Before settling in the Algarve we first spent our holidays in the region for several years. In order to share our experience with you, here are some travel tips for a successful trip to the Algarve, in the south of Portugal.

Summary of the article:

1. When to go to the Algarve?

2. Where to stay in the Algarve?

3. Transport and getting around in the Algarve

4. Climate and weather in the Algarve

5. The Algarve with kids

You really want to visit the Algarve but don't know when ?

The Algarve can be visited all year round and the tourist season tends to extend more and more. The best time to go depends on the holiday periods of course but also on what you are looking for.

In high season rentals are from Saturday to Saturday, but in low season you can make great savings by choosing your flights on weekdays.

Visit the Algarve in spring

Spring starts very early in the Algarve: some flowers are already in bloom at the end of December. From March to May it is pleasant to visit the region, March may be a bit wet. April and May are generally good months. The vegetation is magnificent and much earlier than anywhere else in Europe. The sun can be very strong in spring so it is quite common to sunbathe on deserted beaches from March onwards. However the sea water is quite cold (14 to 16°C). You can have a holiday at very attractive prices and nature is luxurious. Travelling in spring is definitely a good choice

Visit the Algarve in summer

The very high season is from June to September; having a holiday at that peiod is a bit more expensive of course; despite the high season there are many quiet beaches and there is room enough for everyone in the Algarve 

The sun is always shining during this period and can be very hot.

Summer is also the period of festivals and events; at the end of June for example the streets are fully decorated to celebrate local saints.

In summer water temperatures are from 20 to 26 °C ; because  the Atlantic borders the banks of the Algarve, baths are more refreshing than in the Mediterranean. Around September water temperature is most pleasant.

Visit the Algarve in autumn

Having a holiday in the Algarve end of September is just like having it in summer. While the rest of Europe is getting cold, the Algarve still enjoys beautiful days and very pleasant temperatures. There are fewer people, although the demand is increasing) and the sea temperature is very pleasant.

Visit the Algarve in winter

You may think winter is the worst season to visit the Algarve, not at all! Even if days are shorter and temperatures lower, the region is still well worth a trip. November is usually quite wet, December, January and February are often dry: you can have a very pleasant holiday with very mild temperatures.

It is not uncommon to spend a sunny day on the beach on Christmas or New Year's Day. Some restaurants are closed, but shops are usually open all year round.

Some flowers bloom in December: from mid-January onwards almond trees and mimosas are in full bloom!

The Algarve is a fairly large region, it takes more than two hours to cross it from east to west. The landscapes can also be quite different.

The region is divided into three parts: the east of the region (Faro and airport). The centre between Albufeira and Portimao and the western part around Lagos.

The best choice: Lagoa in the centre of the region

The most beautiful part of the Algarve with the most beautiful beaches, is located in the centre, between Porches and Ferragudo, in the municipality of Lagoa. In this area the best hotels are the Vila Vita Parc, the Pestana Viking and the Suite Alba Resort.

There are many tourist apartments too. Residences in the region often offer a swimming pool and on-site catering. Our apartment in Porches (in the centre of the Algarve), is fully equipped for 4 people; it is 300m from the beaches and in a residence with a large sea view swimming pool.

In addition to the beauty of the beaches, this central location is not far from interesting experiences and trips.

Western Algarve, trendy and nature

The western Algarve is also a good choice. Lagos has become very trendy in recent years and is an excellent starting point to explore the entire Costa Vicentina, a natural park and its magnificent wild beaches. Lagos is a very beautiful fortified town, its centre is commercial and lively, ideal for holidays. The Ponta da Piedade site is the most beautiful place in the Algarve and the town’s's beaches among the most spectacular ones.

For holidays with family or friends we recommend our villa with heated pool on the Costa Vicentina. If you are looking for a hotel, the Cascade Resort is probably the best resort in town, the Casa Mae is a design hotel in the city centre.

Eastern Algarve, quick access to the airport

If we do not recommend the towns of Vilamoura and Quarteira, which clearly lack charm, the ria Formosa to the east of Faro is a beautiful place for a day trip or for a longer stay. Even if the main attractions are in the centre and west, the Ria Forma Natural Park and its long beaches is a nice place to stay near Faro Airport. The best hotels in the eastern Algarve are probably the Vila Monte Farm House and the Pousada de Estoi.

The Algarve by plane

If you want to enjoy a quiet holiday and stay on the spot, renting a car is not compulsory. Public transport is relatively underdeveloped in the region though, but many companies provide transfers between the airport and your holiday accommodation. These private transfers cost from 40 to 90 euros depending on the distance.  You can go on organized excursions if you want to experience one of the 12 best activities to do in the Algarve. If you are not staying in an all-in hotel, make sure there’s a supermarket nearby.

If you plan to explore the region, renting a car will be necessary: the best prices are available at the airport agencies (agencies outside the airport are generally more expensive). Driving a rental car is interesting if you plan to visit the region and do shopping in the Algarve. A tolled motorway crosses the entire region. Don't forget to add the rental of the motorway company's electronic unit to your vehicle rental: This will allow you to take the motorway at no additional cost. It is still possible to take a national road but it is often very busy from June to October. 

The Algarve by train

If you want to come by train from Lisbon or Porto, a high speed  line crosses the country to Faro station. In Porto the train leaves from Campanha station, in Lisbon from Oriente station.

From Faro take a train to Lagos. Just a few coastal towns are served by this regional train.

Visit the website of the national railway company timetables and tickets: www.cp.pt

The Algarve by bus

More economical than travelling by train and very comfortable too, buses serve the whole country. There are straight buses  to the Algarve from Lisbon or Porto to Lagos. You can take a taxi to reach your accommodation.

Timetables and reservations on the bus company website: www.rede-expressos.pt/en

Although it is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, the Algarve enjoys a Mediterranean type climate, probably the most pleasant one in Europe.

On average there are 320 sunshiny days a year in Faro, one of the highest averages in Europe; some people compare Portugal to California. As a matter of fact bad wearher never lasts long in the south of the country.

During spring in the Algarve the weather is generally nicel and temperatures very pleasant in the Algarve; it may be more unstable from mid-March to mid-April but with sunny periods. Temperatures are generally between 18 and 25 degrees during this season. The sea is very cool: we recommend you rent a holiday accommodation with swimming pool.

Summer in the Algarve is dry and hot. From May to mid-October it hardly rains and thunderstorms are rare.  Temperatures can go up to 35 degrees or more inland but the evenings are generally cooler by the sea. Air conditioning is a must for a good night's sleep. All our apartments are equipped with air conditioners. If you fear too hot temperatures we recommend the west coast of the region (Costa Vicentina); its temperatures are cooler, rarely above 30 degrees. Sea temperatures range from 18 degrees in early summer to 24-25 degrees in mid-September.

Autumn in the Algarve is perhaps the most pleasant season for a holiday. There are fewer people on the beaches while summer seems to drag on. October is a particularly pleasant month: temperatures range from 22 to 30 degrees, with very mild evenings a pleasant sea temperature.

In winter the Algarve is less crowded but the interest of visitors for this season is growing. A visit to the Algarve in winter will cut you off from vcold and bad weather in the rest of Europe. November is generally the wettest month, while December, January and February are generally sunny and dry. Temperatures at night can drop as low as 5 degrees but inever below zero; it rarely gets below 15 degrees during the day and the thermometre can go up to 25 degrees, even in December or January. So  do not forget to pack your swimsuit  to the Algarve!