As the final chapter of my 6‑day Portugal itinerary, I dive into the wild beauty of the Algarve—starting in lively Lagos and tracing dramatic cliffs, hidden beaches, and rugged trails all the way to the legendary Benagil caves. A sun‑soaked, adrenaline‑filled finale to an unforgettable journey!
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Day 5-6 in Algarve
Beyond its golden cliffs and turquoise coves, the Algarve truly feels like an adventure made for wanderers. Lagos brings the perfect mix of energy and charm, from its cliff‑hugging trails to calm bays ideal for snorkeling among curious fish. As the coastline unfolds, the scenery gets even more dramatic—arched rock formations, quiet corners only reachable by water, and that unforgettable kayak journey into the glowing Benagil caves. It’s the kind of route that keeps surprising you at every turn.
The official currency is Euro (€). So no need for conversion. Use my map below to see all the points of interest mentioned in this itinerary and refer to it when you’re in the Algarve!
How to reach: You can take a bus or train from Lisbon to Lagos (3.5 hours) in the morning. Find several options on Omio starting from 5€. Alternatively, you can fly directly to Faro, the southernmost part of Algarve and spend a long weekend.
Where to stay: There are several options for solo and group travellers. If you’re travelling solo, prefer to stay in a hostel (starting from 20€ per night). They are also a good option if you’re travelling in a group. Additionally, there are also several affordable guesthouses that would provide a private accommodation for everyone to enjoy.
If you’re in a rush, here’s an overview of minimum budget for 2 days in Lagos including activities like snorkeling and kayaking.
| Accommodation | 40€ (20€ per night) |
| Transportation | Variable (Lagos is a walkable city, buses to Albufiera cost around 3€)) |
| Food | 50€ |
| Activities (Snorkeling, Kayaking) | 70€ ( 35€ each) |
| Total (incl. both activities) | 165 € |
Lagos
Start your day strolling around the historic old town, taking in the tiled buildings and the slow life of this charming town. Then you can make your way to one of the most scenic beaches, Praia Dona Ana. Tucked intimately between the golden cliffs, you will find yourself immediately captivated with the breathtaking views of the ocean and soft golden sand – like stepping into a postcard.
We kept our base in Lagos and travelled around mostly by walking. In Lagos, you will find some of the best beaches in the world. Since there are so many, no single beach is not extremely crowded, which gives you plenty of time to chill and take a dip in the crystal-clear waters. After having a relaxing morning, we took a bus to Albufiera where our next adventure awaits.
Kayaking in the Atlantic ocean
There’s one activity that I would recommend as a must-do in Algarve – Kayaking in the Atlantic ocean. There is nothing better than sightseeing the incredibly scenic coastline from the water. It was our first time doing something like this, and it was the more exhillirating experience of my life. We joined the guided tour from Albufiera. He took us to a few secluded beaches which have no other public access – definitely a special feeling. At last, we went into the stunning caves that were hidden inside the iconic limestone cliffs. Our eyes couldn’t believe that this natural wonder really exists and we are standing under it. It was a completely safe trip as the guide also had a designated lifeguard in case any issues may occur. We were a group of 6 kayaks, each following the next to follow the same route. Note: The Benagil caves are the most ‘famous’, but there are multiple such skylights along the coastline which only the guides can show you and believe me, they are all equally mesmerizing.
You can start the tour from anywhere feasible – Lagos, Albufiera, Benagil. I have added some guided kayak tour recommendations for you that you can book from Get you guide and have the best time of your life. Please book in advance to get easy access as these groups fill in really quickly.
Things to bring: Sunglasses, sun hat, sunscreen for before and after kayaking, beachwear that you can change into before the tour begins, change of clothes, sandals, towel, water.
Boat tour
If Kayaking is not your thing, you can also explore these spots by going on a boat tour/cruise along the coastline. Unfortunately the big cruises are unable to get inside these narrow caves, but they take you to the secluded beaches where you get some time to relax and take in the beauty of Algarve from up close. You can take the smaller, speed boat tours which have a small group and take you inside the caves.
Snorkeling in Lagos
Algarve is all about the serene beaches, crystal-clear water and the incredible limestone cliffs. So that’s what we have to see, from different viewpoints. So, the next morning we decided to check one more item from our bucket list – Snorkeling. For this we booked a guided trip with Kati, a few days in advance. It costed us 40€ per person with pickup and drop-off service in Lagos. Our instructor, Kati, was extremely sweet, helpful, and full of commitment. Since it was quite windy on the western coast where we were supposed to go, she drove us all the way to the other side to give us the most incredible snorkeling experience. You can book this experience with Kati from her website: https://snorkeling-lagos.com. This is not sponsored in any way. I want to share my personal experience with you and we had absolutely no problems with her. In fact, she helped us all the way whenever we had any difficulty in the water. And no, you do not need to know how to swim for this.
Get ready to witness the incredible marine life with your own eyes—up close and unbelievably real. It’s one of those surreal moments you’ll never forget.
Sagres
By the end of second day, we had explored so much and done the amazing adventure sports. Now it was time for one last sunset and boy, was it the best sunset I had ever witnessed. On the southwesternmost tip of the European continent, the last piece of land that the Portugese sailors saw on their way to discover the unknown lands and hence in the ancient times, it was called the “End of the World” – Sagres. The 75 meters tall cliffs stand raw and golden against the endless Atlantic, and as the sun sinks lower, everythng turns amber. This sunset even got an applause from its audience sitting on the cliffs, that it absolutely deserved. It is truly the most dramatic sunset you will ever get to see. The point where we sat to see it was at Cabo de San Vicente, a lighthouse with a rich history.
How to reach: There is a bus from Lagos to Sagres, but the last time for the bus to return was 18:30 which means we would miss the sunset. So, we decided to rent a scooter instead. It is 40 kilometers from Lagos and costs around 30-40€ for a day.
Two days in the Algarve feel short on paper – but between kayaking through the caves, snorkeling in the turqiose water of Lagos, and watching the sun melt into the Atlantic in Sagres, it feels full in the best way. Every stop adds a different shade of blue and golden. And if there’s anything this trip proves, it’s that even 48 hours in Portugal can leave you dreaming of coming back for more! Don’t forget to collect postcards as a momentum of your incredible Portuguese adventure. Here’s mine!
Thank you for following this 6-day Portugal journey with me. I hope you are already convinced to plan this trip, without worrying about the budget. Let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment here. Follow me on instagram to stay updated on the next location! Keep travelling 🙂
