South Portugal

It was a 9-day trip in the winter of 2025. The whole week was very sunny and the number of tourist were also very low – so perfect time to travel there. I traveled by air plane and I rented a car in Lisbon Airport. The accommodations were in Sesimbra [1 night], Vila Nova de Milfontes [1 night], Portimao [5 nights] and in Montijo [1 night]. It was a trip with some contemporary buildings, beautiful cities and spectacular atlantic coast.

22.02.2025 – Setúbal Peninsula

Start the tour in Zurich Airport and fly to Lisbon. You can rent a car there, because this is the easiest way to explore Portugal. The first stop is in Seixal: the Manuel Cargaleiro Arts Office (photo) by Alvaro Siza – the exhibition is free of charge. Go further and spend the night in Sesimbra, a small town on the atlantic coast.

23.02.2025 – On the way

I recommend to take a walk in the morning on the coast of Sesimbra and in the town. Drive to Setúbal, which is a pretty vibrant city. It really worth to visit the Polytechnic Institute of Setúbal by Alvaro Siza. Go further to Grandola, where you can take a look on the community centre (photo) by Aires Mateus Architects and the new library by Matos Gameiro Arquitectos + Pedro Domingos Arquitectos. In the end of the day you reach Vila Nova de Milfontes and it is worth to watch the sunset.

24.02.2025 – Sines and the way to the Algarve

Start the day with a walk in Vila Nova de Milfontes: in the town and on the atlantic coast. Go to Sines, where you can visit the cultural centre (photo) by Aires Mateus Architects. After that you drive to the south, the road goes along cork oak plantation and over a hilly landscape with villages with white plastered houses. In the evening you reach the Algarve, the accommodation is near Portimao.

25.02.2025 – The heart of the Algarve

In the morning drive to Silves (photo) and visit the red stone castle. The small town is very recommended to visit, not only for architects. There is a small but good market hall in the town, where you can buy local products. The next stop is Albufeira, which is a busy town – every tourist goes there, but honestly, there are many other places in the Algarve, which are more worth to see. On the atlantic coast you can also do a hiking: the Benagil caves are visible from above or if you rent a boat you can also see them from below. (The hiking can takes 1.5 hours from the Benagil Cave to the Praia da Marinha.) Drive further to Ferragudo, which is a pretty fishing village with nice details. From the village you can see Portimao, too. After that drive through Portimao and visit the Miradouro dos Três Castelos: you can see the whole coastline of the city.

26.02.2025 – Faro and more

Drive to the East and start the day in Loulé. First you can visit the famous market hall, where you can have breakfast or buy some local products. There is a new museum in the town: Banhos Islâmicos (islamic bath house) de Loulé e Casa Senhorial dos Barreto by Victor Mestre and Sofia Aleixo. Go further to Faro, the biggest city in the Algarve. The old town is relatively small and you can see everything in 1 hour. It is worth to go up to the tower of the cathedral (photo) and from there you can see the whole landscape (Ria Formosa Lagoon). You can visit in Faro a scary place, too: Capela dos Osos or Chapel of Bones in the garden of the Igreja da Ordem Terceira de Nossa Senhora do Monte do Carmo. In the end of the day you can visit an other Ria Formosa town, Olhao, which has a very calm waterfront with a big market hall.

27.02.2025 – Tavira and the Potugese-Spanish border

Go to Tavira, which is probably the most beautiful city in the Algarve: nice places, much historical buildings, good restaurants. The lovers of the contemporary architecture have also some things to see: the library by João Luís Carrilho da Graça (photo) and the Convento das Bernardas Residence by Eduardo Souto de Moura (you can have the accommodation in this building, because it became a hotel some years ago). (Tip: The Borda D’Agua Gastrobar is a nice place to have lunch.) Drive further to Castro Marim and visit the old castle and from there you can look over Spain. In the end of the day you can take a pause in Vila Real de Santo António, which is a strictly designed town and on the other side of the Guadiana river there is Spain.

28.02.2025 – The West of the Algarve

And on this day go to the most western part of the Algarve. Sagres and its surrounding is popular for surfers and for nature lovers: Cabo de São Vicente, Praia da Ponta Ruiva, Praia do Tonel, Sagres Fortress. (Tip: I recommend for a lunch the Restaurante The Hangout). Go further to the Praia do Zavial, which is a calm beach. Drive to Lagos and take a walk in the old town and hike on the cliffs of the Ponta da Piadale (photo) and watch the sunset.

01-02.03.2025 – On the way back

You leave the Algarve, but on the way back to Lisbon take pause in the mountain town of Monchique. Go further and walk along the riverfront of Alcacer do Sal. In the afternoon you reach Montijo near Lisbon, where you can visiti the municipal gallery (photo) by Bak Gordon architect. On the next day fly back to Zurich.

And here is the map: