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Portugal: The Algarve

Walking the Algarve’s South West

Trip code: W10AV

Average customer rating 4.8 / 5(30 verified reviews)

Self-Guided Walking
10 nights hotel-to-hotel
Steady
CO₂ rating 1/5
Headwater Navigation app

Trip highlights

Discover Europe’s most southwesterly
point at Cabo de Sao Vicente

Excellent for bird-spotting throughout the year

Beautiful beaches and picturesque harbours

Excellent hotels, all with pools

Maritime history in Lagos and Sagres

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Trip details

Escape the busy tourist spots of the Algarve and discover the unspoilt Sagres Peninsula, a region of spectacular natural beauty with rugged cliffs, dramatic coastlines, sandy beaches and lush countryside. On our 10-night walking holiday, a mixture of forest, valley and coastal trails take you inland and along Portugal’s west and south coast, affording breathtaking views and some truly memorable moments.

What's included

Included

  • 10 nights in 3-star and 4-star accommodation
  • All breakfasts and 3 evening meals
  • Briefing at the start of your holiday
  • Headwater navigation app
  • Luggage transfers between hotels
  • Walking transfers

Not included

  • Flights
  • Travel insurance

Travel options

Our travel specialists can arrange flights, rail and transfers to this holiday from wherever you are. Call us to plan your journey. +44 1606 720099

Itinerary

Route map, with each night's stop marked
The full route, night by night. Select the map to view it full screen.

Day 1 · —Arrive at Sagres

Arrive at Sagres

Arrive at your hotel in the coastal town of Sagres.

You stay at Hotel Memmo Baleeira

pool at Memmo Baleeira
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Hotel Memmo Baleeira

Sagres

  • Air conditioning
  • American Express
  • Hairdryers
  • Mastercard
  • Minibar
  • Safe
  • Shops
  • Swimming pool
  • Tea & coffee
  • Television

This designer hotel is perfectly situated overlooking the stunning bay on the edge of Sagres. The rooms are minimalistic in design and feature all amenities. The restaurant here prides itself on serving the best of the local seafood, whilst the hotel offers free use of the Turkish bath, sauna and indoor pool, the perfect tonic after a day exploring this stunning area.

Day 2 · 15km/9.3mi or 17km/10.6miSagres to Pedralva

Sagres to Pedralva

After a 30-minute transfer you’ll start today’s walk, following the Fishermen’s Trail to the cliff tops and the glorious Amado beach. You’ll make your way to Carrapateira – perhaps stop for a picnic lunch or sample one of the village’s snack bars – before following the Rota Vicentina past one of the Algarve’s best viewpoints, on your way to Pedralva.

Elevation

Sagres to Pedralva elevation profile

You stay at Aldeia da Pedralva

Pool area at Pedralva
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Aldeia da Pedralva

Pedralva

  • Hairdryers
  • Mastercard
  • Swimming pool
  • Wifi access

This is a magical place, a real find. In 2006 the village of Pedralva was a ruin with houses just left to rot by owners who no longer wanted to live in the countryside. However, Antonio Ferreira, after initially deciding to buy a couple of houses, eventually renovated 24 which have been beautifully restored to create 24 rooms. The village itself is surrounded by verdant nature parks and offers great walking and cycling possibilities. Food here is rustic Portuguese, simple in terms of ingredients but mouth watering in terms of quality, flavour and freshness.

Day 3 · —At Pedralva

At Pedralva

The choice is yours today. You could relax and explore this charming village or purchase some picnic supplies and follow one of our suggested walks! A cliff-top route takes you back to the beautiful Amado beach; you’ll enjoy breathtaking views out to sea, with the return leg offering valley and forest views as far as the Serra de Monchique. A shorter walk takes you along the Marreiros plateau where you’ll enjoy far-reaching views over the rolling countryside below.

Elevation

At Pedralva elevation profile

Day 4 · 13km/8.1mi or 18km/11.2miPedralva to Vila do Bispo

Pedralva to Vila do Bispo

After an enchanting walk through pine and eucalyptus forest you can choose from two routes. One follows the Rota Vicentina and pretty meadows to Vila do Bispo, whilst the longer route makes a horseshoe loop into the Costa Vicentina Natural Park, to the Praia da Barriga (Barriga beach), set at the end of a long and lush valley and backed by dramatic cliffs.

Elevation

Pedralva to Vila do Bispo elevation profile

You stay at Hotel Mira Sagres

HOTEL MIRA SAGRES , VILA DO BISPO (3 STAR)
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Hotel Mira Sagres

Vila do Bispo

  • Air conditioning
  • American Express
  • Hairdryers
  • Mastercard
  • Minibar
  • Other email access
  • Safe
  • Swimming pool
  • Television
  • Wifi access

The Mira Sagres is an historical pension in the fishing village of Villa do Bispo and a regular haven for journeying pilgrims making their way to Cape St Vincent. The fascia of the pension has now been lovingly gentrified and in keeping with the local tradition, has now been stylishly whitewashed, it also boasts an impressive indoor pool. On a good day from the high terrace at the hotel you can see Sagres in the distance.

Day 5 · —At Vila do Bispo

At Vila do Bispo

Today you could wander the quaint streets of the village or choose to follow one of our suggested walks. Perhaps take in the cliffs and viewpoints above Vila do Bispo, or walk through a landscape of rolling hills and gentle valleys, through the village of Raposeira, to the Guadalupe Chapel which is thought to be one of the only Knights Templar buildings left in Portugal.

Elevation

At Vila do Bispo elevation profile

Day 6 · 16km/9.9miVila do Bispo to Cabo de Sao Vicente/Sagres

Vila do Bispo to Cabo de Sao Vicente/Sagres

The undoubted highlight of today is making your way to the south-western tip of Europe – Cabo de Sao Vicente. Following country lanes and coastal trails, you’ll enjoy some superb scenery en route and feel on top of the world when you arrive! Visit the museum, or relax with a drink in the bar before we transfer you (5 mins) back to Sagres.

Elevation

Vila do Bispo to Cabo de Sao Vicente/Sagres elevation profile

You stay at Hotel Memmo Baleeira

pool at Memmo Baleeira
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Hotel Memmo Baleeira

Sagres

  • Air conditioning
  • American Express
  • Hairdryers
  • Mastercard
  • Minibar
  • Safe
  • Shops
  • Swimming pool
  • Tea & coffee
  • Television

This designer hotel is perfectly situated overlooking the stunning bay on the edge of Sagres. The rooms are minimalistic in design and feature all amenities. The restaurant here prides itself on serving the best of the local seafood, whilst the hotel offers free use of the Turkish bath, sauna and indoor pool, the perfect tonic after a day exploring this stunning area.

Day 7 · —At Sagres

At Sagres

If you can tear yourself away from the hotel pool, why not take a walk to the Ponta da Atalaia and Ponta da Baleeira headland today? You’ll experience wonderful views over Sagres’ impressive fortress and the Mareta and Martinhal beaches. Alternatively, head straight to Martinhal Beach for a stroll on the sand and a drink at one of the bars!

Day 8 · 10km/6.2miSagres to Lagos

Sagres to Lagos

Today’s walk has some fabulous scenery! Cross Martinhal Beach and the tiny Praia dos Rebolinhos and follow a route through rolling countryside to the cliff-top headland above Praia do Zavial from where a transfer will take you on to Lagos where you stay for your final three nights.

Elevation

Sagres to Lagos elevation profile

You stay at Hotel Marina Rio

Marina Rio Outside
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Hotel Marina Rio

Lagos

  • Air conditioning
  • American Express
  • ATM
  • Bank
  • Hairdryers
  • Market
  • Mastercard
  • Safe
  • Swimming pool
  • Television

Wake up to stunning marina views in this family-run hotel. The rooms are minimalist in style and fully equipped with everything you need. Ideally located just a short stroll from the charming old town of Lagos, explore a lively mix of restaurants, bars, boutique shops, and local markets followed by a relaxing dip in the rooftop pool.

Day 9 · —At Lagos

At Lagos

It’s just a 20-minute walk from your hotel to the Old Town of Lagos. Here you’ll find the C14 walls protecting a tangle of cobbled streets full of shops, bars, cafes and restaurants, along with ornate churches, some interesting museums and the pride and joy of Lagos – its bustling marina!

Day 10 · 15km/9.3miBurgau to Lagos

Burgau to Lagos

It’s stunning scenery and seascapes all the way today as you follow one of the Algarve’s most beautiful coastal walking trails. A transfer takes you to the picturesque fishing village of Burgau from where you walk to Praia da Luz with its whitewashed houses and picture-perfect beaches – perhaps stop for lunch at one of the bars or restaurants or enjoy a beachside picnic before continuing back to Lagos.

Elevation

Burgau to Lagos elevation profile

Day 11 · —Leave Lagos

Leave Lagos

What our travellers say

Beautiful countryside, outstanding walking, very kind and hospitable people. Staying in such a variety of places enhanced our enjoyment. Tony & Ludmilla were excellent reps, always there when we needed them but never intrusive. Tony’s walking notes were superb and the additional optional walks for the free days really added to the enjoyment of our holiday. We totally fell in love with Portugal and would do this same trip again as we enjoyed this holiday so much.

Mr Elston

A great well organised walking holiday, challenging but not too tiring.

Mr Taylor

Excellent package, walking one day, then day free. Good walks with excellent instructions. Delightful part of Europe to walk in.
Hotel Costa D’Oiri, Lagos was disappinting. Your information said "spacious rooms", ours was the least spacious of any of the hotels. Also "outdoor and covered pools allow swimming throughout the year. The covered pool had its cover pushed back, so it was too cold to use. Choice of food very limited.

Mr Mitchell

Great walking in a beautiful part of Portugal. Stunning beaches and a landscape carpeted in an array of colourful wild flowers. The most enjoyable walking holiday we’ve been on! The route notes were excellent. Tony and Ludmilla were perfect reps, happy to accomodate any changes we wanted, were very attentive and a great source of local information, couldn’t have been more helpful.

Mrs Lyons

Walking routes were about right distance. Temperatures were ideal for walking. On a few routes the paths were very rocky so a bit hard for a while.but generally quite comfortable. On balance 10 days with 3 stays in Sagres was probably a bit long in one place. I would recommend 8 days as length for this holiday.

Mr Newmarch

Lovely walks, any uphill sections were well rewarded by fabulous views. The reps were wonderful and hotel staff all very helpful and friendly.

Miss Jelley

The stunning south-west coast of Portugal is an excellent choice for a walking holiday, with the best accompanying notes we have come across in all the Headwater holidays we have taken! Brilliant that different length holidays are available, making the area attractive to more people.

Mrs Coulson

My wife and I have just returned from a 10 day self-guided walking holiday in the Algarve. From start to finish, the organisation and support from our two local reps Tony and Ludmilla was first class and we stayed in five different hotels during our stay all of which were good value. The walking was generally quite easy and usually covered about 10 to 14 miles per day with optional rest days at each location if desired. Several days were spent walking along the coastline which was never less than spectacular.

Mrs Shaw

Just returned from walking the Algarve’s south west coast, beautiful walks on the west and south coast, and we stayed in lovely hotels. Views stunning. Good food. Tony and Ludmilla were great reps, lots of support if needed, and met up with us at the beginning and the end of our holiday. Most walks do not have much shade, we had good weather for walking, warm but overcast. We felt it was a well planned holiday, even returning to Sagres during the week, gives you a different perspective of the coast. Thank you, Headwater, once again, a lovely holiday!

Mrs Moss

Very well organised. Local guides very helpful.

Ms Hewson
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Positive impact

Carbon score for this trip

25.0

Kg CO₂e

per person, per night

Relative to other Headwater trips

We measure emissions from the parts of the holiday we organise — including accommodation, in-trip transport, meals and activities — and express them as CO₂e per person, per night. Our label doesn’t include your travel to and from the start of the trip. As a Certified B Corp, Headwater is committed to reducing this figure and to positively impacting local communities, the local environment and our staff. Learn more

From£1,719per person