Hi everyone,

We’re thinking of spending a week in the Algarve in April or May.

I was planning to stay 3 days in Faro and 4 days in Lagos, and explore the surrounding areas. Do you think that’s a good idea?

All tips and advice are welcome.

Thanks

Just back from a week in the Algarve. The goal was to get some fresh air, take it easy with walks, and catch up with friends.

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

Hi everyone,

It’s all in the title—we’re planning to travel with three of us: my wife, our 2-year-old baby, and myself for Christmas in Portugal. Is this a good idea? We don’t have much time to figure out everything we can do or visit. We were thinking of flying into Porto, staying there for 2 or 3 days, and then traveling by train to either Lisbon or Faro—I’m not sure yet. Book 2 nights for the arrival and then decide the rest once we’re there. Will we manage without a car? I’d love all your tips! 🙂

Richard

Hi everyone,

I’m Aurélie and I’m new to the forum. I’m planning a little trip with a friend to Spain (Seville) and Portugal (Porto) soon... unless Covid decides to ruin the fun! My friend and I are big fans of cool rooftop bars with a great view. By any chance, do you have any recommendations? I’ve done some searching and heard about Portobello, but if you’ve got any suggestions, I’d love to hear them.

Thanks, and happy travels!

Hi everyone,

It’s been ages since I last dropped by here... maybe simply because, apart from Nepal, I haven’t really had the chance to hit the road lately. 😉

This year, I’d love to spend a few days in Lisbon, probably in late May or early June. But with my budget being what it is, I’m looking for great tips to avoid wasting time once I’m there and risk missing out on hidden gems or unusual culinary specialties and/or quirky activities! I’m hoping to find a room in a local’s home where I can stay in a quiet neighborhood near the center, so I can get around without relying too much on public transport—my walking shoes are my best travel buddies. I’d love all your recommendations, especially for parks, small neighborhood markets, casual eateries for a quick bite, your favorite viewpoints to soak in the scenery (I’m bringing my travel journal to sketch my getaway in watercolors), events around traditional art and crafts, and so on. All your advice will definitely help me travel peacefully and come back with my head full of vibrant memories! Thanks in advance, everyone! Isabelle

Hi there!!

We’re planning a bike trip down the Douro from the Spanish border to Porto in May 2025. We’re looking for any info on possible routes and trails, as well as camping options and/or homestays. Thanks so much!!

Following a question I was asked in a private message, here are some personal photos of Porto in October.

Hi everyone

We’re thinking of a getaway to Lisbon in October—how much time should we plan? Any great tips or must-see spots?

Thanks!

Hi everyone, I rented a car through Klaus Wagen, picking it up in downtown Porto and returning it in downtown Lisbon. After paying, I read some pretty negative reviews about them. So, can anyone reassure me with positive experiences they’ve had with them? Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone, Who might have a good apartment address for two people in Porto: arriving on 5/8, leaving on 5/10 Lisbon: arriving on 5/14, leaving on 5/17 Well-located/walkable in both cities With kitchen facilities 1 bedroom for 2 people with private bathroom Thanks in advance

Hi there, we’re going on a cruise and I’d like to know what time the shows are at the theater so we can pick our dinner times. Thanks for your help

Hi there, We’re spending a week in Porto this summer and plan to explore the surrounding area. A visit to the Douro seems unavoidable! We’ll be discovering a lot once we’re there, but we’re still looking for recommendations on where to stay... Could you help us out? We’ve read that spending a night in a quinta would be great, but it seems way out of our budget. Or is it? We’ve set a max budget of around 150 €. Otherwise, we’re looking for charming little villages with nice restaurants to end the day on a high note. We’re open to all suggestions—thanks in advance for your help! Delphine and Fred

Hi there!

Looking for one or more friendly people to share a sunny vacation with!

Available around mid-October for 3-4 weeks of vacation. Open to destinations (Greece, Morocco, Portugal/Spain, Colombia, Argentina, or others).

45 years old, from the Quebec City area, French/English speaker.

What I'm looking for: -Outdoor activities (hiking, snorkeling, horseback riding, etc.) -Cultural visits (museums, shows, fairs, etc.) -Gastronomic experiences (from street food to nice restaurants) -Relaxation time (beach, hot springs, spa, etc.)

Accommodation options: guesthouses, Airbnb, or the occasional hotel room.

I’ve traveled through every Canadian province, lived in the Yukon for several years, visited a few Latin American countries, explored Europe once (Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Germany), road-tripped 22,000 km across the USA in two months, and participated in a youth volunteer program in Sri Lanka.

If this speaks to you, let’s chat in DMs!

Hello, We’re going on a cruise on the Renaissance With CFC Cruises from August 5 to 16, 2025. We have a stopover in Lisbon, and I’d like some info on transportation for visiting the Alfama and Belém neighborhoods. Can we buy single transport tickets? Are there any other travelers doing this cruise? Thanks for your help

Hi, Like every summer, I’m looking for a (not too distant) destination to cycle with my family for about 3 weeks. I’m drawn to the EuroVelo 1 route in Portugal. Do any of you have information to share? Are there sections that are more or less difficult? Routes that are more or less safe? I’ve heard that Portuguese drivers aren’t very cautious on the road, especially around cyclists. Thanks for your feedback and experiences!

Hi, We’d like to take a simple river cruise on the Douro! Onboard entertainment and bus excursions don’t appeal to us. CroisiEurope, etc., wouldn’t suit us. Any other suggestions??? Thanks

Hi, I’m planning to rent a car at Porto Airport in mid-November. I’ve spotted "Holyday Autos" and "Surprice Empowering Mobility"—they have decent rates, but given the rental issues in Portugal, I’d love to hear from people who’ve rented from them. Thanks in advance for your replies!

Hi, who’s familiar with the Algarve? Lagos—should I go for a rental or a hotel? How do I get from the airport to the seaside, and how do I get around the city? What’s there to see and do? Thanks for your ideas and tips!

Hi there, Has anyone tried taking a ferry from Sète (or another southern French port) to southern PORTUGAL with a vehicle? I don’t want to go via Tangier (the transfer is too complicated). Thanks for your replies

Hi there, We’re looking for a holiday rental or guesthouse for two people in Portugal, roughly between Faro and Lisbon. Thanks! Starting from October 25, 2025.

Hi everyone, I’m planning a week-long trip to southern Portugal with my two teens. I’m looking for accommodation ideally located near Faro. What do you think of the towns of Lagos and Albufeira? Is it easy to get around these places using public transport, or is it better to rent a car to make the most of our stay? If you have any accommodation recommendations (hotel, campsite, Airbnb, or other), I’d love to hear them. Thanks so much in advance for your tips and valuable feedback! Hélène

Hi there, I'm looking for a friendly person who knows about the capabilities of donkeys/mules and horses for long-term, round-the-clock travel. (I already do this, but with a donkey that's far from indestructible)

I struggle to assess the potential of some equines, so I'd like someone at least somewhat competent in this area whom I can contact from time to time to share photos of animals I'm considering buying.

I'm not in France, I don't plan to return, and I often come across charlatans who'd sell their animals to anyone for a few good bills... But that's not my case—I'm primarily looking for a female donkey or a mule (my sweetheart isn’t a big fan of horses), and as a last resort, a mare strong and enduring enough to carry me in the mountains, meaning a constant load of about 80kg: - Me: 60/65kg - Saddle: 2/4kg - 8/10L of water - A rope: 800g

Based on what I've read online and advice from people, I understand the load should represent a maximum of 15/20% of the animal's weight or at least 1.40m at the withers? Mules would be ideal for me, but they sell out VERY quickly, so I never get a chance to find one... (I always leave a safety margin with the equines I meet to ensure their spine doesn’t get damaged over time)

Anyway, advice won’t be much help because I don’t want to make this decision ALONE when buying this female, to ensure I choose a relatively indestructible creature.

I’ve been visiting long and short ears for a year now, but I still haven’t found the right fit out of concern for her, which is why someone who stays in my contacts to help me make the final decision would be more than welcome :)

Thanks for your attention, hope to hear from you soon!

Planning a bike road trip from Scandinavia, preparing a coastal voyage along Portugal’s shores to Santiago de Compostela, or taking one of the many routes leading to Compostela...

That’s right—did you know you don’t *have* to walk to experience the adventure of the Camino?

The spirit of travel stays open: hiking, biking, sailing (on a sailboat I can make available for the project), slow wandering, or a more ambitious long-term journey. What matters most is sharing, discovery, and the desire to build a great adventure together.

I’ve already been lucky enough to hike with friends—men and women—I met on this forum, especially in Mercantour Park. Those encounters led to amazing memories and real travel friendships.

If the idea of brainstorming a project, swapping route ideas, or preparing a shared adventure appeals to you, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Ready to start planning your next trip... and maybe even a long-term adventure!

Hi, I was wondering if anyone here has ever booked flight tickets through a travel agency without it being part of a package. And if so, did the agency mention that when they book for you, it’s them who has to pay the government tax or other taxes—I can’t remember—and then they charge you for those taxes afterward? Or maybe this is specific to Quebec...

We’re traveling as a family of 10 to Portugal this coming October during school holidays. If by any chance you know of a house to rent for 10 people—a great tip or whatever—I’d prefer somewhere in southern Portugal.

Hi there,

I’m leaving from Tours (Indre-et-Loire 37) on 12/22 for Seville in Andalusia, with a stop in Valladolid to arrive in Seville on 12/23.

I’ve planned some trips to Huelva, Cadiz, Malaga, and maybe Faro in Portugal, as well as Seville—visited it last February but I can show it to a travel companion this time.

I’ll be heading back from Seville on 01/02/25 with a stop in San Sebastian to get back to Tours on 01/03.

I’ve already booked an Airbnb near the Cathedral (a cute little apartment with 2 bedrooms).

Looking forward to sharing this trip!

Hi there, I’ll be passing through Portugal for a month. Any recommendations for choosing a SIM card and a phone plan with heavy internet usage? Something like a 100GB 4G plan. Do you know how much that would cost?

Have a great summer!

good morning everyone

we’re planning a full-day boat tour on the Douro, starting from Porto...

is it better to book in advance online, or on the spot?

thanks and happy spring

marsyl

Hello, I’d like to travel alone to the Algarve for about 10 days, as my husband sadly passed away. I’m thinking of going at the end of April or beginning of May 2026. I’ll fly into Faro, then rent a car and head toward the westernmost tip of the coast. Over 10 days, what are the best spots to see from Faro to the tip—hikes along the coastline or even exploring the countryside? For accommodations, can I also stay with locals? And which car rental company is the best? Thanks in advance for your help! Jo