Day Trips from the Algarve

Practical Info

The Algarve's position in the far south of Portugal puts it within striking distance of several outstanding day trip destinations, from Andalusian cities across the Spanish border to the wild Alentejo coast and even Lisbon. Hiring a car gives the most flexibility, though public transport and organised tours cover the most popular routes.

Seville is the most dramatic option. The Andalusian capital lies roughly two and a half hours east of Faro by car, crossing the border at Vila Real de Santo Antonio or via the A22 and A49 motorways. The drive is straightforward and mostly motorway. In Seville, the Alcazar palace complex, the Gothic cathedral with its Giralda tower, and the Plaza de Espana are the headline sights, but the tapas bars of the Triana and Santa Cruz quarters are equally rewarding. Arrive early, see the Alcazar first to beat the queues, and allow a full day. Pre-book Alcazar tickets online as they sell out in peak season.

Closer to hand, the Alentejo region directly north of the Algarve offers a completely different landscape of rolling cork oak plains, whitewashed hilltop villages and empty Atlantic beaches. Mertola, a small town perched above the Guadiana river about 90 minutes north of Faro, has a remarkably well-preserved Islamic heritage, including a former mosque converted into a church and an archaeological museum. The drive up through the Serra do Caldeirao is scenic and quiet.

Evora, the Alentejo's principal city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is roughly two hours north of Faro via the A2 motorway. The Roman Temple of Diana, the 16th-century Chapel of Bones (Capela dos Ossos) inside the Church of Sao Francisco, the cathedral and the university all warrant visits. Evora is also the centre of the Alentejo wine region, and several vineyards within a short drive offer tastings and tours.

Lisbon is feasible as a day trip but ambitious. The drive takes roughly two and a half to three hours each way via the A2, so an early start is essential. The AP1 train from Faro to Lisbon Oriente takes around two hours forty-five minutes and runs several times daily, making it a more relaxed alternative to driving. In Lisbon, focus on one or two areas rather than trying to cover everything: Belem for the Jeronimos Monastery and the pasteis de nata at Pasteis de Belem, or Alfama for the castle, fado bars and Feira da Ladra flea market.

Within the Algarve itself, several destinations make excellent half-day excursions. The hilltop town of Silves, with its red sandstone Moorish castle, medieval cathedral and orange groves along the Arade river, is a favourite. The thermal spa town of Caldas de Monchique, tucked into a wooded valley in the Serra de Monchique, offers a peaceful escape from the coast. Drive to the summit of Foia at 902 metres for views stretching to the sea on clear days.

The border town of Vila Real de Santo Antonio sits on the banks of the Guadiana river and offers a ten-minute ferry crossing to Ayamonte in Spain. The trip is cheap and fun, and Ayamonte's riverside restaurants serve excellent Andalusian seafood. You can walk on and leave your car on the Portuguese side.

For nature lovers, the Ria Formosa boat trips from Faro or Olhao explore the lagoon islands, salt pans and bird colonies that make up one of Portugal's most important wetland systems. The deserted island of Ilha Deserta, accessible by ferry from Faro, has a single restaurant and kilometres of empty beach.

Organised day trips run from most Algarve resort towns. Coach tours to Seville, Lisbon and Evora are widely available through local agencies and hotel reception desks, typically costing between 50 and 90 euros per person including transport and a guide. Private tours offer more flexibility at higher cost. For independent travellers, the Eva bus network connects the main Algarve towns, and Rede Expressos coaches run to Lisbon and beyond.