Hi all,
I've traveled to Europe on many, many occasions with us doing the planning and things working out for the most part.
We now want to travel to Portuagal, me, a friend and her two daughters (ages 9 and 12) who are good travelers. The idea is to stay in the Algarve region. Does it make sense to stay in one home place, renting an apartment, and making day trips using a rental car? That is what I would prefer to do, but can't quite figure out how feasible this is. Does it make sense to anyone who has traveled there? If so, where would you recommend to make the home base, somewhere in the middle of the region, near the coast? Or does it make better sense to stay in a place a few days, move on and rent another place for a few days? We will only have a week in Portugal and really want to avoid moving around every couple of days in a week. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Lisa
Posted by
Cascais, Portugal
1824 posts
I just spent two weeks house sitting in the Algarve - right outside of Lagos. The western Algarve is much nicer IMO, because it's not wall to wall high rises. Lagos is a good place for day trips to Sagres, Monchique, and lots of beautiful beaches. Lagos is also a nice town in itself.
Depending on the time of the year, the entire Algarve can be very busy. Since I moved to the Lisbon area, I'm partial to this part of Portugal - but that's just me... But, I will admit the beaches in the western Algarve are pretty amazing!
Posted by
Tunbridge Wells
6113 posts
It makes sense to rent somewhere for a week and do day trips, although if you are going at the height of summer, it can be too hot to want to spend much time in the car. The Algarve is very popular this year, as people can't holiday in Tunisia etc, so bookings in Portugal have rocketed. I am going in May and only managed to get my third choice of accommodation. Accommodation usually lets from Saturday to Saturday at this time of year.
I too like Lagos, but the much smaller Cabanas near Tavira is also great, as you have to get a 3 minute boat trip across the lagoon to get to the beach, which is great fun for children. There is a wooden boardwalk above the beach and plenty of cafés and restaurants overlooking the waterfront. Tavira is a charming old town with its Roman bridge.
Lagos has some good beaches and you can go on boat trips to the caves. From here, you can also drive up the Atlantic coast to some beaches which are used by surfers.
The sea in Lagos is too cold for me (Atlantic not the Med) and the wind can be a nuisance when you get sandblasted on the beach. There is less wind the closer to Spain you get, but this can make the days feel even hotter. The sea is warm enough to swim in at Cabanas. I think both will suit your needs.
Many of the resorts such as Albufeira and Praia da Rocha have more high-rise apartment blocks. Taking the non-motorway route is c 3 hours from one end of the Algarve to the other.
Posted by
stevens point, wi, usa
1194 posts
Hi, Five weeks in Portugal, about to leave in a couple more days. We have had great happiness spending 5 or 6 days per stay location. If you only have a week, stay in one place. \
wayne iNLIsboa
Posted by
OP
akron, ohio
503 posts
Thanks everyone for your advice and tips. We will be going about the third week of April, 2017. Hopefully, that is before it gets too unbearable hot and crowded!!