East Algarve Coastal Charms

Embark on a serene and sophisticated exploration of the eastern Algarve with our East Algarve Coastal Charms Tour. This private tour celebrates a gentler side of the Algarve, where time slows down and nature and tradition intertwine. Your personal chauffeur will pick you up in a luxury sedan or van, and head east through golden salt flats and lagoons that shimmer in the morning sun. Our first stop is the quaint fishing village of Olhão, famed for its bustling market and cube-shaped Moorish architecture. Stroll through the vibrant waterfront market hall with your guide, where fishermen’s wives sell the morning’s catch and farmers offer fresh produce – an authentic slice of local life. For lunch, relish an exquisite meal at a slow-food tavern or a Michelin-recommended restaurant – the choice is yours. We recommend trying the local specialty “cataplana”, a savory seafood stew, paired with a crisp Vinho Verde.

From Faro, we continue into the heart of the Ria Formosa Natural Park, a protected lagoon system teeming with wildlife. Board a private boat (optional) for a short cruise through the tranquil waterways – keep an eye out for flamingos, herons, and other waterfowl feeding in the marshes. Your guide will explain the park’s rich biodiversity and the traditional salt harvesting methods still used today. Back on land, we’ll visit Tavira, often called the Algarve’s most charming town. Wander through Tavira’s cobbled streets lined with historic churches and graceful bridges. You’ll visit the ancient castle ruins for a panoramic view over the town’s tiled roofs and the Gilão River.

After the boat ride and if time allows, your chauffeur drives you to Cacela Velha, a tiny, whitewashed village perched above the sea. Time seems to stand still here. You’ll explore the historic chapel and fort, and gaze out over the expansive sandbanks of the Ria Formosa meeting the Atlantic. It’s a breathtaking, tranquil scene – one of the Algarve’s best-kept secrets.