A five star experience! Pedro and his company V Tours provided an exceptional experience across two wonderful tours in Lagos and Silves, offering rich historical insights while consistently going above and beyond his responsibilities. He paid close attention to every individual request and added thoughtful touches along the way, such as keeping us refreshed with bottles of water and treating us to the traditional Ginjinha liqueur in chocolate cups. Furthermore, he took wonderful group photos for us, knowing precisely where to capture them for the absolute best effect. When train schedule conflicts threatened our transition between Lisbon and Portimao, Pedro came to the rescue by providing seamless and comfortable transportation in the same Mercedes vans he used for our tours. His professionalism, attentiveness, and flexibility made our trip unforgettable, and we highly recommend his services.
Carvoeiro and Silves Premium - Shared small group > VTours Algarve
+17 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 7 hours
- Price from
- $171 / person
- Location
- Albufeira, Portugal
- Rating
- 5.0 / 5 · 15 reviews
- Languages
- PT, EN, ES
- Group
- Small group, up to 8
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Hotel pickup
- Available
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- VTours Algarve
Description
Join us on a real guided tour, with a friendly, passionate, professional, knowledgeable guide, that will guide you thru the natural beauties and interesting history of the Algarve. Cruise the Algarve on board of a luxury, comfortable and cozy vehicle. More than a Tour, an Experience!
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, and Sat
- Start times
- 9:30 AM
- Next available
- Thu, Nov 5
- Adult (ages 15–90)
- $171
- Child (ages 1–14)
- $113
Prices are per person when two book together; a solo traveller pays $331.
Larger groups pay less per person.
In demand: 22 of the next 26 departures are already sold out.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 11.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Algar Seco
Not far from Carvoeiro old town we find the hidden Algar Seco, with its naturally carved pool, opened to the Atlantic, also has a jumping area from the sandstone cliffs to the ocean, with steps carved in the rocks to get back to land. While exploring the area, if you pay attention you can spot fossil shells on the walls of the cliffs. A true wonder of nature carved for hundreds of years by the wind, rain and waves, with spectacular views.
A Boneca
Just on the side of Algar Seco we go thru "A Boneca" short tunnel carved on the cliff that opens and lights ups to a small room with two windows with the ocean view. This famous rock formation known as “The Doll", is a rock shaped like an inverted cone which looks like a doll when seen from the sea, where the two windows resemble the eyes. The view from this cave is absolutely spectacular and it will help you understand why Algar Seco is one of the most beautiful areas on Portugal.
Calcadao de Carvoeiro
The Carvoeiro boardwalk is a wonderful cliff top walk that leads to the Nossa Senhora da Encarnação fort. This ten minute short walk is along an elevated wooden pathway, which skirts the top of the cliffs and offers gorgeous views over the coastline. You can find signs along the way explaining the fauna and flora that is possible to spot in the area.
Ermida de Nossa Senhora da Encarnacao
The boardwalk ends at the main entrance of the fort with the chapel, both are sitting on top of the hill, that overlooks the beach of Carvoeiro. Religious and military functions shared this space. The church already existed when, in 1675, the defensive military device was built here, in the form of an irregular polygon, possibly in the place where a watchtower would have existed.
Carvoeiro
From the fort we start descending, stopping right after at the view point which overlooks the beach and the old town. Here it is possible to admire the typical Algarve construtions and take pictures. Next we get to the old town where usually you get 30 minutes by yourselves to walk freely, you can go to the beach and also explore the old town, go shopping for souvenirs. Then it is time for lunch, at a typical Portuguese restaurant not far from the old town.
Silves
We do a quick stop at a view point that overlooks the Arade river, the farms, the city and the mighty castle on top of the hill, take a few photos. Also some explanation about the history of Silves castle. Then we go to Silves old town, to visit the castle.
Castelo de Silves
Built on top of a hill, the imposing Silves Castle is Roman in origin, but it was the Arabs who built the magnificent castle we see today, between the 8th and 13th centuries. We will enter the castle and walk around the patrol route on top of the castle walls. We will visit the remains from the period of Muslim occupation on the inside of the castle, in particular a silo which was used for storing cereals and a cistern covered by a vault seated on five semi-circular arches. Silves Castle is the best example of Arab military architecture in Portugal.
Silves Cathedral
In 1266, work began to build Silves Cathedral on the site of a former mosque. The cathedral is built in Gothic style and the high altar was rebuilt in Manueline style after the 1755 earthquake. We will walk by the cathedral, you can take photos.
What's included
Included
Cold water
Entry fees for Castle and Church
Air-conditioned vehicle
Parking Fees
Not included
Usually the break for lunch is 1 hour, on a typical Portuguese Restaurant. The price of lunch is not included.
Pickup Locations & Times
We will pick you up at 09h30 where you are staying within the pick up geographic area assigned for this tour (between Faro and Portimão), send the address and the name of Hotel/Bnb/Hostel. Bring hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, comfortable shoes and clothes.
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
5.0
15 reviews
How it compares in Albufeira
- Rated higher than 81% of 160 reviewed tours in Albufeira
- Starting price $171 is 76% above the typical $97 for tours of similar length in Albufeira
Excurgo comparison of 365 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does this tour take?
Carvoeiro and Silves Premium - Shared small group > VTours Algarve lasts about 7 hours. The itinerary has 8 stops.
How much does this tour cost?
Prices start at $171 per person for this Albufeira experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. That is the per-person price when two book together; a solo traveller pays $331. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does this tour run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, starting at 9:30 AM.
How much does this tour cost for children?
Children aged 1–14 pay from $113, adults from $171.
Does this tour sell out?
It can: 22 of the next 26 departures are already sold out, so booking ahead is a good idea.
Can I cancel this tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. We will pick you up at 09h30 where you are staying within the pick up geographic area assigned for this tour (between Faro and Portimão), send the address and the name of Hotel/Bnb/Hostel. Bring hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, comfortable shoes and clothes. Pickup points include Pine Cliffs Village & Golf Suites, Grande Real Santa Eulalia Resort.
What languages is this tour offered in?
The experience is available in PT, EN, ES.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 8 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Specialized infant seats are available Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Reviews(15)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
L
5 Star experience in Silves!
1 people found this helpful
S
Go with Pedro !!
We had a wonderful experience exploring Lagos and the Algarve with our guide, Pedro. He picked us up directly from our hotel in his spacious and beautiful Mercedes van and took us around the area, showing us some of the most beautiful and scenic places, palaces, and neighborhoods. Pedro knew exactly where to take us for breathtaking views and beautiful photo opportunities, and he made sure we had plenty of time to enjoy each spot and capture memorable pictures. He was super friendly, knowledgeable, and very accommodating throughout the tour. As an added bonus, Pedro takes amazing pictures. We felt like we had a tour guide AND a professional photographer! The tour he planned for us was a relaxing and enjoyable way to see the Algarve, and we came away with some beautiful memories and photos from our trip. We highly recommend Pedro to anyone visiting Lagos and the Algarve!
A
A wonderful day tour with Pedro!
What a wonderful way to get to experience and learn about algarve! We had a wonderful guided tour through some coastal cities. Got to see and 1000 year old castle, had lunch at a lovely beach town and finished the day with a stop to see the caves at the beach. Breathtaking! The caves were definitely the highlight for everyone involved. Pedro was great at taking pictures and creating memorable moments. It took a lot of stress off to not worry about capturing the moments knowing you are in good hands and you’ll get some good pictures. You can just enjoy the experience.
J
Amazing day in the Algarve with Pedro
We had a fantastic day with Pedro. We spent a full day with him touring the Algarve. He was very knowledgeable, accommodating and very cheerful. He is a great photographer so we enjoyed all the expert pictures he took throughout the day. Our day included the Eco-Cork Factory, Silves, Loulé and some sea side walks. We highly recommend him if you are looking to do a private tour.
L
Full day of fun and siteseeing
Pedro was a fantastic guide. We had a full day filled with informational and beautiful stops. Pedro takes the time to take many pictures and provides them free of charge. His car is upscale and clean and Pedro is very knowledgeable of the area and the information he provided . This was a friend’s trip and we had the best time. With many memories to cherish for the future.
9
Great day out with a great guide
We had a great day out with Pedro, he collected us from our apartment and tailored the trip to our needs. We went to Silves first in the cool of the morning, looked around while Pedro guided us through the town and around the castle. We went for lunch in a lovely local restaurant that we would never have found ourselves. In the afternoon we went to Carvoeiro and Pedro was really knowledgeable about the history of the area. We saw places we never would have known to visit on our own. If you’re visiting the Algarve we’d highly recommend booking a tour with Pedro.
2
Great Day Spent in the Algarve
Pedro provided an amazing day showing some of the highlights the Algarve has to offer. The day started with a pick up at the hotel I was staying at in Faro. There was some high surf and high wind advisorys the day we toured so Pedro had some alternatives in mind as the itinerary slightly changes and those did not disappoint. The hikes in the morning to various picturesque points along the cliffs and down stairs closer to waves crashing on rocks were just breath taking. Aftrer lunch the drive out to Silves to see the castle was in itself a treat. Seeing the arab architecture was so unique as you don't expect that in the Algarve.
S
Beautiful Carvoeiro!
This tour includes the amazing boardwalk at Carvoeiro with its truly fabulous views. Pedro is a very knowledgeable guide and provides great historical insights into this beautiful area of Portugal. Silves Castle provides a panoramic view of the town and is definitely worth visiting. We would definitely recommend this tour and will certainly book a tour with this company, as Pedro is a great guide and went out of his way to ensure that we had a good time.
V
Great tour
Great tour. Was the highlight of our trip. Pedro was very knowledgeable and professional. The whole family had fun. Pedro took a lot of pictures for us. Best tour in Portugal.
L
Algarve private tour
Our family of six enjoyed a wonderful day touring the Algarve with Pedro and VTours. Pedro picked us up at our hotel in Lagos. His van is high end and accommodated our group comfortably with room to spare. Pedro is full of knowledge, providing so much insights about the history of the region. The sights were beautiful and everything was so authentic. Highly recommend Pedro for his expertise.
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| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carvoeiro and Silves Premium - Shared small group > VTours Algarve | 7 hours | 5.0 (15) | $171 | |
 Lagos and Sagres Premium - Shared small group > VTours Algarve | 8 hours | 5.0 (64) | $206 | View |
| Silves and Monchique Wine Taste Premium - Private> VTours Algarve | 8 hours | 5.0 (22) | $285 | View |
 Small-Group Day Tour of Silves and Monchique with Wine Tasting | 7–8 hours | 4.9 (141) | $102 | View |
 Algarve Wines Tasting Shared Experience at Mercado Municipal de Silves | 1h 30min | 5.0 (14) | $40 | View |
 Lagos and Carvoeiro Premium - Shared small group > VTours Algarve | 8 hours | 5.0 (71) | $171 | View |
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from$171
5.0(15) Free cancellation