The Algarve - any areas to avoid?

[Legend83]

Never been to Portugal and know nothing of the Algarve. Areas we are looking at for a family holiday are:

- Albufeira
- Guia
- Armacao De Pera
- Quarteira
- Villamoura

Any of these to be avoided?

[essayer]

Legend83 said:

Albufeira

I'd give that a miss, pretty skanky neon strip full of pissed Brits.

Other parts of the Algarve are lovely though ! I've been to Lagos a few times, nice place.

[Legend83]

essayer said:

I'd give that a miss, pretty skanky neon strip full of pissed Brits.

Cheers for the heads up. although we are going in March so would be a bit lower-key I guess.

[GALLARDOGUY]

March? Don't expect it to be hot. We've got a villa Lagos and rarely go over before Easter to be honest.

[gmh23]

essayer said:

I'd give that a miss, pretty skanky neon strip full of pissed Brits.

Other parts of the Algarve are lovely though ! I've been to Lagos a few times, nice place.

Thats a shame, I was there about 10 years ago and it was really nice

[micawrx]

Quateria is a bit low rent... But Villamoura centre is nice.

Consider Almancil and drive to beach

If you have plenty cash go for Hotel Quinta do lago... Stunning and beach to yourself

Vale de lobo also..

Loule is nice

Avoid Albufeira... Further west is better.

(family has timeshare villa in q. Do lago.. Awesome.. Michael Owen/Chris Evans have villas near beach)

[chip*]

Alvor is excellent.

[FUBAR]

Never have liked Albufeira. Too big and ugly for a holiday resort. Vilamora is lovely but again, never really felt 'welcoming' as a family resort. Fine if you want posh hotels, expensive shops, fancy restaurants, big boats, golf courses and a casino. Nice to visit for the day

My parents had a place West of Praia Da Luz for over 30 years (between Luz and Burgau). I agree, West is Best (certainly for a family holiday)

Don't discount Luz just because of the McCanns, nice friendly resort. Lagos is nice if you like bigger but is more a town than a holiday resort (with the pros and cons of that). Praia Da Rocha is worth a look at, nice beach there.

Despite its hilly nature to the sides, Carvoeiro has always been a special place for me as it was the first place we went to as young kids a LONG time ago. Lovely little beach in the middle of town, generally nice and compact and fairly central if you like to get out and about the Algarve (probably 1hr in each direction to the furthest edges of the Algarve.

Weather that time of year 'should be' shorts and t-shirts during the day but definitely jumpers/lightweight coats in the evenings. Might even bump into the odd rain shower.

[craigb84]

Have been going to Burgau for the best part of 20 years and my folks have a place there now. It's brilliant off season but we don't go mid summer as it gets a little crowded.

Anywhere along that stretch (Lagos to Sagres) is excellent.

[Legend83]

Thanks for all the replies.

We are going to Lyme Regis instead....

[FUBAR]

craigb84 said:

Have been going to Burgau for the best part of 20 years and my folks have a place there now. It's brilliant off season but we don't go mid summer as it gets a little crowded.

Anywhere along that stretch (Lagos to Sagres) is excellent.

We probably know a few of the same people

Legend83 said:

Thanks for all the replies.

We are going to Lyme Regis instead....

Sorry but

[craigb84]

FUBAR said:

craigb84 said:

Have been going to Burgau for the best part of 20 years and my folks have a place there now. It's brilliant off season but we don't go mid summer as it gets a little crowded.

Anywhere along that stretch (Lagos to Sagres) is excellent.

We probably know a few of the same people

Legend83 said:

Thanks for all the replies.

We are going to Lyme Regis instead....

Sorry but

Quite possibly. I'm hoping to do surf camp in April but having checked the wave history April seems a bit flat.

[Simon Brooks]

Legend83 said:

Thanks for all the replies.

We are going to Lyme Regis instead....

In March !!!

[TankRizzo]

FUBAR said:

My parents had a place West of Praia Da Luz for over 30 years (between Luz and Burgau). I agree, West is Best (certainly for a family holiday)

Where was your folks' place Foobs? Mine have a place just off the main Luz-Burgau road in Montinhos da Luz.

[FUBAR]

TankRizzo said:

L


Where was your folks' place Foobs? Mine have a place just off the main Luz-Burgau road in Montinhos da Luz.

Flippin' eck. Theirs was at Cama da Vaca, just up from the green roofed house. Knocked down and a huge modern thing built in its place now. Spent the last few summers staying with Sally & Ralph, Burgau legends

Funny, sold the place to force the hand into visiting new places, yet still end up back there for at least 1 week a year.

[craigb84]

FUBAR said:

Flippin' eck. Theirs was at Cama da Vaca, just up from the green roofed house. Knocked down and a huge modern thing built in its place now. Spent the last few summers staying with Sally & Ralph, Burgau legends

Funny, sold the place to force the hand into visiting new places, yet still end up back there for at least 1 week a year.

It's a great little place though and with the new motorway and more frequent flights it's just so easy to nip over. I always thought the beach bar had more potential but it seems to shut very early. Was Ralph involved with it?

[GALLARDOGUY]

Burgau beach bar is a great little place. Always make a point of going when I'm over there. Don't know any of the staff's names but we are always served by the short guy with very blue eyes. Ring any bells for you regulars?

[craigb84]

GALLARDOGUY said:

Burgau beach bar is a great little place. Always make a point of going when I'm over there. Don't know any of the staff's names but we are always served by the short guy with very blue eyes. Ring any bells for you regulars?

There's a little Portuguese guy called Jimmy who works there. Can't say I recall his name but he's possibly in his 40's / 50's. I think he ran the last New York marathon.

[FUBAR]

Age dependant, and going by the suggestion of blue eyes, possibly one of the co owners two sons Marco and, um, his brother (being part English more chance of the eye colour)

Yes, Ralph started the beach bar with his partner Keith, but Ralph is more a silent partner these days as he has other business interests (including his and Sally's lovely guest house, Salsalito..if you ever have too many guests visit and they need somewhere local to stay, definitely recommended )

[TankRizzo]

FUBAR said:

Flippin' eck. Theirs was at Cama da Vaca, just up from the green roofed house. Knocked down and a huge modern thing built in its place now. Spent the last few summers staying with Sally & Ralph, Burgau legends

Funny, sold the place to force the hand into visiting new places, yet still end up back there for at least 1 week a year.

Hah, now that is really weird. As you come up the hill from Luz towards Burgau on the old road, there's a layby on the right just after you crest the hill, and my parents' is on the left in a small area called Luzmar. Small world! We probably know some of the same people.