We are thinking of spending most of a month in Portugal the latter part of May and early June. We will probably want to put down some roots in one of the towns in the Algarve after doing some exploration in Lisbon/Porto areas earlier. So, recommendations for towns or villages in the Algarve, or even sources for a house or larger apartment (there will be at least my wife and I and our daughter and her husband). Ideally some place with decent walkability, beaches, restaurants and not overrun (we should be there and gone before peak tourist season). Thanks!
Posted by
Tunbridge Wells
6113 posts
Sorry, but late May and early June will be very busy in the Algarve, when those not tied to school holidays go away. You need a car to get around the Algarve, as public transport is sketchy. Car rental is cheap compared to most other European destinations.
Tavira, Lagos, Luz, Santa Luzia, Olhao, Fuseta and Alvor (in that order) are the places that I think best fit the bill for you. Loule is a good base if you want to be inland. You may also want to consider staying somewhere closer to Lisbon if you want something less touristy, such as Caldas da Rainha or Foz do Arelho if you want to be on the coast. Great to explore Tomar, Alcobaca, Batalha etc.
The places I have stayed wouldn’t be big enough for your party - I use VRBO, Trip Advisor Rentals and Booking.com for the Algarve and avoid Airbnb as their costs are too high.
Posted by
OP
28 posts
Thank you, Jennifer, very, very helpful.
Posted by
41 posts
Hi!
We stayed in Lagos this June for 5 nights at Belmar beach and spa resort in a 2 bedroom apartment with full kitchen, 2 bathrooms, living room/dining room, 2 outdoor balconies and a roof top terrace. Based on what we paid it would be around 5,000-6,000 US for a 4 week stay, but spa facilities (heated therapy pool, steam, sauna), indoor and outdoor pools and gym are free to use. Free parking. Paid massages are affordable compared to other spa hotels (95 Euros for a 1 hour hot stone massage) Walkable to Porto Mos beach, Ponte Piedade lighthouse and downtown Lagos if you like to walk, but would recommnend a rental car. Also easy to get on hiking trails that will take you to Luz. My husband said Luz was nice, but I did not go to Luz.
The area around Porto Mos beach has a lot of condo developments, so better bargains may be had for rental. There are also apartments on the other side of Old Town Lagos that would be walkable to marina, old town and Meia Praia (flat beach that goes on for miles). Boat tours leave from the marina and there are many restaurants, shops and cafe in the marina area and old town Lagos.
If it were me, I would do 2 weeks in Lagos area and 2 weeks in Tavira area.
Happy Travels