Ease into Algarve rhythms with a gentle morning at Praia de Faro, where you can walk the wide sandy spit, hunt for tiny pieces of sea glass along the tide line, and watch local anglers cast from the shore. After a beachfront coffee at Kiosk Beach Bar, hop over to the hotel pool for focused lap sets and recovery stretches, then pick up a light lunch to-go from Mercado Municipal de Faro if you want fresh seafood and local produce before the afternoon unfolds.
Spend a relaxed afternoon exploring the backstreets of Faro's Old Town, stopping at Arco da Vila and wandering down to the waterfront promenade before settling at Fábrica da Cerveja for a tasting flight of Algarve craft beers paired with petiscos. Later, head to Ilha Deserta (Desert Island) via the short ferry from the marina for a late swim and focused sea-glass hunting along its quieter western shore as the light softens.
As the sun dips, wander to Praia de Cabanas for a calm shoreline stroll and targeted sea-glass searching where the tide pools collect colorful shards. For dinner and a relaxed craft-beer vibe, sit on the terrace at Taberna Modesta (small plates with Algarve flavors) and then hop to Olhão Brewpub for a nightcap flight-ask the bartender for their citrusy seasonal pour and swap sea-glass finds with locals on the bar stools.
Start the day with a short boat ride to Ilha do Farol for early-morning tide-line sea-glass hunting along quieter stretches of sand, then grab a breakfast pastel and coffee at Café Bica no Farol before heading to the sheltered inlets of Praia do Barril where low tides expose pools and pebble beds perfect for finding larger colored shards. After a focused hunt, cool off with a couple of calm laps at the nearby Complexo de Piscinas Municipais de Tavira (public pool) to work on technique before returning to Faro for an easy midday rest.
Head out to Praia de Faro (western end) for a focused sea-glass sweep along the rockier jetty where currents deposit colorful shards, then paddle a short SUP from the beach into the calmer channels of Ria Formosa Natural Park to glass-spot hidden sandbars and tiny coves. After drying off, cycle to Rua do Prior to browse curated secondhand shops (look for vintage linens and surf-worn treasures) before settling in at Tapas & Beer Largo for a late-afternoon growler-fill and a tasting of regional ales while you sort your finds and plan the evening thrift-and-craft-beer crawl.
As dusk falls, stroll the quieter stretch of Praia da Ilha de Faro (eastern dunes) where low light concentrates sea glass in sheltered hollows, then head into town to drop finds at Casa do Compadre for tapas while you plan the crawl. After dinner, weave through Rua do Prior's lesser-known vintage shops like Loja do Tempo for surf-worn tees and then finish with a relaxed tasting at Cervejaria do Carmo, sampling local craft pours and swapping sea-glass stories with bartenders.
Catch first light at Praia de Vale do Lobo for a beginner-friendly surf session with local instructors who know the morning breaks-rent a soft-top board from Algarve Surf School and warm up with a few coached pop-ups before paddling out for playful long runs. After surfing, drive a short stretch to Complexo Desportivo de Faro for focused pool laps in their 25m outdoor pool, then refill energy with a seaside brunch of tuna toast and freshly squeezed orange at Maré Café while you plan an easy afternoon on Faro Island.
After a morning of waves and pool work, head to Ilha da Culatra for a mellow afternoon: wander the fishing village lanes, buy a fresh grilled sardine snack from O Paulo da Culatra, then comb the quieter western shingle for sea glass concentrated around the old jetties. Later, take a short ferry to Ilha da Armona to rent a SUP from Armona Stand Up and float the calm channels of the Ria while scanning sandbars for colorful shards-finish with a sunset drink at Bar do Farolinho watching fishermen light lanterns across the water.
As the light softens, take the short ferry to Ilha da Culatra (western pier) and wander its quieter shoreline searching tidal pools and rocky outcrops for sea glass before settling at Restaurante O Escondidinho for a fresh seafood dinner on the terrace. After dinner, stroll to Farolinho Beach to watch the sunset paint the salt flats, then finish the night with a relaxed tasting of regional craft beers at Bar do Porto, where locals trade surf tips and you can compare today's finds.
Begin your final Faro morning wandering the lively stalls of Mercado do Peixe for last-minute local snacks and a final hunt for sea glass along the small quay; grab a strong coffee and a pastel from Padaria Central while you sort keepsakes. After a quick visit to the tranquil gardens of Jardim Manuel Bivar for a few pool-style mobility stretches, catch the mid-morning Alfa Pendular or a regional train from Faro Train Station (or the A2 shuttle to Lisbon if you prefer driving) so you arrive in Ericeira in the late afternoon ready to check into your guesthouse and scope out the nearby beach for an evening glass-combing stroll.
After your train or drive, arrive in Ericeira and ease into the town with a seaside lunch at Mar à Vista overlooking the reef breaks, then stroll the cliff-top path toward Miradouro da Ribeira d'Ilhas to scout surf conditions and stumble on scattered sea-glass pockets along the rocky shore. Later, pop into Ericeira Surf & Skate to confirm a rental or lesson for the coming days, then browse curated vintage finds at Recycled Vintage Ericeira before sampling local craft beers and seafront small plates at Tasca do Jô, where you can compare Faro finds with new coastal treasures.
On arrival and after check-in, wander the cliffside path toward Praia dos Pescadores for a low-key glass-hunt among the tide pools and a quick dip to loosen travel stiffness, then grab a seaside pint at Bar do Sul where local surfers swap lineups and tips. Finish the night with a tapas-style dinner at A Tasca das Flores, sampling regional petiscos and a rotating craft beer on tap while you compare Faro finds with fresh Ericeira discoveries and plan tomorrow's early surf.
Catch first light with a guided intro session at Ribeira d'Ilhas-local shapers from Chosen Surf School will fit you to a soft-top or longboard and coach key lineup etiquette for this world-class reef break. After a few mellow runs, stroll the nearby pebble-strewn coves toward Praia do Sul where the morning tide concentrates smooth, frosted sea glass between the rocks; pause for a strong Portuguese coffee and bifana at Café Central da Vila while you sort finds and swap wave notes with fellow surfers.
After your morning session, wander the cliff-top trail toward Foz do Lizandro for a mellow afternoon swim and targeted sea-glass hunting along its sandier edges where currents deposit colorful shards; rent a SUP from Lizandro Paddle Center to scan the shallows from the water. Later, pop into Moby Dick Surf Shop to swap boards or pick up wax and then settle at Praia do Sul viewpoint kiosk for a craft beer and petiscos while you catalogue finds and watch the afternoon lineup sharpen as the swell builds.
As the sun eases, follow the cliff path down to Praia de São Sebastião for a focused sea-glass sweep among the tide pools and wind-polished pebbles, then rinse off with a refreshing dip in the calm cove. Wander into town for dinner at O Pescador-order their grilled fish and pair it with a local craft beer-and finish the night at Reis Bar for a relaxed pint where surfers compare today's lineups and plan tomorrow's dawn session.
Meet the dawn crowd for back-to-back waves at Coxos, where experienced locals will point you to the best peaks and you can rent a high-performance shortboard from Boardriders Ericeira for punchier sets; after a solid session, head to Piscina Municipal de Mafra for focused 25m laps to loosen shoulders and work on endurance. Finish with a seaside recovery brunch at Mercearia da Vila, sampling a protein-packed açorda and a cold craft beer while swapping surf notes and planning an afternoon thrift-store route.
After your morning at Coxos, cruise down the coast to the more sheltered right-hand breaks at São Julião for a long, playful session-rent a retro funboard from Ericeira Vintage Surf to enjoy mellow, long rides and practice carving. Mid-afternoon, ease out of the water and clock focused laps at Complexo Desportivo de Ericeira (check lane availability), then wander the town's backstreets popping into curated thrift stops like Humana Vintage and Brechó da Vila to hunt surf-worn tees and seaside ceramics while sipping a cold local craft beer at Taberna do Mar.
Wind down after a big-day surf by walking the cliff path to Praia do Sulinho for a focused sea-glass sweep among its sheltered coves, then rinse off under the outdoor showers and change at Ericeira Surf & Sea Lounge before dinner. For a relaxed evening meal and a rotating tap list of regional brews, sit on the terrace at Casa da Adega to sample small plates of grilled sardines and local cheeses, then finish with a late visit to Garagem Vintage (a nearby curated thrift pop-up) to hunt for surf-worn jackets and nautical trinkets while swapping waves with locals.
Ease into a mellow beach morning with calm laps and a gentle swim at Praia do Sulinho, then stroll the adjacent tidal pools of Canto Beach hunting for sea glass and small surf-smoothed stones before the crowds arrive. After rinsing off, grab a seaside brunch and a flight of local ales at Merenda & Brew, where you can compare finds and plan an easy afternoon of more surfing or thrift browsing along the cliff path.
Surf the mellow peaks at Praia da Ribeira d'Ilhas for a few relaxed longboard runs, then paddle out for an easy SUP cruise along the headland to spot hidden sea-glass pockets on the rocky bays. After drying off, stroll into town for a late-afternoon tasting flight at Tap House Ericeira paired with octopus croquettes, then browse the seaside market stalls by Largo da Praça for small ceramics and vintage surf patches to add to your collection.
As the sun softens, wander down to Praia do Matadouro for a tranquil shoreline glass-combing session among its rocky coves, then take a short rinse and change at the beachside showers before heading uphill. Finish the night with a tasting flight and small plates on the terrace at Tasca do Zé, sampling their rotating local craft taps and a chilled seafood sampler while swapping waves with fellow surfers and cataloguing the day's sea-glass finds.
For your last morning, catch a sunrise paddle or quick surf at Praia do Sul-its sheltered cove makes for a gentle final session and easy board drop-off at Ericeira Surf Center-then stroll the pebble fringe of Praia do Norte hunting for any last sea-glass gems before breakfast. After a refreshing shower and a light seaside brunch of bifana and espresso at Café São Sebastião, pack and swing by Estação Rodoviária de Ericeira to catch the mid-morning transfer to Lisbon with time to spare for your LIS departure.
After checking out, linger over a seaside lunch and final glass-sweep at Praia do Sulinho, then take a slow cliff-top stroll toward Miradouro da Ermida to scout one last pocket of frosted shards and soak the coastal view. Mid-afternoon, stop in town at Cervejaria da Vila for a last local craft pint and a light snack while you sort and pack finds, then catch the mid-afternoon shuttle from Ericeira Bus Terminal to Lisbon with the comfort of a tidy kit and a pocketful of sea glass memories.
For a low-key final evening, wander the cliff path to Praia da Ribeira do Cavalo for a last golden-hour sea-glass sweep among its sheltered coves, then rinse and change at the nearby beachside shower before dinner. Dine seaside at Restaurante O Farol, sampling grilled seafood and a final local craft beer, then stroll back through town to Taberna do Mercado for one last tasting flight and a relaxed sorting of your finds before packing for the morning transfer to Lisbon.