Prepare to go on an unforgettable family journey through the sun-kissed landscapes of Algarve, Portugal, where golden beaches, charming villages, and azure waters await. In our guide, we’ve curated a perfect blend of cultural experiences, outdoor adventures, and relaxation to make sure that you see the best of the Algarve in 3 days. Get ready to create lasting memories that your family will treasure for a lifetime.
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DAY ONE
Carvoeiro
This wonderful coastal town is a perfect spot to start an Algarve adventure in part because of its beautiful beach area. White-painted homes are situated on the hills that come down to the beach for a stunning view of the surrounding area.
Further up from the beach, you’ll find several streets full of shops and restaurants.
Carvoeiro Boardwalk
Not too far from the center of town is this picturesque boardwalk that provides stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. It’s the perfect spot to admire the panoramic views or to take some awesome pics and of course, it’s an easy path for a family with kids.
Following the boardwalk will take you to one of the most awesome rock formations in the Algarve.
Algar Seco
This rock formation is a series of cliffs, tunnels, grottoes, and caves some of which you can enter by foot and access from a staircase down from the boardwalk.
A Boneca Cave is perhaps the most popular spot in Algar Seco because of the two large holes in the rock that allow a view of the Ocean from inside the cave. There are also natural pools which are safe to swim in.
Benagil Caves Tour
From the town of Carvoeiro, you can easily take a boat tour of the famed Benagil Caves. We used Carvoeiro Caves Tours and they handled everything for our family.
There are several tour options to choose from, but we went with the 90-minute speedboat tour. The length of time was perfect since we have two kids and the smaller speedboat ensured that we would be able to see a lot in a short period. It also meant that they would be able to maneuver easily in and out of some of the smaller caves. I highly recommend it.
DAY TWO
Praia da Marinha
This is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. In a region that is known for its natural beauty, this beach stands out. It’s stunning to see in person.
The combination of the turquoise water, golden sand beach, and orangish/yellow limestone cliffs that border the beach is breathtaking. At the end of the beach is the famed “M” rock formation.
Praia da Marinha is one of the places that I wished I knew more about ahead of time. I had heard that it was beautiful but words and pictures don’t do it justice.
I wish that we had allocated more time to this gem of a beach, so make sure that you don’t make the same mistake. Give yourself plenty of time to enjoy Praia da Marinha.
Once you’re finished with your beach activities, make your way back to the Lagos area for the next stop.
Ponta de Piedade
This is another natural highlight of the Algarve region and is located just outside the town of Lagos. The wonderful cliffs and rock formations are stunning in their rugged natural beauty.
The area surrounding Ponta da Piedade is remarkably undeveloped which preserves its natural authentic feel. Not only will you be able to descend the steps down to sea level, but you have another opportunity to take a boat tour.
While the Benagil Caves are the most famous in the region, they’re not the only caves to be seen. This whole region is full of caves, grottoes, and other natural formations that are just waiting to be explored.
Green House
As you make your way back into town, head to one of the most popular spots in the old part of Lagos. The Green House is situated in a lovely square in a popular, busy part of town.
You’ll get to see the lovely green tiled home that is gorgeous to see, but also there are plenty of restaurants and shops in this area. You can follow the street down to the canal for a nice view.
You can also follow the side streets as they wind through the old town.
Lagos Old Town
This is the area of Lagos that we enjoyed the most. The beautiful side streets, colorful buildings and shops, and of course restaurants filled with delicious foods are a great reason to spend some time in this part of town.
You’ll find that the streets are always full of life and sound. Despite the festive atmosphere it was never overwhelming and was a welcoming part of town for families as well.
DAY THREE
Praia da Camilo
This is a beautiful little beach not too far from Ponte de Piedade. It’s a beach that is scenic but quite small. It also can have substantial seaweed on the beach near the water so it might not always be the best beach for a swim.
Despite that, you’ll want to check it out. It has a cool tunnel that connects one side of the beach to the other.
There is a long staircase that you have to descend to get to the beach, so you won’t be able to take a stroller, and the climb down and then back up may not be suitable for young ones.
Be advised that there are no changing facilities or facilities of any kind at this beach.
If you decide not to go down to the beach, you can still admire the view from up top and then walk the boardwalk, which is perfect for strollers and kids.
Praia Dona Ana
This is one of the best beaches in the area for families looking for a fun beach day. The one drawback is that like most beaches in this area, it’s situated at the bottom of the cliffs, so that means that you’ll have to descend a long flight of stairs to reach it.
The stairs aren’t too bad, but keep that in mind when deciding what to bring to the beach.
There are great changing facilities as well as an outdoor shower to help rinse off. The waves are fun but not too strong so the kids will love playing in the water. Since it is the Atlantic Ocean, the water will be cooler than anticipated but on a warm/hot summer day, we found it to be quite refreshing.
Sagres
Have you ever wanted to take a trip to the edge of the world? Well now’s your chance. Heading west out of Lagos, take the N125 for about a half hour to reach the southwesternmost point of Europe.
This area is noted for its natural rugged beauty and wind-driven landscapes. The jagged cliffs meeting with the wild wind-swept Atlantic make this a remarkable place to visit.
While you’re here, you can visit the fortress, the lighthouse, the town, and one of the beautiful beaches.
ENJOY YOUR 3 DAYS IN THE ALGARVE
Even though the Algarve is an expansive region, you can see a lot of what makes it special in three days. I’m sure that you find that it’s a perfect mix of culture, nature, and tranquility. Now that you have your trip mapped out you can start working on what to pack. Check out our helpful packing guide for your trip to Portugal.
