Three “Must do" Algarve Road Trips
No matter where you holiday in the Algarve a rental car is essential otherwise you will be severely restricted, public transport is infrequent, unreliable and will exclude most of what is posted here. The road system has improved dramatically since joining the European Union, no more potholes! Navigation is easy with a GPS but personally I recommend a good map, this way you get to visit all the nooks and crannies along your route and you will better understand these directions.
The A22 and the EN125 roads both run East West and parallel to each other for almost the entire length of the Algarve and each will afford access to the road trips described. All three trips are a full day but can be cut short by back tracking at any time depending on your requirements. At the end of an enchanting day out you will be able to return to the villa and relax by the pool!
Sagres and the Wild West Coast Road Trip
Some of the best coastal scenery in Europe awaits you here, pristine, deserted beaches and rugged cliffs will captivate you. Take the A22 or EN125 to Lagos, Lagos is a day trip all on its own so don't include it on this itinery there is simply not the time. Continue west along the EN125. At Vale Verde turn left on the EN537 to visit Praia da Luz and Burgau. Don't turn north at Burgau keep going west along a much smaller coast road to Salema. These are all small fishing villages that are popular but not swamped with tourism. Great fish restaurants in all of them. Head north again until you hit the EN125 again and head west in the direction of Villa do Bispo and Sagres. You will notice that the landscape has changed drastically, very few trees and quite windswept, not unlike Cornwall in the UK, for much the same reason. At Sagres visit the Fortaleza de Sagres and the Cabo de Sao Vicente light house. The cliffs here are spectacular albeit dangerous, don't go too close to the edge! You are also at the most South Western corner of Europe.
Retrace your steps to Vila do Bispo and find the north west corner of the village near the market, head out on the M1265 to Praia do Castelejo, this is one of the best unspoiled beaches in the Algarve, if not Portugal. Back to Vila do Bispo and then head north on the EN268. There are about a dozen small tracks that head west off this road to some spectacular and remote beaches, each about 4kms long, you may need a 2nd day to try some of these. Head north and (don't miss this section), just 2-30 meters before the quaint village of Carrapateira there is a turn to the left that goes south west to Praia do Amado and from here a wonderful cliff top road that runs north, don't take a right turn to Carrapateira but continue along the cliff road. There are some great cliff top board walks you can go on. Eventually this road will look down on Praia do Bordeira which is a kite surfers paradise and end up back on the EN268.
Head north again. The EN268 will join the EN120 continue north in the direction of Aljezur which is an old village to explore with a castle and some excellent traditional restaurants. Drive through the narrow streets and keep going uphill to the castle (to save your legs). A few kms before Aljezur you will have passed a turning to the coast, if you have time, track-back and take the M1003-1 to Praia da Arrifana, a surfers haven with stunning scenery, fishing harbour and a small fort that was badly damaged by a tsunami in 1755 which stands atop a 200 foot cliff, yes a tsunami, seriously.
At this point you can turn back on the EN120 to Lagos about an hours drive. Or from Aljezur take the EN267 in an easterly direction towards Monchique. This is a delightful route via the village of Marmelete and then along a contour road to the EN266 just south of Monchique, turn right in the direction of Portimao, this route will take about one hour 15 minutes.
Serra da Monchique Road Trip
From either the EN125 or the A22 you will find an intersection with the EN266 just north of the coastal city of Portimao. Following this road you will pass through Rasmalho (Stork City), one of the largest colonies of White Storks in Portugal. You will be gradually climbing the wooded foothills of the Serra and will come across a famous Spa village, Caldas de Monchique, turn off here and walk this tiny but fascinating village, you may get to see bread being made in the communal ovens, walk the shaded pathways to the thermal streams, or indulge in rituals at the spa itself.
Continue upwards to the town of Monchique, cobbled streets and artisan shops, a ruined convent and wonderful gardens are well worth a visit. Monchique is famous for it's cork oak forests, wild boar and black pork cuisine, if you intend to eat out in the Algarve then Monchique would be a great choice. From the town centre continue upwards along the EN266-3 to Foia, the highest point in the Algarve at 902m above sea level. Here you will have spectacular 360 deg views. An unforgettable experience. You can retrace your steps to Monchique or take any of two other roads that descend, one to the east and one to the north, both will bring you back town.
There is a gorgeous contour drive that you can take from Monchique: Head to the roundabout that you first encountered when you arrived at Monchique, next to the petrol stations, and take the exit marked Alferce EN267. Take a right 20 meters (literally) after entering this road, which goes behind the bar on the corner, (local labour exchange). You are now on the contour road that circumnavigates the smaller mountain of Picota. Again the coastal views are spectacular, you will also look down on the Oudelouca dam wall. Stay on this road until you hit a T junction, turn left in the direction of Alferce. Take a drive through the village, just a typical sleepy mountain village where sleeping dogs will not raise an eyebrow as you pass by. Follow signs back to Monchique.
Leave Monchique by the way you came on the EN266, if you still have a few hours, at Porto de Lagos roundabout turn left on the EN124 in the direction of Silves. You can have a taste of this historic walled town with Moorish castle, archaeological museum and Roman bridge, though this could be a full half day trip in its own right.
Rio Guadiana Road Trip
The river Guadiana is in the extreme east of the Algarve and separates Portugal from Spain. It is navigable as far as a tiny village called Pomarao north of Alcoutim, which in its day was a mining village built by immigrant Welsh miners, who built terraced houses similar to those in the valleys of Wales. The main village on the Portuguese side is Alcoutim and on the opposite Spanish side is Sanlucar da Guadiana. Both have castles and restaurants and cafes, it is a very picturesque location. The two villages are not connected by road only a small 10 person passenger ferry. Do take this so you can visit the Spanish side as well.
The best would be to head east on the A22, take the last exit number 18 to the IC27. In the distance you will see the suspension bridge that connects Portugal and Spain, the only crossing for many miles. Head north on the A22 after about 1km you will find an intersection the road off to the right is the old road the EN122. The old and new IC27 run parallel to each other and join up again further north I would recommend the old road it is leisurely and there is more to see on the way.
Look out for a turning to the right M1063 to Foz do Odeleite take this road, it will descend to the river which will dominate the scenery from this point forward. The road now conveniently follows the banks of the river where you will happen upon a few villages each with a mandatory bar or three and a local restaurant that may open when they feel like it! At the village of Guerreiros do Rio there is a tiny museum and some roman ruins that you can visit.
Eventually you will arrive in sleepy Alcoutim, not too much to explore but the museum and castle are worth a visit, there are several cafes but don't expect anything too sophisticated here. Life gravitates towards the river and visiting yachties. Do take the ferry to Spain, remember to adjust your watch they are 1 hour ahead, but in reality 30 years behind the sophisticated metropolis of Alcoutim! There are a couple of bars that will do tapas, when they feel like it, did I say that once before? Sanlucar' will be deserted each day between 2 and 5.30pm because in Spain they have Siesta so everything will be closed, not a good time to visit. The Guadiana is another world.
Depending on time, you could head back the way you came or continue to explore further north by way of the M507 and then the IC27 which will bring you to Mertola, another, fortified Portuguese stronghold on the banks of the river. This adds another hour or so to your trip and of course another hour back. Pomarao is another hour or more heading south on the other bank. I would not advise this you will be coming home well after dark. Pomarao, if you can, is best visited by boat from Alcoutim.
These are just three of our favourite drives in the Algarve. There are dozens more into the Alentejo and Spain that visit some amazing places. I would highly recommend a two or three week winter road trip through the southern half of Portugal and Spain. The weather is mild and sunny, roads are quiet and flights and hotels prices will be at their lowest. A great time of year to explore the history, culture, gastronomy and scenery of southern Iberia.