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Azores or Algarve?

Family of 4 planning a trip to Portugal next summer. Must see is Porto and Lisbon. We are conflicted if we should do Algarve or Azores. We are planning 16-20 days. If possible we wouldn’t mind seeing Seville as well. We are coming from Toronto, Canada. We are fast pace travellers and like to see and do lots when we travel. We are in the initial stages of planning. We will have a car. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Posted by
6113 posts

The Algarve is mainly about the beaches and golf, rather than fast pace travel, whereas the Azores isn’t a beach destination. You ideally need 10 days to cover a few of the islands.

There are many good beaches closer to Lisbon, so you don’t need to go all the way to the Algarve for some sand. There are also many interesting towns, such as Evora, Tomar, Fatima, Coimbra, Aveiro etc.

Seville is very hot in the summer and can be reached by bus from Faro or the eastern Algarve. Do you plan on hiring a car?

Posted by
7595 posts

We are not beach people and we live near the beach in Georgia. Never been to the Algarve. We have visited the Azores twice, while on TransAtlantic cruises. Sao Miguel Island was amazing. One of the most beautiful places we have ever been.