Algarve - any tips very welcome!
Discussion
Id recommend heading to Olhao and taking a private boat trip out on the Ria Formosa stopping off at Farol. The East side of Farol is stunning.
A day trip to Vila Real taking a short boat crossing over the border to Ayamonte in Spain for some lunch or dinner. Alternatively head to Alcoutim and zip slide over the border for something a bit different. Alcoutim is a lovely wee town.
Tavira is also nice for a day trip.
A day trip to Vila Real taking a short boat crossing over the border to Ayamonte in Spain for some lunch or dinner. Alternatively head to Alcoutim and zip slide over the border for something a bit different. Alcoutim is a lovely wee town.
Tavira is also nice for a day trip.
Alvor is quite nice and I did a couple of really nice boat trips from there. Caught a few sardines and one of the restaurants on the quayside cooked them for us.
Ferragudo is a nice little village and if you’re lucky you’ll see dolphins feeding in the water in the morning.
Avoid Portimao as it’s pretty run down these days.
Ferragudo is a nice little village and if you’re lucky you’ll see dolphins feeding in the water in the morning.
Avoid Portimao as it’s pretty run down these days.
Its quite a while since I've been to that area but our favoured beaches back then were Benagil (there are some cool caves you can swim round to) and Marinha. The beaches along that bit of coast are more 'cove-y' with interesting rocky outcrops and caves. Good for exploring by boat too (pretty sure you
can hire small boats straight off the beach).
The medieval town of Silves is also quite interesting and they do a medieval festival in August which is pretty lively in the evenings.
And the piri-piri chicken is fantastic
can hire small boats straight off the beach).
The medieval town of Silves is also quite interesting and they do a medieval festival in August which is pretty lively in the evenings.
And the piri-piri chicken is fantastic
hellorent said:
Praia dos Salgados & Praia da Galé are close to you and are quiet nice, In Portimao harbour the are a few boat trips also I'd recommend some of the sardine restaurants on the harbour front.
I’d second that for beaches. There’s lots of good restaurants around that neck of the woods.The sea front at Armacao De Pera is good for a stroll along, park at the west end, walk along to Pedros bar, quick drink, slush for the kids then walk back.
August could be busy so I’d aim for the big beaches as there’s so much space - something insta-worthy and smallish like Praia da Marinha will be packed and parking impossible I’d guess. Salgados is nearby and huge but I’m not sure on facilities there. Armacao is big, promenade is good and it’s nearby. Popular with the Portuguese.
Airport like all airports in summer could be a pain although they brought in more passport booth staff earlier in the year - keep a couple of bottles of water back from the flight just in case you’re stood queuing for ages.
Agree Portimao is a bit meh and I absolutely hate driving around there. Alvor or Ferragudo as an evening out and the little beaches between there and Armacao are all good but the daytime parking could be tricky. Early evenings on the beaches can be brilliant in peak season as it’s cooler and quieter than the middle of the day.
Note Benagil cave is now closed to paddle boards and swimmers and even the official boats aren’t allowed to disembark afaik.
Enjoy!
Airport like all airports in summer could be a pain although they brought in more passport booth staff earlier in the year - keep a couple of bottles of water back from the flight just in case you’re stood queuing for ages.
Agree Portimao is a bit meh and I absolutely hate driving around there. Alvor or Ferragudo as an evening out and the little beaches between there and Armacao are all good but the daytime parking could be tricky. Early evenings on the beaches can be brilliant in peak season as it’s cooler and quieter than the middle of the day.
Note Benagil cave is now closed to paddle boards and swimmers and even the official boats aren’t allowed to disembark afaik.
Enjoy!
A day trip - approx 80kms each way. Head up to Monchique village, enjoy a drink in the square and then onwards up the road to the Foia weather station at 3,000ft. Stunning views of the Algarve including Portimão circuit.
Then Westwards along the N267 mountain road to the old town of Aljezur before heading 10kms north to Odeceixe . A crazy beautiful horseshoe shaped beach where, twice daily, the Atlantic swell tussles with the outward flow of the River Seixe to provide some very entertaining (if a tad dangerous) swimming. If the surf is up divert to Arifana on the return journey and envy those young carefree surfers enjoying themselves.
If you arrive by this Sunday (3/08) you can enjoy the monthly classic car meet on the promenade at Armacao de Pera.
Then Westwards along the N267 mountain road to the old town of Aljezur before heading 10kms north to Odeceixe . A crazy beautiful horseshoe shaped beach where, twice daily, the Atlantic swell tussles with the outward flow of the River Seixe to provide some very entertaining (if a tad dangerous) swimming. If the surf is up divert to Arifana on the return journey and envy those young carefree surfers enjoying themselves.
If you arrive by this Sunday (3/08) you can enjoy the monthly classic car meet on the promenade at Armacao de Pera.
Edited by moffspeed on Tuesday 29th July 11:42
RammyMP said:
If you re there for the Portimao sardine festival that s worth a visit, it s on from 5th to the 10th August.
There's also a Sardine museum in Portimao which is the former canning factory which we found interesting.We were in the Algarve week before last and some of the smaller central beaches were plagued by seaweed so as previously advised head for the bigger beaches if you can.
If you goto Tavira (which I would recomend) you can get a ferry to the Ilha de Tavira which has a huge beach but also cafes and restaurants (and facilities) - could easily spend all day there.
Recently returned from Porches, which is close to where you are staying.
If you want to a boat trip then I highly recommend https://xridealgarve.com/en/. I was sceptical, and they aren't really our thing typically, but this was a really good experience.
If you want to a boat trip then I highly recommend https://xridealgarve.com/en/. I was sceptical, and they aren't really our thing typically, but this was a really good experience.
Terzo123 said:
Id recommend heading to Olhao and taking a private boat trip out on the Ria Formosa stopping off at Farol. The East side of Farol is stunning.
A day trip to Vila Real taking a short boat crossing over the border to Ayamonte in Spain for some lunch or dinner. Alternatively head to Alcoutim and zip slide over the border for something a bit different. Alcoutim is a lovely wee town.
Tavira is also nice for a day trip.
Ohlao is truly wonderful. A day trip to Vila Real taking a short boat crossing over the border to Ayamonte in Spain for some lunch or dinner. Alternatively head to Alcoutim and zip slide over the border for something a bit different. Alcoutim is a lovely wee town.
Tavira is also nice for a day trip.
Well worth the trip.
We're going back in September for the 3rd time.
I've been heading to the Algarve for 30 years, thanks to family members seemingly retiring there en masse. Granted, they've all been located more centrally (in the hills above Faro), but thanks to the A22—which is now toll-free—it's very quick to travel east–west.
I highly recommend a boat trip on the Ria Formosa, which you can book and take from Olhão or Faro to Praia do Farol, Culatra, or Ilha Deserta. The latter has the Estamine restaurant which is expensive, but definitely worth the experience.
The Benagil cave boat trips are fun, but the area has become highly commercialised. If the sea is choppy, it’s not much fun either. It might be a bit hot in August, but you can actually walk the cliffs and look into the caves via the 'Seven Hanging Valleys Trail'. It’s very well-marked and supported by the government—and would be my personal choice. There are plenty of villages along the way for refreshments and an ice-cold Sagres. It’s a one-way route, but you can turn around at any point and just walk a section of it.
If you’re up early before the heat sets in, I’d recommend heading into the hills to Rocha da Pena for a lovely 5k walk with stunning views over the Algarve countryside.
The west coast has a very different vibe from the usual Portimão/Albufeira mayhem—and is all the better for it. You can rent a surfboard or get a lesson at Praia do Amado (Amado Surf Camp), near Carrapateira. Also Praia da Bordeira is a lovely quiet beach near here.
I’m not great on restaurants further west, but I’d recommend a fish lunch at António Tá Certo or 2Passos (amazing prawns, but on the pricier side). The rooftop at Bold Octopus is also great for live music and cocktails. I admit these are all located in the tourist hotspots of Vale do Lobo and Quinta do Lago and priced accordingly. For a blowout celebratory dinner, 'Henrique Leis' is a favourite—they also offer lunch deals. With any top restaurants at this time of year, I'd recommend booking well in advance, as they can have crazy waiting lists weeks out.
If you’re into golf, have a look for deals on ‘Tee Times’. I’d suggest a morning or twilight round. As expensive as golf can be in the Algarve, summer is actually low season for the sport here, so there are deals to be had.
There might also be some festivals on during your time. Silves runs a medieval moorish festival mid-August also Olhao a seafood festival on similar dates. The portuguese can be quite reserved, yet they do like a party and the festivals are usually pretty well funded by the local council.
Faro Airport is hectic—especially if you’re taking the 6am redeye, with seemingly the entire Ryanair and EasyJet fleets arriving from the UK at 9am, overwhelming passport control (which still hasn’t quite sorted out the post-Brexit logistics). The queue does move, but it can take 1–2+ hours in the morning—at least your bags will be waiting by the time you get through. That said, things are quicker now that the eGates are open, so if the children are over 18, make sure to use them. Likewise, leave plenty of time for your return flight to get stamped out.
I highly recommend a boat trip on the Ria Formosa, which you can book and take from Olhão or Faro to Praia do Farol, Culatra, or Ilha Deserta. The latter has the Estamine restaurant which is expensive, but definitely worth the experience.
The Benagil cave boat trips are fun, but the area has become highly commercialised. If the sea is choppy, it’s not much fun either. It might be a bit hot in August, but you can actually walk the cliffs and look into the caves via the 'Seven Hanging Valleys Trail'. It’s very well-marked and supported by the government—and would be my personal choice. There are plenty of villages along the way for refreshments and an ice-cold Sagres. It’s a one-way route, but you can turn around at any point and just walk a section of it.
If you’re up early before the heat sets in, I’d recommend heading into the hills to Rocha da Pena for a lovely 5k walk with stunning views over the Algarve countryside.
The west coast has a very different vibe from the usual Portimão/Albufeira mayhem—and is all the better for it. You can rent a surfboard or get a lesson at Praia do Amado (Amado Surf Camp), near Carrapateira. Also Praia da Bordeira is a lovely quiet beach near here.
I’m not great on restaurants further west, but I’d recommend a fish lunch at António Tá Certo or 2Passos (amazing prawns, but on the pricier side). The rooftop at Bold Octopus is also great for live music and cocktails. I admit these are all located in the tourist hotspots of Vale do Lobo and Quinta do Lago and priced accordingly. For a blowout celebratory dinner, 'Henrique Leis' is a favourite—they also offer lunch deals. With any top restaurants at this time of year, I'd recommend booking well in advance, as they can have crazy waiting lists weeks out.
If you’re into golf, have a look for deals on ‘Tee Times’. I’d suggest a morning or twilight round. As expensive as golf can be in the Algarve, summer is actually low season for the sport here, so there are deals to be had.
There might also be some festivals on during your time. Silves runs a medieval moorish festival mid-August also Olhao a seafood festival on similar dates. The portuguese can be quite reserved, yet they do like a party and the festivals are usually pretty well funded by the local council.
Faro Airport is hectic—especially if you’re taking the 6am redeye, with seemingly the entire Ryanair and EasyJet fleets arriving from the UK at 9am, overwhelming passport control (which still hasn’t quite sorted out the post-Brexit logistics). The queue does move, but it can take 1–2+ hours in the morning—at least your bags will be waiting by the time you get through. That said, things are quicker now that the eGates are open, so if the children are over 18, make sure to use them. Likewise, leave plenty of time for your return flight to get stamped out.
Dynion Araf Uchaf said:
Go to the Bull fight at Albufeira
We were there years ago when a bull escaped and ran off up the dual carriage way. The BIL and myself were pissed up in a local bar, the wife was in the car with my eldest (toddler at the time) when the police shot the bull near enough in front of them! 
I got a b
king at the time for being in a bar and not there to show off my matador skills to protect the family!Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff