Skipping the Algarve?

If you haven't booked accommodation already for July in the Algarve, then stay North. There are plenty of good beaches there that will be busy, but not as manic as the Algarve.

Repeat after me: On our trip, we will see what we will see and we will miss everything else, and that's fine, because it's all good.

So, if you don't see the Algarve, you will see something else instead. Unless there was a special reason you had to go to the Algarve, don't worry about it - plan something else exciting to you.

I did skip the Algarve and enjoyed Nazare, instead, for the same reason, because it avoided backtracking on my route. No regrets.

I think skipping the Algarve is fine. We were just there in April, so not as touristy a time, and while the beaches are beautiful we actually cut our time shorter there and headed to Evora. We really enjoyed Evora and the Alentejo, as well as Nazare. Nazare's beach is fabulous, there are tons of beaches both north and south, and I also heard there is a beach near Sintra that is excellent.

I'm currently in Porto - the first stop on an 18 day trip. We are skipping the Algarve. In planning, it seemed like too much travel to see beaches that are very built up and not really what I enjoy in a beach. We are spending a week on the Silver coast which has many lovely beaches(so I've been led to believe) and they are not as built up and crowded.. My trip consists of Porto, Silver coast and Lisbon.

I can definitely let you know how the beaches are on the Silver coast and if I feel short changed in a couple of weeks 😊

Thanks everyone! We're skipping the Algarve, and I don't feel one bit bad about it- adding days in Evora, Marvao, and Nazare instead- I think it will be less driving, more relaxed, and every bit as eventful. Thanks for the input!