Itinerary
- Day 1
Faro
Your driver will be waiting at Faro Airport to help you get set up with a rental car. After checking into your hotel, head out on your own to wander through the old town. The Arco da Vila gate is worth seeing, and you'll find plenty of local spots to explore at whatever pace suits you.
- Start point
- Aeroporto de Faro (FAO), Aeroporto de Faro, Montenegro, Faro, Portugal (Pick up at Faro International Airport, 07:00 - 22:00)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Dom Bernardo Hotel)
Optional Activities
- Visit Faro Municipal Museum to learn about the city's seafaring history from Roman times to present
- Visit Igreja do Carmo church with its Portuguese Baroque architecture
- Visit Capela dos Ossos (Chapel of Bones)
Landmarks Arco da Vila Faro Municipal Museum Igreja do Carmo Capela dos Ossos 
- Day 2
Faro to Silves
After breakfast, you'll drive to Silves, a historic town sitting above the Arade River. The Castle of Silves is the main draw here, along with the cathedral and the Roman Bridge nearby. Try the local cake called Morgado de Silves, which combines almond and candy in a way that's quite different from typical desserts.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Colina dos Mouros)
Optional Activities
- Visit Castle of Silves
- Visit Silves Cathedral
- Visit Roman Bridge
- Visit Cruz de Portugal
- Try local cake Morgado de Silves
Landmarks Castle of Silves Silves Cathedral Roman Bridge Cruz de Portugal 
- Day 3
Silves
This day focuses on Silves' Arabic heritage, which shows up in the architecture and decorative azulejo tiles throughout the town. If you're interested in beaches, you can drive over to Lagos, a resort town where the sand is golden and the water's usually warm. It's optional, so you could also spend more time in Silves itself.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Colina dos Mouros)
Optional Activities
- Explore Silves alleys and streets to admire Arabic elements and azulejo decorative tiles
- Visit resort town of Lagos
- Swim at golden sandy beaches
- Day 4
Silves
Start with breakfast at your hotel and use the day to explore Silves at your own pace. No structured activities, so you can revisit spots you liked or check out anything you might have missed the day before.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Colina dos Mouros)
- Day 5
Silves to Beja
After breakfast, drive inland to Beja, a small historic town with both Roman and Moorish influences visible in its architecture. The Medieval Castle dates back to the 13th century and gives you good views from the top. The Cathedral is worth time too, along with other historic sites scattered through town.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Vila Galé Clube de Campo)
Optional Activities
- Visit Medieval Castle from 13th century
- Visit Sé Cathedral
- Visit Church of Santo Amaro
- Visit Rainha D Leonor Regional Museum
- Visit St. Mary of the Market Church
Landmarks Medieval Castle of Beja Sé Cathedral Church of Santo Amaro Rainha D Leonor Regional Museum St. Mary of the Market Church - Day 6
Serpa - Aljustrel
You'll have breakfast then head out through the Alentejo region, stopping in the villages of Serpa and Aljustrel. These places have historic architecture, churches, and small museums to look through. Local dishes include lamb stew and traditional sweets if you want something authentic for lunch or dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Vila Galé Clube de Campo)
Optional Activities
- Visit Serpa historic city centre
- Visit Gothic-style Mother Church in Serpa
- Visit Nossa Senhora da Saúde church in Serpa
- Visit Misericórdia church in Serpa
- Visit archaeological museum in Serpa
- Visit ethnographic museum in Serpa
- View Third oldest Tower clock in Serpa
- Try local dishes: lamb stew, açorda, grains with garlic and laurel
- Try traditional sweets: gila puffs and curd cheese
- Visit Aljustrel Roman village
Landmarks Serpa Aljustrel - Day 7
Beja to Évora
After breakfast, drive to Évora, which is a UNESCO World Heritage city and basically a living book of Portuguese art history. Check out the Templo de Diana, the Cathedral, and the Chapel of Bones, which is unusual and worth seeing. For a meal, try Migas com carne, a local dish that's hearty and filling.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Vitoria Stone)
Optional Activities
- Visit Templo de Diana (Diana Temple)
- Visit Catedral da Sé
- Visit Capela dos Ossos (Chapel of Bones)
- Try local gastronomy: Migas com carne (leftover bread with braised pork)
Landmarks Templo de Diana Catedral da Sé Capela dos Ossos 
- Day 8
Évora
This morning you'll have breakfast then spend the day walking Évora's narrow streets, finding quiet corners and little details you might have missed. The Museu de Évora provides context about the city's past and culture, so it's worth a couple hours of your time if museums interest you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Vitoria Stone)
Optional Activities
- Explore hidden corners of Évora city
- Enjoy local sweets and dishes at local restaurants
- Visit Museu de Évora (Évora Museum)
Landmarks Museu de Évora 
- Day 9
Moura - Évora
After breakfast, you'll drive to Moura, a town named after a Moorish princess. Explore the castle and convents there, then head back to Évora for the night. It's a shorter excursion but gives you another perspective on the region's history.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Vitoria Stone)
Optional Activities
- Visit Castle of Moura
- Visit Convento das Dominicanas
- Visit Convento do Carmo
- Visit Azeite de Moura
- Enjoy coffee at local cafés
Landmarks Castle of Moura Convento das Dominicanas Convento do Carmo - Day 10
Évora to Tavira
After breakfast, continue to Tavira, a small fishing village on the Gilão river where you'll find island beaches nearby. The Torre de Tavira is the main landmark here, along with the Castle of Tavira and Igreja da Misericordia. Tavira's quieter than some of the other towns you've visited.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Vila Gale Tavira)
Optional Activities
- Visit Torre de Tavira
- Visit Castelo de Tavira
- Visit Igreja da Misericordia
- Explore narrow streets with traditionally tiled houses
- Visit local restaurants and decorative churches
Landmarks Torre de Tavira Castelo de Tavira Igreja da Misericordia 
- Day 11
Tavira
You'll have breakfast and then just enjoy how peaceful Tavira is. From there, you can drive over to surrounding villages like Olhão, Vila Real de Santo Antonio, and Cabanas to get a feel for how locals live and what traditions matter to them.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Vila Gale Tavira)
Optional Activities
- Visit surrounding village of Olhão
- Visit surrounding village of Vila Real de Santo Antonio
- Visit surrounding village of Cabanas
- Learn about local lifestyle and traditions
- Day 12
Tavira
Wake up to breakfast and take your last morning in Tavira slowly. Try the local specialty Folhado de Tavira, which are puff cakes. If you want to venture out, the nearby villages of Cabanas de Tavira and Santa Luzia are worth a quick drive.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Vila Gale Tavira)
Optional Activities
- Try typical cake Folhado de Tavira (round-shaped puff cakes)
- Visit Cabanas de Tavira
- Visit Santa Luzia
- Day 13
Tavira to Olhão
After breakfast, drive to Olhão, a fishing town with golden beaches surrounding it. Explore the old quarters where fishing culture is still visible, try fresh seafood, and stop by Igreja Nossa Senhora do Rosário and the local museums if you have time.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Quinta dos Poetas)
Optional Activities
- Visit Igreja Nossa Senhora do Rosário
- Visit Museu da Cidade
- Visit Mercado de Olhão
- Enjoy local seafood at local restaurants
- Explore narrow streets of old quarters
Landmarks Igreja Nossa Senhora do Rosário Museu da Cidade Mercado de Olhão - Day 14
Olhão
Olhão works as both a working fishing port and a place where tourists come for recreation, so you'll see both sides today. Spend time on the beaches, order seafood like Arroz de Lingueirão, and try Folar de Olhão, a local specialty pastry that's different from what you'll find elsewhere.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Quinta dos Poetas)
Optional Activities
- Enjoy fantastic beaches in Olhão region
- Try Arroz de Lingueirão (rice dish with razor clam)
- Try Folar de Olhão (Folar de Folhas or Folar do Algarve - layered pastry with sugar, butter and cinnamon)
- Day 15
Olhão to Faro
Have breakfast in Olhão one last time, then drive back to Faro to return your rental car at the airport. From there you'll be ready for your flight home, ending your trip through Portugal's southern regions.
- End point
- Aeroporto de Faro (FAO), Aeroporto de Faro, Montenegro, Faro, Portugal (Drop off at Faro International Airport, 07:00 - 22:00)
- Meals
- Breakfast
