Tell me more about Algarve Portugal

[Notonaschoolnight]

We're generally city break people but every few years I get sick of the research that I put myself through planning one so I try a cheap beach holiday. The date I need to fly leaves me with just a flight to Faro we're in our early 40's and will have our 15dd and 13dd with us.

I want to be able to avoid tacky, 18-30 type areas, I want to be drinking wine in a lovely beach front seafood restaurant, but I don't want too quiet and only want to be an hour ish transfer

My mums the Judith Chalmers of package holidays and said Albuifera old town would work but also mentioned Vilamoura but then thought maybe that's too golf orientated and dd's might be bored

I'm hoping you lovely lot will have some thoughts and suggestions, thanks in advance

Both the towns you mentioned are very touristy. Head as far west as you can for a quieter experience.. Sagres maybe?

Vilamoura is teeny tiny. Just a marina really. Not ideal for a whole holiday. We've been going to the Algarve, a non touristy bit, in the mountains, for around 10 years. It is just starting to get a bit of tourism but has avoided it thus far due to distance from the sea (doesn't bother us, we have a house with a pool and hate beaches).

Faro is surprisingly nice for a visit, too. Pretty walled old town, cobbled streets, marina, shops, bars and street cafes. Worth a look.

In my opinion, to get the best from the area, you should hire a car. Uber is in lots of areas now which makes evenings out really easy. Our most expensive journey was €4 for about a 20min journey.

Thank you both will look at Sagres and Faro now and will bear the Uber in mind

Have a look at this..www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/portugal/algarve/articles/Caneiros-Algarve-Portugal-Secret-Seaside/

Olhos du agua is nice. Lovely restaurants
By the sea and quite small and quiet

Tavira is really lovely and quite close to Faro. Proper Portuguese old town with beautiful beach a boat ride away.

Agree that carvoeiro is lovely out of season (I liked it and I hate touristy places). We had a car and went to some fab beaches and restaurants. I also liked savers but it was quite windy when we were there at Easter.

I like Cabanas & Travera.

Lagos is a larger town and port, with a fantastical ling beach - but more than an hour ( though not as far as Sagres) more going on here and if you can get an apartment on the Meia Priea side close enough to walk over the footbridge into town.

Incidentally there is a train station this side that runs into faro

All of the Algarve is quite touristy, but still very lovely. I have been several times, and it's definitely nicest to go off season as it quieter. I like Carvoeiro and Ferraguda is lovely too. It's nice to explore by car, driving is easy.

www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g642199-d596191-Reviews-Prainha_Clube-Alvor_Portimao_Faro_District_Algarve.html

We love it here. It's right on the beach at Alvor. The beach is the most beautiful beach I've ever been on. In the evening you can walk down into Alvor which takes about 15 minutes and is a lovely little seaside fishing village fairly unspoilt still.

We do however book Direct through HomeAway as you can get a nice little self-catering apartment then.

www.homeaway.co.uk/p8004119?utm_campaign=HAUK_TRV_INQ_HASC_replyBlank_PPS&utm_content=propid_text_o_lprop&utm_term=20171005&utm_source=SYS&utm_medium=email&haExternalSourceId=edb99e5f-baee-4b54-bf0d-94a99fdc22df+21675ad7-0818-4dca-99c5-448f471a5f0d-hasc

And Google Canico for the most beautiful little beach bar built into the cliffs you've ever seen.

www.canicorestaurante.com/en/canico-restaurant-bar/

Have to admit I gave up on Algarve a couple of hours ago after looking at Albufiera on YouTube no no no, too much going on for me I looked at Faro but rooms are very expensive, so I started looking at Berlin the only other place I can fly from our local airport on the same day

But I've just looked at Alvor on YouTube and I was quite taken with it so now I'm properly confused!!

I went to alberfiera some 30 years ago and thought it was awful and have never returned

But have often stayed in cabanas and near Lagos in beautiful places

Not been to Berlin so can’t comment - Rome won this year 😋

Snap it's was Rome/Florence and NY for me last year, haven't been away this year yet, but Amsterdam and NY are booked so now thinking about next year

Lagos is also lovely. Albufeira is not for us but we have been going to Alvor for over 30 years now.

I've no idea about Berlin I'm afraid.

Is see that Lagos isn't far from Alvor so I could check that out too, yes I'm definitely thinking Alvor for Whit week and Berlin in the six weeks

When are you planning on going? Alvor is lovely in low season, but might be too busy in the summer. We went with similar aged teens and they liked the area too.

Just read your last post...whit week!

We have been to Carvoiero based on recommendations on MN. Loved it, as did DH and DS(11).

There are many different restaurants to choose from. Also if you are there in the summer season there is entertainment in the square by the beach every night.

There are some lovely beaches around and other small towns to visit.

I wouldn't recommend Albuifera.

How about hopping over the boarder to Ayamonte/Isla Canela in Spain?
Only 40 minutes from Faro airport, it's lovely and much less touristy than The Algarve.

Alvor all booked thanks for your help everyone

I'm the mnetter who lives in carvoeiro, only just seen this now, or I would have given some recommendations earlier!

Tavira is lovely.

I shudder at touristy but actually enjoyed staying in Albufeira Old Town.

Lagos?

Try Tavira

It's really lovely and quieter

My family is from Olhao, but that is a bit too quiet, I'd think