Dona Ana beach, Algarve, Portugal. Insider tips for your Algarve vacation

If you’re planning a trip to the southern region of Portugal, check out my insider Algarve tips before you book your holiday. Find out when to go, which are the best places in Algarve, what to pack, what to do and what Portuguese food to try. All the information you need to make your Algarve vacation a success.

Need accommodation? See this article for tips on where to stay in Algarve

Best time to visit the Algarve

Despite its overwhelming popularity as a summer holiday destination, the Algarve is a good place to visit all year round, as long as you’re prepared to do other things besides lie on a beach. That said, some of the best beaches in Algarve are covered in this article.

This is a rough overview of what to expect when you’re planning your Algarve holidays for each season in the region. See this seasonal guide to travelling in the rest of Portugal.

Algarve in winter

Northern Europeans like to winter here as the temperatures are better than in northern countries but it does still get chilly, especially at night and indoors. Don’t expect to be swimming or sunbathing every day but on sunny days, you can enjoy time on the beach with your clothes on or enjoy the countryside on walks or cycle rides.

There will be some rain and, like the rest of Portugal, the Algarve does sometimes get hit by severe winter storms so it pays to keep an eye on and heed weather warnings, especially in coastal areas.

Apart from the Christmas and New Year period which attracts more visitors, expect everywhere to be quiet. So quiet in fact that some restaurants and shops may close for the winter.

Accommodation is therefore cheap and easy to find, except for the festive period, but make sure it has some form of heating.

See my tips for visiting Portugal in winter.

Anchor cemetery, Praia do Barril, Algarve
Anchor cemetery, Praia do Barril, Algarve (on Christmas Day)

Algarve in spring

Spring is probably my favourite time to visit the Algarve. Although there is still a chance of rain, temperatures are normally warm during the day so although it’s not sunbathing weather, that’s better for me because I prefer to walk around old towns or go on hikes in the countryside. Especially because fields are still green and the flowers add splashes of colour.

Related: A Delightful Guided Walking Holiday In The Algarve

March and April can still be quite rainy but by May and June, temperatures are in the mid to late 20s Celsius. Most days are sunny and there’ll be plenty of space on the beaches, although weekends may be quite busy.

Tourist-centred businesses come out of hibernation in time for the Easter holidays so there will be more choice in terms of restaurants and activities from then on.

White flowers, Boca Do Rio, Algarve, Portugal.
White flowers, Boca Do Rio, Algarve, Portugal.

Algarve in summer

If you want my advice, I’d avoid July and August unless you like jostling for space on crowded beaches and in the surrounding cafés and restaurants. Parking is tricky too so if using a car, make sure your accommodation provides a parking space.

Most of the coastal areas will be busy with either foreign or Portuguese tourists, especially in August. That said, the main touristy areas are between Lagos and Vilamoura so if you head further east or west, things may not be quite so hectic.

In terms of activities, by the end of June it’s too hot for hiking (sometimes up to 40ºC!) but ideal for beach time, assuming you can find a space. As well as a myriad of boat trips and other excursions, there are also plenty of fun summer events, such as the Medieval Fairs in Silves and Castro Marim in August.

Come September and the crowds will have largely dissipated and the weather is usually still good enough for the beach but cooling down to the point where hiking is enjoyable. Hotel prices are slightly more agreeable, but not much.

Beach holiday in Portugal
View of the beach from the cliffs of Benagil, Algarve, Portugal

Algarve in autumn

Like spring, autumn is an unpredictable season. Rains may start in October or summer may seem endless. November is usually quite rainy. Daytime temperatures are still pleasant but you’re unlikely to be doing much sunbathing. Be prepared to do more cultural or nature-based activities.

Once there’s been some rain, the landscape starts to green up again, making outdoor activities more colourful.

It’s also harvest season so look out for fresh batches of figgy delights.

Figs stuffed with almonds. Photography by Julie Dawn Fox
Figs stuffed with almonds

What to pack for your Algarve vacation

The golden rule with packing for a trip to Portugal is to be prepared for changeable weather, even in summer. This means light layers. And non-slip footwear – you’ll thank me when you see the slippery cobblestones.

Casual for the day and casual-chic (or just casual) for evenings works fine in Portugal. Unless you’re going to a particularly fancy venue, doing business or out to impress, there’s no need to dress smartly.

In winter, sunny days might be warm enough for you to strip down to a t-shirt and possibly shorts if you’re sitting in the sun but for wandering around, bring jeans, sweaters, a warm coat and wear full, non-slip shoes or boots rather than sandals. At night, it will get chilly so bring something warm to wear. You’ll probably need an umbrella at some point. And sunglasses.

Spring and autumn are probably the hardest to pack for as you could realistically get any kind of weather – think four seasons in one day. Check the weather forecast again just before packing to see what’s most likely in store for you. Flexibility will be key so have warm clothes plus a few lighter options.

In late spring and early autumn, sandals should be feasible for the day but maybe not at night. A lightweight raincoat or at least an umbrella is advisable.

In summer, loose, lightweight natural fibres will help keep you cool in the daytime. You’ll want a shawlor sweater for the evenings or perhaps boat trips. Sandals (comfortable, non-slip ones) will be fine day and night unless you need shoes for a specific reason.

See my full Portugal Packing Tips

Christmas on the beach, Fuseta, Algarve
Christmas on the beach, Fuseta, Algarve

Best places to visit in Algarve and where to stay

If you’re looking at where to go in the Algarve, much of the tourist offer is concentrated in central Algarve, between Lagos and Vilamoura. There are plenty of stunning beaches backed by dramatic sandstone cliffs, especially to the west of Albufeira, although the coastline varies considerably throughout the region. 

I particularly like the west coast, which is wilder, and usually quieter, than any of the south coast beaches – if you have a car, head for Castelejo beach near Vila do Bispo. At low tide you can walk from here to the next beach along.

If you’re after more than beaches, there are plenty of interesting small towns and villages to discover. Among my favourites are Tavira, Fuseta, Monchique, Olhão, Silves and Alte.

See my article about things to do in Algarve for more information about these places and many others.

If you’re not sure where to base yourself for your Algarve vacation, check out my Algarve accommodation guide.

How to get around in the Algarve

Once you’ve found the best place to go in Algarve, consider how to get around. Faro, the regional capital, is the main transport hub for the Algarve. Faro international airport also has flights to Porto – worth considering if you’re trying to see as much of Portugal as possible in a short space of time.

Book your private Faro airport transfers online:

Faro airport to Albufeira

Faro airport to Lagos

Faro airport to Vilamoura or Quarteira

Algarve trains

Faro is also the end train station for the intercity trains to Lisbon, Coimbra and Porto. If you’re staying somewhere in central Algarve, you’ll likely get off the train in Tunes or Albufeira, before it heads east to Faro.

The regional train runs west from Faro to Lagos and east from Faro to Vila Real de Santo António, stopping at significant towns along the route. See the train line map or check train times online.

Tip: Don’t try to use accents when you type place names into the trains website, e.g. write Olhao, not Olhão.

Algarve buses

For other destinations within the Algarve, you’ll need to use the bus, a taxi or Uber. There are several bus companies serving the Algarve and you can buy a 3 or 7-day pass to use any of them on a hop-on-hop-off basis. The Vamus pass can be purchased from any Tourist Information Office in the Algarve and recharged online through the app. Check timetables here.

Be warned that bus services are often geared around schoolchildren and workers so may be considerably reduced at weekends and holidays. If you intend to get around the Algarve by bus, this website is a very useful resource.

Driving in Algarve

Whether or not you will need a car depends on what you want to do in the Algarve. If you want a relaxing beach holiday and have accommodation within walking distance of a beach and restaurants, you don’t need one. In fact, a car would probably just cause headaches in summer months.

If you want to explore the Algarve towns and villages, there are many places you can get to by public transport if you have plenty of time and check timetables in advance. There are also tours which will get you to the most popular spots, although your time there may be limited.

However, if you want flexibility to go to off-the beaten-track places, or go on any country walks, a car will give you more freedom. There are rental car offices in major towns and at the airport.

Bear in mind that the A22, the main road that runs across the Algarve region, has an electronic toll system so you’ll want the electronic device supplied by your car hire company. It’s far safer and quicker to pay the tolls and use this road than risk the old EN125. Once you head away from the coast and into the hills, the roads become winding and narrow so use caution and patience.

See this post for more Portugal driving tips and this one for rental advice.

Check Portuguese toll road website for an idea of toll costs.

Algarve tours

If you want to see as much as possible in a short space of time, these two small group guided tours cover some of the most important sights in the Algarve:

Tour of 4 Eastern Algarve towns: Explore the stunning coastal towns of Faro, Olhão, Tavira and Vila Real de Santo António.  – See details and book online

Historical Algarve (West): Visit the ancient morrish capital of Silves, Mount Foia the highest point of the Algarve, Lagos and Cabo Vicente, known for many years as the end of world.  – See details and book online

There are, of course, plenty of other tours, some of which I have included in my article about things to do in the Algarve.

Lagos old town, Algarve
Lagos old town, Algarve

Algarve boat trips

There are many fascinating boat trips you can experience in the region, from exploring caves to dolphin watching.

You can take this 2 hour boat tour from Portimao, visiting the Benagil caves or observe dolphins in their natural habitat with this tour.

Or combine both with this longer dolphins and sea caves boat tour – with the added advantage of an on-board marine biologist to make your trip complete.

If you fancy taking things into your own hands you can rent a kayak for a few hours and discover the famous Benagil Caves at your own pace.

Algarve food and drink you should try

If you’re not in the least adventurous about sampling Portuguese food, you’ll find plenty of familiar international options in the tourist resorts. However, it would be a crying shame to miss out on some of the region’s delicacies.

I’ll start with a starter – as well as a dish of olives, you’ll often be served a dish of marinated carrots when you sit down at a restaurant. Tuck in, they’re delicious and cheap! For a hot starter, try ameijoas à Bulhão Pato, which is clams cooked in garlic, lemon and coriander.

For your main course, you could keep it simple and have fresh grilled fish, piri-piri (i.e. chilli) chicken or go all out and order a cataplana. This is the name of the domed copper pot that’s used to cook and serve either fish and seafood or meat in a tomato, pepper and onion broth.

Figs, almonds and carob are major crops in the Algarve and my favourite local cake, três delicias (three delicacies), combines all three in layers. I’m also slightly addicted to the queijo de figo. This means fig cheese but only because of the shape. The ingredients are usually figs, sugar, almonds, fennel, cinnamon and chocolate.

Tip: Try it with a 10-year-old tawny port for a taste explosion.

The colourful marzipan cakes are a bit sweet for me but they are soooo pretty!

As for drinks, you will undoubtedly encounter medronho at some point. Distilled from the berries of the strawberry tree, this strong spirit is also known as firewater. It can be a bit harsh so try the honey version, chilled, for a smoother shot. Or go for the less potent carob liqueur.

You can delve deeper into traditional wine making on this tour to two local wine estates and learn of the history and unique grape varieties that make wine from this region special. 

Find out more about Portuguese drinks.

If this has given you an appetite for Portuguese food, check out this post for some more suggestions.

Algarve events

There are plenty of cultural and food-related events throughout the year in the Algarve. Take a look at the Algarve Eventos site to see what’s on during your visit.

Check out these Algarve guide books

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Dome at sunset. Best Insider Tips For Algarve
Best Insider Tips For Algarve.
People dancing in the street. Best Insider Tips For Algarve.
Best Insider Tips For Algarve.

18 Comments

  1. H Julie, Love your advice. I am planning a walking trip in the Algarve for September with a friend. We’d like to do it alone rather than with a tour company. We don’t want to rent a car, but walk into villages and stay overnight, and hire taxis to transport our luggage from place to place. Any advice on what towns and trails not to miss? Thank You.

    1. Hi Cathy, I’d suggest doing the Rota Vicentina as it will be easier to do that on your own. You could start from Sagres and make your way up to Odeceixe, although there are several circular trails near Carrapateira that would reduce the number of taxis you’ll need. Vila do Bispo is cute as is Aljezur. See the Rota Vicentina website for more info.

  2. Hi Julie,
    My husband and I are independent travellers researching Portugal for a 2 week trip June next year. Need to compliment you on an absolutely amazing blog…. so informative and helpful especially to first timers .
    I really didn’t know where to start and cannot thank you enough !
    Since discovering you ,I will not do a thing until I have read your advice and recommendations!!

    Robyn
    Sydney, Australia

  3. What is the best way to find property to buy ? Looking for some sand in the algarve to retire on.

  4. I’m sure you’ll love it, Eric

  5. This post is reminding me that we need to get to the Algarve ASAP. It’s the only region in Portugal we’ve not visited and I know it won’t disappoint. Ameijoas à Bulhão Pato is so right our alley that I can almost take it.

  6. Hi Julie. Thanks for the great info. We are traveling to Algarve area 10/18. We will land in Lisbon and have 7 days to plan before staying in the Algarve area for 5 nights. I’m trying to decide if it’s worth splitting those 1st 7 days between an Azore island and Porto area or staying in Porto only. Or would 7 days in the Azores offer more? Any advice?

    1. Hi Karen, From what you’ve said, I assume you won’t be spending time in Lisbon. Porto and the Azores are completely different so it really depends on what interests you most. If you like beautiful green places, you can easily fill a week in the Azores, just on São Miguel island. If you want historical cities, Porto could be a good base for exploring and with day trips, again, you can easily fill a week. If you’d like to discuss your options in more detail with me, you could set up a Quick Query consultation: https://juliedawnfox.com/quick-query/

  7. Hi Masha, finally I decided on Olhos de Água mainly for its famous Falesia Beach – a great place for runners. After almost a fortnight holiday I feel like I’ve been born again. I’ve had a great time in Olhos de Água, made numerous day trips to Lagos, Sagres (including a walk along the penninsula to the St. Vincent Cape), Faro and Albufeira. I didn’t see the town you mentioned 🙂 cause I’d already had my mind set before you posted. But thanks anyway!

  8. Hi Julie and all fans of Algarve! I’m looking for some quiet place near the coast between Faro and Lagos.
    I’m an avid runner so lazy sunbathing is not necessarily a holiday choice for me. I’m particularly fond of wooden walkways or sidewalks along the beach without having to stop to cross the steet every couple of metres.
    I’ve booked a fortnight holiday in mid April. Your suggestions are much appreciated. Thanks. Rafael

    1. We often go to Alvor, a nice village with a superb beach and lots of boardwalks. Also a nature reserve. (Don’t tell everyone!)

      1. I liked Alvor by the river but found parts of it annoyingly tacky and touristy. Must venture into the nature reserve next time…

  9. Hello, thanks for your great post. Where would you recommend to travel to if I had to travel to Portugal in July? I’d love somewhere with beautiful beaches that are not so crowded and I especially love fresh seafood. Thanks!

    1. Author

      If you want the Algarve, I’d head west. the beaches are stunning and far less crowded and you’ll get some amazing seafood. Try Odeceixe or Vila do Bispo.

  10. Loved reading about your suggestions and I’ve bookmarked this page for our visit to the Algarve in a few weeks. Now I’m off to read more of your great articles. Thanks. Anita

    1. Author

      Happy to hear that, Anita. Enjoy!

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