Travel Advice - Algarve & Alentejo

Hi,

Where are you flying in from? If on a red eye from the US it is not advised to drive upon arrival. If from UK or Europe may not be an issue.

So if driving upon arrival is an issue consider reversing your itinerary and take train to Evora stay 2 nights then rent a car in Evora go to Algarve and drop off car in Lisbon or take train back into Lisbon from Evora rent the car and drive to Lagos or drive to Evora first, it's about 1.5 hours. We drove from Lagos to Evora, in June on a 2 lane road, not toll road. It was farm land. It was not memorable that I can recall sites or views.or stops for lunch/ drinks. It took about 3 hours. Evora though was pretty. Our hotel inside wall had a garage for the car. There was a great cafe in the park near Roman temple with great red sangria.

The vineyards had shops in the town for tastings. We found a great dinner with black pork without a reservation. We only stayed one night at Hotel M'Ar de Ar Muralha. Architecture was great, parking in garage under hotel, bathroom with great with tub and Portuguese tile, beds were not comfortable and tile floor did not pass white sock test. I would have liked to stay another night in Evora to get out to see the megaliths. Some may say 2 nights is too many, but I think it would work great for an arrival day.

For Lagos make dinner reservations at old town or beachfront restaurants upon arrival.

We went to Cabo do Sao Vincente and Sagres. Praia de mareta was beautiful. We ate lunch at Telheiro do Infante. Not sure if they are open late Sept/Oct. We stayed at Belmar. Nice 2 bedroom apartment with rooftop terrace. Walk to trails to lighthouse at Ponte do Piedade or Luz in other direction.

Happy planning!

Happy planning

Thank-you Aguadeazul! We will be arriving from Dublin at 1pm, hopefully flights will be on time :)

Thanks for the tip on M'ar de Ar Muralhas, we had been looking at that hotel but based on your feedback about the uncomfortable beds have decided to book into Vitoria Stone Hotel instead.

I will be on the lookout for the cafe with the delicious red sangria in Evora!!

For our Lagos accommodation I am looking at Costa dOrio Ambiance Village, near the Praia de Dona Ana area but had originally planned to stay in Old Town. Was the Old Town walkable from your hotel? Would you recommend staying in the beach communities over Lagos Old Town? We prefer to park the car at the end of the day and be able to walk to restaurants for dinner and drinks.

Thanks again :)

Hi Tracy

We drove to old town and parked in garage. There is little parking in old town. You could walk it but it would take 30 min from belmar. Would be closer from Dona Ana beach.

About beach vs town. Depends upon what you like. If I'm going to the Algarve, I want the beach.

Hello! I spent three nights in the Algarve in late May and had a wonderful time. It looks like you're mostly set, but we stayed in Carvoeiro, adjacent to Lagoa (not to be confused with Lagos) at O Castelo Guest House overlooking the cliff beach (there are also cave tours that leave from the beach). Our room was reasonably priced, breakfast was included and we had a huge private terrace overlooking the beach. It was magical and we slept with the door to the balcony open so we could hear the waves overnight. An afternoon at the beach there would be fun even if you stay elsewhere.

I'd also recommend visiting the town of Silves if you have time. It was the Moorish capital of the Algarve and there are some great sights to see. A couple of hours is enough time.