🇵🇹 Day Trips From Vilamoura – A Beautiful Scenic Drive

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Check out this amazing scenic driving route that I did while I was on holiday in Vilamoura. It was the highlight of the trip, chock full of great scenery and wonderful moments.

Read on to find out what I discovered and the easy driving route you can easily do in a day from Vilamoura, or anywhere in that area of the Algarve.

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Day Trips from Vilamoura

Vilamoura was the base for a 4-day holiday that I took with a friend of mine.

However, a parting of the ways after the first night saw me staying in a hotel on my own with 3 days to myself.

I could have ended up crying in my hotel room but instead, I decided to get out and explore on my own.

I wanted to get away from the coast to see areas that tourists didn’t visit as much.

I also wanted to keep away from the A22 motorway and instead travel on smaller and more rural roads.

Initially, I was a little nervous about heading out driving for the day. I had driven in the Algarve but not on my own and it was a long time ago.

I also wondered what it would be like being out for the day on my own, as I hadn’t really done too much solo exploring before.

With my map on the front seat of my hire car and my route planned I put the key in and headed out for the day.

(Yes I am an old school map girl. I’ve been on too many coaches where the driver has insisted on following the satnav and we’ve ended up in the wrong place!)

Day Trips from Vilamoura

My Circular Touring Route

The total driving distance was 81km and the driving time non-stop would have been 2 hours.

Day Trips from Vilamoura

Taking the N125 West from Vilamoura

I headed North out of Vilamoura picked up the local road the N125 and headed West. This road runs to the South of the main motorway, the A22 which links the East and West areas of the Algarve.

The N125 is a normal single-lane carriageway road, so it is a little easier to enjoy the views along the way.

Day Trips from Vilamoura

Taking the N270 North to Paderne

I then headed North on the N270 heading towards Paderne.

The scenery changed pretty rapidly once I left the N125 route and started heading inland.

I was soon travelling at a slower pace and through tiny villages.

At Paderne I stopped to take in the views and the whitewashed buildings in the village. Locals were going about their business and I enjoyed just sitting and watching a bit of everyday life.

For ease of driving, I continued North on the N270 and then took a right on the N124 heading towards Alte.

Day Trips from Vilamoura

The Gorgeous Village of Alte

I don’t know what made me stop at Alte, I hadn’t researched it too much and kind of stumbled into it. I managed to park up beside the river and walk back into the small town itself.

The river had a variety of terraces, bridges, and a bar set right beside it. It was a popular spot for locals to walk as well.

It was extremely quiet and very pretty.

I followed my nose into the centre of the small town and found a tiny cafe that was open and serving coffee. It was run by two very sweet elderly people and it was a local cafe, given the chatter that was going on between the owners and the customers.

I sat outside, with the sun on my face and I have to admit I had a little cry.

It was such a beautiful spot and I was enjoying a lovely coffee.

I had managed to find my way there, in my little car, and had been a bit terrified at the thought of solo travel Initially I felt a huge sense of freedom and knew this was something I wanted to do more of.

It was a memorable moment in my travelling life. It was at that moment I knew I wanted to do more solo travel and I knew I was able to do it.

The town had a few small shops, and again because it was November it was very quiet. I can imagine Alte has a great atmosphere in the summer when it is busier, although I loved it when it was quiet.

I continued through Benafim and Salir, still on the N124. The road had climbed higher and the views were really lovely. The Algarve countryside was lush and green and the road gave views across it.

I turned South on the N396 and headed down through Querencia and continued into Loule.

Day Trips from Vilamoura

Oh Lovely Loule!

Loule is a lovely town, which I had visited before when I had taken a coach trip there from a nearby hotel that me and my group were staying in.

I stopped in the city centre, parked my car up and explored the streets. This time on my own.

I visited the main market hall again and enjoyed seeing somewhere I had been before in a different light.

It was lovely to sit outside and enjoy the hustle of a small town, seeing locals doing their shopping and daily chores.

Being familiar with Loule meant I was able to find my way through to continue on the N396 which brought me back to Vilamoura.

It was a very pleasant and easy drive, which took most of the day (starting around 10 am and getting back around 4 pm).

Day Trips from Vilamoura – Conclusion

• This drive was the highlight of the holiday for me and it’s a happy place that I often travel back to in my head.
• Getting out into the area behind the Algarve is a wonderful way to experience something that many people don’t and see more of everyday life.
• Driving in this area was easy and relaxing. There wasn’t too much traffic and it was easy to get into and explore the smaller villages.

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Things to Do in Vilamoura

Where to Stay in Vilamoura

My complete Vilamoura Holiday review

Further Reading