We are planning a trip to Portugal in September. I use Rick's travel guidebooks religiously as a resource in planning our trips. We will be pretty much following his two-week-by-car itinerary in his Portugal guidebook, although I am extending time in certain locations. Rick's itinerary has one flying into Lisbon with a stay (4 days) there, and then traveling south to the Algarve, before resuming a northward tour toward Porto. The drive from Lisbon to Algarve is about 3 hours (187 miles). I'm wondering if we would be better off flying into the airport at Faro and beginning our trip in Algarve and then proceeding to Lisbon and follow the rest of his itinerary (Evora, Nazare, Coimbra, Douro Valley, Porto). Any thoughts would be appreciated. Has anyone traveled in or out of the airport at Faro?
Posted by
Tunbridge Wells
6113 posts
As has been commented numerous times, you can’t travel at the same pace travelling independently as on a tour. You need 3+ weeks to cover the Algarve, Lisbon and Porto plus places in between. Unless you want beach time, drop the very touristy Algarve. There are decent beaches on the Silver Coast near Lisbon.
I have flown into Faro airport numerous times as the Algarve is my default beach destination. The last time I used it (pre pandemic), it took over 1.5 hours to get out of there. I used to stay in Salema, but it’s character has been ruined by over development. Likewise, I disagree with RS about Nazare unless you are a surfer - Sao Martinho do Porto is nicer. The towns of Alcobaca, Batalha, Santarem and Tomar (and if you are catholic Fatima) are all worth visiting.
The toll roads in Portugal require a transponder from your car hire company - they are quicker, but duller roads as they generally bypass towns and villages. The more interesting roads are much slower.
Posted by
Hudson Valley
2267 posts
I imagine part of the intention of starting the 'two-week-by-car' itinerary is so that you avoid driving into Lisbon and paying to park a rental car you're paying for, but not using. Starting the itinerary as written would allow you to collect the car only as you're leaving the city.
Posted by
OP
23 posts
Thank you for your replies. Our planned trip will be for three weeks. And yes, we do not plan on having a car in Lisbon and will pick up the rental car on our way out. (You actually reminded me of this point; thank you.) I have thought about skipping the Algarve, but am not sure how many other times we will be in Portugal and it is mentioned as an area to visit repeatedly on various different travel sites for Portugal. I have read your and others comments' re Nazare; we were planning on using this as a base primarily with side trips to Alcobaca and Batalha during our stay in this region. Does that make sense; or are there better alternatives? Thank you again for your thoughts.
Posted by
332 posts
Hi
I would reverse the direction of travel and start in Porto.
September is still good weather but the north of Portugal is always colder and wetter than the south, so I would travel from the colder to the warmer.
As Jennifer mentioned there are good beaches in other places besides the Algarve but having relaxing beach time at the end of a road trip as opposed to the beginning would make it more enjoyable (assuming you like the beach).
If you can fly in to Porto and fly out from Faro you don't have to backtrack and waste precious vacation time. If you have to fly in and out of Lisbon I would still start in Porto for the above reasons.
Happy travels
Posted by
Tunbridge Wells
6113 posts
I stayed in Caldas da Rainha as a base for Alcobaca etc. It’s got many characterful old tile covered buildings as this was the centre of the Portuguese tile industry and has a great food market. It’s close to the sea - Foz do Arelho if you want a long, sandy beach.
The western end of the Algarve is very windy - often too windy to sit on the beach and the sea is glacial, so I would head to Tavira. I would only include the Algarve if you are flying open jaw. Otherwise, there is plenty further north to fill 3 weeks.
The Algarve is probably mentioned in lots of guidebooks as it’s the most touristy area for those seeking beaches and golf. If you want to see the cliffs, you don’t have to head that far south to see them.