Algarve road trip – 7 day Algarve itinerary.
This is our itinerary for a week in the Algarve in winter. This is a trip with kids but it could easily be an adult only itinerary.
This post contains further reviews you can click in to so you can read more about the specifics like restaurants or attractions.
We love this route as it features so many of the best things to see in the Algarve in the winter. From activities everyone will love through to the beaches and restaurants.
It would be easy to turn this into a two-week trip by spreading out some of the attractions and having more time to relax. Or indeed to cut some of them out if you have less time.
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Table of Contents
DAY 1 – Fly in to Faro Airport – Algarve road trip – 7 day Algarve itinerary
Pick up a car at the airport. We used Luz Cars who were friendly and helpful and easy to locate as soon as we exited the airport.
Head west into the Algarve.
The Algarve as a whole is fairly accessible so in that sense it doesn’t matter where you base yourself.
We found it easier to pick a resort that had lots going on, from tennis to kids clubs and indoor pools so that no matter what the weather we could keep everyone entertained and happy.
You can get some great deals on resorts out of season (although many are also closed). But even if your budget doesn’t stretch to one with all the bells and whistles the Algarve is a playground in itself. It’s packed with beautiful beaches and countryside to enjoy.
Spend your first day checking in to your resort, picking up any supplies you need and starting to relax.
Read more:
A winter stay at Martinhal, nr Sagres
Staying at Vale do Lobo, nr Quarteira
A winter stay at Pine Cliffs Resort & Spa, nr Albufeira
Four Seasons Fairways, Quinta do Lago
DAY 2 – Enjoy the smaller towns
A great way to start your winter week in the Algarve is to pick some of the smaller towns. If possible on one of the days when the markets are on.
We loved Loule which is a beautiful town to wander on any day but comes alive when the market is on.
In winter make sure you check out whether there’s a carnival on which happen in lots the Algarvian towns. Loule is the most famous and well worth a trip to if you’re in the area.
Most towns will have small playgrounds to stop off and enjoy too.
Read more:
Visiting the carnival in Loule
DAY 3 – Spend a day by the sea
The beaches all across the Algarve are absolutely beautiful and you will be spoilt for choice.
The best part about visiting in winter is they will be so quiet you will often have them to yourself.
Spend your third day relaxing on the beach. Or if you’ve got itchy feet then why not take the opportunity to have a go at surfing. Many of the surf schools are open in the winter and the waves here are perfect for learning.
DAY 4 – Take a trip to the end of the world
The far western coast of the Algarve is a really evocative place.
It’s somewhere the Romans thought was where the world ended. They believed they could hear the sun hissing in to the sea as it sank under the water.
Cape St Vincent is a really fun place for a trip out. With the lighthouse here having a small gift shop and cafe but also breathtaking views out to sea.
It’s a place to get children’s imaginations flying with thoughts of the explorers and how they must have felt pushing out to sea towards the edge of the world as they believed it.
Read more:
A trip to Cape St Vincent and the end of the world
DAY 5 – Algarve road trip – 7 day Algarve itinerary – Play golf
The Pinheiros Altos golf course is ideally located close to the Four Seasons Fairways resort.
It’s a short walk, bike ride or drive from all spots along the Quinta do Lago. And the course is the perfect spot to spend a few hours in the sun.
With a great offering for first time golfers as well as seasoned pros, young and old can discover what golf on the Algarve is all about.
For some real family fun, the Mini Golf course near to the Four Seasons Fairways resort along the main road is another great spot.
The holes here are all based on famous courses from around the globe including the Belfry and Augusta. They are tricky enough to keep everyone playing at the same level.
Our children loved trying to work out the challenging holes.
Although it was popular it was certainly looking fresh and new when we visited.
There are no tacky windmills here, just lots of puzzling mini golf fun which will keep you and the kids entertained for an hour or more.
DAY 6 – Visit the animals
Many of the attractions and theme parks are closed for the winter period but the likes of Zoo Lagos are open year round.
With a huge array of resident birds, monkeys and primates, reptiles and daily feedings with Pelicans, Lemurs and Meerkats there’s a huge array to see here. With its onsite traditional restaurant Cangalho there’s a lot on offer for a good day out for families.
DAY 7 – Heading home – Algarve road trip
Spend your last day soaking up those rays, shell hunting on the beach, walking through the beautiful pine trees (although watch out for the Processionary Caterpillars who are a horrible irritant) and swim in the pools.
The Algarve is one of our favourite places to be in winter. Whether you pack it with sites and activities or use it as somewhere to chill out and reconnect with the family you will no doubt fall in love with it as much as we have.
Read more with our top things to do in the Algarve with kids. Don’t forget to check out our ultimate guide to the Algarve with kids for lots of restaurant recommendations and things to do.
We will definitely be going back to the zoo in a couple of weeks time. It’s perfect for children and not too big. We never made it to the lighthouse last time so hopefully we will get there this time around. Silves is beautiful but inland, but we love it as a base away from the crowds.