Discover the Magical Algarve, Alentejo & Andalucia, Self-drive (Multi country)

Choose this eleven days self-drive tour and get inspired by discovering inland paths of Algarve, Alentejo and Andalucia. The natural diversity of these regions is undoubtedly one of the greatest riches. Starting in Faro, the fascinating capital of Algarve, you will drive to Portimão the largest city of Western Algarve and was traditionally a centre for shipbuilding, sardine fishing and fish processing. Follow the route through Costa Vicentina where you can enjoy marvellous landscapes and beautiful beaches. Once in Evora you will be allured by its unique romantic atmosphere, delicious gastronomy and captivating history. Proceed to Elvas one of Portugal´s hidden gems, this highly fortified and historic town is situated on the arid border region with Spain. There you can visit Merida, a destination that brings the old Roman Empire back to life. Don’t forget to pay a visit to Seville, famous for a mixture of the old and the new architecture. This trip will fill all your senses and will leave great memories for a lifetime.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS 

Cabo São Vicente: Marvelous landscape with unspoiled coastlines and dramatic horizons of cliffs. Covered by myths and legends from the Discoveries Era and the enigmatic figure of Prince Henry the Navigator.

Sagres: This fortress witnessed the mysterious history and legends of the maritime adventure made by Infante D. Henrique in the 15th century.

Costa Vicentina: Don’t miss out the breathtaking Alentejo Coast, which is dotted with surf beaches and secluded coves.

Tavira: Charming little town, perfect for getting to know the Portuguese culture. With a combination of amazing beaches, ruins with a hilltop castle and an old Roman bridge suspended above Gilão River    

Seville: Explore the elegant capital of Andalusia, visiting the world-famous Plaza de España, the former royal palace, and cathedral, as well as strolling through its old Jewish quarter.

Day 1: ARRIVAL FARO / CAR PICK-UP

Arrive at Faro International Airport, meet and greet by our local representative who will assist you with your car hire and inform you how to proceed on your departure day. Drive to the capital of the Algarve - Faro (just 10 minutes from the airport) and explore this city with centuries of history, starting in the Moorish and medieval times. Stroll down the narrow streets and whitewashed houses, walk inside the walls, perhaps have a drink at one of the cities iconic bars facing the beautiful sea view or taste shellfish at one of the local restaurant. Afterwards, check in to your hotel and the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Faro.

Day 2: FARO – LAGOS (90km – 1hr)

Have an early breakfast at the hotel, check out and get ready to drive along the coast and discover different beaches and secrets of Algarve. A must to see is Carvoeiro a picturesque coastal village, which retained the Algarvian way of life. Do not miss Algar Seco a striking coastal land form produced by rock weathering and a lagoon. Driving a bit inland, you have Silves once a Moorish capital of the Algarve, worth a visit for its Castle, the reminders of the Moorish presence in the city and the surrounding countryside with the deep green foliage of orange, almond and carob trees. Another charming village is Ferragudo where you can admire whitewashed houses and minarets lining cobbled streets. Before checking in at a hotel in Lagos, why not take a walk in Alvor, a picturesque town which connects history, heritage and natural beauty. Relax by the sunset and if possible appreciate our gastronomy at any of the local restaurants. 

Overnight in Lagos.

Day 3: LAGOS – SAGRES – VICENTINE COAST – GRANDOLA (198km – 3.5hrs)

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and be brave as you will be on the path of the myths and legends from the Discoveries. The first stop will be Lagos, a city proud of its history and the role it played in the voyages of exploration known as the Discoveries. Visit the glowing gold Baroque carving on church walls, St. Antonio Church and do not forget to stop at Ponta da Piedade. Later, if you drive straight to São Vicente Cape, besides the magnificent view over the Atlantic Ocean you will see the fortress built in the 16th century to protect locals from the Moorish pirates. Continue to Sagres promontory and go back in time, travel to Discoveries Era as the fortress is a witness of the mystery and the mythical quality of all the history and legends of maritime adventure founded by the 15th century by the Infante D. Henrique. Keep driving close to the coast to Aljezur small charming village and enjoy some of the nicest views over the ocean. Being a day full of memories, do not miss Zambujeira do Mar, appreciate the typical calm way of being in Alentejo and enjoy their best Perceves - shellfish typical of this area. 

Overnight in Grândola.

Day 4: GRANDOLA – COMPORTA – EVORA (186km – 3hrs)

Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel and get ready to keep exploring Alentejo. You can drive to Comporta beach, located on the south of Troia. Lay back and relax at the beach before continuing to Cais Palafitico da Carrasqueira, a masterpiece of popular architecture. This port, built on irregular wooden piles and boards, is a popular photography destination. The wharf and its mooring lines are used by local fishing boats. Enjoy the tranquil atmosphere of this rural place before getting back on track to Evora. Evora represents a valuable cultural legacy that UNESCO has classified World Heritage, a historic centre with the outer wall, with its narrow streets of Moorish origin contrasting with squares where the light floods in, holds two millennia of history. Feel free to discover the city and get inspired by it.

Overnight in Evora.

Day 5: EVORA – ESTREMOZ – ELVAS – MERIDA – CACERES/SPAIN (171km – 2hrs)

Start your day with breakfast at the hotel, check out and get ready for your following destinations. On the way to Spain, special cities such as Estremoz and Elvas are worth the stop for a short visit. However, before leaving Evora go for a last stroll through this beautiful city considered an open-air museum by UNESCO. Drive to Estremoz, the "white city", named after the colour of the houses and the deposits of white marble. It’s a simple provincial town, busy trading centre, with lots of shops selling farm tools, earthenware pottery and gourmet delights - all of which are available at the great market which takes place at the huge central square on Saturdays. The town also boasts some excellent eateries. Finally, before crossing the border make a stop in Elvas, also called “Queen of the Border". This city is one of the hidden pearls in the Alentejo frontier. Visit the largest bulwarked fortification in the world that had major importance during the battles of independence of Portugal in the mid-17th century and served as a base for General Wellington during the Napoleonic Wars in the early 19th century. Your first stop in Spain is the city of Badajoz. There you can’t miss the "Alcabaza", an ancient Moorish citadel, built by the Almohands in the 12th century (although it probably existed in the 9th century). Afterwards you will arrive at the pleasant city of Merida, the capital of Extremadura. Since 1993, Merida has been a World Heritage town for its outstanding Roman ruins. As a former provincial capital of the Romans, Emerita was planned on a grand scale - as many of today´s ruins still show. So, if you are interested in ancient Roman culture, you will find many fascinating things to do and see in Merida! From Merida drive to Caceres for your overnight stay.

Overnight in Caceres.

Day 6: CACERES – ZAFRA – SEVILLE (266km – 2.5hrs)

Bid farewell to Caceres after a delicious breakfast at the hotel. Depart to Zafra, also known as "Little Seville". Situated at the foot of the steep rocky mountains of Sierra de Castellar, the town is dominated by the 15th-century fortress with a military appearance. The medieval quarter stretches around the fortress, in a network of narrow streets that form a peculiar pattern that resembles the shell of a turtle. Zafra´s monumental heritage is very rich, with great buildings such as the sumptuous collegiate church of La Candelaria, the parish church of San José, several convents (most of which date from the 16th century), and the hospital of Santiago, founded in the 15th century. Proceed to Seville to explore the charming capital of Andalusia. Visit some of its top attractions such as the Royal Alcazar palace and the cathedral, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as well as Santa Cruz, its most picturesque inner-city neighbourhood. The Royal Alcazar traces its origins back to the 10th century when it became the palace of a Moorish caliph. The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Sea, whose glorious Giralda belfry is Seville´s most iconic symbol. It started as a mosque in the 12th century and has since grown to become the third-largest church in the world. Explore lively Santa Cruz, the former Jewish quarter and today the most traditional neighbourhood in the old town. 

Overnight in Seville.

Day 7: SEVILLE – JEREZ – CADIZ – SEVILLE (248km – 3hrs)

Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel. You can dedicate this day to discover the surroundings of Seville. Jerez de la Frontera is the capital of sherry production. The town has a beautiful old quarter, which dates back to its Moorish occupation. A beautiful area with palm lined squares, an old Moorish fortress and a few ancient churches. It is called "de la Frontera" because it once stood on the frontier between the Moorish and the Christian realms. Then follow to Cadiz an ancient port city in the Andalucia region of southwestern Spain. Cadiz is reputed to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in the Iberian Peninsula and probably in Western Europe. The date of the founding of the city is disputed since there were no written records at the time. As the home of the Spanish Navy, its port boomed in the 16th century as a base for exploration and trade. It has more than 100 watchtowers, including the iconic Torre Tavira, which was traditionally used for spotting ships. On the waterfront is the domed, 18th-century Cadiz Cathedral, featuring baroque and neoclassical elements. Finally, return to Seville and spend the rest of the afternoon walking down its romantic streets. If possible, taste the typical gastronomy at one of the local restaurants.

Overnight in Seville.

Day 8: SEVILLE

After delicious breakfast, spend your day discovering this amazing. Hereunder follows some of its highlights but you will discover many more by yourself as this city slowly wins you over. Alcazar of Seville: the top sight in Seville. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best examples of Moorish architecture in Spain. Built in the 1300´s it was the royal palace of the Moorish kings and the upper floors are still used today as the official Seville residence of the Royal family. Fantastic Islamic architecture, lavish and extensive gardens with ponds and fountains. Seville Cathedral: Another UNESCO site, the Cathedral is another "must see" site in Seville. It is the 3rd largest church in the world and the largest Gothic Cathedral. The tomb of Christopher Columbus resides here, held in dramatic fashion by 4 figures representing the four kingdoms of Spain (at the time). The bell tower (the Giralda) dates back to the Moors and was the bell tower of the Mosque that stood on the site. Plaza de Espana: was built for the Ibero-American Exhibition of 1929 (Expo 29). It includes a large, semi-circular brick building, Renaissance/neo-Moorish in style, with a tower at either end. Along the front façade of the building are 48 beautifully tiled alcoves with benches representing each of Spain’s 48 provinces. In front of the building, is a 500-metre canal crossed by four bridges. You can rent small boats to row in the canal. Maria Luisa Park: Really beautiful park right in front of the Plaza de Espana. Fountains, ponds, huge trees, a viewpoint, even a few sitting places where books are laid out to read (in Spanish). But what amazed us were the parrots - look up, you’ll see parrots flying among the trees. Metropol Parasol: This structure, finished in 2011, opened up in 2011 and claims to be the world´s largest wooden structure. Impressive enough from ground level, you can buy a ticket and walk along the top, enjoying some of the best views in the city. Torre del Oro (Golden Tower): Built in 1220, it protected the river with a thick chain that extended to another tower on the other side of the river. It now houses a small maritime museum and you can also climb to the top for views of the city and river. Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza: Seville’s bullring, still used today for bullfighting festivals.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Overnight in Seville.

Day 9: SEVILLE – HUELVA – ISLA CRISTINA – TAVIRA (289km – 3.5hrs)

After breakfast it’s time to say goodbye to Seville and to move on to our next stop - Huelva. Huelva may lack the region’s star attractions of other provincial capitals, but once you get past the industrial sprawl on its outskirts, the centre is a pleasant place with many pretty plazas, absorbing historical monuments and, as you’d expect from a city with a bustling port, a wealth of seafood bars and restaurants. It is from here that Christopher Columbus set sail for America in 1492 and there is a number of important attractions relating to his journey in and around the city. Then we take the opportunity to visit Isla Cristina one of the most important fishing ports in Andalusia, its catch being highly prized throughout Spain. Here you can enjoy many attractions. Namely, the magnificent beaches and marine resorts, such as Islantilla, Centro, and Punta del Caiman. The carnival and the Atlantic Coral Festival are also famous. In the township we find the Marshes of Isla Cristina nature park, containing habitats with different salinity levels, where we can observe a rich and diverse flora and a remarkable number of birds.

Overnight in Tavira.

Day 10: TAVIRA – OLHÃO – FARO (67km – 1hr)

Enjoy your breakfast and afterwards visit the beautiful city of Tavira. A delightful mix of traditional Portuguese heritage with deep-rooted Moorish influences. Concealed within the labyrinth of cobbled streets are traditionally tiled houses, family run restaurants and a myriad of decorative churches. Afterwards, go to the city of Olhão, Algarve’s largest port and bustling fishing town. Nowadays it has become an important city sought after by several well-known Chefs due to its gastronomy. Your last stop will be Faro where you will spend your last day.

Overnight in Faro.

Day 11: DEPARTURE FARO / CAR DROP-OFF

Spend your last morning in Portugal savouring your breakfast. After checking out from your hotel, drive back to Faro Airport where you will return the rental car and prepare for your return flight.

Comfortable and light clothing is the most suitable for travelling in Portugal. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting religious or official buildings. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.