The Best Algarve Itinerary: 7 Days Without A Car (2024)
Are you visiting Portugal and looking for the best one week in the Algarve itinerary? You came to the right place.
After traveling around the Algarve without a car and making some mistakes along the way, I’ve devised an ideal “Algarve without a car itinerary” for a perfect week in the Algarve.
You see, most itineraries I’ve seen before traveling to the Algarve were road trip itineraries, and let me tell you, traveling by car and by public transport is vastly different!
But let me reassure you, the Algarve is stunning, and you can backpack Algarve without a car – you just need to adjust your itinerary.
If you are ready to plan how to spend 7 days in Algarve, Portugal, keep on reading!
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Overview 7-day itinerary: Algarve without a car
Here is an overview of our Algarve itinerary.
- DAY 1 – Arrive in Faro and discover the city
- DAY 2 – Beach day in Albufeira
- DAY 3 – Learn to surf in Albufeira or kayak to Benagil cave
- DAY 4 – Day trip to Portimao and Silves or Ferragudo from Albufeira
- DAY 5 – Explore Lagos
- DAY 6 – Day trip to Sagres from Lagos
- DAY 7 – Make your way back to Faro or continue your trip to Lisbon
You can do this itinerary starting from Faro or Lagos, depending on if you’re coming to the south from Lisbon or flying into Faro Airport.
You will notice that you can’t visit multiple places in one day if you are traveling by public transport as opposed to a road trip in Algarve.
It’s a downside of not having a car, but you get to spend more time in one place, and slow travel is the best.
If you have more time in the country, check out my full guide to backpacking Portugal!
DAY 1: Faro
We start this itinerary in Faro, the capital of the Algarve. If you are flying to the Algarve, Faro Airport is where you will probably fly into.
As I already mentioned, it is possible to do this itinerary in reverse if you are coming from Lisbon.
Most people skip Faro and go directly to the beaches of the Algarve.
However, there are many things to do in Faro, and it is worth spending a couple of hours strolling its cobblestone streets instead of hopping on the first bus out.
Enter the Old Town of Faro through Arco da Vila, and if you’re lucky, observe storks flying in and out of their nests on the top!
Visit Igreja de Santa Maria, and walk around Largo de Se. Check out Arco do Repouso and the historic wall.
Grab lunch or dinner in the city center. I went for vegan Indian food in Namastey, and it was delicious.
The area around the restaurant is the liveliest area for a drink, so end your day in Faro there!
Where To Stay In Faro
In Faro, I stayed in Happen!ng guesthouse.
It was basic accommodation in a shared house, but the location was awesome. Right in the city center, a short walk from the bus station – ideal for one night in Faro.
Alternatively, there are many hostels in Faro – perfect for one night in the city.
Casa de Madalena hostel in the city center is highly rated, and it would have been my choice if it wasn’t fully booked. I see it selling out quickly in high season, so book in advance!
DAY 2: Discover Albufeira
On the second day, take a bus from Faro to Albufeira. There are many daily departures and a bus ticket costs around 5€.
You will stay in Albufeira for the next three nights. Albufeira is a lively town – best known for its summer nightlife.
However, the beaches of Albufeira are stunning, and the city is ideally located for day trips in the region.
Start your first day in Albufeira by getting acquainted with the city.
The best viewpoint in Albufeira (and sunset spot) is Miradouro do Pau da Bandeira. Walk along the coastline to Miradouro Rossio for a different perspective.
Make your way to Albufeira’s Old Town and get lost in narrow cobblestone streets.
Albufeira Old Town is small and walkable. Admire the whitewashed houses and the architecture reminiscent of the Cycladic islands.
Outubro Street is the main walking street in Albufeira, but you will also find many bars and restaurants around Largo Engenheiro Duarte Pacheco Square.
Spend the afternoon on the beach!
I went in for a dip on the beach next to Peneco Rock, but all the beaches in Albufeira looked great (if you like long sandy beaches), so you can go for the one close to your accommodation as well!
You can’t come all the way to Albufeira and not enjoy the nightlife!
Depending on how you want to spend the next day, go for a drink on the Albufeira strip or in the city center, you can’t go wrong with either of them.
The Albufeira strip is known for wild nightlife that goes on long until the morning. I found it interesting that there were many karaoke and sports bars, so that appears to be the vibe.
Where To Stay In Albufeira
I backpacked Algarve in November, and surprisingly (or not), most hostels were closed for winter.
Therefore, I stayed in Luna Solaqua Aparthotel, and I highly recommend it. As I traveled off-season it cost only 40€ per night, and I shared a room, so I paid only 20€ per night. It was a great deal for a studio apartment in a hotel with 2 pools!
If you want to stay in a hostel, Orange Terrace Hostel is the best option for solo travelers!
DAY 3: Albufeira to Benagil Cave or Surfing class
On your second day in Albufeira, you will enjoy some water activities.
However, depending on how much fun you had last night on the Albufeira strip, it might be just laying on the beach kind of day.
It is essential to maintain balance when you’re backpacking and not overcrowd your schedule.
There are many Benagil cave tours available, as it is one of the most popular activities in the region.
You don’t need to go to Benagil Cave to enjoy this unique coastline, many Albufeira kayak tours depart from the city center multiple times a day!
Albufeira is a great place to learn how to surf! Book a beginner’s surfing class here! This class is on Falesia Beach, and you can take bus 8 from Albufeira to the beach.
If the weather is not on your side, and a beach day is not an option, you should do one of the day trips from Day 4 – Silves and Ferragudo.
DAY 4: Day Trip to Portimao and Silves or Ferragudo
Start your fourth day in Algarve bright and early as you will go on a day trip from Albufeira and catch a bus to Portimao.
The best way to get from Albufeira to Portimao is by bus. A bus takes just over an hour and costs 5,10€.
I considered staying in Portimao or Albufeira, but I found it easier to stay in Albufeira and visit Portimao on a day trip.
What To Do In Portimao
Portimao is another popular resort town, but we’re not going to the beach today (unless you want to) instead, we will explore the city.
You only need a few hours in Portimao to visit Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceição, Convento do Colégio dos Jesuitas, and walk around the city center.
Grab lunch in Cozinha de Sonia – absolutely delicious vegan Indian food!
After lunch, take a 15-minute train from Portimao to Silves – the ticket costs around 1.20€.
What To Do In Silves
Silves is a historic town that was originally the ancient capital of the Algarve. Hence, it is different from other coastal towns you’ve visited on this trip so far!
The highlight of Silves is the Moorish-style hilltop castle, Silves Cathedral, and Portas da Cidade de Silves.
However, the whole town is a charming place to explore for an afternoon.
A bus back to Albufeira from Silves takes about an hour and costs around 5€.
An alternative to Silves is the picturesque fishing village of Ferragudo.
You can take a quick taxi boat from Portimao to Ferragudo and spend the afternoon strolling the cobblestone streets of this quiet fishing village.
Due to a lack of planning on my side and dependence on public transport on the other side, I didn’t manage to visit Ferragudo this time around.
However, it was highly recommended – it looks like a Greek island village, and I can only suggest you add it to your itinerary!
Day 5: Explore Lagos
To make it easier to discover the westernmost part of the Algarve, you will move to Lagos for the final 2 days of this itinerary.
Take an early morning bus from Albufeira to Lagos to make the most of your day in Lagos. A bus ticket will cost you around 6€.
Just like most other cities in the Algarve, Lagos is hilly. So put on comfortable shoes, as today you will have a fun day admiring the exceptional beauty of Lagos coastline.
However, this walled city with large pedestrian zones is perfect to stroll around and enjoy the coastal town atmosphere.
Check out the Igreja de Santa Maria de Lagos, Castle of Lagos and the seafront Forte da Ponta da Bandeira.
And then, make your way to the coast. You will “hike” along the coastline from the city centre to Ponta da Piedade.
You will walk part of the road on the trail and part on the newly built wooden path. The view is incredible, and the best part is that you can walk down to the beach anytime you feel like it!
Ideally, I would have added the 7 Hanging Valleys hike to this itinerary, but it is very complicated to reach without a car.
So, the Lagos to Ponta da Piedade hike is a perfect substitute if you’re backpacking the Algarve without a car!
How about admiring Lagos coastline from a different perspective by joining a Kayak tour from Lagos to Ponta da Piedade and sea caves?
Initially, I wasn’t very keen on kayaking in November, and then it was too late to book on the spot when I was in Lagos as the best kayak tours in Lagos sell out quickly, so make sure you book online beforehand!
Where To Stay In Lagos
You can choose between surprisingly many hostels in Lagos. I say surprisingly, as I found Lagos to be VERY quiet in November – can’t speak about summer.
Cloud9 hostel is located right in the city center and is highly rated as a social hostel.
And if you read my Hostel guide for beginners, you know that is my favorite type of hostel.
Alternatively, there are many family-run guest houses to choose from.
DAY 6: Day Trip To Sagres
Sagres is the westernmost town in the Algarve. It faces the open sea, so you know that I suggest you stay for the sunset – it will be the best one of this trip!
Take a morning bus from Lagos to Sagres, it takes about an hour and costs around 4.5€.
If you visit in the summer, you can even take a bus to the official westernmost point of continental Europe – Cabo de São Vicente. In the winter, the bus schedule is not day-trip friendly.
Alternatively – if you feel sporty, rent an (electric) bike in Sagres and bike to Cabo de São Vicente. You can rent a bike at Sagres Bicycle and Company.
There is not much to see in Sagres in terms of tourist attractions. You can walk around the city, but the best thing to do in Sagres is to enjoy nature.
Sagres is a popular surfing destination, so you will see surfers everywhere. Swim in the crystal clear sea, or hike along the stunning cliffs.
Grab lunch at Three Little Birds bar. I loved their vegan burger in a sweet potato bread bun. It is on the pricey side for the Algarve, but the portions are generous, and the food is delicious!
As the sunset approaches, make your way to the Sagres Fortress at the top of the peninsula. It is the best spot to watch the sunset in Sagres.
You must buy a ticket to pass through the fortress – check the price and opening hours on their official website.
Bring a light jacket even if it’s summer, as it tends to get windy and cold as the sunset approaches.
DAY 7: Back to Faro or Lisbon
The last day of this Algarve itinerary is predominantly a travel day.
Depending on when you’re flying back home or continuing your Portuguese adventure in the north, you might squeeze in some more sightseeing or a quick dip in Lagos.
How many days in Algarve, Portugal?
You could spend an entire month exploring hidden beaches along the Portuguese coast, but 7 days are enough to see the best of the Algarve.
With this time, you get to stay in 2-3 places and visit a couple of others on a day trip – this is an important factor if you don’t have a car.
You could spend 3-5 days in the Algarve, but then you should focus on either Albufeira or Lagos region, as it is too cramped without a car.
do you need a car in Algarve?
Contrary to what many people say online, you don’t need a car in the Algarve.
You can explore the region by public transport – you just need a little bit more planning and following the proper itinerary!
how to get around the Algarve without a car
Algarve has an excellent public transport network, including regional and local buses and trains!
Travel In the Algarve by bus
A regional bus is my number one suggestion for travel around Algarve. You can choose between multiple daily departures from big cities like Faro, Albufeira, Portimao, and Lagos.
Pros of traveling by regional bus in the Algarve:
- It’s affordable. Ticket prices don’t change regardless of when you book, and you can buy tickets on the bus!
- The bus stations are in the city center.
- Almost every town is within the bus network.
Cons of traveling by regional bus in the Algarve:
- The bus schedule is not published online on official web pages!
- You can only pay by cash when you buy tickets on the bus.
- Most connections to smaller towns are few and far between.
- In high season, there is a high chance you will stand in the bus as they get busy.
This website will be your best friend as you plan your Algarve by public transport itinerary. It does what the official websites should have done and gives you bus schedules and tips for all regional buses and trains!
Travel In the Algarve by train
The Algarve coastal train is another great way to travel between the cities in the region.
Pros of traveling by train in the Algarve
- It is cheap! Regional train tickets are very affordable, and the price doesn’t change.
- It is comfortable. There is more space than in a bus!
Cons of traveling by train in the Algarve
- The train network doesn’t connect most coastal cities.
- Most train stations are nowhere near the city center. Albufeira train station is 6km outside of the city!
Local buses In the Algarve
In addition to regional buses and trains, there are also local buses in bigger cities. You will find regular local buses in most towns, such as Albufeira, Faro, and Lagos.
Local bus tickets are usually inexpensive, so expect to pay around 1€ per ride.
They are a lifesaver if your accommodation is far from the city center or bus station. Did I already tell you that most towns in Algarve are very hilly?
Read more: In-depth guide on How to get around Algarve, Portugal – without a car?
How To Get From Lisbon To Algarve
If you are backpacking through Portugal, you can easily incorporate Algarve at the beginning or the end of your trip as there is a train and a bus from Lisbon to Algarve.
In my backpacking Portugal itinerary, I started with Algarve and made my way up north.
I traveled in November and wanted to take advantage of the warmer weather in the south and enjoy the beaches.
If you are traveling in September, October, or November, that is the route I recommend.
On the other hand, if you are traveling in March, April, or May, I would start from Porto in the north and make my way down to Algarve.
best places to visit in the Algarve
If you have more than 7 days in the Algarve, or you rent a car so you can visit multiple cities in one day, here are more picturesque Algarve towns to add to your itinerary:
- Faro – is the capital of the Algarve and a great base to explore the eastern Algarve. You can add Ria Formosa Natural Park and the charming town of Tavira to your itinerary.
- Albufeira – is best known for its nightlife, and we use it as a base in this itinerary.
- Carvoeiro – is an alternative to Albufeira. It is a little bit more complicated to travel from, as you have to transfer in Lagoa, but it is close to some stunning beaches, and the Carvoeiro boardwalk is a great
- Silves – is the ancient capital of the Algarve. It is a unique city in Algarve with a hilltop castle.
- Ferragudo – is a charming, quiet fishing village. Great for a day trip or a calm holiday.
- Lagos – is a fantastic place for beaches and a great base for the western Algarve.
- Sagres – is best known as a surfing town. If you want to spend your holiday surfing, that is where you should base yourself.
is Algarve worth visiting?
Yes, Algarve is well worth a visit!
The Algarve is a stunning coastal region with one of the most unique landscapes in southern Europe.
It is worth visiting the beaches in summer and appreciating nature and quiet coastal towns outside of the high season.
Final Thoughts: algarve 7 day itinerary
And there you have it, a complete 7-day itinerary: Algarve by public transport.
Your 1 week Algarve itinerary includes beach days, water activities, hikes, and wandering picturesque coastal towns.
As you can see, you don’t need a car to visit Algarve! Public transport is cheap in the region, and you can easily book day trips with transfers for places that are not accessible by public transport.
If you want to see more of the country, here is how to spend 7 days in Portugal without a car!
Planning a trip to the Algarve? You’ll want to read this next!
- The Ultimate Guide to Backpacking Algarve, Portugal
- The Best Places to Stay in Algarve Without a Car
- Where to stay in the Algarve without a car
- Lagos itinerary: 2 days in Lagos
- Lagos or Albufeira: Which one is better for you?