Having visited the beautiful Algarve, Portugal last year, I was certain that would come back to hike along the stunning coastal cliffs I had seen. This year I made use of a 3 day long weekend to plan a hiking trip around the coastal cliffs in search of stunning panoramic views of the Atlantic beaches, hidden beaches and even some nudist ones too!
The Algarve hiking trails that I cover below were not that long or exhausting, and can be very easily done over 3 days with plenty of time to relax at the beaches on the way, grab some delicious sardines for lunch, or take a boat ride to the beautiful and world famous sea caves!
Here are 4 breathtaking hike options that will help you make the most of your time on the coastal trails of the Algarve!
HIKE TRAIL 1: In the city of Albufeira – From Praia de Arrifes to Praia do Castelo (3 km)
This is a relatively easy trail, but it’s all dirt paths and reasonably edgy so make sure you at least wear good walking shoes. The beaches that fall in this trail are Praia de Arrifes, Praia de São Rafael, Praia do Ninho de Andorinha, Praia da Ponta Pequena, Cala, Praia da Ponta Grande, Praia da Coelha, Praia da Maré das Porcas and Praia do Castelo.
HIKE TRAIL 2: In the municipality of Lagoa – From Praia de Albandeira to Praia de Benagil (3.6 km)
From Praia de Castelo, I took a taxi to Praia de Albandeira to continue my hike. To get a taxi, just walk into one of the beach restaurants and ask them to call one for you. They usually arrive between 5-10 minutes.
The hike from Praia de Marinha to Praia de Benagil is a moderate level and will require some basic rock climbing skills. The beaches that fall in this trail are Praia de Albandeira, Praia da Estaquinha, Praia da Malhada do Baraço, Praia do Pau, Praia da Marinha, Praia da Mesquita, Praia da Corredoura and Praia de Benagil.
I spent the night in Portimao and went back to Praia de Benagil to spend the day in leisure and relax at the nearby beaches. From here I took a boat ride to see some of the beautiful and world famous sea caves in this area.
HIKE TRAIL 3: In the municipality of Portimao – From Praia do Vau to Praia dos Três Irmãos (3.7 km)
The next day I started my hike from Praia do Vau. Almost 80% of the trail is relatively easy, just the last bit again requires some rock climbing skills and can get a bit difficult if you are hiking with an 8 kilo backpack, like I did!
But it is finally totally worth it when you get to Praia dos Três Irmãos and enjoy the amazing views. The beaches that fall in this trail are Praia do Vau, Praia do Barranco das Canas, Praia de Boião, Praia de João de Arens, Praia do Submarino, Praia dos Três Irmãos and Praia do Alvor.
HIKE TRAIL 4: In the town of Lagos – From Praia do Pinhão to Farol da Ponta da Piedade (3 km)
I took a taxi from Praia dos Três Irmãos to Praia do Pinhão in Lagos to conclude the final leg of the hike. The trail from Praia Dona Ana to Praia de Camillo was closed, so I had to take the road to get to it, and from there I continued the hike along the cliffs until Farol da Ponta da Piedade and further.
The beaches that fall in this trail are Praia do Pinhão, Praia Dona Ana, Praia do Camilo, Praia dos Pinheiros, Praia da Balança and finally Farol da Ponta da Piedade.
WHAT TO KNOW FOR VISITING PORTUGAL
PORTUGAL VISAS
Portugal is part of the European Schengen zone, which typically provides 90 days of free entry every 180 days to visitors from many countries. This means you can enter Portugal and travel between other European countries for up to 90 days per stay.
Be sure to check the EU Schengen website for the latest information for your specific country.
CURRENCY
The currency used in Portugal is the Euro (EUR). The current exchange rate is approximately 1 EUR to 1.10 USD. You can check the latest EUR exchange rate on Google.
While traveling, our number one tip is to use a free Charles Schwab Debit Card which gives unlimited worldwide ATM Fee Refunds and the true exchange rate.
BEST TOURS IN LAGOS
Some of the best tours and things to do in Lagos are:
- 2.5-Hour Sunset Cruise with Wine & Tapas
- 3-Hour Algarve Classic Food Tour
- From Lagos: Dolphin and Whale Watching Tour
WHERE TO STAY IN LAGOS
We recommend booking your hotels on Booking.com to get the best rate and many hotels offer free cancellation in case your plans change.
Some of our favorite hotels in Lagos are:
- Lagos Atlantic Hotel: Nice hotel with balconies overlooking the water and close to the beach.
- Hotel Marina Rio: Great location in the Lagos Marina with a rooftop heated pool.
- Casa Mãe: Modern looking 5-star hotel, very new with great amenities.
AirBnB is also a great option in Lagos (and you can save $44 using that link to sign up!).
BEST TIME TO VISIT PORTUGAL
The best time to visit Portugal is during the dry season between March and November. July and August can be very crowded, so we prefer the shoulder months of March to June and September to November.
BEST BOOKS ABOUT PORTUGAL
Read more about Portugal before you go! Some of the best books about Portugal are:
WHAT POWER ADAPTERS DO YOU NEED
Portugal uses standard 2 prong Type C adapters also commonly used throughout Europe.
You can buy a universal adapter that will work in any country and has extra ports for USB cables to charge your phone and other devices.
We also always travel with a portable battery pack which is great to keep your phone charged on long journies.
TRANSPORTATION IN PORTUGAL
- Public Transportation: Portugal has extensive public transportation by both bus and train. The trains are particularly good, but make sure to book your tickets in advance to get the best price.
- Rental Cars: If you want flexibility, we recommend renting a car at the airport. This provides the easiest way to see certain beaches and landmarks.
- Uber: Uber is sometimes available in Portugal, though it depends on the area. However, the rules are constantly changing about Uber in Portugal due to the strict permits that are required for drivers to offer rides. There is also a popular app called Bolt which is the European equivalent of Uber which is frequently used in Portugal. Use code BC222 to get a free ride when you sign up!
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Our top recommended travel insurance companies for Portugal are:
- World Nomads: Comprehensive coverage for medical, travel delays, and electronics.
- SafetyWing: Cheaper monthly coverage primarily for medical, starting at $37 for 4 weeks of coverage.
MORE ARTICLES ABOUT PORTUGAL
After three days of hiking these magnificent trails, finding some magical views along the way, I called a taxi to the bus station and onward to Faro Airport to reluctantly catch my flight back home!
We hope that this article has inspired you to visit the Algarve. If you have any questions about the destination or have your own travel tips to share please leave these in the comments below.
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We Are Travel Girls Contributor Samita Santoshini of SamWanderlust.com
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Patricia says
Beautiful photos! And thank you for the guides to find these beaches and take in some incredible views.
We Are Travel Girls says
Thanks for reading Patricia! Hope we inspired you to visit one day!
Talia says
Hi, these places look beautiful!
I’m heading to Faro for the first time and was wondering if you wouldn’t mind letting me know which walk is closer to Faro? and then hopefully I can find my bearings.
Thank you in advance.
Talia
Emily says
Hello! I am planning on heading to Portugal this summer. I am wondering what “rock climbing skills” means. A little scramble up some rocky inclines? Or more serious, actual rock climbing skills? Thanks!
Janessa says
Hi! I am planning on traveling there in March, and I hoping to hit one of these hiking trails while I am in the Algarve. What kind of transport did you do to get around? Did you rent a car? And if so, do you have any recommendations for car rental places?
Tal Egozi says
I would also like to know what does it mean “some rock climbing skills” means?
A picture of an area like that would be perfect, thanks so much!
Nick Robinson says
Beautiful photos and it looks like a wonderful holiday you had there. What a perfect way to see the Algarve.
Christine Krieg says
Great article! Thanks for sharing your adventure. I have the same question as one previous gal: What do you mean by rock climbing skills? And is it going up a cliff face or down? I am a good hiker, but have not rock climbed before. I have been living in Porto and wanted to see more of Portugal’s scenery before heading back to the US.
Linda says
I plan on staying in the Albufeira area and thinking of taking a train back/forth to Lisbon. How reliable is the train? Can I leave early in morning and take the train directly to the airport for an evening flight? Or do you recommend taking train the day before and staying at airport hotel for departure the next day? Are there train strikes that cause delays?
Or is it better to take a bus?
Thanks!