We have 9 days to wander the Algarve region, from 12/9 - 12/18, and plan on hiking around Monchique, the south coast, and part of the Rota. I would also like to see Tavira, but could do that on a day trip. We will have a car. What town(s) would you suggest we base in? Typically we like to spend a few nights in any given location so we don't waste too much time moving.
Posted by
Vancouver, BC, Canada
1378 posts
Are you planning to use a vacation rental or hotel?
With a car, I would prefer a vacation rental with free parking over a hotel. I would also prefer to stay in one base and not switch accommodations. Using a single base to visit the different towns is not a problem because the Algarve is very easy to drive. This is low season and you could get a better rate if you stay longer than 7 days. Cleaning and other fees with each new rental change can really add up.
We spent 4 nights in Lagos in September, 2023 and really enjoyed it. We could have easily chosen a different town in the Algarve and it would have been fine.
Posted by
OP
Eden, Utah
44 posts
Vacation rental(s)/Airbnb(s) are our first choice. We will want the flexibility of having a kitchen and hopefully laundry. Free parking also a plus. I hadn't considered the fact that we could save significantly by not having multiple cleaning/admin fees. I guess the big question is, do we want to be somewhere really quiet or near lots of shops and restaurants for the times we aren't on the trails?
Posted by
Vancouver, BC, Canada
1378 posts
The towns are pretty small. We stayed in a luxury 3 bedroom apartment with a view in a residential area about ten minutes walk to downtown Lagos.
You are going in the middle of winter. It is probably pretty dead, except for visitors during Christmas week.
Posted by
Georgetown,KY
148 posts
We stayed in an apartment in Burgau and took day trips each day we were there- late Sept/earky October. Very small town was relaxing in evening but easily to hit multiple towns in area.
Posted by
Cascais, Portugal
1848 posts
Some of the smaller towns pretty much close down during the winter. Base yourselves in Lagos and you will find plenty open and it’s close enough to several other places as day trips. If you want a smaller town, be sure to check on winter closings.