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The beauty of the Ria Formosa Self-guided walking tour
Whitewashed village in the East Algarve
Walking in the East Algarve green countryside
View to the Caldeirao Mountains in the East Algarve walk
Azure lagoons of the Ria Formosa Natural Park

Tavira, 8-day Self-guided walking tour in the Algarve, Portugal

Be Cool Travel’s certified guides will provide you with all the tools and logistics for this 8-day self-guided walking tour in the spectacular and famous Algarve in Portugal, taking in the truly amazing beaches and coastline, open and idyllic countryside and historical villages and towns such as Tavira.


TRIP TYPE

Private

DURATION

8 Days

OFFER PERIOD

All year

FITNESS LEVEL

Occasional

SKILL LEVEL

Beginner

PAYMENT METHODS

Credit Card, Wire Transfer and more!

  • Explore the stunning, spectacular Algarve coast in Portugal!
  • Discover the underrated and quiet countryside away from the coast
  • Walk around the many quaint towns and villages that dot the landscape
  • Go right up to the border with Spain
  • Swim at the wide array of truly amazing beaches!

Description

Join us on this astonishing and incredible 8-day self-guided walking tour in the Algarve, Portugal, as we base ourselves in the pretty town of Tavira_, “the Venice of the_ Algarve_”,_ and head out each day to a new location to walk around and explore, from the world famous beaches and coastline, quaint and picturesque farmland, countryside and villages, magnificent and peaceful waterfalls and waterways, and Mediterranean islands off the coast.

The town of Tavira is located on the Algarve coast in Portugal, not far from the border with Spain, and has a rich and fascinating history dating back to the Bronze Age.

We meet on the first morning at Faro Airport, and from there we head to the hotel, where information and logistics for the week will be dispensed such as vouchers, emergency contact numbers and walking maps.

From day 2 onwards we then start walking, as we head to the different areas each morning and let you walk the routes at your own pace.

Some of the highlights of the week include Cacela Velha, a gorgeous village along the coast and nearby to epic sandy beaches, Ceramica Walk, a route through a valley entailing visiting family-owned tile factories and marveling at the orange and lemon orchards, Vila Real de Santo Antonio, a town on the banks of the Rio Guadiana (the border with Spain) featuring pine woodlands, and Santa Luzia, featuring one of the finest beaches in the world and an abundance of brilliant cafes and restaurants.

Over the course of the week you will also encounter a wide variety of exotic and local flora and fauna, and take in the under-appreciated countryside, overshadowed as it is by the awesome coastline. The food and drink is a key facet of life here, and there will be ample time to sample both.

We finish after 8 days having explored one of the most phenomenally beautiful areas on earth, and had a whole lot of fun doing it.

Walking around the Algarve is a great pleasure in life – book now to experience!

Price includes

- Accommodation included

- Transportation start and back

- Transport during the trip

Price details

Date A 02/01/23 to 25/03/23 | 01/11/23 to 15/12/23

Price per person in a twin room 812,50 €

Date B 26/03/23 to 25/05/23 | 01/10/23 to 31/10/23

Price per person in a twin room 864,50 €

Date C 26/05/23 to 25/06/23 | 16/09/20 to 30/09/23

Price per person in a twin room 1046,50 €

Date D 26/06/23 to 15/09/23

Price per person in a twin room 1293,50€

Prices details

• Please note that all trips require a minimum of two participants.

• The prices are per person in a twin room.

· For a single room please contact us.

· Extra nights are available upon request.

Secure your spot with just 25% payment

48-hour free cancellation with 30-day advance booking


Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Tavira

Individual arrival to Faro Airport or Faro Train station.

Day 2: Walk Cacela Velha and Cabanas

An easy walk, close to the coast, starting in the beautiful old village of Cacela Velha, following tracks and quiet lanes to the picturesque old fishing village of Cabanas.

Here fishermen still continue their craft, mixing harmoniously with the visitors crossing to the island and the golden beaches. Here too we can rest, enjoy good food and drink whilst enjoying the sunshine by the colourful waterfront. We continue back to Tavira, through the saltpans where we may see an abundance of wild life along with the traditional craft of salt extraction.

Day 3: Cerâmica walk

A beautiful walk going down a fertile valley, dotted with the occasional small family operated traditional tile factories. We pass through small holdings where vegetable plots share space with olive, carob, almond and fig trees. This rich valley also has an abundance of orange and lemon orchards whose flowers perfume the air while the profusion of wild flowers delights the eyes. The walk takes us past the local beauty spot of Pêgo do Inferno and then brings us right back into Tavira and the hotel.

Please be aware that you may encounter dogs on the loose, which are used to guard the properties in rural areas.

Day 4: Free day

This is an ideal opportunity to relax and enjoy the attractions of Tavira and surroundings. You can walk/tour independently, or visit local places of interest. From Tavira there is a wide variety of sightseeing available (we can advise and/or recommend options according to your interests). On free time keen bird-watchers may wish to visit Castro Marim in the fens and marshes of the “Reserva Natural do Sapal”, famous for their flamingos, or enjoy other local sightseeing tours.

Day 5: Altura to Vila Real de Santo António

A very enjoyable walk along the coast to the frontier with Spain. We start in the resort village of Altura and meander along small paths through the pine woodlands and along pristine beaches until we reach the estuary of the Rio Guadiana that separates Portugal from Spain.

The walk finishes in the charming town of Vila Real de Santo António with a fascinating history and architecture.

The adventurous may wish to take the ferry across the river to the town of Ayamonte in Spain to enjoy some tapas in the many cafés of this attractive town.

Day 6: Fuzeta to Tavira

A fascinating walk to the west of Tavira. We start in Tavira and end in the fishing village of Fuzeta with its bustling waterfront, crossing saltpans full of bird life, small hamlets with colourful houses and gardens, grand villas and tiny small holdings. We can stop en route at little cafés fronting the tranquil waters of the Ria or even lunch on wonderful fish and shell fish fresh in that day.

Day 7: Santa Luzia & Tavira Island

A real treat as we walk along one of finest beaches in the world and visit the small fishing village of Santa Luzia with its abundance of fishing boats bobbing in the gentle waters of the channel. Not just a day’s walking but a real day’s holiday as well!

The cafés and restaurants here vary from simple to gourmet level and can offer all the local specialities.

This circular walk from and returning to Tavira crosses to Tavira Island via local ferry/water taxi and returns to the mainland on a floating pontoon bridge.

Day 8: Individual departure or extra days

At convenient time transfer to Faro Airport or Faro Train station.

Details

More info

From 26/03/2019 - 25/05/2019 and 01/10/2019 - 31/10/2019 Price per person in a twin/double room: €735. Price per person in a single room: €935. Minimum of 2 people per booking.

From 25/05/2019 - 24/06/2019 and 15/09/2019 - 30/09/2019 Price per person in a twin/double room: €895. Price per person in a single room: €1175. Minimum of 2 people per booking.

PAYMENT POLICY Full payment 30 days before arrival - 100%

Information pack includes: Accommodation, transfer and Taxi vouchers, emergency contact numbers, hotline for any problem during your stay, general information on your holiday, walking maps, foreign office travel advice

Please bring with you: walking boots with ankle support, sunscreen and sunglasses, waterproof clothing, GPS device, water bottle, towel and swimsuit, mosquito repellant

Meeting point

Faro Airport, Portugal

FAQs

What are some recommended accommodations near our adventure location?

We understand that finding the perfect place to stay is an essential part of your adventure experience. To help you with this, we’ve curated a list of three highly recommended hotels that offer comfort, convenience, and a touch of local charm. These accommodations are well-suited for adventurers looking to relax and rejuvenate after an exciting day of exploration
Hotel Oriental Portimão Portugal
See rooms
Jupiter Algarve Hotel Portimão Portugal
See rooms
Hotel Algarve Casino Portimão Portugal
See rooms

About the guide: Be Cool

Guide profile image

Be Cool

We are Portugal's most trusted walking and cultural company and have been providing services to clients from all over the world for more than 10 years.

All of our trips are fully customisable. We can always work with you to put together exactly what you had in mind. We will listen to you and take care of all the planning and logistics using our local expertise and contacts.

Based on experience, we know that many groups like to mix their activities with some more leisurely aspects, such as good food and cultural highlights. We are happy to put that together for you as well.

Contact us for a truly memorable experience in Portugal!

Languages

Portuguese | English

What people are saying about Explore-Share

Kumari

5.00

I’m extremely happy with the ease with which I could book via your site reliable and experienced guide. Thank you so very much, and I’ve started to recommend your site to my friends. Dimitris is not only an awesome guide, but a wonderful person who was always looking out to give me the best experience I can have when he found out how much I love climbing! He is the Best!

Niklas

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I am very pleased with Explore-Share! This was my first international climb, and the communication and response time were great. Herbie is a very skilled guide and very efficient. The entire booking process & payment was smooth. I will definitely use Explore-Share again. Thank you.

Greg

5.00

I was looking for a local guide for a hike I was planning and came across Explore-Share. They seemed to have good reviews and so decided to give them a try. The experience was very positive and completely happy with their service. I will be using them again for next trip.

Colin

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Easy to set up and find the perfect trip. Informative site that is easy to use. Guides are all great to work with and communicate all arrangements needed. As simple as can be!

Lesley

4.00

Thank you explore-share for a wonderful via feratta experience. We have been wanting to learn for a long time but don't have the facilities in Scotland. The guide Mitja was extremely helpful and knowledgeable, answering all my many questions and providing advice. On the day head to take another group but he quickly arranged another guide Borut, who was brilliant. We had a fantastic morning learning via ferrata at Hvadnik in the gorge. It gave us the confidence to later hire our own equipment and go out in Mojstrana. Altogether a five star + experience. Thank you.

 

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