What to expect

Walking Days

Walking Days

5 days of fully guided walking

Stunning Landscapes

Stunning Landscapes

Discover the spectacular Algarve on foot

Tavira

Tavira

One of the most picturesque towns of the Algarve

About this trip...

About the trip

Explore the wonderful Eastern Algarve and experience a spectacular mix of walks discovering picturesque villages, beautiful beaches and tranquil landscapes. And stay in one of the Algarve's prettiest coastal towns - Tavira.
Activity Level: Activity Level Rating
What's this?

What's Included

  • Return flights and transfers
  • Airport taxes & charges
  • Room for sole use
  • Half Board – breakfast daily in hotel, evening meals in local restaurants
  • Drinks included with evening meals
  • Welcome drink
  • 5 fully guided walking days
  • Accompanying Solos Tour Leader
  • Fully financially Protected

What's extra:

  • Insurance click here
  • Lunches

Itinerary

  • Arrive in Portugal
  • Zimbral Walk
  • Santa Luzia & Tavira Island Walk
  • Day at Leisure
  • Manta Rota to Cabanas Walk
  • Santa Catarina Ceramica Walk
  • Fuzeta to Tavira Walk
  • Departure Day

What you'll be doing

Day One: Arrive In Portugal

Day One: Arrive In Portugal

Arrive at Faro Airport and transfer to the Maria Nova Lounge Hotel in Tavira.
Day Two: Zimbral Walk

Day Two: Zimbral Walk

After breakfast, we take our transfer bus to the start of our walk. Our first walk of the week takes us through open rolling hillsides offering spectacular views along the way, allowing us to appreciate this delightful region. Our route takes us through fascinating villages and then descends to finish in a low fertile valley full of orange orchards and small holdings. At the end of the walk, we take our bus back to the hotel. 
During the walk, there will be stops for refreshments and lunch (at own cost).
  • Coach Transfers AM/PM 10km / 15 mins
  • Approx Walking Distance 12.6 km
  • Approx Walking Time 3 Hours
  • Ascent/Descent 67m/260m
  • Grade: Easy to Medium
Day Three: Santa Luzia & Tavira Island Walk

Day Three: Santa Luzia & Tavira Island Walk

Today our walk starts and finishes at our hotel. We enjoy a fantastic walking day of variety around the Ria Formosa Natural Park. Included is a fascinating boat ride between Tavira & Tavira Island where we walk along Tavira Island’s beach. This is regarded by many as one of the finest in the world with its vast stretches of golden sand and sparkling blue waters. Our route takes us through Tavira’s ancient salt pans which date back thousands of years. The itinerary also includes a stop in the characterful fishing village of Santa Luzia, famous for Octopus, where we can enjoy its glorious waterfront. 

During the walk, there will be stops for refreshments and lunch.
  • Approx Walking Distance 17km
  • Approx Walking Time 4 Hours
  • Ascent/Descent 20m/20m
  • Grade: Easy to Medium
Day Four: Day at leisure

Day Four: Day at leisure

Take a well-earned rest and perhaps relax and enjoy the facilities of the hotel, or take a stroll and explore Tavira.  Alternatively, there will be an opportunity to book an optional excursion to explore further afield. Perhaps the Castro Marim in the Reserva Natural do Sapal, famous for their flamingos.

Day Five: Manta Rota to Cabanas Walk

Day Five: Manta Rota to Cabanas Walk

We take our bus to the start of today's walk. Our route today is a classic coastal walk following the inner shoreline where we visit the iconic and idyllic village of Cacela Velha protected by a small walled fortress and famous for its incredible views and expansive sandy beach. We then continue to the popular resort of Cabanas where incidentally gets it name from the traditional cabanas fishing huts which started being built here in the 18th Century.

Here we can take a well-earned rest and perhaps have lunch (at own cost) in one of the many cafes lining the spectacular waterfront. From here. we return back by transfer bus to our hotel in Tavira.
  • Coach Transfers AM 15km/20 mins
  • Coach Transfers PM 7km/10 mins
  • Approx Walking Distance 17km
  • Approx Walking Time 4 Hours
  • Ascent/Descent – minimal
  • Grade: Easy to Medium
Day Six: Santa Catarina Ceramica Walk

Day Six: Santa Catarina Ceramica Walk

Today we enjoy an inland walk through one of most beautiful and interesting valleys in the Algarve. Santa Catarina is one of the centres for the production of carob, almond, fig, olive oil and medronho, and the surrounding countryside we walk through reflects this. We will also pass tiny brick and tile works, whose hand-made craft dates back to before Roman times. During the walk, there will be stops for refreshments and lunch. 

Our transfer bus will meet us at the end of the walk.
  • Coach Transfers AM/PM 15km/20 mins
  • Approx Walking Distance 11.75km
  • Approx Walkimg Time 3 Hours
  • Ascent/Descent 190m/190m
  • Grade: Easy to Medium
Day Seven: Fuzeta to Tavira Walk

Day Seven: Fuzeta to Tavira Walk

Today we take our bus to start our last day of lovely walking following part of the Algarve’s Ecovia trail. We pass by old estates with orange, figs and almond orchards, with our route taking us through the salt pans of Fuzeta where we are able to appreciate the rich birdlife and nature of the area. During the walk, there will be stops for refreshments and lunch. 

The route takes us back to our hotel where we finish our final day of walking.
  • Coach Transfers  AM 15km/20 mins
  • Approx Walking Distance 17.2km
  • Approx Walkimg Time 4.30 Hours
  • Ascent/Descent minimal
  • Grade: Easy to Medium
Day Eight: Departure Day

Day Eight: Departure Day

Today we check-out of our hotel and say goodbye before transferring to Faro Airport.

Accommodation

The Maria Nova Lounge Resort Four-star

This well-appointed adults-only stylish four-star hotel overlooking the picturesque town of Tavira - the perfect base for our week of walking.

Facilities include

Facilities include restaurant, bars, outdoor and indoor swimming pools, free Wi-Fi, air-conditioned gym, Maria Nova Spa including sauna, steam room, Turkish bath, whirlpool and massage treatments (costs apply).

Room includes

The comfortable rooms include en-suite bathroom with shower, flat screen television, Wi-Fi, hairdryer, air-conditioning and balcony/terrace.

Dates & Prices

Departure Return Nights Price from Other Info Regional flights
21 Apr 2025 28 Apr 2025 7 £2095.00 Please call for regional flights
23 Nov 2025 30 Nov 2025 7 £1889.00 Please call for regional flights

Frequently asked questions

Transfer Time
The transfer time from Faro Airport to the hotel is approximately 45 minutes, depending on weather and traffic.
Walking Schedule
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fit and well enough to take part in your chosen activity holiday. This holiday features walks approx 12km to 17km ( 7 to 11 miles) each day.  If you are unsure as to whether the walks are within your capabilities, please contact the office to discuss this matter, thus making sure you appreciate the terrain that you will be walking.
 
It is recommended to bring water & snacks for the walk. 
 
You could be walking across uneven ground in some areas and extreme care must be taken, especially if wet. If used to using a pole/stick, it is advisable to bring it. Please appreciate the route and content of the holiday may change at the time and at the discretion of the guide/organiser, should conditions require. Solo’s Holidays Ltd cannot be held responsible for personal injury, accident or damage to property whilst on these walks other than incidents arising out of the company’s negligence. The guide has the right to refuse to guide a walk with anyone not properly attired. 
 
Zimbral Walk
Coach Transfers AM/PM 10km / 15 mins 
Approx Walking Distance 12.6 km 
Approx Walking Time 3 Hours 
Ascent/Descent 67m/260m 
Grade: Easy to Medium 
 
Santa Luzia & Tavira Island Walk 
Approx Walking Distance 17km 
Approx Walking Time 4 Hours 
Ascent/Descent 20m/20m 
Grade: Easy to Medium 
 
Manta Rota to Cabanas Walk 
Coach Transfers AM 15km/20 mins 
Coach Transfers PM 7km/10 mins 
Approx Walking Distance 17km 
Approx Walking Time 4 Hours 
Ascent/Descent – minimal 
Grade: Easy to Medium 
 
Santa Catarina Ceramica Walk 
Coach Transfers AM/PM 15km/20 mins 
Approx Walking Distance 11.75km 
Approx Walkimg Time 3 Hours 
Ascent/Descent 190m/190m 
Grade: Easy to Medium   
 
Fuzeta to Tavira Walk 
Coach Transfers  AM 15km/20 mins 
Approx Walking Distance 17.2km 
Approx Walkimg Time 4.30 Hours 
Ascent/Descent minimal 
Grade: Easy to Medium
What to Wear

It is of paramount importance that you have the correct footwear. It is essential to wear walking boots that are comfortable and preferably lightweight, with some ankle support and a good grip. If you already have a pair of boots that you are happy walking in (including during hot/wet weather and on hard ground), then bring these along. However, if you are bringing new footwear, do make sure they are well broken in before you arrive. Experience has shown that wearing 2 pairs of woollen socks adds to comfort.

Whilst we would hope for good weather during your holiday, it is of course impossible to guarantee this. We would therefore recommend you travel with clothing suitable for all conditions, and suggest you use the following checklist as a guideline of what to take:

  • Walking boots with good ankle support
  • Waterproofs – jacket and trousers
  • Walking poles – recommended as they provide good support for the knees, particularly on downhill sections of walks and when conditions are wet/slippery
  • Lightweight trousers and shorts with pockets
  • Shirts or t-shirts for walking in
  • Walking socks – several pairs
  • Lightweight fleece or jumper Hat & gloves
  • Daysack/rucksack for walking
  • Umbrella – it can be used also for protection from the sun as well as rain
  • Lightweight drinking bottle to carry water whilst walking
  • Small first aid kit – plasters, insect repellant, etc Good, high factor sunscreen, sunhat and sunglasses
Gratuities
We suggest a Group Collection to cover transfer drivers, and hotel staff of €25.00 per person. Your Tour Leader will collect this on your behalf and distribute it accordingly, thus relieving you of the burden of who, when and how much to tip. The tipping of housekeeping will be left to your individual discretion (a small amount left in your room on departure should cover this and would be much appreciated). As is customary, ‘the hat’ will be passed around for the driver and guide on all optional excursions. For any meals that are not included in your itinerary, or taxi fares, your Tour Leader can advise of an appropriate % add on.
Passport & Visas

Passport
If you are planning to travel to an EU country (except Ireland), or Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City, you must follow the Schengen area passport requirements.

Your passport must be:

  • issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (check the ‘date of issue’)
  • valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)

Visa
You can travel to countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. This applies if you travel as a tourist, to visit family or friends, to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events, or for short-term studies or training.
If travelling to Spain and other Schengen countries without a visa, make sure your whole visit is within the 90-day limit. Visits to Schengen countries within the previous 180 days before you travel count towards your 90 days.

Health Requirements
Compulsory vaccinations: None. All clients are responsible for acquainting themselves with up to date health information of the countries being visited and where necessary take the required precautions. We recommend that you check with your doctor prior to departure as this information can change. You can also visit the travel health website for more information; Travel Health Portugal

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