ESTÓI
Step into a 200-year-old village frozen in time. Azulejos, white-washed walls, locals. This is the Algarve before tourism. No crowds. Just real.
max 8 travellers.
Free 24h cancellation · Pickup in Faro · Not a Boat Tour

Step into a 200-year-old village frozen in time. Azulejos, white-washed walls, locals. This is the Algarve before tourism. No crowds. Just real.
A secret emerald-green lagoon formed by the Asseca stream, hidden 7km inland. The water is mesmerizing, the legend is spine-chilling, and yes... you're swimming in freshwater surrounded by orange trees and total tranquility.
Full of history, proper cobbled streets, 37 churches and real life. You have two hours to explore and lunch. Our guide points you to the best spots. You wander. You eat. You belong.
An island beach like no other. You can take a charming narrow-gauge train across the Ria Formosa marshes... watching birds and salt lagoons glide by for 10 minutes... or enjoy an easy 15-minute walk. Either way, you'll arrive at pristine white sand. Look for the haunting anchor cemetery, a memorial to the tuna fishermen who once called this home. Walk, swim, explore.









about this full-day experience.

Alfândega de Faro
Near Eva Senses Hotel. Our guide will be waiting in our 9-seater van. Arrive 10 minutes early.
Book your spot
Come as a traveller. Leave with new friends, endless stories, and the feeling that you finally saw the real Algarve.
"Don't think. Just book it. You won't be disappointed."
Still have questions?
Send us a messageEight hours, four locations, and exactly what happens when. Click each stop to see more details.
We'll be waiting for you at Alfândega de Faro in our 9-seater van. Come 10 minutes early to make sure everyone's here. If you're unsure where it is, exact location and parking details will be sent to you after booking. This is where the adventure begins.
Step into a 200-year-old village frozen in time. You'll visit the Igreja Matriz (the beautiful main church), wander through the stunning free gardens of the Palácio de Estoi (we explore the exterior and grounds, not inside), and stroll through the most emblematic streets where locals actually live. Azulejos, white-washed walls, locals going about their day. This is the Algarve before tourism took hold — real, authentic, unhurried.
A secret emerald-green lagoon formed by the Asseca stream, hidden 7km inland. Crystal-clear freshwater, surrounded by orange trees and an eerie legend about a wagon that fell and vanished into the depths. The water is mesmerizing, the moment is spine-chilling, and yes — you're swimming. This is where the tour becomes an adventure.
A proper Portuguese town full of history, 37 churches, and real life. Simão will show you the key spots and point you to the best restaurants and cafés for lunch — real places where locals actually eat. You've got two hours to explore, eat, and belong. Wander cobbled streets, get lost on purpose, eat like a local. This is where you stop being a tourist and start living the moment.
An island beach like no other. You can take a charming narrow-gauge train (€4 return, 10 minutes) across the Ria Formosa marshes, watching birds and salt lagoons glide by — or enjoy an easy 15-minute boardwalk through the nature reserve. Either way, you arrive at pristine white sand with zero crowds. Look for the anchor cemetery, a haunting memorial to the tuna fishermen who once called this home. Swim, explore, sit in the sand and just be.
Same location you started. Completely different person. You're now full of stories, new friends from your group, the taste of salt air still on your skin, and the kind of exhaustion that comes from a day well-lived. You're already thinking about when you'll come back.
Don't just visit the Algarve.
Feel it. Live it. Remember it forever.
Felt like spending the day with friends — not strangers on a tour.
Every stop. Every angle. Photos you'll actually keep.
The real Algarve — the spots most tourists never find.
Passionate locals who love what they do — and it shows.
Free pickup in Faro. No stress. No planning. Just show up.
"I usually hate tours because of the rush and the big groups, but this felt like going out with friends."
unforgettable.
Simão is the heart and soul of Choose Your Route. He founded the company with a vision to show travellers the real Algarve, not the tourist version. He knows the coast like the back of his hand — the viewpoints most guides miss, the best angles for photos, the hidden paths that lead somewhere extraordinary. He keeps the group laughing all day, goes out of his way to speak the language of every traveller in the van, and finds the best spots even when the crowds show up. Calm, resourceful, and quietly brilliant.
João is the guide travellers remember by name. A marine biologist who knows every plant, creature, and cliff on this coast — and shares it all with infectious enthusiasm. He plays a custom playlist with songs from every country in the group, learns everyone's name before the first stop, and somehow always finds the perfect photo angle. Warm, funny, and genuinely passionate about the Algarve.
Geraldine brings an energy that lifts the entire group from the first hello. Knowledgeable, funny, and with an extraordinary eye for photography — travellers consistently say she took better photos of them than any professional ever had. She holds hands on steep paths, remembers everyone's preferences, and makes even the quieter members of the group feel seen.
Diana is the guide who makes you forget you're on a tour. Her love for the Algarve is visible in every stop, every story, every photo she takes of you. Fluent in multiple languages, she adapts to every group — from couples on a romantic day to families with curious kids. Energetic, warm, and completely genuine.
"That was my first solo trip, and it was absolutely amazing! João's smile and positive energy made the whole ride unforgettable. Once we reached the beaches, the weather cleared — and so did any doubt I had about coming alone."
"Such a fantastic day trip. Simão made us feel comfortable straight away. He took great photos throughout the day and made sure nobody felt left out. We saw amazing sights and had enough free time to stroll around."
"Fabulous tour. Exceeded our expectations, especially for the kids, who initially didn't want to go. The 8 hours went by so quickly. Geraldine was brilliant — so welcoming, friendly and knowledgeable. She made the trip fab."
"One of the best trips! I'm so glad I chose this! Simon is a great guide — we had so much fun! I would recommend again and again! Highlight was jumping off the cliffs."
Based on 2,126 traveller reviews
Google · Viator · GetYourGuide · Tripadvisor
"One of the highlights of my life!! João went over and above any expectations. He shared his love for all creatures and kept us safe while we explored."
"It felt more like spending the day with a passionate friend than being on a tour. Geraldine made sure we all had the best time — and the photos she took were incredible."
"By far the best tour we've ever experienced. Diana was so personable and went above and beyond to make everyone feel welcome. Unforgettable."
"Our excursion felt like a family trip. João played a playlist with songs from every country in the group. He knew everyone's names by the end of the morning."
"Don't think. Just book it. You won't be disappointed. João is the reason it was by far the most memorable day of my entire vacation to the Algarve."
"Geraldine was EXCELLENT! She kept my 2 teenagers fully engaged and they had a blast. The whole experience from start to finish was warm, friendly and professional."
"I usually hate tours because of the rush and the big groups, but this felt like going out with friends. Absolutely worth every penny!"
"That was my first solo trip, and it was absolutely amazing! João's smile and positive energy made the whole ride unforgettable. Cannot recommend enough."
"Such a fantastic day trip. Simão made us feel comfortable straight away. He took great photos throughout the day and made sure nobody felt left out."
"Fabulous tour. Exceeded our expectations, especially for the kids, who initially didn't want to go. The 8 hours went by so quickly. Geraldine was brilliant!"
"One of the best trips! I'm so glad I chose this! Simon is a great guide — we had so much fun! I would recommend again and again!"
"Perfect balance of adventure and comfort. We felt like family from the start. The guide made sure everyone was safe, happy, and had the best time possible."
We’ve got you covered.
No! This is a land tour with transport between locations. You’ll explore villages on foot, walk to a hidden waterfall, and visit a beach. At Praia do Barril, you can take a charming narrow-gauge train across the marshes or walk… but it’s not a boat.
We meet right beside the Faro Customs House (Alfândega de Faro).
You will see our van with our guide waiting for you.

The train’s optional. It’s €4 return… takes 10 minutes across the marshes and feels a bit like an adventure. Or walk the boardwalk for free (15 mins, flat, you’ll actually see more wildlife). Our guide will show you both options when you arrive. Your call.
Moderate fitness is enough. You’re walking through villages, a short walk to a hidden waterfall, and exploring a beach… some uneven terrain and gentle paths, but nothing steep. Our guides always adapts the pace to the group.
We stop in Tavira for 2 hours. You’ll find restaurants and cafés for every taste — our guide points you to the best local spots. Or feel free to bring your own food to enjoy in the town or by the river.
Summer days can be warm. Bring a hat, sunscreen and a refillable water bottle. Transport between locations is air-conditioned, so you get breaks from the sun. And at the waterfall and beach, there’s always shade and water to cool off.
Absolutely. Solo travellers are one of our most frequent types of guest. With only 8 people per group you’ll connect quickly. Your guide makes sure no one ever feels left out.
You’ll receive a confirmation email with your tickets attached. If you don’t see it, please check your spam or promotions folder.
Still missing? Just drop us a line at info@chooseyourroute.com
Yes, as long as there’s availability and the minimum number of travellers is met.
Just let us know at least 48 hours before your original tour date and we’ll do our best to sort it.
No problem if you cancel at least 24 hours before the tour, you’ll get a full refund.
Within 24 hours, we’re unable to offer a refund.
If we ever have to cancel on our end due to weather or low bookings, you’ll get a full refund or the option to reschedule. We’ll always let you know as soon as possible.
Come as a traveller,
leave as
Since 2019, we’ve been showing travellers the Algarve in a different way.
More than 10,360 travellers have joined us, and 2,100+ reviews rate us 4.9 stars.
But it’s not just about the places.
It’s about the people you meet and the moments you don’t expect.
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Choose your route.
Max 8 people • From €55 per person
From €55 per person • Max 8 people
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