Faro, Portugal - advice please, sights and attractions!
Discussion
Been invited to go with OH's family to portugal in April.
Looking to make it a good holiday and want to do some exploring, but with only a week and a limited budget I need to plan ahead!
Looking at visiting Aqualand and getting a Seat Ibiza* to drive around in.
We are fancying some horse riding and wine tasting plus some nice remote hills to drive up and get some nice views.
So, PH I need the following:
1) Advice on the hire car (I'm 24 and quite tall so want something roomy, but limited budget!)
2) Horseriding, found a few so far that are around the €20/hour
3) Wine Tasting
4) Hills and nice scenery spots to go see
5) Is aqualand any good, any other alternatives!
Also any other suggestions???
Looking to make it a good holiday and want to do some exploring, but with only a week and a limited budget I need to plan ahead!
Looking at visiting Aqualand and getting a Seat Ibiza* to drive around in.
We are fancying some horse riding and wine tasting plus some nice remote hills to drive up and get some nice views.
So, PH I need the following:
1) Advice on the hire car (I'm 24 and quite tall so want something roomy, but limited budget!)
2) Horseriding, found a few so far that are around the €20/hour
3) Wine Tasting
4) Hills and nice scenery spots to go see
5) Is aqualand any good, any other alternatives!
Also any other suggestions???
I dont really know the Faro end of the Algarve very well, so not of great help.
Obviously just keep trying different car hire firms. I normally use http://www.luzcar.com/ but Ive have also booked off EasyCar.com who obviously sub it out to the local firms.
The only real hills of note are the Monchique mountains (which in size sit somewhere between a mountain and a hill). Great views up there and I suppose if you are that way inclined (which I am definetely NOT
) you could park up and go off for a walk. If you head just 'up' from the village of Monchique towards Foia there are some great views and a couple of really good local restaurants serving chicken piri piri 
Most restaurants should be open in April. Another bonus of the Portimao/Monchique area is dragging the Mrs up to the Portimao circuit
Quite a few horse riding centres in the Algarve, but again the ones I know of are a way from Faro, but unless you fancy riding along the beach, I'd be tempted to find one in the Portimao/Monchique area as the rides would be more interesting IMO
The Algarve isnt that big, can drive it from one end to the other in a couple of hours, so maybe look at heading to the most south westerly land point in Europe, Sagres/Cape St Vincent where there is an old fort. If you make it that far you may aswell make a long day of it and head up the West Coast a bit where there are some lovely unspoilt/non touristy beaches etc. The whole of the south western corner of the Algarve is quiet and unspoilt. Lovely
There are at least 3 water parks so Google them and see which you like the sound of and also which will be open in April.
Back to nearer Faro, Google places like Silves, Loule and Olhao. http://algarvenet.com/
As a general rule of thumb, the further inland you go the less touristy it is.
Obviously just keep trying different car hire firms. I normally use http://www.luzcar.com/ but Ive have also booked off EasyCar.com who obviously sub it out to the local firms.
The only real hills of note are the Monchique mountains (which in size sit somewhere between a mountain and a hill). Great views up there and I suppose if you are that way inclined (which I am definetely NOT
) you could park up and go off for a walk. If you head just 'up' from the village of Monchique towards Foia there are some great views and a couple of really good local restaurants serving chicken piri piri Most restaurants should be open in April. Another bonus of the Portimao/Monchique area is dragging the Mrs up to the Portimao circuit Quite a few horse riding centres in the Algarve, but again the ones I know of are a way from Faro, but unless you fancy riding along the beach, I'd be tempted to find one in the Portimao/Monchique area as the rides would be more interesting IMO
The Algarve isnt that big, can drive it from one end to the other in a couple of hours, so maybe look at heading to the most south westerly land point in Europe, Sagres/Cape St Vincent where there is an old fort. If you make it that far you may aswell make a long day of it and head up the West Coast a bit where there are some lovely unspoilt/non touristy beaches etc. The whole of the south western corner of the Algarve is quiet and unspoilt. Lovely
There are at least 3 water parks so Google them and see which you like the sound of and also which will be open in April.
Back to nearer Faro, Google places like Silves, Loule and Olhao. http://algarvenet.com/
As a general rule of thumb, the further inland you go the less touristy it is.
Noger said:
Karting circuit near Almancil is pretty good
Autodromo do Algarve may have something on ?
Zoomarine is a good day (half day) out
Luzcar are ace
Isn't *that* far up to Alentajo, which is a great winemaking area
All of this, plus the Autodromo kart track is up and running now.Autodromo do Algarve may have something on ?
Zoomarine is a good day (half day) out
Luzcar are ace
Isn't *that* far up to Alentajo, which is a great winemaking area
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfiPD-THdEg&fea...
http://www.algarveracing.info/?Experiences:Pro_Kar...
Aqualand is a good day out but there is very little shade there, so I would say get there early (before it opens ideally, as it will get really busy).
When we went last year, we plotted up in a kiddies area as it was undercover and used that as a base. Will have a look to see if I can find a plan of the park online.
Oops - I was getting my Aqualand mixed up with my AquaShow. (Has annoying music, so turn the sound down).
When we went last year, we plotted up in a kiddies area as it was undercover and used that as a base. Will have a look to see if I can find a plan of the park online.
Oops - I was getting my Aqualand mixed up with my AquaShow. (Has annoying music, so turn the sound down).Edited by pincher on Saturday 22 January 12:49
Albuefera, the only beach with an escalator!
Sunset spectacular, the town a bit naf but a great beach.
Steak on a Stone, can't remember the name of the resteraunt but was lovely.
Old bloke saying if if i haven't sent you to the best eatery then you can comeback and punch me..... my god he could run.....................the ex caught him though. It may have hurt!
Sunset spectacular, the town a bit naf but a great beach.
Steak on a Stone, can't remember the name of the resteraunt but was lovely.
Old bloke saying if if i haven't sent you to the best eatery then you can comeback and punch me..... my god he could run.....................the ex caught him though. It may have hurt!
Been to the Algarve many times. You will enjoy it!!
Have a look at AutoJardim for car hire - used them many times and they have been excellent, no messing about (even when I returned a car with a small dent
).
As others have said you can drive across the Algarve in a couple of hours and you should take in Silves,Lagos (do the boat thing and see the grottos')and Portimao.
People are quite laid back and english is widely spoken(esp touristy areas)
Have a look at AutoJardim for car hire - used them many times and they have been excellent, no messing about (even when I returned a car with a small dent
).As others have said you can drive across the Algarve in a couple of hours and you should take in Silves,Lagos (do the boat thing and see the grottos')and Portimao.
People are quite laid back and english is widely spoken(esp touristy areas)
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