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Douro Valley or Faro?

Hi all!

We’re spending 7 days in Portugal. I can’t decide if we should drive towards the Douro Valley, or Lagos We are renting a car in Lisbon. I LOVE villages and the wine country, but the beaches look amazing as well. Thank you in advance! And happy travels

Posted by
763 posts

What time of the year are you going? The beaches of the Algarve are hot, yes, but also really crowded during the summer months. The Douro Valley is pleasant in the summer, and especially nice at harvest time.

Posted by
6113 posts

The Algarve beaches will still be busy in September and also very windy at the western end of the Algarve, so I would head to the Douro. If you want a day at the beach, visit Sao Martinho or Foz do Arelho on the way north.