Algarve in the winter

[MartinQ]

I've found a cheap deal for a week in the Algarve leaving on New Year's Day. It's a toss up between Albufeira and Portimao as they're both a similar price. Any advantages for one over the other?

But is there anything to do there in the winter? We like visiting interesting towns/villages, landmarks, museums and galleries and then a restaurant and bar or 3 in the evening. We'll be getting a car while we're there as it seems too cheap not to. If we go we'll probably head to Seville for a day as it's only a couple of hours away.

Anyway, any advice would be welcome. Thanks.

[MigX]

check with the rental place if you can take the car out of portugal.
beest advice would be drive to lisbon as its 3 hours away.
south of portugal is desert during the winter. everything closes down.

[Simon Brooks]

Albufeira can be a bit "kiss me quick" hatish in the summer, not too sure what happens in the winter and Portimao is more of a locals place rather then tourist when comparing with Albufeira

You could head up into the mountains to Monchique (need to check spelling)only takes about 45 minutes

could head out west to Cape St Vincent furthest westerly point of europe, next stop USA

Would be impressed if you can do Seville in a couple of hours from Portimao

Check car insurance covers you for spain (not all of them do)

[Silver993tt]

MigX said:

check with the rental place if you can take the car out of portugal.
beest advice would be drive to lisbon as its 3 hours away.

Lisbon is in Portugal, it's the capital.

[MartinQ]

Silver993tt said:

MigX said:

check with the rental place if you can take the car out of portugal.
beest advice would be drive to lisbon as its 3 hours away.

Lisbon is in Portugal, it's the capital.

I think the point was not to go to Seville in case the rental company didn't allow it and go to Lisbon instead.

Thanks for the comments. More are welcome though!

[Silver993tt]

MartinQ said:

Silver993tt said:

MigX said:

check with the rental place if you can take the car out of portugal.
beest advice would be drive to lisbon as its 3 hours away.

Lisbon is in Portugal, it's the capital.

I think the point was not to go to Seville in case the rental company didn't allow it and go to Lisbon instead.

Thanks for the comments. More are welcome though!

I've rented cars in Germany from the big branded rental car companies and there's never been a problem taking the car through Switzerland, France and Austria. I even took one to the UK which was also ok. However, the same company in the UK wanted an extra £60 "insurance" to take the car out of the country and onto the continent.

[bobt]

Writing this in the Algarve, having lived most of the last nine years here. As said the tourist Algarve closes in the winter unless you play golf. Of course if you want to see a bit more of the real Portugal then you need to get away from the Algarve anyway. Lisbon is well worth visiting, and is under 2 1/2 hours by car without breaking speed limits. Same for Seville which is a bit closer. Portimao is preferable to Albufeira in summer or winter. Restuarants are no longer cheap, but there are some good ones around.