Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
family-friendly beaches. On the next day, continue east, stopping for a picnic on the
forest-lined shores of
Parque Natural da Arrábida
. At night, stay in
Setúbal
for more
seafood feasting and a wander through the sleepy old-town quarters. The next day, book a
dolphin-watching boat trip along the
Sado estuary
. From Setúbal, take the ferry across to
handsomely sited
Tróia
. Continue south to overnight in
Vila Nova de Milfontes
, a
lovely seaside town with fine beaches and charming guesthouses. Next is
Zambujeira do
Mar
, a tiny village perched above a pretty beach. Follow the coast to
Aljezur
, with its
unspoilt, cliff-backed sands, and into the rustic town of
Carrapateira
, with more wild,
untouched beaches, plus cafes and guesthouses catering to the surf-loving crowd. Head
south, and you'll reach the southern coast at pretty, laid-back
Sagres
, another surf-loving
town. Visit Sagres' sea-cliff fortress, then the surreal cliffs of
Cabo de São Vicente
. Go
east to
Lagos
, one of the Algarve's liveliest towns with loads of good sleeping, eating
and drinking options. Afterwards, go inland to
Monchique
, with its densely wooded hill-
sides that offer picturesque walking, cycling and pony-trekking opportunities, followed by
a spa visit in
Caldas de Monchique
. Back on the coast, stay overnight in the lively
Faro
, before journeying out to the
Parque Natural da Ria Formosa
, a lagoon system full of
marsh, creeks and dune islands. From there, head to
Tavira
, set with genteel 18th-century
buildings straddling the Rio Gilão.