One Week Road Trip Through Portugal: From Lisbon to the Algarve

Portugal was the first destination I travelled to after the long covid lockdowns, and I did this trip together with my brother. It felt unreal to finally get on the road again, and we chose Portugal because the mix of nature, beaches, food, and culture sounded perfect for a proper road trip. After months of restrictions, it was an incredible feeling of freedom to explore a new place again, and Portugal delivered exactly what we were hoping for. Over the next seven days we drove from Lisbon down to Faro with stops in Sintra, Aljezur, Lagos, and Albufeira, and the whole route turned out to be the perfect way to experience the country. If you are planning something similar, I hope this itinerary gives you some inspiration, because this trip was absolutely worth it.

Day 1 – First Steps in Lisbon

Day 1 started in Lisbon after an early flight, and instead of rushing around we took it easy and explored the city on foot. You do not need a car on the first days in Lisbon because everything is close and easy to reach by walking, tram or even an e scooter. For the first afternoon I can really recommend heading straight into the Alfama district. It is the oldest part of Lisbon and you feel that immediately when you walk through the narrow streets, pass small cafés and see the city opening up in front of you at the Miradouro de Santa Luzia viewpoint. From there you can keep going and check out places like the Lisbon Cathedral, the Castle de São Jorge, the Panteão Nacional, São Vicente de Fora and the little souvenir shops around the area.

In the evening we grabbed dinner in the centre and checked out the nightlife. If you want to meet other travellers and get a feel for the city, Bairro Alto is perfect. The streets are full of small bars, music everywhere and it is one of the best places in Lisbon to start your trip with a good night out.

Day 2 – Belém and the Best of Lisbon

On your second day, head out toward Belém, one of Lisbon’s most iconic areas. Take tram fifteen to Belém station, a classic Lisbon experience and much cheaper than grabbing a taxi. From there you can explore everything on foot or hop on an e scooter if you want to cover more ground. We rented e scooters ourselves and cruised along the river all the way to the Belém Tower, which was not only faster but also a lot of fun and a great way to take in the views while moving between the sights. Highlights in this area include the National Coach Museum, the Jerónimos Monastery, the Belém Tower, and the gardens around Empire Square. It is a relaxed day with plenty to see and one of the best ways to experience Lisbon’s mix of history, culture, and riverside atmosphere.

Day 3 – From Lisbon to Aljezur with a Stop in Sintra

Pick up your rental car in the morning and give yourself a bit of time for the usual paperwork and insurance check. Once everything is sorted, start the drive toward Sintra, which is only about thirty minutes northwest of Lisbon. The town feels like something out of a fairy tale, and the highlights are the Palácio Nacional da Pena, the Sintra National Palace, and the Castelo dos Mouros. You will need to park in one of the lots below and either walk, take the shuttle bus, or hop on a tuk tuk to reach the palaces, but the views and the atmosphere make it absolutely worth the effort. After sightseeing and a relaxed lunch, continue your journey south. Crossing the Ponte vinte e cinco de Abril bridge with Lisbon’s skyline behind you is already a moment in itself, and a quick stop at the Cristo Rei statue is worth it for the view alone. Just keep an eye on the exit towards Aljezur when you leave Lisbon because we missed it twice and ended up doing two extra loops before finally catching the right one. Once you are back on track, the coastal drive is amazing. You can stop at beaches like Praia de Melides, Monte Velho, or Praia do Areão, and the small town of Sines is perfect for a quick break or something to eat. Further down the coast, do not miss Praia do Malhão, Praia do Almograve, Cavaleiro Beach, or Praia da Amoreira. If you have enough time, Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina is a beautiful detour worth adding. Arrive in Aljezur in the evening, check into your hotel, and end the day with a calm dinner after a long but unforgettable road trip.

Day 4 – From Aljezur to Lagos

After a slow breakfast we left Aljezur early and continued our drive south, and this part of the trip quickly became one of my favourites. The coastline here is wild, open and incredibly beautiful, with one stunning beach after another. You can stop almost anywhere along the way, but a few places really stood out to us. Vale Figueiras is perfect if you enjoy quieter beaches, Praia da Bordeira feels endless with huge dunes and wide open views, and Praia do Amado is one of the best surf spots in the region. A little further down the coast you will find Praia da Cordoama and Castelejo Beach, both framed by dramatic cliffs and great for a walk, photos or simply taking in the scenery. If you only choose two beaches to stop at, make it Bordeira and Amado. They give you a perfect first glimpse of how impressive the Costa Vicentina really is.

After a full day of beach hopping we continued to Lagos and checked into our hotel for the next two nights. Lagos has a relaxed and welcoming vibe in the evenings, so take your time exploring the old town and find a cozy place for dinner before calling it a day.

Day 5 – Discovering Lagos

Our first full day in Lagos started slow, and that is exactly how it should be here. The beaches around town are incredible, each one with its own vibe. You can head to Meia Praia for a long and open stretch of sand, Praia do Porto de Mos for stronger waves and a bit more space, or Praia do Canavial if you prefer something quieter. The most famous one is Praia do Camilo, with its wooden staircase leading down between the cliffs. Just a small heads up, there is parking on top of the cliffs but the ground can be a bit uneven, so be careful where you leave the car. In the afternoon we made our way to Ponta da Piedade, which was easily one of the highlights of the trip. The cliffs here are unreal, with deep blue water and rock formations that look like something from a postcard. If you want a small adventure you can follow the steep steps down to a little hidden beach, which is worth it even if you only stay for a short while.

Lagos also has great nightlife, all centred around the old town. The Tavern, Three Monkeys Bar, Joes Garage and Bon Vivant are some of the most popular places and each one has its own atmosphere, from relaxed to full party mode. We ended up having an incredible night out, meeting people from all over and just going with the flow, and when the bars finally closed everyone moved together towards the beach. We followed the crowd down to Praia dos Estudantes and stayed there until sunrise, partying on the sand until six in the morning. An experience I will never forget.

Day 6 – Lagos to Albufeira via Benagil

After the long night before, take today at a slower pace and make your way towards Albufeira. On the drive, stop at the famous Benagil Caves, one of the highlights of the Algarve. Park at the top, walk down the hill and book one of the small boat tours right on the beach. Seeing the caves from the water is absolutely worth it and the whole coastline around Benagil is stunning. After the tour, continue your drive to Albufeira, check into your hotel and take the rest of the day to relax, grab a good dinner and enjoy a quiet evening before your last day in Portugal.

Day 7 – Albufeira

For your final day, take it slow and enjoy the beaches around Albufeira. Praia dos Pescadores, Praia do Tunel and Praia de Albufeira are all great options and each has its own vibe, from relaxed to lively. We spent most of the day just soaking up the sun, swimming and enjoying the feeling of being on the road with no real rush. If you still have some energy left in the evening, you can check out the Albufeira Strip, which is packed with bars and always full of people, especially in summer. The next morning, make the short drive to Faro, drop off your rental car and catch your flight home, hopefully as happy and recharged as we were after this trip.

Looking back, this road trip through the south of Portugal was one of those journeys that simply make sense. It is the perfect mix of city life, nature and beaches, a combination that shows Portugal at its best. The car rental worked smoothly from start to finish, from pick up to drop off, even though I did manage to forget my cap in the car. It is a trip I can recommend to anyone, and adding an extra day or two in some of the places would only make the experience even better.