If you’re looking for things to do in the Algarve beyond simply relaxing beside the pool or spending the day on the beach, exploring the coastline on foot is a wonderful way to discover this beautiful corner of Portugal’s Algarve coastline.
Guests enjoying an Algarve villa holiday in Salema have some fantastic scenery right on their doorstep, with countryside paths, hidden beaches, traditional villages and spectacular coastal views all within walking distance.
We recently enjoyed one of our favourite local walks, a roughly 7.8 km circular route from Salema to Figueira and back again. It combines peaceful Algarve countryside, brunch in the village of Figueira, a swim from its secluded sandy beach and a stunning clifftop walk back to Salema.
If you’re staying in one of our luxury Algarve villas in Salema and fancy exploring on foot, this is one to add to your holiday list.
Walking from Salema into the Algarve countryside
Our walk started in Salema, heading uphill along Rua 28 de Janeiro and away from the village.
It isn’t long before you leave the houses behind and find yourself surrounded by the Algarve countryside.
The route winds along pathways among the bushes, trees and scrub-land (maquis), giving you a completely different perspective on the area. While the Algarve is naturally famous for its beaches, there’s much more to discover once you head inland. We saw all kinds of birds, a couple of praying mantises and some giant ants! We’re told the people have also spotted red foxes and mongooses dashing around.
Eventually, the winding bush-lined paths join Rua Praia da Figueira, which takes you towards the nearby village of Figueira.
Salema to Figueira
Distance: 3.9 km
Walking time: approximately 1 hour 15 minutes
We did the walk on a scorching hot October day, so our pace was decidedly leisurely!
It’s a useful reminder that if you’re planning walking in the Algarve, you need to consider the temperature even outside the main summer months. Take plenty of water, sun protection and a hat and choose sensible footwear.
Time for brunch in Figueira
Arriving in Figueira gave us the perfect excuse to stop for something to eat.
We headed to O Sapinho café/restaurant for a well-earned brunch before continuing the walk.
One of our favourite things about exploring the Algarve this way is that the walk itself becomes part of the day. There’s no need to rush from A to B.
A countryside walk, something to eat in a neighbouring village, a trip to the beach and a beautiful coastal walk home sounds like a pretty good day to us!
Walking from Figueira to the beach
Suitably refreshed, our next destination was Praia da Figueira.
Figueira village to Praia da Figueira
Distance: 1.4 km
Walking time: approximately 20 minutes
At the end comes the reward: Figueira’s beautiful, secluded sandy beach.
After walking beneath the hot Algarve sun, the opportunity to cool down with a swim was too tempting to resist.
So, swimming gear is definitely worth adding to your rucksack!
Returning to Salema along the Algarve clifftops
After our swim, it was time to head home.
But instead of simply retracing our route through the countryside, we returned to Salema along the coastal pathway across the clifftops.
And we’re very glad we did.
This was undoubtedly one of the highlights of the walk.
With the Atlantic stretching out beside you and wonderful views along the Algarve coastline, there are plenty of excuses to stop, take photographs and simply enjoy the scenery.
Praia da Figueira to Salema
Distance: 2.5 km
Walking time: approximately 1 hour
That hour included quite a few photo stops!
The clifftop section involves uneven coastal terrain, so we’d recommend sensible footwear and taking extra care around exposed areas and cliff edges.
Before long, Salema comes back into view and you’re heading home (or to the bar!) after a brilliant few hours exploring this beautiful part of the Western Algarve.
Salema to Figueira circular walk: route details
The complete route we walked was:
Salema → Figueira village: 3.9 km / 1 hour 15 minutes
Figueira → Praia da Figueira: 1.4 km / 20 minutes
Praia da Figueira → Salema: 2.5 km / approximately 1 hour
Total distance: approximately 7.8 km
Total walking time: approximately 2 hours 35 minutes
That’s the actual walking time from our trip, rather than including our leisurely brunch in Figueira and swim at the beach.
If you’re on holiday, we’d recommend allowing considerably longer. After all, what’s the rush?
What to take on an Algarve walk
If you’re planning to follow our route, we’d suggest taking:
- Comfortable trainers or walking shoes with good grip
- Plenty of drinking water
- Sun cream
- A sun hat
- Swimming costume and towel
- Sunglasses
- A phone or camera for the views
We’d also recommend checking the weather before setting off and avoiding the hottest part of the day when temperatures are high.
The terrain changes considerably during the walk, from village streets to countryside tracks and uneven coastal paths, so good footwear is far more suitable than flip-flops.
Walking holidays in the Algarve
The Algarve is understandably associated with sunshine, beaches and golf, but walking is another fantastic way to explore the region.
And choosing an Algarve villa holiday with Simply Salema gives you the freedom to mix days beside your private pool with walks, beach trips, meals out and trips to nearby villages.
That’s particularly true when staying in Salema.
You don’t necessarily need to plan a major excursion or get in the car to discover somewhere new. Simply pull on your walking shoes and start exploring.
Things to do in Salema during your Algarve holiday
If you’re researching things to do in Salema before your holiday, we’d definitely put a walk to Figueira on the list.
It combines so much of what we love about this part of Portugal:
- Peaceful countryside
- Traditional Algarve villages
- Fantastic coastal scenery
- Beautiful sandy beaches
- Swimming in the Atlantic
- Local places to eat
- Spectacular clifftop walks
Best of all, it can all be enjoyed starting and finishing in Salema.
Stay in Salema and discover the Western Algarve
For us, this walk sums up one of the great pleasures of a villa holiday in Salema.
You can wake up in your villa, have breakfast, put on your walking shoes and set off to explore. Within a few hours you’ve walked through the Algarve countryside, visited another village, enjoyed brunch, discovered a secluded beach, gone for a swim and walked home along the clifftops.
Then it’s back to your Simply Salema villa to cool off, put your feet up and decide what to do tomorrow.
If you’re looking for a luxury Algarve villa holiday that gives you easy access to beaches, countryside and some fantastic walking routes, Salema makes a wonderful base for discovering this beautiful corner of Portugal.
And if you’re already booked to stay with us?
Put the Salema to Figueira circular walk on your holiday to-do list.
Just don’t forget the swimming costume!
