Escorted Tours
Authentic Algarve Tour
There’s far more to the Algarve than its golden beaches, sparkling seas, and world-class golf courses. This carefully curated journey invites you to step beyond the familiar tourist paths and discover the region’s true soul: its rich culinary heritage, breath-taking landscapes, and captivating history.
Savour authentic local flavours and immerse yourself in the Algarve’s natural beauty with guided walks through tranquil wetlands and along scenic mountain trails. More than 3,000 years of history unfold as you explore ancient castles, churches, and cathedrals, tracing the legacy of the Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, and Moors who once called this remarkable land home.
This tour is especially meaningful to our Head of Sales & Marketing, Ellen Walker, whose lifelong love affair with the Algarve spans decades of visits, friendships, and cherished memories. Her dream of sharing this connection became reality in 2023 with the creation of this Authentic Algarve Tour, a journey designed to reveal the region as few truly see it.
Your home for seven nights is the enchanting town of Tavira. With its Moorish-inspired architecture, winding cobbled streets, and timeless charm, Tavira provides the perfect base from which to uncover the Algarve’s hidden corners, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality.
what’s included
At A Glance
Meet Your Expert local Guide
Luís Gonçalves
Born and raised in the Algarve, Luís has a deep personal connection to the region, its people, culture, history and landscapes. Already a firm favourite with Travel Editions travellers, he brings detailed local knowledge to the flora, fauna, architecture and scenery encountered each day.
Luís loves walking, hiking and birdwatching, and takes great pleasure in sharing the Algarve’s rich natural world. Attentive and engaging, he combines expert commentary with a genuine desire to help every traveller get the utmost from the experience.
Meet Your Expert TOUR GUIDE
Ellen Walker
Ellen Walker is Travel Editions’ Head of Sales & Marketing and a passionate Portugal specialist. After almost four decades in travel and countless visits to the country, she has developed an intimate knowledge of its landscapes, culture, cuisine and people.
Portugal is Ellen’s second home, and her longstanding relationships with local suppliers have grown into lasting friendships. She has created several Travel Editions itineraries, including Portugal Uncovered, Hidden Portugal and the Authentic Algarve, designed to reveal places beyond the familiar tourist routes. Ellen also acts as tour manager on many departures, sharing her warmth, experience and enthusiasm with travellers throughout.
itinerary & excursions
Your Itinerary
Explore this incredible tour in detail and discover what makes each day so special. Below, you’ll find a full day-by-day breakdown of your journey, from the moment you arrive to your final farewell. Learn more about the highlights you’ll experience, the unforgettable places you’ll visit, and the unique moments that bring each destination to life. Whether you’re drawn by rich history, stunning landscapes or unforgettable cultural encounters, this itinerary gives you everything you need to picture your adventure and look forward to every step of the way.
Day 1: Fly to Faro
Fly from London Gatwick or Edinburgh to Faro Airport where you will be met by your Travel Editions Tour Manager.
Transfer to the Vila Gale Hotel in Tavira. There will be a welcome drink and dinner at the hotel in the evening.
Day 2: Tavira
This morning enjoy a walking tour around Tavira. The town combines two Mediterranean staples: Moorish architecture and a golden sand beach. Here, a labyrinth of cobbled streets wind past houses tiled in the traditional Portuguese style and the pace of life flows as gently as the Gilão River.
Lunch will be at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, travel by coach to the Tavira Salt Pans where you will walk through the wetlands and learn how table salt has been produced here for more than 2,000 years. There will also be a visit to the tuna fish museum and fluvial beach before returning to the hotel.
Day 3: Moncarapacho & São Brás
Today we drive from Tavira to Moncarapacho, where we will visit ´Monterosa’ and learn more about the art of olive oil production at the olive farm and at the end we will enjoy a tasting. This hidden rural gem combines all the pleasures of modernity with the rich and timeless country lifestyle.
After lunch in a local restaurant, we will head to São Brás where we will be given an introduction to the cork route to discover the mysteries of the ancient relationship between man and cork oak.
Enjoy a Cork Oak tree walk where you can discover the animals, plants and the amazing landscapes of this terrestrial habitat. Learn how Cork is produced, how the Cork trees are stripped, and all the processes from the acorn to the neck of the bottle and also why this sustainable material with unique characteristics allows the wine to improve its characteristics.
Day 4: Serra de Monchique & Silves
Today travel by coach to Serra de Monchique (Monchique Mountain) that stands high above the sea and is home to some of the most charming walking trails in the Algarve. On this morning’s picturesque walk (approx. 2hrs walking) discover flora and fauna that is quite different to that found on the coast along with magnificent freshwater waterfalls and beautiful views of the surrounding area.
Lunch will be at a restaurant in Monchique. Before returning to the hotel there will be a visit to the historic town of Silves with an optional visit to its 12th Century Castle and its Gothic Cathedral (entrance to the Castle and Cathedral payable locally).
Day 5: Tavira
Today is at leisure for you to relax or explore Tavira further.
Day 6: Ria Formosa Islands
Start the day in Olhão a picturesque fisherman’s town with its Moorish inspired whitewashed buildings. The harbour opens onto the calm lagoons and waters of the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa, a small group of barrier islands. Embark on a boat tour and cruise among the fascinating islands of the Ria Formosa lagoons, a hidden gem of the Algarve.
See local fishermen at work, shellfish farms and enjoy the bird life. Lunch will be a delicious meal of locally caught fish at a restaurant on one of the islands. In the afternoon there will be a guided tour of Olhão and its bustling old quarter. There will be free time before returning to the hotel.
Day 7: Sapal de Castro Marim
Today’s walk explores Sapal de Castro Marim and Vila Real de Santo António Nature Reserve which was declared a nature reserve in 1975 and covers over 2000 hectares. It is a vast wetland formed by system of marshland, water channels, agricultural fields and bushland. It is home to many migratory birds for nesting and wintering in.
Make sure to bring those binoculars. We will then head to Vila Real de Santo Antonio, located on the banks of the Guadiana River where we will have some free time for lunch. In the afternoon we will visit the medieval hilltop castle of Castro Marim, once a stronghold of the Knights Templar. This evening there will be a farewell dinner at a local restaurant in Tavira.
Day 8: Tavira & Return To London Gatwick
The morning is free before the coach transfer to Faro airport for the flight to London Gatwick.
our guests say
Recent reviews
“Highlights included the trip up Serra de Monchique and the wonderful boat journey to the Formosa Islands, and thanks to an unexpected bus breakdown, we were treated to the incredible sight of more than 20 griffin vultures circling overhead! A fascinating and memorable holiday.”
Mrs M, October 2025
“The boat tour of the Ria Formosa was a delight, especially seeing the many different fishing boats in Olhão, followed by an excellent afternoon tour of the town. A lovely holiday in a beautiful part of Portugal. Ellen, our tour manager, made sure everyone was well looked after, and our local guide, Luis, was so knowledgeable, particularly when it came to spotting birds. We thoroughly enjoyed the included lunches at local restaurants too.”
Mr & Mrs Blagden, October 2025
“Visiting the island was a real highlight, along with all the other wonderful excursions throughout the trip. Everything was excellent and exactly what we hoped for, a superb holiday from start to finish.”
Mr & Mrs R, October 2025
Availability
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HOTELS
Tour Accommodation
Vila Gale, Tavira
Located in the heart of the historic town of Tavira, this four-star hotel offers spacious and comfortable rooms, as well as a restaurant, bar, outdoor pool and a health club. All rooms have private en-suite bathrooms as well as TV, free wifi, air-conditioning and hairdryer.
Hotel Website
our regular tours
Mobility Information
This tour has a moderate fitness rating, reflecting a fuller itinerary with a good balance of visits, walking and time spent exploring on foot.
Some visits may involve cobbled streets, uneven paving, slopes, steps, stairs, limited seating, or walking from the coach drop-off point to the entrance of a site or attraction. The exact demands will vary from day to day, and we highlight specific practical details within the itinerary wherever possible.
You should feel comfortable walking at a steady group pace, standing during visits and enjoying a full day of sightseeing.
If you are unsure whether this tour is right for you, please contact us before booking.
Your questions answered
Tour FAQ
If you have a question, we are more than happy to answer it via email or phone, but you may find your answer below more quickly.
Fresh Adventures for Inquisitive Travellers
Why Choose Travel Editions?
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Founded in 1994 offering unique cultural tours beyond typical high street itineraries.
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Industry-leading guides, some since day one, who speak local languages and have detailed knowledge.
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