10 Days or so in the Algave

The Algarve isn’t the best region of Portugal for traditional architecture, as it’s seen huge amounts of development since the 1970s.

Exploring the region is far easier with a car, as public transport away from the major towns is more sketchy, particularly to get to the wetlands.

The rock formations are only found west of Lagos and are particularly good around Carrapateira and heading north towards Aljezur. You need a car for this area.

There are no wetlands around Lagos - these are found at the eastern end of the Algarve and are particularly good around Castro Marim. The nature reserve here is difficult to access without a car.

You will find fresh fish in every cafe and restaurant in the Algarve. It tends to be simply cooked - fried or barbecued with boiled potatoes and salad, not usually served with a sauce.

Lagos and Tavira would be reasonable bases, as they retain the most character. You would really benefit from hiring a car.

I will echo the previous poster. You really need to rent a car while in the Algarve. The buses don’t run very often and give limited access to the things you are looking for. Driving in the area is very easy.

And, if you want traditional architecture, you won’t find a lot in the Algarve.

You might enjoy this link for walks focused along the Atlantic coast, starting from the southern point: http://en.rotavicentina.com/.

Thank for the feedback

The idea of 10 days on the Algarve gives me the willies. Absolute tackiest part of Europe. Reminds me of where Seinfeld’s parents retired in Florida - Del Boca Vista. Unless you like hanging out with sunburned, retired Brits eating a lot of fried food and hanging out in ugly shopping malls, spend some of your 10 days elsewhere.

Emily - a reduction in the number of days is in order 😬

I usually head to the Algarve for 2 or 3 weeks per visit. I have been more than 15 times, as the Algarve and Croatia are my default beach holidays. Don’t judge your holiday based on someone that has been to the Algarve once in February.

Not everyone that visits the Algarve is a sunburned, fat Brit that hangs out in shopping malls. I resent being called that! Last time I was there, there were as many French as Brits plus many Dutch, Americans and Canadians.

May is a good time for walking in the Algarve and Lagos and Tavira would fit the bill. As I said previously, if you want more character, head further north in Portugal.

I never said “fat.”

Emily Someone who eats fried food = fat.

OP - if you have a car, a stunning walk from a Tavira base is about 45 minutes drive north west along a limestone escarpment and plateau is Rocha da Pena. It’s a circular walk up the escarpment giving fantastic views of the countryside and small traditional villages (good photo opportunities) with not another tourist in sight. Nothing like the coastal Algarve. Park at the Bar das Grutas and have a coffee on the terrace before or after your walk.

Whilst in this area, if you have the energy for another walk, visit Fonte Benemola for another circular walk alongside a stream to start.

I know lots of skinny people who eat fried food. There are loads of shops selling fish and chips (advertised in English) and loads of Dutch restaurants selling French fries (advertised in Dutch). Yum!

I did six days in the Algarve last March. It was not my favorite part of Europe but I am glad I saw it. I'm probably glad I didn't go in summer. Going to the beach wasn't the point of my trip, it was seeing scenery and the towns. The scenery near Lagos was quite stunning, the rest just OK. The towns/villages were somewhat of a disappointment but nothing really 'wrong' with them, just not as charming/picturesque/interesting as other towns/villages in Portugal (or elsewhere). We based in Lagos and Faro and did some day trips. Whole thing by public transportation, which was fine. Going west from Lagos (I think more stunning scenery) would have been difficult without a car (or more time).

Here is the trip report - https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/6-days-on-the-algarve-and-3-in-lisbon-march-2018-a-1651723/

Isabel's reaction was more or less mine, though I had no car and visited a long time ago. Basically, if I had ten days for Portugal, none of them would be spent on the Algarve. Ditto for 15 days. Three weeks--maybe. But I am not a photographer, I enjoy museums a lot, and I have no interest whatsoever in spending time on European beaches. The rocky beaches are pretty to look at, briefly, but otherwise it's just sand to me.

However, I still remember my first exposure to fresh tuna (which previously had always come out of a can). It was in Tavira. It was grilled with onions. It was consumed outdoors. That was heaven.

I appreciate all the candid comments. It has given me great pause about this whole trip idea.

We have six nights planned for Algarve at the beginning of July (travelling with kids and looking forward to swimming, snorkeling, boating to the caves and the rock formations). I also love photography and this will be after six nights in Lisbon. We plan to return another time and visit the north of Portugal and Spain. I'm wondering about the comment that the rock structures are west of Lagos. We'll be staying in Carvoeiro and I really thought it was close to the beautiful rock structures that I see in photos. Am i wrong? Do we need to travel to the Atlantic coast? We will have a car but I wasn't planning on travelling that far.