From £1,225pp
Including flights
Saga Hosted Hotels
Special Interest
Birdwatching
Birdwatching in the Algarve
Half Board Plus
7 nights
London Gatwick Airport
Galé, Albufeira, Portugal
Discover the birds of the Algarve on this holiday, which introduces you to some of the area's important birding sites. The Algarve has been described as one of Europe's 'best-kept secrets' in terms of the species that can be found here. We'll be accompanied by an expert host who'll guide us on five birdwatching visits. Watch out for the glossy ibis at the lagoon of dos Selgados, scan the sky for raptors in Sagres, and pass through grasslands and oak woods amidst the steppe of Alentejo as you keep your eye out for the elusive bustard.
Your holiday includes
Expert host
Five included excursions
Welcome drink reception
Five included excursions and visits
Half board: All breakfasts and dinners
International flights
Minimum 20kg checked luggage, per person
Porterage at your hotel
Exceptional value every time
Saga Host
Our trained hosts will welcome you and ensure you enjoy your holiday. We also offer 24/7 support if needed.
Insurance
Included optional travel insurance or £20pp price reduction if not required.
Included excursions
Baixo Alentejo
1 / 5
The steppe landscape of the lower part of Alentejo province includes the Special Protection Area of Castro Verde. with its grasslands and oak woods. Look out here for great and little bustards, the hen harrier and black-bellied sandgrouse. Raptors, including kites and even eagles, may be seen in this diverse and enigmatic area.
Lagoa dos Salgados
1 / 5
Visit this coastal freshwater lagoon covering over 120 acres and enclosed by dunes and vegetation. Regarded as an 'Important Bird Area' with some 200 species recorded, it has a wealth of water birds including the flamingo, glossy ibis and squacco heron.
Ria Formosa
1 / 5
Over 300 species of bird have been recorded in this stunning wetland including Audouin's gull, not to mention some 30,000 migratory visitors and wintering species such as the red-crested pochard.
Sagres
1 / 5
The Sagres peninsula lies in the far south west. There are over 300 bird species recorded here, and it is particularly noted for raptors, including the booted eagle, and eurasian griffon vulture. Steppe and seabirds such as the greater short-toed lark and the tawny pipit, as well as migratory species, may also be seen here.
Eastern Algarve
1 / 5
Starting with the capital of the Algarve, Faro, today’s tour takes us around the sandy beaches and traditional fishing ports of the eastern Algarve. It’s from here that we’ll find out more about Faro’s 13th century Old Town as well as the whitewashed Moorish city of Olhão. As we continue up the coast to Tavira, we’ll be right on the edge of Ria Formosa Natural Park where the salt pans and tidal lagoons are fringed with flamingos. Tavira’s medieval castle and 4th century Roman bridge conjure up a historic back story as we cross the Gilão River and make our way to the beautiful beaches and shallow lagoons of Cacela Velha. After a paddle in some of Portugal’s warmest waters, we’ll visit the last location on this eastern Algarve excursion, Vila Real de Santo Antonio. Situated on the Portuguese side of the border with Spain, this is where our tour concludes surrounded by terraced vineyards and the banks of the Guadiana River.
Location
Galé is a peaceful seaside village with a scattering of seasonal bars and restaurants and an Apollonia supermarket to the rear of the hotel (Portugal's answer to Waitrose). Albufeira's old town is just seven kilometres away, easily accessible by taxi or local bus, which runs frequently. In the opposite direction, around the same distance, you can explore the town of Armação de Pêra with its cliff-backed beaches dotted with colourful fishing boats. There are also some great walking opportunities from the hotel a...
Hotel details
Balcony
Kitchenette
Fridge
Microwave
Safe extra charge
Hairdryer
Kettle
Television
Breakfast is buffet style while dinner is served á la carte.
Two bars
One restaurant
Gardens and outdoor areas
Outdoor pool
Heated indoor pool
Wellness centre (extra charge)
Fitness centre
Free Wi-Fi
Laundry service (extra charge)
24-hour Reception
Shop
Availability
Flight
Best deal
Feb 17, 2026
Feb 24, 2026
Tue - 15:10
Tue - 18:50
London Gatwick Airport
7 nights
From £1,225pp