The Algarve region in Southern Portugal is a top travel destination for Brits and Americans, and it’s easy to see why. A holiday to the Algarve offers something for everyone, including, beaches, hiking, nightlife, culture and fantastic food. It’s also a fantastic destination for many sports including surfing and golf. Where you choose to spend your time in the Algarve will often depend on your favourite activities. In this blog, we will take a look at the best destinations along the Algarve coast, and help you to decide where to choose. We also offer advice on travelling around the region.
When to visit the Algarve
The best time to visit the Algarve is from May through to September when the weather is warm and sunny. Bear in mind that August can be very crowded and the sun can be very strong, so the shoulder seasons (May and September) are more highly recommended than the height of summer if you want to avoid this.
What to pack for the Algarve?
Remember that what you pack for the Algarve will be different if you’re packing for the summer rather than the winter. In the winter, the temperature can drop down to around 15-20°C, so you would be packing more jeans and jumpers at this time of the year.
Presuming that you will be visiting in high season when it is warm and sunny, you will need to pack a few bikinis or swimming costumes/swim shorts along with sun cream and a sun hat. A sarong or beach skirt can be good for covering up when you are walking to the sea and also doubles up as a scarf or shawl on cooler nights.
Pack comfortable footwear for the Algarve because the streets can be cobbled and hilly. There is also a great deal of walking and hiking to be done. I would recommend that you pack three items of footwear – walking boots, comfortable sandals and flip flops for the beach.
Clothing can be casual, but remember that the Portuguese make an effort to dress up nicely for meals out and so take a few nice dresses or shirts and trousers with shoes for the men. T-shirts, shorts, leggings and maxi dresses are perfect for the Algarve.
How long should I spend in the Algarve?
In just one week in the Algarve you will probably be able to enjoy at least two or three destinations. I’d recommend that you do a split centre holiday with half in Faro and half in Lagos and then take day trips out.
The Algarve – Getting there and away
There are two main airports in the Algarve – Lagos and Faro. Both of these airports are popular for Brits to fly into because they are served by the cheap airlines such as Easyjet and Ryanair, and it’s possible to get great value flights from Manchester, Liverpool and London. Many Americans will fly into Lisbon as the capital city has flight connections to many U.S cities. You will be pleased to know that it’s easy to get to the Algarve from Lisbon by train and bus. There is a direct train to Faro, which takes approximately 3 hours (depending on which train you get).
Once you arrive in the Algarve, the train network connects all of the main cities along the coast from Lagos in the West all the way to Vila Real de Santo Antonio on the Spanish border.
Top destinations in the Algarve
Some of the top destinations in the Algarve are Faro, Loule, Lagos, Tavira and Albufeira. Here’s a run down of the most popular Algarve destinations and what they offer….
- Lagos – Touristy old town, Lagos Museum and St. Anthony Church, gorgeous beaches and surfing opportunities.
- Faro – The capital of the Algarve with a historical centre, Chapel of Bones, harbour and Faro Cathedral and Bell Tower.
- Loule – Slightly inland and a more authentically Portuguese town with colourful buildings, a castle and a hidden Church.
- Tavira – Traditional Portuguese Old town on the Gilão River, Tavira castle, Sainta Maria Castelo Church and lagoons of the Ria Formosa natural park.
- Albufeira – Popular tourist town with a historical centra and plenty of nightlife along the Albufeira strip (great for partying).
- Portimao – Popular holiday destination due to Praia de Rocha beach
- Silves – Traditional Moorish old town with Moorish castle.
- Monchique – inland Algarvian town perfect for hiking and mountain biking
There are also many more calm and relaxing destinations along the Algarve for anyone wanting a quieter holiday – check out Alvor, Carvoeiro and Olhao.
We hope that you have enjoyed this guide to the Algarve. One more thing, don’t forget to try the Portuguese food and drink while you’re there – especially the bacalhau (codfish) and Ginja (cherry liquor)!
