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Are you dreaming of a solo trip to Algarve, Portugal? I have just the travel guide for you! I found Portugal a safe and welcoming place as a solo female traveler. This Algarve 3-day itinerary is filled with travel tips, perfect for anyone thinking of making a solo trip to the region!
Whether you are traveling for a long weekend or trying to decide where in Portgual to visit, this itinerary has a little bit of everything! I have included time for relaxing at the most beautiful beaches as well as some city centre exploring!
The perfect Algarve itinerary can be changed to fit your interests. I include all the travel itinerary favorites places as well as offer some alternatives!
Where is Algarve?
Algarve is a region located in the south of Portugal, on the Atlantic coast. The airport for the region is Faro airport. It is known for its beautiful beaches, stunning cliffs and rocky coves, charming fishing villages, and historic old town cities.
The Algarve is perfect for solo female travellers as it is very safe. It is especially a great place to visit if you are seeking sunshine and active outdoor adventure. If safety on public transit is a concern, I can vouch for having had no issues whatsoever.
How can I get to Algarve?
Algarve is well connected by air, rail, and road. The best way to reach Algarve is to fly into Faro international airport and then by renting a car. A reliable car rental service I use for all my travel in Europe is Discover Cars. They have the best rates and are the easiest to use.
For my solo trip to Algarve, I flew into Faro and decided to use a taxi and public transportation to get around.
When I return I will be renting a car.
Algarve 3-Day Solo Female Itinerary
Day 1 in Faro, Algarve
You will arrive in Faro, and stay for 1 night! On your first day in Faro, it is a good idea to check out the area by joining a walking tour or local bus tour. A tour is the best way to see as much as possible in the shortest amount of time!
The locally guided tour I took was this one. It was a one-hour Faro City Tour on Electric Tuk tuks! This very affordable and eco-friendly tour is perfect on a 3-day Algarve itinerary!
This tour highlights the old town of Faro, such as the Arco da Vila, Igreja de Santa Maria, and Cerca urban de Faro!
I found that I was able to get the lay of the land this way and could focus on going back to any spot that got my attention.
From 15:00 to 17:30 find time to check out the Capela dos Ossos de Faro (Bone Chapel). A temple behind the church is completely made up of skulls and bones!
Or if that doesn’t sound exciting to you, you can always walk into the old town and explore the fortified old town.
Faro Restaurants
After your tour of the old town, check out one of the best restaurants in Faro! I will be straight with you… I travel to eat. Some people love to visit museums and the Roman ruins in Portugal, but not me. I came to try all the food!
My all-time favorite restaurants in the city center are:
- Aqui dei Rei has delicious, authentic Southern Portuguese dishes. Feel the warm genuine hospitality from the staff and enjoy the cozy ambiance.
- Se7e Pedras has creative cuisine of traditional Portuguese food with a twist. Very well located in the center of Faro.
- A do Pinto is a charming restaurant serving up some of the best Cataplana de Marisco in town! This restaurant is season is open during the high season.
Where to Stay in Faro
As a solo female traveller, I like to stay in the most central location of the city. Here are a few top-notch options in the center of Faro.
Day 2, Albufeira, Algarve
Continuing your perfect Algarve 3-day itinerary it is time to go to Albuferia and stay for 2 nights! Located just 45 km from Faro, it is an easy next stop on your itinerary.
If you don’t rent a car, you can easily reach Albuferia by train in 20 – 30 minutes.
There are a number of things to do in Albuferia that involve exploring the beautiful beaches! The most fun and exciting way to spend some solo time in Albuferia is doing the famous Benagil Cave and Dolphins tour.
This two-hour and 30-minute tour will take you along the pristine beaches of the Algarve coastline and through the hidden caves and secluded coves! Spot dolphins and take a dip in the ocean, if conditions allow!
A small group tour is perfect if you are traveling solo and looking to make a friend or two for the day!
>> BOOK DOLPHINS & BENAGIL CAVES TOUR
Alternative Albufeira Day Tour Itinerary
If small boat tours through rock formations don’t excite you, there is always wine tasting! A great way to fill your travel itinerary on the second day is to do a full-day wine tour!
This 7-hour tour takes you to the medieval town of Silves! Visit the Moorish castle and stroll the cobblestone streets of Silves before tasting several wines and eating tapas.
Later in the afternoon when you have returned from either tour, enjoy some beach time and the quaint resort town of Albufeira. There are many restaurants along the water that is perfect for a bite to eat and some Sangria.
Albufeira Restaurants
There are some wonderful restaurants in Albufeira. As a solo traveller, I sometimes risk it and don’t make reservations, but I don’t recommend it! Especially in the summer months, make a reservation. Here are some of the best restaurants I ate at in Albufeira:
- Windmill Restaurant is just a short drive from the historic center of Albuferia. Your dining experience is in an actual windmill with a great view! If you can only have one nice dinner on your Portugal itinerary, it should be here at Windmill Restaurant. There is a small menu of only a few items (limited vegetarian options).
- Porto De Abrigo has local food primarily of fresh fish! I had the best time eating sardines and drinking sangria. The restaurant is beachside so it is the perfect place to just gaze out into the ocean.
- Castelo di Norcia is a lovely Italian restaurant I stumbled upon for a long lazy lunch! I was feeling like some pasta. I know this isn’t the typical Algarve region restaurant recommendation, but trust me, it was great!
Where to Stay in Albufeira
Here are some of the nicest hotels you can stay in solo in Albuferia:
Day 3, Day Trip to Lagos, Algarve
The best way to spend your last day and night on this itinerary is by making a day trip! Lagos is somewhere you don’t want to miss!
If you have a rental car, take a road trip of 61 km in distance between Lagos and Albufeira. It should take about 45 mins. There is a train to Lagos from Albufeira, and it takes around 1 hour and 35 minutes to get there. *The Albufeira main train station is approximately a 30-minute walk from the city center.
Once you arrive in Lagos there are a variety of ways to spend your day! Lagos is also the best place to watch the sunset!
Small Boat Tour at Ponta da Piedade
Join a small group boat tour of the most breathtaking natural beauty in Southern Portugal. This area of stunning cliffs and rock formations is surrounded by crystal-clear waters perfect for snorkeling.
On this 1-hour 15-minute boat trip you will take a leisurely boat trip with a professional guide.
>> BOOK PONTA DA PIEDADE BOAT TOUR
Beach Day at Praia do Camilo
Fancy a beach day? You should visit the sandy beach and coves of Praia do Camilo! Bring your beach towel and just soak all the Portuguese sun in! On low-tide days these coves are really fun to swim around and explore! This is one of the Algarve’s beaches that remains unspoiled by tourism.
The free parking lot is just a top above the beach. You will find the view from the top of the cliffs is out of this world.
Beach Day at Praia dos Estudantes
Praia do Estudantes is a great beach that is within walking distance from the old town. In peak season, be advised that this beach does get very busy. It is a great option if you are staying close to the center.
Explore Old Town Lagos
Later in the day wander into the charming small town and visit the Igreja de Santo Antonio. An incredibly ornate 18th-century church! Believed to be the birth site of Saint Anthony of Lisbon. Don’t leave without having a look inside!
Leave time to explore the Castelo do Governadores, AKA, Castle of Lagos! The baroque facade and watchtowers are what you would hope of medieval castles in Portugal! On those sunny days, don’t forget to pack sunblock!
Lagos Day Tour
See all of Lagos on an organized Tuk Tuk tour to the Old & New Town! The perfect way to fill your itinerary on the third day!
For your final evening on your solo itinerary in Algarve treat yourself to dinner to a fabulous restaurant at a winery/Brewery! Quinta do Santos is a special place, and you will want to make reservations. Contact them directly on their website.
Do I need to rent a car in Algarve?
In order to truly have the freedom to do as much as possible in 3 days, rent a car. I took the trains often, and though reliable and safe for a solo woman traveling, I would recommend just getting a rental car.
The car gives the flexibility to see more than where the trains take you. Plus, being stuck to an infrequent train schedule isn’t great.
Fees Renting a Car in Portugal
There are some fees to be aware of when renting a car in Portugal. For example, if you pick up your rental car at one destination and then drop it off at another there is a “one-way fee” you need to pay.
The fee does vary, but most commonly around 50€. The airport has a surcharge fee of 30€. For a much smoother and more straightforward rental car experience, go with Discover Cars. You don’t want to worry about hidden fees and haggling. Support local everywhere else, just not on a car rental.
Toll Roads in Algarve
Expect to pay road tolls on the main road (A22) between Lagos and Faro. Pay your toll in cash!
Or get a transponder through the rental car company. What is a transponder? The transponder is a device that the company you get the car from can include.
Add some credit to the account attached to the transponder and it deducts when you go through the toll lane.
With a transponder, you can use the lane called ‘Via Verde’, very convenient!
Or skip tolls by using toll-free roads when you use your navigation. The journey time is often longer and less direct, but it’s cheaper. The choice will be yours!
Best Time To Visit The Algarve
Truthfully, you don’t want to visit the Algarve in the offseason. It won’t be as enjoyable in December as it is in June.
The weather is cold and can be rainy. In some destinations that kind of weather can work out ok. In the Algarve, warmer and sunnier weather is better! A lot of places that you would want to visit will be closed.
The best time to visit is early May through mid-October! Enjoy fewer people in towns and on the beach the last 2 weeks of September. The weather should be great, and the hotels should have some deals since the season is about to end.
The perfect Algarve 3-day solo itinerary will be as magical as you make it! If I left you with questions, don’t be shy and contact me any time!
FAQs
The Algarve is absolutely safe for solo females to travel. I have visited several cities in the Algarve including Faro, Albufeira, Tavaria, and Lagos all alone. The public transit system was safe and clean.
You can see a lot of the Algarve in 3 days if you plan your trip accordingly. The Algarve is a great weekend destination, but if you have more time, stay longer! I could have stayed in the region another 5 days easily.
Each town in the Algarve offers something special and unique! If you are a beach resort person, then stay in Lagos or Albufeira. If you are an explorer and city lover stay in Faro or Tavira. If you make a home base in Faro you can easily make day trips to nearby cities!
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