Algarve Coast to Coast - 3 Days Private Tour from Lisbon (all included)

Graciously laid out over the right bank of the Sado river and rising up a gentle slope, Alcácer do Sal has been settled since the earliest of times. Archaeological remains have been found that date back to the Neolithic period not to mention evidence of Greek, Phoenician and other Mediterranean peoples having passed through.Named by the Romans Salacia Urbs Imperatoria, the location took on major importance for the Empire due to its excellent location alongside the Sado river that was then an important thoroughfare. It was primarily used to transport local products (wheat, olive oil and wine) out to other parts of the Roman empire. At the time, Alcácer was one of the most important inland ports on the Western peninsula further establishing a reputation for manufacturing salt (hence the addition of Sal (salt) to its name) and salting and processing fish.During the Moorish occupation (from the 8th century), Alcácer became capital of the Al-Kasser province. The walls of the old fort were reinforced with the Muslim city protected by two rings with the battlements overlooked by 30 towers making it one of the largest defensive forts on the Iberian peninsula.Nevertheless, in 1217 it was conquered by king Afonso II, with the help of the Crusaders who joined the fight on their way from Syria and the Holy Land. It was then handed over to the Military Order of Santiago to establish its headquarters here.

An old fishing town, Sines has been gradually transformed by tourism and industry. Nowadays, it is a major port and oil-tanker terminal of great importance to the Portuguese economy.Overlooking the bay are the ruins of a mediaeval castle, which was restored in the sixteenth century. Vasco da Gama (1468-1524) is said to have been born here, being the son of the governor general of Sines. One of the castle towers houses a small museum collection dedicated to this famous navigator.Sines also has a very interesting Archaeological Museum, which contains all the archaeological remains found in the region that testify to its occupation in more remote times.

Dating back from the Roman conquest times, it was in the 15th century that Sagres achieved great importance.The frequent presence of Prince henry the Navigator during the first days of Atlantic navigation and the Discovery of the African coast as far as the Gulf of Guinea has forever linked this picturesque fishing port with the Discoveries.On Ponta de Sagres, a giant finger of rock pointing to the ocean, stand the buildings which evoke the past of a place that is part of the history of the world, remembering the Vila and the defensive fortress founded by Henry the Navigator.Nearby, at one of the most westerly points of the european continent (after cabo da Roca), is the cape of S. Vicente (a sacred place for the Roman's that named it Promontorium Sacrum) opening on to a vast horizon of sea and sky.

This pleasant town situated at the mouth of the River Mira owes much of its recent development to the great increase in tourism in this region. The calm and beautiful beaches along the Costa Vicentina are much sought after, mainly because they still retain most of their natural features and provide excellent conditions for water sports.There are several interesting buildings in the town's historical centre, particularly the Fortress (built between 1599 and 1602 to defend the town against constant attacks by pirates), the Parish Church and the Lighthouse of Cabo Sardão, built at the beginning of the twentieth century.

Lagos has a long history linking it to the sea. Its original name, Lacobriga, reflects the fact that the first inhabitants of this port, in roughly 2000 years BC, were of Celtic origin. After them came the Phoenicians, Greeks and Carthaginians, but it was the Romans that brought growth and prosperity to the town. The Moors built walls around Lagos in the 10th century and gave it the name of Zawaia. They remained here until the town was conquered by the Christians in 1249 and became part of the Portuguese territory.The 15th century was the golden age for the town of Lagos, with its immediate involvement in the period of the Discoveries. Due to the port's location, directly across from Africa, it became the major point of departure and arrival for the ships that, year after year, set sail in discovery of that continent. As an important trading centre for a range of exotic products, including the ivory, gold and silver brought from Africa, Lagos saw a dramatic increase in the number of its houses, traders and monuments at that time.New walls were built in the 16th century to keep pace with the city's expansion, and, from 1572 onwards, Lagos became the see of the bishopric and the official residence of the governors of the Algarve. These defences were further strengthened in the 17th century with the building of a series of forts at strategic points. The earthquake of 1755 and the seaquake which followed it destroyed a large part of the city, which only began to recover its prosperity from the 19th century onwards, with the introduction of the canned fish industry and the consequent increase in trade. Today, Lagos is a dynamic and active city, which is justifiably proud of its past.

Located in the estuary of the River Arade, Portimão is known for its excellent sandy beaches with plenty of warm, calm waters, which make it a very alluring holiday destination.Portimão has a long fishing tradition that developed particularly between the 19th and 20th centuries with the advent of the canning industry and tourism. Most of the buildings that you see in the streets and squares of the historic centre are from this period, as well as the building that houses the Portimão Museum, a superb refurbishment of an old cannery that received the Museum of the Year award from the Council of Europe in 2010. It pays homage to the people and the city that for centuries have lived exclusively of and for the sea.You shouldn’t miss the simply styled Chapel of São José de Alcalar or the impressive Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição (Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception), built in the 15th century on top of a hill, and standing out in the city’s skyline; it was badly damaged by the 1755 earthquake, but retains its beautiful original Gothic portal. For a break in your meanderings, it’s best to rest in the shade of the trees of the Manuel Bivar Garden to see the fishing boats and pleasure craft sail past. Or on the promenade beside the Marina, one of the liveliest parts of the city both by day and by night.

It was during the Roman period that this region developed and gained standing. It was then known as Civitas Ossobonensis, with its borders stretching to where modern Tavira lies, and included a number of towns with specific productive, rural and maritime functions. This historical past come from interpreting archaeological finds made in the city which can now be seen in the Infante D. Henrique (Prince Henry the Navigator) Archaeological Museum, and the Milreu Ruins to be found in the suburbs of Faro.In the 9th century, the town was renamed Saint Mary Ibn Harun after the Arab family that governed the region. The name, would result in Faro. Throughout the period of Muslim rule, Christian religious practices were allowed, hence "Saint Mary" remained as part of the name. In addition to archaeological remains from that period, the Arab Gateway (part of the Arco da Vila (Town Arch)) recalls one of the entries into the walled centre, known as Vila-Adentro (Inner Town).Vila-Adentro would be definitively returned to Christian rule in 1249, during the reign of Afonso III. The Sé Cathedral would be built on the site of the former Mosque and the walls, reinforced to highlight new rulers had taken over.In the 16th century, Faro became an important trading centre on the Algarve, a role it kept up throughout centuries. It became a city in 1540 and the Bishopdom formerly located in Silves was relocated to Faro. Many of the city's religious monuments date from that period reflecting the economic wealth in the artistic grace of the Church of Misericórdia (Compassion) and the convents of Saint Francis, Nossa Senhora da Assunção (Our Lady of the Assumption - now the Infante D. Henrique Archaeological Museum), of Santiago Maior and of Saint Anthony of Capuchin.

To discover the hidden charm of Olhão you have to go up to the top of the main church tower, the higher point. Only then you can see the hundreds of roof terraces - the "açoteias" -, typical of the Algarve, which create a unique urban panorama, as if a multitude of cubes had been scattered across a flat surface, their regular shapes repeating each other in three dimensions.Back at the ground level it is worth wandering trough the fishermen's quarter, which stands between the quay on the Ria Formosa and the earth of the city defined by the main church. The houses here are small and white, their walls topped with bands of geometric decoration that are in effect the verandas of the roof terraces. The streets that border the Avenida da república, itself a symbol of the urban development that took place at the turn of the century, reflect a city of industrials and ship-owners who grew rich from the fish processing business and trade, displaying their wealth by decorating their homes with verandas, tiles, carved stonework and wrought iron.Any tour of Olhão should end among the refreshning gardens and open air cafés to be found along the long quayside. But first, take a few minutes and plunge into the colourful atmosphere of the market, where the stands sell fish straight from the sea, fresh vegetables and sweet fruit from the farms of the interior.If you still have time, there are regular boat connections with the islands of Armona and Culatra which provide an opportunity to take a trip along the Ria and visit its attractive beaches.

In the Algarve, archaeological remains have been discovered tracing settlement back over 6,000 years. However, it was under the Roman empire that the southern coastline was settled in a more organised fashion. The city of Balsa was established in the 1st century ad on the route between Ossonoba (Faro) and Baesuris (Castro Marim). Its main activities were then fishing and fish salting. Benefiting from a favourable geographical location, between the Algarvian hills and the course of the Gilão river, it was also chosen by the Moors for settlement between the 8th and 9th centuries. It was then named "Tabira", root of the current Tavira. However, there is no conclusive evidence linking Balsa and Tabira to exactly the same site...The Christian Reconquest took Tavira in 1242 under Paio Peres Correia, a knight of Sant'Iago. Two years later, king Sancho II gave these lands to the Order for their reorganisation and settlement. Also in the 13th century, the Castle and walls were strengthened and the Church of Santa Maria (Saint Mary) was built.A period of great expansion began in the 15th century after the Conquest of Ceuta in 1415 that was itself to result in the Voyages of Discovery. It became an important fishing port and provided support to the armies and armadas that defended the Portuguese coast and the coastal cities that had been conquered to the north of Africa. It further exported salted fish, dried fruits, wine and other products. In 1489, king João II resided here for several months and in 1520 it became a city under Manuel I. This royal patronage was reflected in the architectural heritage and in the city's expansion.Along the banks of the river and close to the main thoroughfares, more humble families took up residence while the nobility opted for the centre so as to be close to the political and administrative powers residing in the Castle. The Church of Misericórdia (Compassion) remains as witness to those times.In the 17th century, Tavira remained a major commercial centre on the Algarve. From this period dates much of the cultural heritage further revealing a profound religious influence. Hence, there are today 21 churches in the city including the highlights of the Church of São Paulo (Saint Paul), the Church of Santo António (Saint Anthony), the Church of Carmo (Carmel) and the Church of São Francisco (Saint Francis).In the course of the 18th century, Tavira lost economic prominence before recovering in the following century mostly due to tuna fishing and preserving.

In the sixteenth century, there existed a town known as Vila de Santo António de Arenilha, which was probably much closer to the sea. By the eighteenth century, this town had disappeared, having been engulfed by the sea and sand. It was, however, necessary to control the influx of goods up the river Guadiana, as well as to place the fishing business of Monte Gordo under royal supervision and stand firm against the Spanish, with whom Portugal had been at war in 1762/63.The building of the town of Vila Real de Santo António, which brought evident economic and political advantages, was therefore more than just a mere royal whim.The successful experiment of the reconstruction of Lisbon after the earthquake in 1755 was therefore repeated in Vila Real de Santo António. First of all, there was the careful grid-like planning of the urban structure, which was facilitated by the flat terrain on which the town was built. Next there was the adherence to rigid architectural units. And finally, there was the use made of pre-fabricated standard building blocks, such as the square-hewn stones that were brought from Lisbon, by boat, cut and shaped for immediate laying.To appreciate the town planning that was followed in Vila Real de Santo António, you have to walk around the city's streets. Begin in Praça Marquês de Pombal, in the heart of the town, with its black and white cobblestones radiating from the central obelisk built in 1776. This square contains three of the major urban features commonly found in the eighteenth century: the church, the Town Hall and the old guardhouse. Afterwards, you should walk a few blocks and see the privately commissioned buildings, which nonetheless continue to adhere to an obvious architectural formula.

Go inside a magical world on this guided Benagil Caves tour

The Church of Our Lady of the Conception, known locally as the Royal Basilica, was rebuilt during the first half of the 18th century, on the site of the original parish headquarters, by the patronage of King João V - who, as master of the Order of Santiago, intended to honour the village in whose vicinity the battle of Ourique took place, which was decisive for the assertion of Portugal as an independent kingdom.The Battle of Ourique occurred on July 25 (day of Saint James) in 1139 and saw the first king of Portugal, D. Afonso Henriques, take on the Muslims, with victory to the Portuguese king.It is presently the main church of Castro Verde and it was around this building that the urban layout of the village developed.The grandiose scale of the building, designed by João Antunes, a famous architect of the military orders of Santiago and Avis, jumps out from its urban backdrop and is visible from a distance. But the monument is also noteworthy for its fixed and moveable heritage, in particular the tile panels and mural paintings - in which the national importance of that warlike event is highlighted - the gilded and polychrome altars, and the Marian imagery.

Setúbal was inhabited in ancient times by the Phoenicians, and by the Romans who settled on the south bank of the River Sado (in Tróia, opposite the present town), who called it Cetobriga, from which the name Setúbal is derived.It was the Romans who started one of the region's most traditional activities - gathering salt and preserving food in salting tanks whose remains still exist on the Tróia Peninsula.The development of Setúbal has always been linked to the seafaring activities facilitated by its location at the mouth of the River Sado, and it was already one of the country's main ports in the 14th century.Its agricultural produce is also important, some of which is mentioned in documents dating back to the 14th century, in particular grapes, wine, oranges and fish. The wines produced in the surrounding area are still famous today, especially table wines and the moscatel called Setúbal, which can be tasted in the cellars in nearby Azeitão, which also produces excellent cheeses and delicious tarts.The city was the birthplace of outstanding Portuguese cultural figures, particularly Bocage (a 19th century poet, famous for the ironic tone and social criticism that he put into everything he wrote), and Luísa Todi (an important lyric singer). The Convent of Jesus, which houses the Municipal Museum, is in the Gothic-Manueline style, and the Fort of São Filipe, now converted into a "Pousada" (country-house hotel) from which one can enjoy a fantastic view of the city, the River Sado, Tróia and the Arrábida mountain range, also deserve special mention.

The Cristo Rei Statue is a magnificent statue of Christ, which stands on the south bank of the Tagus River overlooking Lisbon. The statue is popular (and highly recommended) due to its 80 meter high observation deck, which provides fantastic views of Lisbon and the suspension bridge.