🇵🇹 Algarve from East to West - Top cities and places 🇵🇹
Introduction
Algarve is a beautiful place but also very touristic. In my opinion, I would say that it is more a place to relax and experience nature than to go for the cultural aspects - even though you can definitely find both.
How long should you stay ?
A week seems more than enough if you want to visit Algarve - depending on what you looking for. You could even do less by having a more intense journey but will still remain enjoyable.
The Weather
In Algarve, you are very unlikely to be disappointed by the weather. However, bare in minds that you are near the ocean and thus it can get windy and chill at night (and day sometimes) - don't forget your jacket/sweatshirt !
The Budget
Traveling in Algarve is affordable. Portugal in general, from my experience, is among one of the most economical countries in Europe. Algarve has the specificity (and reputation) of being the most expensive region in Portugal. Still, a pint of beer will cost you around 3 euros - and even lower sometimes. I would say from my experience that a night will on average be around 50-60 euros per nights for a 3 star hotel. For a meal, 10-15 euros will get you something that will for sure fulfil your appetite.
Transport
Airports
Faro
This airport is the easier to get to Algarve. Already sets you in the area and good entry point to start your itinerary. Close to the city center, it has also the convenience of being quite small, which has its advantages.
Lisboa
More flight options, bigger airport, however a bit far. Bus exist to do the liaison Lisboa - Faro. By car otherwise you can think of around 3h from Lisboa to Faro.
Get around in Algarve
Once you are in algarve, plenty of options are offered to you. I have personally used a mixture of them and I would say it comes down to your budget and how you want to spend your time.
Bus
You can get across Algarve pretty easily. However, bare in minds that you may have a lot of connections to do to get from point A to point B - thus making you lose a lot of time.
Uber
Yes, the American company has taken over the Portuguese south. With Uber (or regular cab by the way) you can travel from town to town at a quite affordable budget. Around 30-35 euros from Faro to Albufeira (40-45min drive), around 20-25 euros from Albufeira to Lagos (around 30 min drive). Thus, where a bus ticket from Albufeira to Lagos cost you 15 euros, if you are two or more, you may be tempted to take a Uber.
Car
Pretty affordable. Renting a car can seem one of the best option to get around if you travel as a couple or group. Distance between cities are usually within an hour. Driving in Portugal is safe - nothing special compare to other places in Europe (e.g. Italy or France). As cities are human size, you will never encounter the experience of driving like being in a major city.
Van
Roadtrips in Algarve is something that has already caught the attention of loads of tourists. You have plenty of areas where you could stop by and it's an alternative way of exploring Algarve.
My advice: depending on how many you are, you may want to get a car or an UBER. If solo, bus is a good option but will still limit you for some places (e.g. Benagil).
What to do - a suggestive tour
Assuming you are lending in Faro, this would be the itinerary I would advise you to do:
Day 1
As you would lend to Faro mid-day, let's say you get to your hotel and are ok to start your adventure from the afternoon. I would avise you to take this opportunity to visit Faro and take it lightly from here. It is your first day so let it be chill (or not 🤷♂️). Faro is a quite small town and everything is accessible by walking. Here is a list of what you have to visit at Faro:
You can start you journey at the Faro sign on the marina
from here, you can walk along the marina and head you way to:
this is the entrance of the "old town", bare in minds that most of the major cities in Algarve have what they call an "old town". I may be a bit hard on them (sorry my fellow Portuguese friends) but there is usually little to see. Most of the time it will take you couple of hours (1-2 hours at max) to visit everything. In this part of Faro you will be able to observe those places:
BONUS TIME
If you go towards the main parking on the east side, you will be able to see the walls of the castle and the Ria Formosa (one tiny part) at the end of this parking on the east part, you will have the church Igreja de Sao Francisco - which is nice - and the Memorial dos Pescadores Farenses. Those two are really bonus and are not "essential to your visit" but because you may be like 3 min walking from there, why not ...
On your way back to the city center, I would strongly advise you to pass through the Belmarço palace. The place is very cute and the architecture is splendid. You will also find the Consulado Brasileiro that stands out by its yellow colour.
From here, you can just explore the city center, its small and cute streets, and head to the last main place to visit: the Church of the third order of Our Lady of Monte do Carmo and the cappela dos Ossos de Faro
Where to stay
Day 2
For this second day I would advise you to go to Tavira, Olhão and the Ria Formosa. Tavira is a very charming city and it's the perfect destination to kick-off your second day. You can spend your morning over there, have a lunch.
Here, my advice would be to visit/see the Castelo de Tavira and from there just explore the area. The ponte antiga de Tavira is also one of the main thing to see, but again, I found the real charm of those cities is just to explore the small streets and just embrace the Portuguese vibe with little shops and coffee.
From Tavira, I would strongly advise to go to Olhão as it is one of the main hub to explore the Ria Formosa.
Here, let me give you the contact of THE GUY, Manuel who has a boat company, a local from culatra islands and who is an angel. He will make you visit the Ria Formosa and their islands, bring you eventually to its place for an oyster tasting session paired with green wine from Portugal, and just give you plenty of anecdotes about its hometown.
Where to eat
Little story time: when we went with a friend, we told him that we were in love with the infamous Pastel de Nata. He could not contain his laugh as we seemed so desperate to have our Pastel de Nata for the day; therefore he offered to take us to his favorite pastry shop. We were so excited! At the end of the tour, like he said he showed, and kindly let us eat, some of those beautiful pastries, which I ranked some of the best Pastel de Nata of my stay. That my friends, is the perfect example of the Portuguese hospitality.
After this long day and all of these sweets, I would say it's time to go back to Faro for a fado night. Indeed, Fado music is a typical genre in Portugal. It is a memorable experience both by the incredible voice and the performance of the singer.
Day 3
To kick-off your day, from Faro take the road to Loulé.
Other than the market, explore the streets of Loulé, visit if you want the castle (very little museum but gives you the view once you get on the top). Other than that, a break at the Jardin dos Amuados is a nice way to finish your visit of Loulé.
Where to eat
For the rest of the day, let's head to the one and only: Benagil caves ! To get there there is no direct bus. Cab, car or Uber would be your go to - and yes, you can easily find an uber on your way back.
Here I put you two of the best options I found.
- Kayaking: Once you arrive in Benagil, you will encounters several company that offers you to rent a kayak. Usually it's 2-persons kayak (FYI). Personally, I went with Clear emotions. It costs us 41.95 euros for two from 5-7pm. I preferred going for the late afternoon so that you have less people and can take nice pictures. The way around (going there super early) is also a way to go.
- Boat: some companies leaving from Albufeira Marina will offer several types of tour: Caves, Dolphins + Caves. It offers you a different type of experience and it is up to you to choose whatever suits you best.
Where to eat
After this stay, it should already be an exhaustive day. I would advise you to spend the night near Albufeira.
BONUS TIME
Where to stay
Where to eat
- The restaurant of the Club Med is a nice option. You can access to it by getting a day/evening pass (around 70 euros for the 10 am - 6pm session). You will get access to all the amenities including the free-flow bar and buffet restaurant which offers local speciality (be careful it is not everyday for the speciality and don't expect grandmother's food).
- For a drink I would advise you this place. Does not seem "the place" but had a nice vibe, nice songs, two pool tables and a nice staff.
Other than that (I know quite poor on the suggestions sorry), Albufeira is filled with very touristic restaurants. Are they bad ? No, but compare to what you can find in Portugal it's a pity.
Where to go out
Day 4
On this 4th day (already), we head to the ancient Maure capital - Silves.
Among the thing to see in Silves, here are the two main attractions:
After this escapade, you have the choice to make your way to Monchique and Foia (the highest point of Algarve)
Where to eat
In my (humble) opinion, Lagos is one of the best city in Algarve. The nice streets, churches, restaurants and pubs. I recommend it to anyone who ask me about whats to see in Algarve.
Where to eat
For a drink, I would recommend a place very atypic, with a german owner who has an outstanding collection of Gin. Excellent cocktail and very intimate - a go to. It is Rua Soeiro Da costa if you drop by. I unfortunately don't remember the name of the place
Day 5
At this stage you have already experienced Algarve in a deep way - lucky you !
Today rhythm with beaches. I will make a full guide on the most beautiful beaches in Algarve 🤩 it will be attach just here 👇.
Meanwhile, South of Lagos you have plenty of nice beaches to explore, one of the most well known is Praia do Camilo.
After a nice sunbath, THE OPPORTUNITY to not miss is the sunset at Cabo São Vicente. It is THE SPOT to take your most beautiful pictures. To all my dear Van-travellers, this is where you want to take your 4-wheels home. On your way there, don't miss the Sagres Fortress. Because you might have a difference between your visit at the fortress and the sunset, you might want to stop by the center of Sagres to get a beer.
Fun story: they don't serve Sagres in Sagres, only Superbock - at least in the bar I went.
BONUS TIME
THE END
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