Walking the Algarve's South West
11 Days Starting and ending in Sagres, Portugal
Visiting: Sagres, Carrapateira, Pedralva, Vila do Bispo, Cabo de Sao Vicente, Lagos
Tour operator:
Tour code:
W10AV
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Age range:
18-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Beach Tours, Cultural, Gardens & Nature Tours, Wildlife Tours
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable self-guided walking adventure through the stunning landscapes of Portugal's Algarve region. This tour invites you to explore Europe's most southwesterly point at Cabo de Sao Vicente, renowned for its breathtaking views and rich maritime history. Enjoy bird-spotting opportunities, relax on beautiful beaches, and wander through picturesque harbors. Stay in charming hotels, each with a pool, including a rustic house in Pedralva and a well-restored inn in Vila do Bispo. Delight in the local cuisine with included breakfasts and select evening meals, while having the freedom to discover local restaurants. With convenient walking and luggage transfers, this tour offers a seamless experience as you traverse coastal trails and scenic countryside, culminating in the vibrant town of Lagos. Whether you're a nature enthusiast or a history buff, this Algarve walking tour promises a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive At Sagres
Location: Sagres
Accommodation Name: Memmo Baleeira
Meals Included: Dinner
Arrive at your hotel in the coastal town of Sagres. (Staying at Memmo Baleeira)
Day 2 : Sagres To Pedralva
Location: Carrapateira
Accommodation Name: Aldeia da Pedralva
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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. (Staying at Aldeia da Pedralva)
Day 3 : At Pedralva
Location: Pedralva
Accommodation Name: Aldeia da Pedralva
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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. (Staying at Aldeia da Pedralva)
Day 4 : Pedralva To Vila Do Bispo
Location: Vila do Bispo
Accommodation Name: Hotel Mira Sagres
Meals Included: Breakfast
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. (Staying at Hotel Mira Sagres)
Day 5 : At Vila Do Bispo
Location: Vila do Bispo
Accommodation Name: Hotel Mira Sagres
Meals Included: Breakfast
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. (Staying at Hotel Mira Sagres)
Day 6 : Vila Do Bispo To Cabo De Sao Vicente/Sagres
Location: Cabo de Sao Vicente
Accommodation Name: Pousada de Sagres
Meals Included: Breakfast
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! Take a tour of the lighthouse, visit the museum, or relax with a drink in the bar before we transfer you (5 mins) back to Sagres. (Staying at Pousada de Sagres)
Day 7 : At Sagres
Location: Sagres
Accommodation Name: Pousada de Sagres
Meals Included: Breakfast
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! (Staying at Pousada de Sagres)
Day 8 : Sagres To Lagos
Location: Lagos
Accommodation Name: Vila Branca
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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. (Staying at Vila Branca)
Day 9 : At Lagos
Location: Lagos
Accommodation Name: Vila Branca
Meals Included: Breakfast
It's just a 20-minute walk from your hotel to the Old Town of Lagos. Here you'll find the 14th century 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! (Staying at Vila Branca)
Day 10 : Burgau To Lagos
Location: Lagos
Accommodation Name: Vila Branca
Meals Included: Breakfast
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 one 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. (Staying at Vila Branca)
Day 11 : Leave Lagos
Location: Sagres
Meals Included: Breakfast
The tour ends after breakfast in Sagres.
What's Included
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All accommodation
All accommodation is included in the tour package.
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All continental breakfast and 4 evening meals
The tour includes all continental breakfasts and 4 evening meals.
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Headwater Navigation App
Access to the Headwater Navigation App is provided.
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Luggage transfers between hotels
Luggage transfers between hotels are included.
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Walking transfers
Walking transfers are provided during the tour.
What's Not Included
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Travel insurance
Travel insurance is not included in the tour package.
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Single accommodation (available on request - compulsory supplement)
Single accommodation is not included and is available on request with a compulsory supplement.
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Solo traveller supplement (where only one person is travelling on a departure date)
A solo traveller supplement applies if only one person is travelling on a departure date.
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Visas and vaccinations
Visas and vaccinations are not included in the tour package.
Food
All continental breakfast and 5 evening meals included. The local speciality from the sea is the Barnacle Perceve, this is not taken from the bottom of boats but the bottom of submerged local cliffs, it is harvested by hand using a dangerous and traditional method, which involves one of the two collectors dangling by a rope from the top of the cliffs! They are a bit of a delicacy not too dissimilar to mussels. Away from the sea the dried hams, salamis and chourico are as good as anything that Spain or Italy can produce. The strange sounding bread sausage Alheira is very good, invented by the Portuguese Jews during the Inquisition to avoid persecution, bread and non-pork products are used. Good quality meat is also on the menu, beef and pork are of a high quality and lamb in season is superb. Vegetables are plentiful and with big harvests of almonds and oranges, fruits are in good supply alongside another local vegetable, the sweet potato. The Algarve’s other surprise is the quality of cheese; from mild to strong using cow, goat or sheep milk there is a great range of cheeses for all tastes, Queijo de Cabra do Algarve, is a particular favourite.
Accommodation
You'll stay in a wonderful variety of hotels, all with pools, including a charming hotel in Sagres with views of the fortress and Atlantic; a rustic house in Pedralva; a well-restored pensao in Vila do Bispo with spa; and a hotel near Lagos' old town.
Mode of Transport
The tour includes walking transfers and luggage transfers between hotels. A 30-minute transfer is provided on Day 2 to the starting point of the walk, and a 20-30 minute transfer on Day 8 to one of three possible starting points. A 5-minute transfer is provided back to Sagres on Day 6.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of transportation is included during the tour?
The tour includes walking transfers and luggage transfers between hotels. There is a 30-minute transfer on Day 2 to the starting point of the walk, a 20-30 minute transfer on Day 8 to one of three possible starting points, and a 5-minute transfer back to Sagres on Day 6.
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What type of accommodation can I expect during the tour?
You will stay in a variety of excellent hotels, all with pools. This includes a charming hotel in Sagres with views of the fortress and the Atlantic, a rustic house in Pedralva, a well-restored pensao in Vila do Bispo with a spa, and a hotel just 20 minutes' walk from the old town of Lagos.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, all continental breakfasts and four evening meals are included in the tour package. This allows you the freedom to sample some of the area's superb local restaurants.
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What are some of the highlights of the walking routes on this tour?
The walking routes include the Fishermen's Trail to the cliff tops and Amado beach, the Rota Vicentina with views over the Algarve, and a visit to Cabo de Sao Vicente, the southwestern tip of Europe. You will also experience stunning coastal trails and picturesque villages like Burgau and Praia da Luz.
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What unique local foods can I try during the tour?
You can try the local delicacy Barnacle Perceve, which is similar to mussels, and the bread sausage Alheira, invented by Portuguese Jews. The region also offers high-quality beef, pork, and seasonal lamb, as well as a variety of cheeses like Queijo de Cabra do Algarve.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
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