The eastern Algarve makes an excellent base for day trips. Within 90 minutes you can be in the mountains, at the Atlantic coast, in Spain, or deep in the Alentejo interior.
Alcoutim (45 minutes north)
The Guadiana valley drive to Alcoutim is one of the best in southern Portugal. The village has a small castle, a café, and a zip-line across the river to Spain. Leave early and return for lunch.
Mértola (90 minutes north)
Full day required. The mosque-church and Islamic museum are the main stops. The riverside aire at Mértola makes this a possible overnight if you want more time.
Ayamonte, Spain (20 minutes)
Cross the Guadiana bridge and you are in a completely different country in five minutes. Ayamonte has a good fish market, several tapas bars, and the quality of coffee is noticeably better than in Portugal.
Faro and the Ria Formosa (35 minutes)
The old town of Faro — the cathedral, the city walls, the bone chapel — takes a morning. The boat trip through the Ria Formosa lagoon leaves from the pier behind the city and is the best way to understand the landscape.
Alentejo Park is Various from here.
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