The most beautiful drive in the Algarve

Golden cliffs, a sea cave and the end of Europe in one loop

The Algarve is the sunny southern tip of Portugal: a coast of ochre cliffs and hidden coves, with famous sea caves, golden rock stacks and, at the very point, the place the Romans called the end of the world. Inland lie white towns and a red Moorish castle. This loop of about 300 kilometres threads together the six finest places, from the capital along the spectacular west coast to Cape St Vincent and back through the interior.

Unique to Touren.app: you do not have to start in Faro. Tap "drive this as a loop from your location" and we spin the round so it begins at the point nearest your hotel and returns you there, whether you are in Faro, Albufeira, Lagos or Portimão.

The route on the map

A schematic overview by Touren.app, not a navigation map. The exact route opens under “Drive this route” or in Google Maps. Map orientation: north is up.

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The 6 places along the drive

1. Faro

Start · the capital

Faro is the capital of the Algarve, with a walled old town (the Cidade Velha) you enter through the neoclassical Arco da Vila, a gate topped by a stork's nest. Inside lie the cathedral, cobbled squares and the calm behind the walls; at the edge stretches the lagoon of the Ria Formosa, a nature park of sandbanks and salt pans.

Practical: park by the marina and walk through the Arco da Vila into the old town. Faro has the Algarve's airport, so many trips start here. From this point Touren.app also spins the loop from your own hotel.

2. Albufeira

the clifftop town · Albufeira

Albufeira is the largest resort of the Algarve, yet it still has a white old centre on the cliff and, below it, the Praia dos Pescadores, the fishermen's beach where the colourful boats lie among the rocks. From the cliff edges and the steps down to the beach you get the classic Algarve view: ochre stone above turquoise water.

Practical: park above the old centre and walk down to the beach. You can easily skip the nightlife heart (the Strip); the old town and the cliffs are the finest part.

3. Benagil

the sea cave · Benagil

The cave of Benagil (Algar de Benagil) is the most famous sea cave in Portugal: a round dome in the cliff with a circular hole in its roof, through which sunlight falls onto the little beach inside. You can reach it only from the water, on a boat trip, by kayak or on a paddleboard from Benagil beach.

Practical: park at the village of Benagil (busy in season, come early) and book a boat or kayak. Swimming to the cave is discouraged because of the boats and rockfall risk; go with a trip.

4. Ponta da Piedade

the golden cliffs · Ponta da Piedade

At Lagos the coast drops into Ponta da Piedade, the finest cliff scenery of the Algarve: golden rock stacks, arches and grottoes in clear turquoise water. A wooden stair and a clifftop path lead past the lighthouse and the best viewpoints; below, little boats slip between the rocks.

Practical: park by the lighthouse and walk the clifftop path and the stair down. Early morning has the finest light and the fewest crowds. The boats leave from Lagos or the jetty below.

5. Cabo de São Vicente

the end of Europe · Cape St Vincent

Cabo de São Vicente is the most south-western point of mainland Europe: a bare cape with steep cliffs above the Atlantic, crowned by a lighthouse. The Romans called it the end of the world; a little further, Henry the Navigator built his fortress of Sagres, where the Portuguese age of discovery began.

Practical: ample parking by the lighthouse. Bring something warm, as it is almost always windy. Sunset is at its most dramatic, but also the busiest.

6. Silves

the Moorish castle · Silves

In the green interior lies Silves, once, as Xelb, the capital of the Moorish Algarve. Above the white riverside town rises a castle of red sandstone, one of the best-preserved Moorish fortresses in Portugal, with a walk along the walls and views over the orange groves. Beside it stands the Gothic cathedral.

Practical: park down in the town and walk up to the castle; ticket at the gate. The climb through the lanes is short but steep. On the way back to Faro you drive through the rolling hinterland.

Practical: for the rental car, convertible and motorbike

Where to start: the route begins in Faro, but you need not start there. Tap "drive this as a loop from your location" and Touren.app spins the loop to the point nearest your hotel, whether you are in Faro, Albufeira, Lagos or Portimão.

The roads and tolls: Portugal drives on the right. The Algarve motorway A22 (Via do Infante) has been toll-free since 1 January 2025, but this route deliberately takes the quieter coast road (N125) and the cape road to Sagres. The other Portuguese motorways (such as the A2 to Lisbon) do charge tolls, electronically via Via Verde.

A big day or two halves: the whole loop is about 300 km. For a gentler pace, split it into a west day (Lagos, Ponta da Piedade, Cape St Vincent) and an east day (Albufeira, Benagil, Silves), with your hotel as the base.

Best time: spring (February to May) is glorious: almond blossom, wildflowers and mild weather. September and October are ideal too. July and August are hot and busy on the coast; come early to Benagil and Ponta da Piedade then.

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