Formación rocosa con dos arcos naturales en acantilados del Algarve al atardecer, junto a islotes de piedra en aguas cristalinas
Acantilados rocosos al atardecer en el Algarve, con formaciones de piedra emergiendo del mar en calma
Formaciones geológicas de terrazas minerales en tonos ocres, naranjas y rojos con depósitos de agua termal en Mongolia
Surfista con tabla en la orilla del Algarve, visto desde arriba con arena dorada y olas turquesas
Arco de roca caliza en acantilado al atardecer sobre el mar turquesa del Algarve
Arco de roca calcárea en acantilado del Algarve al atardecer con cielo naranja y mar en calma
Vista aérea de acantilados calcáreos del Algarve con cuevas marinas y aguas turquesas
Arco de roca caliza en acantilado costero del Algarve bañado por agua azul
Acantilados de piedra dorada con cuevas marinas en la costa del Algarve, Portugal, junto a aguas azul turquesa
Acantilados de piedra caliza blanca con playa y formaciones rocosas en el Algarve portugués
Acantilados de piedra caliza con arco natural junto a aguas turquesas del Algarve
Acantilados rocosos del Algarve al atardecer con arco natural en el agua y escaleras de acceso en primer plano
Acantilados rocosos de arenisca roja con calas turquesas al atardecer en el Algarve portugués
Acantilados rocosos del Algarve al atardecer con formaciones de piedra emergiendo del océano calmo
Arco de roca natural en el Algarve con aguas turquesas al atardecer, rodeado de formaciones rocosas y olas suaves
Acantilados de arenisca dorada con cueva marina y playa en el Algarve portugués, vegetación verde y mar turquesa al atardecer
Arco de roca natural en acantilado costero al atardecer, rodeado de agua turquesa y rocas oscuras
Marina con cientos de veleros amarrados en filas ordenadas frente a la costa del Algarve portugués

Expeditions · Europe

Algarve, Portugal, February 2027

Four sunrises and five sunsets on the south coast of Portugal

Feb 9-14, 2027 6 days Group of 7 at most 7 seats free
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At a glance

6 days · 5 nights Feb 9-14, 2027
7 participants at mostWith a Zero photography guide
4★ hotelAccommodation
EuropePhotography trip
274 kg CO₂e per travellerEstimated trip footprint

About the expedition

In February the sun rises in the east-south-east and sets in the west-south-west, and the sea-facing southern coast of the Algarve receives both ends of the day. This expedition follows that coast from west to east: Lagos, the limestone cliffs of Carvoeiro and the Ria Formosa at Tavira.

There are four sunrises and five sunsets, chosen for the orientation of each location and the light of the date, with a waxing moon alongside each evening. Two afternoons are devoted to reviewing portfolios and completed work with the guide. Small group, up to 7 participants, and 4-star hotels.

  • Sunset at Ponta da Piedade, among limestone arches and sea stacks
  • Sunrise at Praia do Camilo and sunset at Cabo de São Vicente
  • Marinha at sunrise and at sunset, on two days of different light
  • The red cliffs of Falésia and sunset at Cacela Velha, above the Ria Formosa
  • Two review sessions, of portfolios and of completed work, with the guide
  • A group of 7 at most and 4-star hotels

Itinerary

Day by day

  1. 1
    Day 1 - Feb 9

    Arrival and Ponta da Piedade

    The journey begins at the western end of the southern coast, in Lagos. After arrival, lunch and an unhurried walk through the old town to get your bearings, followed by a briefing with the guide: the week's light, the tides and…

    4★ hotel
    Read the full day

    The journey begins at the western end of the southern coast, in Lagos. After arrival, lunch and an unhurried walk through the old town to get your bearings, followed by a briefing with the guide: the week's light, the tides and the plan for each sunrise. The first session is at sunset at Ponta da Piedade, where the limestone opens into arches and sea stacks over the Atlantic and the sun drops straight into the sea. It is Carnival Tuesday in Portugal.

  2. 2
    Day 2 - Feb 10

    Camilo and the end of Europe

    Before dawn, the wooden staircase at Praia do Camilo and the golden rocks in the first sun. Then west: the fortress of Sagres and an unhurried lunch, because the day is decided at its end. Sunset is at Cabo de São Vicente, the…

    4★ hotel
    Read the full day

    Before dawn, the wooden staircase at Praia do Camilo and the golden rocks in the first sun. Then west: the fortress of Sagres and an unhurried lunch, because the day is decided at its end. Sunset is at Cabo de São Vicente, the south-western tip of continental Europe, with the sun falling into the open ocean.

  3. 3
    Day 3 - Feb 11

    Alvor and Marinha

    Sunrise is at Alvor, with the first light over the rocks and the estuary. Then we change base to the cliffs of Carvoeiro. The middle of the day is for lunch and rest and, in the afternoon, the first portfolio review session: each…

    4★ hotel
    Read the full day

    Sunrise is at Alvor, with the first light over the rocks and the estuary. Then we change base to the cliffs of Carvoeiro. The middle of the day is for lunch and rest and, in the afternoon, the first portfolio review session: each participant presents a selection of their work and the guide comments on reading, editing and composition. Then sunset at Marinha, with the rock arch and the cliff in gold.

  4. 4
    Day 4 - Feb 12

    Marinha in depth

    A second day on the same coast, because the light never repeats. We arrive before dawn at the top of the Mesquita and Marinha cliff and wait. The middle of the day is for editing and rest. In the afternoon, a review session of…

    4★ hotel
    Read the full day

    A second day on the same coast, because the light never repeats. We arrive before dawn at the top of the Mesquita and Marinha cliff and wait. The middle of the day is for editing and rest. In the afternoon, a review session of the work made during the trip: images from the previous days are selected and discussed as a group. The day closes at Praia do Carvalho, more secluded than Marinha, or at Marinha again depending on the sky.

  5. 5
    Day 5 - Feb 13

    Falésia and Cacela Velha

    We leave Carvoeiro in the small hours to reach Praia da Falésia, where the red and ochre cliffs catch the low light of sunrise. Then we transfer east, with lunch and rest in Tavira. The last sunset is at Cacela Velha: the white…

    4★ hotel
    Read the full day

    We leave Carvoeiro in the small hours to reach Praia da Falésia, where the red and ochre cliffs catch the low light of sunrise. Then we transfer east, with lunch and rest in Tavira. The last sunset is at Cacela Velha: the white village above the Ria Formosa and, at low tide, the sandbank drawn by the water. The departure time is adjusted to that day's tide table.

  6. 6
    Day 6 - Feb 14

    Return to Madrid

    Breakfast at the hotel and the journey home. By air from Faro, the flight leaves in the morning; by van from Madrid, arrival is during the afternoon.

Gallery

What's included

Included

  • Five nights in 4-star hotels, in double rooms with breakfast included (Lagos 2, Carvoeiro 2, Tavira 1)
  • Zero Expeditions photography guide throughout the trip
  • 9-seat van for the transfers on the route
  • Four sunrises and five sunsets planned with sun times, azimuth and moon calculated for each location
  • Two portfolio and completed-work review sessions
  • Briefing: the week's light, tides and schedule

Not included

  • Madrid–Faro–Madrid flights, if that option is chosen
  • Travel and cancellation insurance
  • Lunches and dinners, except hotel breakfast
  • Single room supplement: €350
  • Admission to monuments, such as the Sagres fortress
  • Personal expenses and tips

Your guide

Néstor Rodan

Nature photographer

Néstor Rodan is a landscape photographer and photographic travel guide from León, Spain. With deep expertise in the landscapes of northwest Iberia and a passion for extreme, cold-climate destinations like Baikal, Greenland, and Lofoten, he combines storytelling and technical mastery—including drone photography—as a Canon ambassador. Recognized internationally, he leads transformative real-world photography experiences.

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See their 6 trips

Frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in the Algarve in February?

It is a mild month: highs of 16–17 °C and lows of 9–11 °C, with a few rainy days (3 to 5 depending on the source). These are climate averages, not a forecast. Sunrises call for warm clothing.

Will there be a full moon?

No. The new moon is on 6 February and the full moon on 20 February, after the trip. During the expedition the moon is waxing, from 9 % to 55 %.

How do we get to the Algarve?

Departure from Madrid in a 9-seat van is optional (about 800 km and over 7 hours of driving to Lagos). The alternative is to fly from Madrid to Faro; there is a direct flight of 1 h 25 min.

How are the rooms allocated?

Double room, shared with another participant. Those who prefer a single room pay a supplement of €350 per person.

What happens in the review sessions?

One afternoon is devoted to each participant's portfolio and another to the work made during the trip, with the guide's comments on reading, editing and composition.

Another question? Ask the assistant or write to us on WhatsApp.

€1,290 per person · 7 seats free