Rick steves suggests Salema, Sagres, Lagos, and Tavira as possible destinations to visit. He especially highlights Salema as a good place to stay. Would you agree? Are there any other standout places to visit or stay in this area? Also after reading some posts in this forum some suggest not visiting the area if you aren't much of a beach person. I enjoy beaches but it's not my priority, would you agree to skip this area altogether. I am planning on spending at least 5 weeks in Portugal so wondering if we should include this area. We do like to hike. TIA
Posted by
437 posts
Depends on your interests and mode of transportation, with a car you're can go anywhere in the Algarve but using public transit is more difficult to some places like Salema.
Salema itself was a tiny fishing village, tourists now discovered it and some tourist /vacation housing and restaurants are available.
Besides the beach there's nothing else to do and it's too small for me, so I skip it.
Lagos is a better choice.
If you have a car and the time my suggestion is to split your stay in the Algarve with a few days in the western part ( Lagos) and a few days in the eastern part ( Tavira or Vila Real) and use those as bases for day trips to the surrounding areas.
Without a car maybe use just one location, Lagos.
The Algarve is best know for warmer weather, golf, beaches and natural attractions ( Ria Formosa estuary, 7 hanging valleys trail ) there's very little monuments compared with the center and north of Portugal.
We stayed in Vilamoura /Quarteira area for 2 months over the winter and enjoyed it but it's not for everyone.
With 5 weeks you might give it a few days to see the Algarve for yourself.
Posted by
SF Bay Area
94 posts
We enjoyed our time in the Algarve. We thought about Salema, but looking at some of the drone photos from the hotel ads, it looked way more built up than we expected. Then I stumbled across an interesting hotel, renovated from a tidal mill called Moinhos das Mare and I was sold. It is in the teeny town of Fuseta (aka Fuzeta) which is closer to the eastern end of the Algarve. Much of the coastal Algarve are resort towns, with multi-story apartments lining the beach. Fuseta isn't there yet. It is a fishing village pivoting towards tourism, but it's got a sweet small downtown, fabulous seafood restaurants, an excellent vegetarian restaurant, and a cafe where most of the expat community seems to gather (owner is Canadian Portuguese).
If you decide to stay more towards the western end, check out the Fisherman's Trail; a interconnected series of trails that skirt the coastline. You can even do inn to inn walks.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8892 posts
Will you have a car? That makes a big difference in the Algarve, there is certainly buses and trains, but that would influence your decision. Salema is a bit sleepy, may be a decent base for the Western end if you had a car, but other than beach, not much there.
Lagos is centrally located, easily reached by public transport, and central. Not spent much time there though.
We have been to Tavira a couple times, we like it, the town itself is nice, a very manageable size, great restaurants, some history. The area is known for wildlife, birds and sea life, and it has a long barrier island (with cheap boats out to it) for beach or just walking for a couple miles in the sand, You can reach Tavira by car, bus, or train
Posted by
midwest
41 posts
We’re on day 5 in the Algarve and loving it. The weather has been perfect, high 70’s and sunny. We’re a moderately fit couple in our mid 60’s and have enjoyed walking different short sections of the Fisherman’s trail three times, with gorgeous ocean scenery. We’re not really beach people however we’ve gone for a “swim” a couple times, refreshing after a hike. Our lodging, Apartmentos os Descobrimentos, has a nice view of the beach from the balcony. We’re staying in the village of Burgau and it’s pretty much 99% tourists however that means plenty of restaurants. We’ve taken a couple of day trips (Sagres and Lagos). Not crowded during this second half of September, just pleasantly busy.