Here’s my ultimate 2-day Algarve itinerary. Since my family has always loved visiting southern Spain, we decided during one of our trips to venture across the border into Portugal and explore its stunning southernmost region – the Algarve.

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An Ultimate 2 Days in Algarve Itinerary

What is Algarve known for?

The Algarve is Portugal’s most iconic and breathtaking coastline, known for its charming towns, golden beaches, dramatic sea cliffs, and stunning caves – most notably the famous Benagil Cave. It’s a favorite holiday destination for families and a fantastic place to savor fresh seafood and the rich flavors of Portuguese cuisine.

How to get to Algarve

The easiest way to reach the Algarve from within Europe is by flying into Faro Airport (FAO), while Lisbon Airport is a common choice for international travelers. From Lisbon, it takes about 2.5 to 3 hours to reach Faro by car or train.

For this itinerary, we arrived from Seville, just a 2-hour drive away. Thanks to its proximity, the Algarve is an easy and worthwhile addition to any southern Spain road trip or a longer three-week Spain itinerary.

Best time to visit Algarve

Our 2-day Algarve itinerary took place in April – technically outside of peak season – yet the region still felt more touristy than I had expected. Interestingly, it often felt like an English-speaking destination, as I rarely heard Portuguese being spoken. Yet it wasn’t overcrowded.

Late Spring is considered one of the best times to visit Algarve, with pleasant temperatures ranging from 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F), though it felt a bit too cool for a proper beach holiday during our stay. Early autumn brings slightly warmer weather, typically between 18°C and 28°C (64°F to 82°F), so next time I’d likely plan a trip for September or October.

Summer is the Algarve’s high season, with temperatures climbing to around 30°C (86°F) – the hottest, busiest, and most expensive time to visit. The region also draws visitors in winter, offering mild ‘winter sun’ conditions with temperatures between 10°C and 18°C (50°F to 64°F).

Where to stay in Algarve

For our 2-day Algarve stay, we based ourselves in Portimão. Depending on the season, though, there are plenty of great accommodation options throughout the region – some of my favorites include Caneiros Luxury House & Suites, 3HB Faro, and 3HB Falésia Garden. You can explore more choices on the map below.

How long to stay in Algarve?

From the start, I knew that two days wouldn’t be enough to see everything the Algarve has to offer – but I still thoroughly enjoyed this weekend getaway in Portugal. Much like my trip to Malta, it felt like the perfect introduction to the region.

The Algarve is filled with charming towns and beautiful beaches, and because everything is relatively close together, travelers without kids – and with a packed itinerary – can actually cover quite a lot in just two days. That said, I believe 4 to 5 days is the ideal amount of time to truly experience and appreciate the Algarve at a relaxed pace.

2 Days in Algarve Itinerary

Day 1: Faro, Tavira, Santa Luzia, and Portimao

Faro

Faro, the capital of the Algarve region, is known for its charming Old Town and lively pedestrian street, Rua de Santo António. It was our first stop in Portugal after driving in from Spain. One of Faro’s most iconic landmarks is the Capela dos Ossos, or Chapel of Bones – a small yet striking church adorned with human bones.

We enjoyed wandering through the cobbled streets of the Old Town and taking in the views around Faro’s marina. Another popular highlight is Ria Formosa Natural Park, a haven for hiking and boat tours, but with only two days in the Algarve, we didn’t have time to visit it on this trip.

Views from Faro´s Cathedral in Tavira
Views from Faro’s Cathedral

Tavira

Just 30 minutes from Faro, we made a stop in Tavira – a town celebrated for its charming blend of Moorish and Roman architecture. Highlights include exploring the ruins of its 13th-century castle and strolling across the picturesque Roman Bridge. Often regarded as one of the most enchanting small towns in the Algarve, Tavira offers plenty to see and do, making it well worth a visit.

Octopus in Santa Luzia

For lunch, we drove just 9 minutes from Tavira to Santa Luzia, a quaint fishing village renowned as the octopus capital of Portugal. Here, you’ll find an impressive variety of octopus dishes – ranging from traditional recipes to modern takes, whether grilled, stewed in tomato sauce, or served as a refreshing salad. The village is dotted with excellent restaurants, and the most famous among them is Casa do Polvo Tasquinha, known for serving some of the best octopus in the country.

Santa Luzia 2 days Algarve
Santa Luzia

Portimao

Portimão was our final stop on the first day of our Portugal trip. Our hotel offered beautiful ocean views, and we ended the evening with a relaxing beach walk with our daughter. For dinner, we headed to Bar A Fábrica, where we enjoyed an incredible seafood platter that exceeded expectations. To my surprise, I found that seafood in Portugal is noticeably more affordable than in Spain – an added bonus to an already memorable meal.

the hotel views in Algarve
Enjoying the hotel views during our 2 days in Portugal

Day 2: Praia Doña Ana, Cape St. Vincent, Carvoeiro, and Marinha Beach

Praia Doña Ana

We began our second day in the Algarve with a morning visit to Praia Dona Ana, often hailed as one of the region’s most stunning beaches. Although the weather was a bit too chilly for a long beach day, we still enjoyed the breathtaking natural surroundings.

Dona Ana Beach Algarve Portugal
Praia Doña Ana in Algarve

Cape St.Vincent

Cape St. Vincent, or Cabo de São Vicente, is famed for its breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and some of Europe’s most iconic cliffs. It quickly became one of my favorite stops during our two days in the Algarve. This spot is ideal for capturing panoramic photos and watching stunning sunsets. You can also explore the Cabo de São Vicente Lighthouse museum, which offers fascinating insights into Portugal’s rich maritime history.

Many travelers combine this visit with the nearby Sagres Fortress, but with limited time, we chose to focus on Cape St. Vincent. If we’d had more time, hiking in the area would have been a wonderful option. Parking can be found every few hundred meters, reflecting the site’s popularity. And if you’re a fan of artisan pottery – as I am, with my love for Portuguese and Spanish ceramics – you’ll find several charming shops along the road near Sagres.

Cape St.Vincent Algarve cliffs Portugal
Cape St.Vincent
Walls of an artisan pottery shop on the road Sagres Algarve
Walls of an artisan pottery shop on the road near Sagres

Carvoeiro

For lunch, we made our way to Carvoeiro, another picturesque gem of the Algarve. Beyond its charming Praia do Carvoeiro beach and excellent dining options, the town is famous for two remarkable nearby landmarks: Algar Seco and the Benagil Caves. Algar Seco features stunning rock formations where you can stroll along a boardwalk winding through tunnels, limestone caves, and sea-carved arches.

Just a short boat ride from Carvoeiro, the Benagil Caves are a must-see, renowned for their dramatic sea cave with a large sunlit opening. If we hadn’t been traveling with a baby, I would have loved to explore the popular cliffside hikes around here, such as the scenic Carvoeiro Boardwalk.

The Carvoeiro Beach Algarve 2-days itinerary
Our Portugal Family Vacation – The Carvoeiro Beach

Marinha Beach

After lunch, we visited Marinha Beach, frequently ranked among the most beautiful beaches in the world. Although it can get busy even during the off-season, the stunning natural scenery truly lives up to the hype. Next time, I’d love to explore the scenic 12km cliffside trail that runs from Praia da Marinha to Praia do Vale de Centeanes.

Marinha Beach things to do in Algarve
Marinha Beach

Is Algarve worth visiting?

To be honest, I wasn’t sure if I’d like the Algarve. While it looks absolutely picture-perfect in photos, I was a bit skeptical – especially since it’s one of Europe’s most popular coastal destinations, and I’ve been disappointed by some top-rated places like Cinque Terre before. But I genuinely enjoyed it.

In my opinion, the Algarve is ideal for a family holiday, especially in the off-season. The coastline is stunning, the spring weather was pleasantly mild, and the seafood was incredible. Plus, both food and accommodation were noticeably more affordable than in Spain. I realize my experience might have been different if I’d visited in the busy summer months, but overall, I was really happy with the trip – our itinerary flowed smoothly, and we never had trouble finding parking or good places to eat.

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Visiting Algarve in Portugal for 2 days

Check my Pinterest Family Travel board for more ideas. Also, you can find more Portugal travel tips, stories, and secret places on this board.

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