Business-Leisure trip to Portugal in November

Posted by laila.almounaier on 10/17/21 09:55 PM

My husband is going on a business trip to Albufeira in Algarve we arrive on 10/31 and he is on business from 11/1 - 11/4. From there we have 11/5 - 11/10 to adventure Portugal on our leisure time. I'd love some advice on the following:

1) Is it safe for me to walk and drive around solo in Algarve, I have day time for 4 days to tour solo. Any advice or recommendations appreciated. (I'll have a rental car)

2) From Algarve we are looking for recommendation on how to maximize our trip and what cities to hit up on our drive up to Lisbon. It's our first time ever in Portugal. Reading Rick's recommendations, Lisbon and day trip to Sinatra are a must. But my question is going from Algarve and having 5 days how to maximize and where to stay. Should we drive straight to Lisbon or are there cities we should stop at on the way. We fly out of Lisbon on 11/10.

3) Any recommended hotels, and places to eat?

We are not into wine/drinking other than that I love to see a lot of authenticity and culture.

Posted by Jennifer

Tunbridge Wells

10/17/21 10:50 PM

6113 posts

The Algarve is safe to walk around solo, although unfortunately, Albufeira is one of my least favourite resorts there. It’s unlikely to be beach weather all the time and it maybe very wet. Plus this end of the Algarve is always windy, so take a jumper for the evenings.

The Algarve majors on beaches and golf and is lacking in culture and authenticity.

I would head west to see Lagos, the Cape and drive into the hills around Monchique and visit the stunning western coast north of Vila do Bispo.

There aren’t really any cities between the Algarve and Lisbon other than Setubal. There are a number of small towns but nothing remarkable. The toll road is rather boring - you need a car with a transponder as paying the tolls is hassle otherwise. The N120 is a more interesting route, but will take most of the day to drive including some stops. As it doesn’t follow the coastline, you have to veer off in various places to see the coast, such as Zambujeira do Mar and Comporta.

I would opt for Cascais over Sintra - presumably you are dropping the car back when you reach Lisbon.

I would try to stay in a Pousada (historic hotel) if it’s within your budget.

Posted by laila.almounaier OP

10/17/21 11:10 PM

7 posts

I see thanks for the tip. So now I/m wondering if it even makes sense to rent a car if there is not much to see between Algarve and Lisbon and just look for a car hire and head straight there.

Posted by MaryPat

Irving

10/17/21 11:41 PM

3279 posts

You can take a direct train between Albufeira to Lagos (1h 15m) and a direct bus between Albufeira and Tavira (1h 30m).
You can take a direct bus from Albufeira to Lisbon (3h).
In Lisbon you can take a direct train from the Lisboa Oriente station to Sintra (1h) and Évora (1h 45m).

Posted by kathrynj

Cascais, Portugal

10/18/21 05:40 AM

1826 posts

If you are going to explore the Algarve on your own, you will need a car. But, could easily drop it off when you head north and take the train. It’s easy and cheap. BTW - Portugal consistently ranks in the top ten safest countries in the world. It’s perfectly safe for you to explore on your own.

Head over to Lagos and maybe on to Sagres. The rock formations outside of Lagos are pretty spectacular.

I would head straight to Lisbon from the Algarve. While there are things on the way, the Lisbon area is much better.

If you go to Sintra, go early and be prepared for crowds. I won’t go anymore because it’s too congested. But, the palaces are lovely.

When looking for hotels or apartments, be sure to ask what type of heat is in the room/apartment. November can be pretty chilly (and wet). If they only have oil radiators, keep looking. While I use one, it took me a couple of years to learn how to use it properly.. But, November also has beautiful sunny days that are warm with amazing blue skies.