We are planning to travel to Portugal in May 2024 with a 3-day stay in the Algarve. Could you recommend a place to stay? We are looking for a place with a beach and a town that is within walking distance from our hotel. We are in our 50s, so we are not exactly clubbers, but like a night scene (music and bars). We also will be travelling via train or bus, no car, so we need a place that is accessible without a car. It is not my first time in Portugal (I have visited Lisbon) but it is my husband's first time so I welcome recommendations.
Posted by
Los Angeles
980 posts
Looking at Rick Steve's travel guide from 2021 and he says his favorite village is Salema!
Posted by
Washington DC
28249 posts
But there have been quite a few negative comments about Salema from posters here. I haven't been there myself, but reports are that the town is now severely overdeveloped. It sounds as if there are a few more-attractive options at this point. I bet someone will come along with some other suggestions soon. I haven't been to the Algarve since the late 1980s, so I don't have reliable information.
Posted by
Cascais, Portugal
1826 posts
I’m one of those who vote against Salema. It’s mostly high rises with a very tiny old town.
Without a car, Lagos might be your best best. While the beaches are a bit from the old town, they would be easily accessible via Bolt or Uber if you don’t want to walk. It’s large enough to have plenty of restaurants and is easy on the train.
Posted by
Tunbridge Wells
6113 posts
Salema was quaint 20 years ago but these days …… It’s also very hilly. Staying there would soon get you fit if you aren’t already! There’s certainly no live music there, but there are restaurants and cafes. The small supermarket in Salema is ok for the basics, but a better choice and value is to be had at Intermarche or Lidl, but you need a car for that. I would recommend a car for staying in Salema, as public transport is limited.
A better choice without a car would be Lagos. There are plenty of beaches and restaurants and bars with live music, although there’s not much live music, particularly in May. The trouble with this end of the Algarve is that it can get very windy - think blowing cutlery off tables windy. The eastern end isn’t as windy, but the beaches are out on the barrier island, reached by a water taxi. Tavira is the most characterful town. Nearby is Cabanas, more of a modern resort with a small older heart, but it is a good base for walks and there are plenty of restaurants and bars. Conceicao is the train station there.
Posted by
OP
9 posts
Thank you for all of the replies. We will research Tavira but I suspect Lagos may be our best bet.
Posted by
8 posts
If you're not looking for the full-on Algarve beach scene, I cannot say enough about Vila Real de Santo Antonio, right at the east end of the Algarve, across the border from Spain. It's an absolutely charming town, and is mere minutes from endless stretches of gorgeous beaches that only locals go to. Most of the Algarve is very heavily developed, and not at all charming, in my experience.
Posted by
OP
9 posts
Thank you for the recommendation for Via Real de Santo Antonio. It looks awesome. We are leaning towards the east Algarve after researching Tavira so welcome any of the best recommendations that fit within our likes (Via Real de Santo Antonio seems to fit the bill).
Posted by
Tunbridge Wells
6113 posts
I have been to VRSA several times. It’s a pleasant place to go to for lunch. It doesn’t have much history as Tavira and I wouldn’t stay there over Tavira. It’s more of a holiday resort than an historic town.