The best “Day Trips” in the Algarve, Portugal.

The best “Day Trips” in the Algarve, Portugal.

Hi everybody. Alicia and I traveled this summer 
to the wonderful Algarve region and we stayed in the amazing town of Armasio Japeta. 
We chose Armasio Japeta as our home away from home during our 2 week stay for a number 
of reasons. It had some of the most amazing beaches in the Algarss. It’s centrally 
located to the region. It’s affordable and it was a quick 40minute drive from Pharaoh 
International Airport. Once we landed in Pharaoh, we were able to make the quick walk to 
the car rental office, pick up our wheels, and within an hour, we were getting settled 
into our amazing one-bedroom apartment, which was just steps from the beach. With its 
central location in the Elgarve, calling Armasio Japet a home for an extended stay allows visitors 
to get to all the amazing cities and towns without spending too much travel time to get to them. 
I made a video highlighting Armasio Japeta and you can check that out here. There is plenty to 
see and do in the Algar, but during our stay, we focused on enjoying the endless soft sand 
beaches along with enjoying the history, the culture, and of course, the whitewashed towns 
and narrow streets that make the Algarve such a popular travel destination. Come along for 
the ride and join us on a tour of the Algarss. No trip to the Algar region is complete without 
a visit to what was initially believed to be the end of the world and that is Sagris. Sagris 
was just an hour’s drive from Amasio Japeta and we spent the first part of the day visiting Fort 
Aliza to Sagris. Admission to the fort is €10 a person and when we arrived the line to get through 
the impressive main gates was long and a bit slow, but once we walked behind the fortress walls, 
it was worth the wait. The fortress and the grounds were very impressive to see, and 
it didn’t take long for me to ask Alicia, where did everybody go? The fortress was built 
in the 15th century and was later heavily damaged during the 1755 Lisbon earthquake. It was rebuilt 
in the late 18th century and underwent major renovations in the 1960s, 1990s, and again in 
2010. In 2018, the fortress was the most visited monument in the Algarve, having recorded nearly 
half a million visitors. The fortress is located on a steep promontory to the east of Cape St. 
Vincent and was built here due to the privileged position of control over the surrounding 
coastline. Sagris fortress is unique in that it only has one wall that separates the large 
part of the cave. From the other three sides, the fort is protected by high and steep 60 m 
cliffs. These menacing cliffs stretch almost a kilometer in length to the point and 300 m 
wide. Once you begin walking along the pathway and looking over the edge of the towering cliffs, 
it all begins to make sense. You are really high above the water and the views here are simply 
breathtaking. Along the almost 2 km of pathway, there are several descriptive panels that details 
the history of the fortress along with a plant life and animal species that call this place home. 
The grounds here are large, so allow yourself at least an hour or more to stroll through and take 
it all in. If you want to walk along the cliffs, explore the walls, and visit the church 
in the museum, you’ll need 2 to 3 hours. This was an amazing visit. And when you’re here, 
be sure to walk through a Volost Demar, the voice of the sea. The concrete maze is a chamber 
of sounds which allows you to hear the waves breaking against the rocks and wind. Now, the 
town of Sagris is quite small, and to be honest, there isn’t too much here, but it’s still worth 
a quick stroll down the main boulevard, enjoying the blend of the old and new architecture, along 
with a visit to Chardin Jagris that overlooks Pria de Maretta. Sagris is well known for its surfing, 
and the waves were crashing into the shore on this day. So after refueling with the delicious ice 
cream crepe and espresso, we made our way down to Pria de Maretta to spend the remainder of the 
afternoon. We had a blast on the beach along with everyone else who was there floating around and 
getting owned by a few Rogers. I know the pictures don’t do it justice, but the waves came in hot 
on a few occasions and we underestimated them a couple times. If you love beach life and surfing, 
Sagris and Pria de Maretta is the spot for you. The medieval town of Sylvvis is an absolute must 
visit while you’re staying in the Elgars. Just a 20inut drive from Armasio Japata, this wonderful 
ancient inland city is known for its medieval architecture, rich Moorish history, and home 
to the most wellpreserved red sandstone castle. As soon as you cross over the Rio Araji toward 
the town, keep left and you will find a massive parking lot a few hundred meters from the 
wonderful streets of the old town. Take the time to wander up these narrow windy roads. Visit 
the shops and brace yourself for what’s to come as you reach the exterior to the castle walls. 
Seeing the castle from a distance upon driving toward town was mind-blowing. However, standing 
next to the main gate beside the massive statue of King Sancho will simply captivate your 
imagination of the people who walk these grounds. The admission to the castle is only 
a few euros and it will take you an hour to walk along the massive walls overlooking the 
streets of Silvis and the countryside to the north. Visiting the castle is an absolute musto 
and you will catch yourself asking repeatedly, how did they build this thing? Silvis is a 
very popular destination to spend a day as well as being a fantastic tranquil escape 
from the busy coastal areas of the Algars. Silvis is also famous for its oranges and having 
some of the best orange juice in Portugal. So, be sure to have a glass of one of the local 
eeries before you leave. Another must-see is taking in the tranquility of Monchic. This small, 
quaint, charming spa town is located in the Sierra Gi Monchic mountains and just a 40-minute drive 
from Armasio Japera. After this short, beautiful drive, you’ll find yourself in one of the most 
elevated, scenic, and ancient parts of the Algar. Walking the streets here will leave you 
speechless. Monchic dates back to the Roman times, but officially obtained town status in 1773. 
That’s a long time ago, and you can really see the history and character as you make 
your way through the windy, narrow roads. The moment you enter the town, 
you will see, a very unique, trendy cafe that also acts as a 
bicycle store. Being a bike guy, this was pretty cool. Without question, it 
had our vote for best espresso in the Elgar. This area is a hiking and biking paradise as 
there are numerous trails surrounding the town for you to explore. We decided to stay in town 
and walk the streets and the deeper you got into the heart of Moshik, the quieter it became. It 
was so incredibly peaceful and I was imagining the silence this town possessed in the evening 
as you could hear a pin drop during the day. I absolutely love visiting Mongchic, stepping 
into the shops which are known for their cork products along with some of the best honey we 
have ever tasted. Yeah, it was good. Mhik is a charming town and you will definitely feel 
your heart rate slow to a crawl being here. After our visit to Monchik, we made the journey 
to check out the summit of Sierra Jeep Moshik, the highest mountain range in the Algarve. The 
windy drive to the summit will take about 15 minutes from Monchik. And along the way, there 
are a few scenic lookouts along the route, but nothing beats the view from the top. 
It was a little hazy on this afternoon, but nonetheless, the views here 
were still pretty incredible. If you’re looking to slow things down from the 
coastal towns, take the short drive to Mochik. Another stop on our destination list where we 
were able to slow things down was the peaceful picturesque small town of Farrauro. Located just 
a stones throw from Porto, Farrauro is a charming traditional fishing village where the fishermen 
bring in their catch via the Araj River. We found a free parking lot to park the car just north of 
the town’s dining hub. A few minutes walk will find you strolling over a tiny bridge where you 
will then be greeted by countless restaurants and cafes that provide a variety of dining options. 
We really enjoyed wandering the streets in Farraudo as it offered a much quieter authentic 
alternative to the larger tourist options where most people spend their time during the summer 
months. The narrow cobbled streets will take you to Farraudo Church that overlooks the landscape 
and captures a view of Porto in the distance. Beautiful. The homes here are wellmaintained 
and you’re able to see the pride that the locals take in showcasing not only 
their homes but their beautiful town. Fairo was just a 20-minute drive 
from Amasio, Japeta, and like Mochic, a nice option to slow things down. However, 
this time nestled along the coastline, Pharaoh. Pharaoh is not only home to the 
international airport, but also the capital city of the Algarve region. With an estimated 
population of approximately 70,000 people in 2021, it is the second largest city 
in the Algarve behind only Lule. Pharaoh is a very impressive city and we 
timed the day of our visit to allow us an opportunity to take in a football match. 
Estadio St. Louis is home to Portugal Lia 2 squad SC Forenzi. We just had to take in the 
experience of watching a European soccer game. The game was fast-paced, loaded with goals, and 
although the visiting team had a small group of supporters, they were loud and a bit wild. 
If the game didn’t capture our attention, the Toenzi fans certainly did. This was a 
great way to kickstart our visit to Ferrell. And I would strongly encourage everyone during a 
trip anywhere to Europe to sneak into a football stadium and enjoy the atmosphere, culture, and 
intensity of a football match. It’s a riot. After the game, we made our way into the streets 
of Pharaoh. Pharaoh has some of the most elegant outdoor shopping areas which are shaded to 
allow its guests to beat the heat during the summer months. But the real magic of Pharaoh 
begins once you step through the pora. Instantly, we felt like we were back in time while strolling 
the ancient cobbled streets of the old town. Three gateways divide Oldtown from modern-day 
Pharaoh. Inside the ancient Moish walls, you will find the Goth Cathedral and the elegant Bishop’s 
Palace. Pharaoh has an extremely rich history, often overlooked as a destination for visitors, 
as many opt to vacate the city the moment they arrive in the Algarve and head directly to 
the beach towns. But Frell really is worth checking out and spending a day in. From the 
pedestrianized shopping center, the old town streets to watching the planes come in over Rio 
Formosa, a day in Pharaoh simply can’t be missed. Seven Hanging Valleys Trail. So, while you’re 
taking in all that sun along the coast of the Algarve, be sure to catch some of those rays by 
hiking Seven Valleys Trail. This trail is a not to be missed hike in the Algarve. The total 
distance of the trail is 6 km and as you can see it’s known for its breathtaking scenery. The 
views from the top of this rugged coastline is one of the most spectacular views we have 
ever seen. The trail weaves its way along the endless cliffs which gives you a bird’s eye 
view of some of the best beaches on the planet. The trail officially starts at Pria de 
Marina and finishes at Pria Duval Gentinus, but we decided to start our journey on this day 
from the tiny village of Benagil. They say the trail will take you approximately 7 hours to 
complete from point to point. But good luck. Once you start hiking, your senses will explode 
with the overwhelming beauty of this rugged coastline that there’s no way you’re doing this 
trail in seven hours, as you can’t help but stop every few meters and take in what’s in front of 
you. The trail is well marked as you will find the painted yellow and red strips throughout the 
journey, but also be prepared for this adventure. Most of it’s pretty level and easy to maneuver, 
but some level of fitness should be considered if you’re planning on giving this a go. A backpack 
with water, sunscreen, and a few snacks is also a good idea. The scenery on the Seven Hanging 
Valleys Trail is spectacular, and this was truly one of the most beautiful hiking adventures 
we’ve ever done. Not bad scenery either. Carvoero. Carvarero was also recommended for 
us to visit and is often considered the most original style of beach town in the Algarth. 
There are no high-rise units here in Carvo, so it gives off a much more relaxed 
and laid-back feel. Numerous bars and restaurants offer delicious fresh seafood. We 
found a beauty on Estrada Dufero called Vimar Restaurantanche. The prices were amazing. The 
food was amazing. The service was five-star. Carvo Arero is famous for its golden sandy 
beach along with being a former beloved fishing village. But now it’s a charming 
holiday spot with waterfront restaurants, a lively square, and a scenic boardwalk. The 
Carvo boardwalk is a beautiful 600 m long clifftop walk along a raised wooden platform 
that leads you toward the Algaro Rocks. The views here are stunning, and you 
will find yourself venturing down the stone steps into a variety of different rock 
formations where you will mingle with other visitors in what is one of the most incredible 
natural playgrounds anywhere in the world. Got it. Our holiday was coming to an end, and 
we feel we saved the best day trip for last, and that was spending the day in Lagos. 
Legos is an ancient maritime town with more than 2,000 years of history. It is one of 
the most visited cities, not just in the Algar, but in the country of Portugal due to its 
tourist friendly beaches, rock formations, its vibrant summer energy, and of course, its 
historic old city surrounded by its ancient walls. The main boulevard into the city that splits 
the marina to the old city is a slow grind to find parking. So, we entered Lagos just to the 
north and park for free just behind Julio Dante Secondary School. From here, it was a 9-minute 
walk to the west entrance to the old city. The windy cobbled streets with all their twists 
and turns will get you turned around a bit, but that is the beauty of exploring these amazing 
ancient cities by foot. Go get lost and stumble on things you weren’t expecting to see. And 
in Legos, you will discover the creativity that elevates the city to another level when 
it comes to the charm, uniqueness, and energy. Everywhere you look, you will find street art from years past to modern times. And once 
again, like other Algarve communities, the contrast of the young and old buildings, 
shops, and restaurants really draws you in. We made our way through Urua Silva Lopez, and 
it was here where our senses were overwhelmed by the variety of dining options available. 
He could smell the dishes being prepared. It made it difficult to choose which place to try. We 
continued our journey north through the old city, captured the vibrant modern market that draws in 
many visitors who visit Legos by boat. The marina here is massive and some of the vessels are simply 
incredible. During our walk, we found ourselves in front of restaurant Munich. Munich is off the 
beaten path and it will take a bit of time on foot to reach it, but it is worth the walk and 
also a chance to break away from the big crowds that consume the narrow ancient city streets. 
We were blown away when we saw what came out. The portions at Restaurant Munich are gigantic 
and the quality of the meal was five-star. So, this was our two weeks in Alolgarf, Portugal, 
and it was an absolutely perfect holiday. We were able to take in a lot of the region and 
experience the culture in detail where a short Olgar stay prevents you from doing so. We paced 
ourselves flawlessly on this getaway by blending our day trips with days on the beaches. 
We were very impressed by the scenery, the atmosphere, and the service we experienced 
by the amazing locals who call the Alolgars home. Thanks for watching the video and if you 
have any questions about the Algarve, please drop a comment and I’ll be sure to 
get back to you. Happy travels everyone.

Hi there. Here is the follow up video of our day trips during our two week stay in the Algarves, Portugal. Home base for the duration of our stay was in Armacao de Pêra and from there we ventured around to 7 of the top towns in the region. This was one of our best holidays we’ve ever had and I hope this video will entice you to consider a trip to the Algarve region if you’ve never been.
Our day trips included
Sagres
Silves
Monchique
Ferragudo
Faro
7 Hidden Valleys Trail (Bengil)
Lagos