the remote and expansive Praia das Furnas, a fifteen-minute drive from town.

Day 4 – Lagos

Drive to the resort city of Lagos, about 30 minutes east, and spend the day wandering the city’s smooth, tiled pedestrian streets, browsing shops and restaurants. Beat the heat with some gelato while walking along the palm tree-lined riverfront promenade to the beach. Some of the most photographed beaches in the Algarve are in Lagos, popular for their unusual rock formations, including gold-colored stone arches and free-standing rocks rising out of the water. Lagos is also known for its nightlife, even if it's less debaucherous than in nearby town Albufeira, which draws a younger crowd. Have a late dinner (around 9 p.m.) for energy to bar-hop the city late into the night.

Day 5 - Faro

Faro, one hour east of Lagos, is the biggest city in the Algarve (…) and there’s plenty to see in the tight maze of streets in the historic center. Admire the intricate architecture, visit churches, and be sure to stop at the 17th century Teatro Lethes, which still holds dance, drama, and musical performances.

Day 6 - Tavira

On your last morning, take a boat tour of the nearby islands, including the aptly named Ilha Deserta (Deserted Island). Later, for a last dose of that Mediterranean sun, spend the afternoon surfing or sunbathing on the city’s main beach, ten minutes by car or bus from the city center. (…) End the night walking the docks.