A week in the Algarve

Back from a week in the Algarve.

The goal was to get some fresh air, walk at a relaxed pace (80 km in 6 days), and visit friends.

Transavia flight: No issues YorCar rental: No issues (and cheap) B&B 1: Quinta do Mocho Turismo Rural in Estoy: Good, even if a bit remote B&B 2: Casa Luma B&B in Lagos: Disappointed (and really disappointed with room #3)

Day 1: Flight, rental car, stop at São Lourenço in Almancil, and visit to Loulé Day 2: Olhão, walk at Praia do Barril, Tavira, and evening in Faro’s old town (park at São Francisco parking lot) Day 3: Walk on the boardwalks at Quinto do Ludo, Falesia beaches, Carvoeiro Day 4: The boardwalks in Alvor, Praia da Rocha in Portimão, Ferragudo, and the boardwalks around Algar Seco Day 5: Ponta da Piedade in Lagos, walk to Praia de Luz from Praia Camilho Day 6: Burgau, Cape Sagres, Cape St. Vincent, Carrapateira, and Praia da Bordeira Day 7: "Sete Vales Suspensos" hike from Marinha Beach

Our highlights: - The Vincentine Coast (Carrapateira), much nicer than the concrete of the southern coast - The fish restaurants and Cataplana (A Barrigada in Lagos, Ribeira do Poço in Vila do Bispo...) - The boardwalks everywhere (Quinto do Ludo, Alvor, Algar Seco...) - The sun on the cliffs and Falesia Beach (it’s the local Bryce Canyon) - Chatting with the fishermen perched on the cliffs of Carrapateira - The weather (we were lucky for early March)

Our disappointments: - The towns and villages (Tavira and Lagos stand out) - The traffic off the highway - The English, the English, and more English everywhere

more photos...

I’ll spare you the concrete apartment blocks...

Hello, Great photos! We’re leaving at the end of March and will be staying 3 nights in Tavira and 4 nights in Lagos. Plus our first and last night in Faro. We’ll be getting around by bus and train—I’m hoping to do as many walks as possible without a car (or using Uber for the must-sees ;)) Which day did you visit Loulé? Unfortunately, we won’t be able to make it on Saturday for the big market, but it seems like the other days (except Sunday and Monday) are still worth it. Best regards, Claire

Hi Claire,

Unfortunately, we were there on a day when the market wasn’t on. But in the end, it wasn’t a big deal since we’d seen other markets afterward... So my advice: don’t make it a must if your schedule doesn’t line up with the market.

Okay, thanks so much for the tip!

Claire

Hi USFamily

We’ll be in the Algarve at the end of May 2025 on a tour, with 2 "free" days in Tavira. Could you recommend sights/great tips/must-sees in and around the area ✨? Thanks so much for your help and looking forward to hearing from you 😏. Best regards 😊😊 Stéphanie

Hi there, We spent 9 days in the Algarve at the end of March, including 3 in Tavira. We wandered around the town a lot but didn’t visit any monuments. It’s a pretty town, but there was construction in all the streets. We went to Santa Luzia one day, walking there and taking the bus back (we were without a car) to eat octopus at a restaurant along the coast. The place was a bit too touristy, but it was raining and we didn’t feel like looking too hard. If the weather’s nice, you can go as far as Praia Do Barril. The next day, we took the ferry to Tavira Island. If the weather’s good (we got rain again), you can spend a few hours there. If you like Indian food, we ate really well at Punjab Palace (for cheap...), which was recommended by an Indian employee at our hotel. We asked for half-portions (not listed on the menu, but they agreed without any problem) so we could try more dishes, and we’re glad we did! 😊 Have a great trip in the Algarve! Claire

Hi, We only passed through Tavira quickly, but the town has a lot of charm. I didn’t do the walk to the islands, but it’s probably worth it. Otherwise, you’ve got the lovely walk to Praia do Barril, which we really enjoyed. And what can I say about the fishing villages—they’re so charming. It’s a far cry from the concrete you find in other parts of the Algarve...

Thanks so much for this info—we’ll keep digging! Have a great day

Thanks so much for this info—we can’t wait to explore the region! Have a great day! !

Hi there, I’m heading to Albufeira for a trip. I’d love to know if the roads are manageable for visiting the villages in the mountains. Since we don’t speak Portuguese or English and we’re a bit older, we’re a little worried about driving around the Algarve. We’ve been to mountain passes in France before—it’s easier when we can get by in our own language. Nine

Hi, I haven’t driven in the mountains in Portugal. But given the quality of the road network on the plains, I don’t see any reason to worry. You might get other, more informed opinions.

Thanks for taking the time to reply! You mentioned Bryce Canyon, and I’ve been thinking about it too.

I’d love to know—on the photo after Bryce Canyon 😊—where those really close-together houses are, the ones with “Bote” written in blue on one of them. Which village are they in?

Have a great evening!

Thanks for taking the time to reply. You mentioned Bryce Canyon, and I thought of it too.

I’d love to know about the photo after Bryce Canyon 😊 — the houses are really close together, and one of them has “Bote” written in blue. Which village are those houses in?

Have a good evening

The address: 21 Rampa Sra. da Encarnação Carvoeiro, Faro District

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Wj1WaC7b151o7LLv9

Thanks! Really appreciate it.

Thanks! That’s really appreciated.

Always happy to help our "cousins" from across the pond! 😉