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Suggestions for June trip to Lisbon and Algarve

Hello, We are 5 adults traveling to Portugal in late June. We presently plan to stay in Lisbon for 4 nights and were thinking that we should also visit the Algarve. We presently have reservations to stay in Salema for 3 nights but I've been reading posts that feel that Salema is not what it used to be and perhaps not a good choice. Can someone please advise? We will have a car. Would also appreciate suggestions for a car rental company. Thank you! Sandy

Posted by
1654 posts

I posted my negative opinion of Salema so you might want other responses.... But, after spending two weeks in the western Algarve, I would recommend Lagos as a base. It's large enough to have lots of restaurants, etc. but not totally filled with high rise apartments. There are lovely beaches and amazing rock formations you can visit. If you have a car and run out of things to do, you can easily drive to a number of other places in the area.

Posted by
6113 posts

Salema still offers a good beach and a few restaurants, but it isn't the quaint fishing village it was and has a huge partially completed but now abandoned residential development blotting the hillside.

Lagos has better offers of everything.

One problem you may have is that finding accommodation on the Algarve for next month may be impossible. There are reports of hotels being over booked. You may have to consider beach time closer to Lisbon.

Posted by
1654 posts

I may not be objective since I loved Cascais from my first visit, but I definitely think it's worth a day trip. But, if you are spending time in the Algarve, that might suffice for your ocean fix. But, Cascais has a very different feel than Lisbon and you can either take a bus to the walk-way along the sea or walk from the train station. There are cliffs and rock formations (Boca do Inferno) that are lovely. If you decide to take the trip out here, I would be happy to give you more detailed information.
Regarding car rental - I've used Auto Europe for many years and have never been disappointed. But, I would suggest not attempting to drive in Lisbon. When I went to the Algarve, I took the train down there and rented a car after I arrived.

Posted by
181 posts

I just spent four nights in Salema (I'm in Evora now), and feel obligated to add my two cents worth. For several months, in planning our trip, I vacillated back and forth between using Salema or Lagos as a base for our stay in the Algarve. Nothing against Lagos, but I'm so glad I chose Salema! We spent a full day in Lagos, and had a wonderful time, kayaking through the caves and wondering the beaches and streets. But I found it very crowded, and the restaurants all very much the same. Yeah, the beaches are gorgeous, but they too were crowded. I just found Salema to be a better base from which to visit the area (by car). For four nights, there were enough restaurants to provide variety, and a couple of friendly bars; the beach is great; and it's easy to get out of town by car for day trips. It may not be the quaint little fishing town it used to be, but I was never there when it was. If you're planning on sitting in one place for a few days, Lagos may have more to offer. But if you want a good base from which to tour around, my vote's for Salema.