Portugual - Faro, Tavira, Lagos?

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Anyone know or been to these areas?

Looking at a week early next year. We're not beach goers as such but do like the beach and the sea

We like to travel around and Ive seen there are buses and trains to local villages and towns along that coast which would be nice, Ive been travelling around on street view to see where things are.

I should say I have a load of Airbnb options saved along that coast but cant really make a decision about which town I want.

We absolutely adored Tavira. The beach takes a bit of effort as you have to get a boat to the sandbar but when you get there it’s miles of sand with facilities (loungers to rent, cafes, shops). Tavira itself is a lovely town, lots of great restaurants and not as crowded with brits abroad as some of the bigger resorts we visited. We hired a car and pottered around, east as far as the Spanish border and west all the way to Lagos.

Im really attracted to Tavira. I notice the prices of rentals are slightly more than Faro

I feel Faro is bang smack in the middle and so easier to travel to places for day trips on the bus or train, whereas if I choose Tavira or Lagos its one end or the other of that stretch.

Is the ferry to the beaches in Tavira likely to run in February. They probably think people would be mad to sit on the beach in February but I would.

We loved Tavira too, we went in Feb and the boat was operating, weather was lovely!

I can't advise on the specific towns as I haven't been to any of them but in terms of sightseeing, Ubers are ridiculously cheap in Portugal, which we discovered a bit too late to make the most of it on our holiday last summer.

I think that would be handy for beaches as we would be carrying a lot of stuff

For days out we like using public transport, we try to use it as much as possible when travelling as its more realistic and I like the experience

Lagos is lovely! Would definitely recommend.

Agree with @hotchocfiend that Lagos is nice, nice town, good beaches and it IS accessible by train (albeit over an hour away), touristy but not trashy. Went with my 5 kids from Faro Booked a lovely apartment. The good points were Lagos (some really nice child friendly restaurants, fab beaches, and a reasonable walk (20 mins) from train station to apartment, and the apartment was fine). The bad points were that it started howling a gale with driving rain / sleet from the moment we arrived in Faro airport to the moment we departed a week later (this was late April !!), the train was so cold, that we put on all of our clothing on, and the train station in Faro is a fair way from the airport, you can get a bus to it (probs 20 mins or so). We were very unfortunate with the weather, flights the next day were cancelled completely, but OH has been back ten times since to Villamoura, Quateira with no bother, lovely weather, even in December, taxi to resort or hire car. The train route does not take you into the resorts that are closer to the airport, so you have to choose whether this is something you want to do, or book a transfer or self drive. Hope this helps x

Thanks everyone, we're definitely going down that coast, its just a question of what town. Im tempted by all of them

I love all 3.

As the city Faro is going to have the most to do. Never been to Portugal in the winter. There's not a lot to do in Tavira if you don't like beach. It's good for a wander and a potter and eat. Markets always fun. Faro has more culture and still has city beach.

From Faro you could go to Tavira and Silves for day trips.

From lagos you should try Sagres and Luz. Its not too far to go inland to more mountainous region. I love the beaches round the far west.

Spent many holidays in Lagos. It’s my favourite place, almost in the world. I dream of living there.