Private Driver at Your Disposal from Vila Joya
About Vila Joya
Vila Joya is a Moorish-style boutique resort on a cliff above Praia da Galé, home to one of Portugal's most celebrated two-Michelin-star restaurants.
From your suite at Vila Joya, step into a private Mercedes-Benz and explore the Algarve at the pace of a Michelin tasting menu. Hidden coves, Moorish hilltop towns and Spanish day trips, all without a steering wheel in sight.
Popular day trips from Vila Joya
- Benagil Sea Caves — 25 km, 30 min. Drive to the boat launch for the famous cathedral cave; we coordinate the boat in advance.
- Silves — 20 km, 25 min. Old Moorish capital with red-sandstone castle, cathedral and traditional restaurants.
- Lagos & Ponta da Piedade — 55 km, 45 min. Golden cliffs, hidden beaches and the historic centre of Lagos.
- Sagres & Cabo de São Vicente — 85 km, 1h 10min. Europe's south-westernmost point, Henry the Navigator's fortress and dramatic Atlantic cliffs.
- Monchique mountains — 45 km, 50 min. Cork forests, hot springs and the highest point of the Algarve. Lunch at a mountain tasca.
- Tavira & Eastern Algarve — 85 km, 1h 10min. The most authentic Algarvian town: Roman bridge, white churches and Ria Formosa boat trips.
- Seville (Spain) — 210 km, 2h 15min. Day trip across the border: cathedral, Alcázar and tapas in Santa Cruz.
What's included
- Private Mercedes-Benz (E-Class, V-Class or Sprinter) at your disposal
- Professional English-speaking driver
- Pickup and drop-off directly at Vila Joya
- All fuel, tolls, parking and driver expenses included
- Flexible itinerary — change plans on the day, no penalty
- Booking advice for restaurants, wineries and attractions
- 24/7 customer support during your stay
Sample days
- Half-day: Benagil & Silves: Boat to the Benagil cave in the morning, lunch in Silves under the castle walls, back at the pool by 4pm.
- Full-day: West Coast & Sagres: Lagos for the morning, lunch in a clifftop restaurant, Cabo de São Vicente at golden hour.
- Full-day: Seville: Early start, Cathedral and Alcázar with skip-the-line, tapas lunch, return at sunset.
Frequently asked questions
How does pricing work for a driver at your disposal?
Pricing is per private vehicle (entire group), not per person. Half-day, full-day and multi-day rates are available. Send us your dates and the places you want to visit, and we will reply within 24 hours with a custom quote.
Can the itinerary change during the day?
Yes. The driver is at your disposal for the booked time. If you want to skip a stop, add an extra visit or stay longer somewhere, just say the word. No surcharges for in-day changes within the booked hours.
Do you handle restaurant and activity reservations?
Yes. Once your driver is confirmed, our team helps with restaurant bookings, museum tickets, winery visits and boat tours. We know the partners that take last-minute Vila Joya guests.
What vehicles are available?
Mercedes-Benz E-Class for up to 3 guests, V-Class for 1 to 7 guests, and Sprinter for groups up to 19. The right vehicle is matched to your group size when we send the quote.
How far in advance should I request a driver?
We recommend at least 3 to 5 days in advance to guarantee the right vehicle and driver. Same-day or next-day requests are sometimes possible — write to us and we will check availability.