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Panoramic views on the coastal hike

Algarve Coastal Walk with Charm

From west to east along the wild atlantic coast

8 Days / 7 Nights
Walking
176  kg
CO₂-Emissions get compensated
Panoramic views on the coastal hike

On this fantastic tour, you’ll discover the picturesque beaches and stunning coastal landscapes of the Algarve in all their vibrant facets. In the west, a wild natural landscape awaits you, featuring rugged cliffs, imposing rock formations, and unique limestone walls. As you move east into the Mediterranean region, you’ll encounter secluded beaches and endless lagoons surrounding the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve, a paradise for countless birds and marine creatures of all kinds. Everywhere you go, you can observe the traditions and customs of the charming fishing villages dotting the coast, while the hiking trails will introduce you to a myriad of flowers and plants. It’s a perfect hiking tour for lovers of breathtaking beaches and unspoiled nature.

Gorgeous weather, thrilling landscapes, the roaring Atlantic, and, of course, exquisite cuisine—there’s no doubt that a hiking holiday in Portugal is worthwhile! Explore the various options and regions available, and our experts are happy to assist you with personalized advice.

Lisa Marie Streitfellner
Lisa Marie Streitfellner

Your hiking vacation begins in the vibrant coastal town of Lagos. Stroll through the charming streets of the old town before setting off on your first stage. You'll kick off with two circular hikes. First, you’ll explore the wild western coastline, where spectacular rock formations, sparkling coves, and inviting sandy beaches create a stunning contrast—your destination is the charming village of Figueira. The following day, you'll experience the power of the sea as you navigate between caves and cliffs, making your way to the lighthouse at Ponta da Piedade.

On Day 4, you’ll depart from Lagos and hike along a scenic cliff path, first reaching the sandy beach at Carvoeiro and then continuing along the coast to Albufeira. Nature reserves with their wild and romantic landscapes will accompany you on your journey toward Faro. The following day, the fishing village of Fuzeta will be your starting point. You'll traverse the Ria Formosa lagoon to reach Tavira Island, and to cap off the day, you'll take a boat to the charming town of the same name. For the grand finale of your journey, a loop tour leads you to the Spanish border and the enchanting Vila Real de Santo António.

  • The Diverse Habitats of Ria Formosa: Lagoons, mudflats, dunes, salt marshes, and chains of islands—all of this can be found in the expansive nature park along the coast. This diverse landscape fosters a rich flora and fauna, with numerous bird species taking center stage. The park serves as a crucial stopover for migratory birds on their journeys between Europe and Africa, hosting rare species such as the purple gallinule. Take a moment to pause and listen to your surroundings—each sound reveals the vibrant life that thrives within this breathtaking ecosystem!
  • Lively Coastal Towns and Charming Fishing Villages: In addition to the stunning nature, you’ll undoubtedly experience the essence of Portuguese lifestyle. In small villages with colorful seaside houses, relaxation comes effortlessly. In larger towns, you can indulge in a diverse array of restaurants, bars, and shops. For instance, Lagos enchants visitors with its beautiful old town, while Aveiro is often referred to as the “Venice of the Algarve” for its picturesque canals and charming gondolas.
  • The Anchor Cemetery, also known as "Cemitério das Âncoras," is located near Praia do Barril beach and features a large collection of rusty ship anchors arranged in the dunes. These anchors date back to the time when tuna fishing was a significant economic activity in the region. However, in the mid-20th century, this activity declined due to industrialization and changes in fish populations. Today, the site has become a popular spot for photography!

The climate in Portugal invites hiking nearly year-round—the stunning landscapes only add to the appeal. Relaxation is never in short supply while coastal hiking in the Algarve, especially on our Charm tours, where you’ll stay in carefully selected hotels. After your hiking stages, you can easily cool off with a refreshing dip in the pool or raise a glass at the hotel bar to celebrate a successful day!

On our ‘Hiking Tours with Charm’ you can enjoy the full service of our individual active holidays while staying in very special accommodation with that extra something in the best location. That means you can look forward to luxury furnishings and decor in the local style, as well as cuisine at the highest level. Many of our hotels with charm also offer large pools and a wellness area where you can relax after a lovely day of hiking.

Itinerary at a glance

Golden sandy beaches, the lively cities of Lagos and Faro, impressive cliffs and Portuguese hospitality await you on your hiking holiday. In the evening, round off the day with the culinary delights of this region.

The little coastal town of Lagos welcomes you with its mediterranean flair in the lively alleyways of the historic centre. The bustling crowd at the harbour and the dreamy sandy beach will get you in the right mood for a stupendous holiday.

 

Black, red and yellow rock formations, sparse plateaus, long drawn-out sandy beaches and breathtaking headlands offer the perfect backdrop for a very special hike. From tranquil Sagres deserted trails lead you on gently undulating terrain along the coast through the fragrant Macchia. Over rocky steep trails and through glistening bays you finally reach the little village of Figueira.

 

In the coastal village Burgau you start a fabulous tour totally under the banner of the sea: high cliffs, jagged rocky landscape, cozy bays and gurgling grottos are testimony to the tireless power of the deep-blue waves. The sound of the waves and the distinctive fragrance of the Atlantic accompany you to the lighthouse situated high up above the spectacular rock cliffs of Ponta da Piedade.

 

From Ferragudo you proceed on an impressive cliff path over steep cliffs, hollowed out limestone formations and hidden sandy beaches all the way to Carvoeiro, where you reward yourself with a break in a beach bar. Afterwards you continue through the seven hanging valleys, a marvelous coastal trail leading through seven bays past countless rock sculptures all the way to the Praia da Marinha.

 

Always along the beach through dunes and lagoons on winding paths through the nature reserve on the coast, where you get to marvel at numerous bird species, the mudflat and the ocean from the viewing towers. On the renowned Ludo-Trail you cross the bridge over to the island of Faro, a long drawn-out sandy strip, which invites you to an extensive rest and pitstop.

 

A short train journey takes you into the fishing village Fuzeta, the start of the tour. Glistening salt basins, little villages with colorful houses and blooming orchards line your path. At the shores of the slowly flowing river Ria Formosa you proceed on the edge of the lagoon through the nature park until the island of Tavira. Past the ‚Anchor Cemetery‘ via the fine sandy beach all the way to the Northern end of the island, from where you take a boat into the ‚Venice of the Algarve‘, the historic little town of Tavira.

 

You embark on an idyllic route along the coast to the Eastern end of the Algarve to the Spanish border. Over gentle dunes, through fragrant pine forests and on deserted beaches you proceed to the Rio Guadiana estuary, which separates Portugal from Spain. Day Finish of the route is the charming little hamlet of Vila Real de Santo António, which will delight you with its historic background and enchanting architecture.

 

Day
08
Departure or extension

Other variants of this tour

Difficulty level

Walking

Throughout you walk on well-maintained paths, on sandy and rocky trails, as well as on steep paths along the cliffs, partly also on gravel roads. For the hiking tours with a walking time of up to 5.5 hours a good basic fitness level and surefootedness for the, in parts, rocky paths along the cliffs are necessary. Along stunning coastal paths, you discover the diversity of the East- and West coast of the Algarve.

Prices & Dates

Prices per person in EUR

Sustainably on the go

Offsetting your carbon footprint

176 kg
CO₂-Emissions get compensated
The total value of all emissions per travel and per person is carefully tracked using the CO2 calculator 'Carmacal,' which was specifically developed for tour operators. The individual components that make up this value are shown in the diagram. The overall impact is contributed to by accommodations, luggage transport, on-site catering, and activities, and it is fully offset through our climate protection projects.
Accommodation (58%)
Meals (18%)
Transport (21%)
Activities (3%)
100%

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

Included

  • Accommodation in hotels with charm
  • Breakfast
  • Luggage transfer
  • Welcome briefing (German, English)
  • Transfers according to program
  • Carefully elaborated route description
  • Detailed travel documents 1x per room (German, English, French)
  • App for Navigation and GPS-data
  • Service hotline

Optional

  • Airport transfer Faro – Lagos EUR 65 per person, Tavira – Faro airport EUR 55 per ride (up to 4 people), reservation is necessary, to be paid for in advance.

Arrival / Departure

  • Faro Airport. By bus to Faro train station and then by train (www.cp.pt/passageiros/pt) to Lagos in approx. 2 hours.
  • Return journey by bus or train from Tavira to Faro airport in approx. 1.5 hours (1x change) or taxi ride approx. EUR 40, duration about 30 minutes.

Things to note

  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price.
  • Fares for public transport, approx. EUR 10 per person
  • Boat trip Tavira Island – Tavira, approx. EUR 2 per person
  • Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!

Join us in achieving greater sustainability by choosing our digital route book, rather than the printed version. As a small thank you we will give you a discount of €20 per room.

Our hotels

Relax in our charming accommodations along your walking tour

Travel stories for this tour

Personally on site for you

Lisa Marie Streitfellner

"We look forward to making your holiday dreams come true"

Lisa Marie Streitfellner
Travel Specialist
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