The Algarve is one of Portugal’s most exuberant nature regions. Impressive beaches, charming cities, breathtaking caves… are some of the wonders you can enjoy in the south of the country. But, if you plan to travel here, there are some things that you should know to make the most of the experience.
In this article, I’ll give you some advice to see the best of the Algarve without setbacks.
When?
Although it can be enjoyed in any month of the year, the best time to visit the Algarve is in September.
- July and August are the high seasons. It won’t be crowded like Benidorm, but it will lose some of its charms. In addition finding parking for the car could get complicated in some spots like Benagil Cave.
- September is also part of the high season, but there are fewer people and the water is at its best temperature. In addition, it’s the beginning of the school year, so there are not as many children on the beaches.
- The rest of the year there are many fewer tourists and you can enjoy the more authentic Algarve. I love it! However, you have to keep in mind that some tourist services are suspended or do not provide service with the same frequency.
What kinds of transport can I use in the Algarve?
If you want to visit some inland cities or you want to make a trip to the beaches of the Costa Vicentina, Sagres or Cabo de San Vicente, it is almost essential to use a car or motorbike.
It is also very convenient if we stay in one of the hotel complexes isolated from the cities and with poor communication with public transport.
- Only the most important cities such as Faro, Lagos, Olhao, Tavira or Portimao have good communication by public transport (train and bus).
- Other smaller cities such as Albufeira, Quarteira, Vilamoura or Loule only have the bus as a means of transport.
Both, the railway and the bus run without problems, but they will limit you a lot if you want to know more remote areas.
Tips:
If you are going to visit other cities using public transport, especially by bus, it is better to do it during the week and in the morning. In the afternoon a lot of intercity services end pretty soon and you can get stranded. During the weekends the frequency of buses is reduced a lot. Be well informed about the timetables and don’t rule out using the train as an alternative method as it runs until around midnight on some routes (see the page of the railways and Portuguese buses).
Boat routes
In many cities you will find boat routes or tours that offer tours with various attractions:
- In Benagil beach, Carvoeiro beach and Ponta da Piedade there are tours to see some of the best caves in the Algarve.
- In Faro, there are routes along the Ría Formosa.
- In Lagos, there are tours to see dolphins and nearby caves.
Each one of them has many sellers trying to promote their tour. The best thing is not to pick up the first one, but to compare the different prices, packages and offers that are offered before booking one of them.
How to get around by car?
As we have already seen, the Algarve’s public transport won’t get you everywhere. So the best way to visit the Algarve is by car or motorbike. If you live far away to drive to the Algarve, don’t worry, there are plenty of car rental agencies.
Keep in mind that there are many tolls in Portugal. In the Algarve, the toll motorway is the A22 that runs the entire length of the region. The journey from one end to the other is worth just under 10 euros.
If you want to save some euros, you can drive on the road N-125 which is free. The N-125 is the typical secondary road that passes through the villages so it is a little slower, although it is not an uncomfortable route and you will see the area and also visit some less touristy villages.
If you are going to drive on the A22, keep in mind that the toll system is electronic, in which there are no payment booths. In some points of the highway, there are cameras that record the license plate of your vehicle and you will be charged according to the distance you travel. If you want to know more about tolls, read our guide about tolls in Portugal.
How many days do I need to see the Algarve?
The answer to this question is more personal than anything else. I like to take things easy, without running from one place to another, but… it’s not always possible.
Anyway, if you want to see the whole Algarve area, it would be ideal to use at least between 5 and 7 days.
If you can stay for 7 days, you could schedule it like this:
- 3 days to get to know the western part: Portimao, Lagos, Sagres, Silves…
- 2 days to enjoy the atmosphere and the beaches of Carvoeiro, Lago, and Albufeira
- 2 days to explore the east coast: Tavira, Faro…
Where do I stay?
- If you want to travel around the Algarve, the best option is to stay in an intermediate place, such as Albufeira or the surrounding villages.
- If you are more interested in knowing the eastern area, a good place to stay would be Tavira.
- And if you want to get to know the west, you can stay in Lagos. Keep in mind that Lagos is quite touristy, so if you’re looking for tranquility or more competitive prices look for a better village in the vicinity.
In addition, each place has its own character:
- Albufeira is the preferred destination for those looking for sun, beach, and drink, without any further pretensions. Quarteira and Vilamoura have a similar type of tourism.
- Tavira has a much quieter atmosphere, which makes it ideal for middle-aged tourism.
- Lagos, although it is a very touristic city, its life is not so focused on the beach and the hostelry and tourism merge well with local traditions. Even so, Lagos does not give up nightlife or youthful leisure.
- Faro is, mainly, a city of passage, but with an attractive historical center.
Approximate prices
Restaurants
Like everything else, prices depend on how touristy the area is and what type of tourism you are looking for. However, in general, you can easily find sites with very good value for money.
If you eat in local restaurants the dish is usually worth between 5 and 9 €. And with 3 dishes two people, that do not to eat too much, could have enough. A complete meal for 2 people could cost you between 20 and 40 €, depending on the plates that you choose.
- A cheaper option is to eat the soup of the day, which usually costs between 1.5 € and 3 €.
- If you want to eat something more elaborate, such as the famous cataplana or some rice, calculate about 30 € (for two people), plus drinks.
In restaurants, while waiting for the main dishes, it is customary to serve you some starters of bread, butter, olives, pâtés, etc. They’re not free. They’re usually priced at 1 € each. They’ll charge you only if you eat them.
You have to be careful because in some tourist sites a few slices of bread, some olives and a tub of butter can cost more than 5 €. If you don’t want them, leave them and tell the waiter to take them away.
Drinks in bars
- Coffee only: 0,6-1 €
- Coffee with milk: 1-1,3 €
- Soft drinks: 1-1,5 €
- Beer cane: 1-1,5 €
- Drinks with alcohol: 4 € in non-tourist places and between 6 and 10 € in places with more atmosphere
Supermarket
- 6 eggs L: 0,84 €
- 1 liter of milk: 0,40 €
- 8 yogurts: 0,90 €
- 1 liter of juice: 0,60-1 €
- 1 kg apples: 1,3 €
- 1 kg watermelon: 0,60 €
- 1 kg bananas: 1,08 €
- 1 kg of tomatoes: 0,70-1 €
Gasoline
The price of gasoline is not cheap in Portugal. A lot of people cross the border into Spain only to fill up the gas tank.
During the summer of 2017, the price of diesel ranged from 1.16 to 1.26 euros in Portugal, while in Spain it was just over 1 €. The most expensive prices are those of the gas stations that are on the toll motorway A22, as you move away, the prices go down.