Practical Tips for Your Stay in the Algarve

So You’re Coming to the Algarve — Here’s What We Actually Tell Our Friends

We get asked this all the time. “What should I know before I come to the Algarve?” And honestly, we’ve been managing rental properties here at Monte Rentals for long enough that our answer has changed over the years. It used to be a polite list. Now it’s more like — look, here’s what we wish someone had told us when we first moved here.

This isn’t a Wikipedia entry. This is the stuff our team argues about over coffee on Monday mornings. The beach you shouldn’t bother with. The town that’ll surprise you. The road that’ll make you swear at your GPS. All of it.

Getting Around — Yes, You Probably Need a Car

Let’s get this out of the way. Can you survive without a car? Technically, sure. The train runs along the coast from Lagos to Vila Real de Santo António and it’s honestly pretty charming — cheap too, like three euros for a forty-minute ride. Buses exist between towns but they’re… let’s say “relaxed” about schedules. On weekends some routes just don’t run at all. A guest of ours last summer planned a whole day trip to Silves by bus on a Saturday and ended up stuck there until Monday. True story.

So rent a car. Especially if you want to hit the west coast — the Costa Vicentina, Sagres, Cabo de São Vicente — there’s literally no other way. Prices are reasonable if you book early. We usually recommend checking at Faro airport arrivals since that’s where most agencies cluster.

One thing that catches everyone off guard: the A22 motorway has electronic tolls. No booths, no barriers, just cameras reading your plate. If you don’t sort out payment, fines show up weeks later through the rental company. Ask your agency about Via Verde or EasyToll before you leave the airport. Takes five minutes. Saves a massive headache.

And the EN125? That old national road that runs parallel to the highway? It’s fine for short hops between towns but don’t use it as your main route during summer. Between roundabouts, tourist traffic, and the occasional tractor pulling out of an orange grove — yeah, budget extra time.

Where to Stay — Town by Town, No Sugarcoating

This is where people get it wrong. They pick a town based on one Instagram photo and then spend a week somewhere that doesn’t match what they actually wanted. So here’s the honest breakdown:

Albufeira — The big one. Lively, loud in summer, packed with restaurants and nightlife. The old town is genuinely pretty if you catch it in the morning before the crowds wake up. But if you want peace and quiet? This isn’t it. Great for groups, stag dos, families who don’t mind a buzz.

Lagos — Our personal favourite for visitors who want a bit of everything. Proper town with actual character. The marina’s nice, the old town walls are still there, and the bar scene is fun without being overwhelming. Ponta da Piedade alone is worth the trip. Young couples, solo travellers, surfers — Lagos fits most people.

Portimão — Underrated. Seriously. Everyone overlooks it because Praia da Rocha steals the spotlight, but Portimão itself is a working Portuguese city with incredible seafood restaurants along the riverfront. The sardine festival in August is chaos — the good kind.

Tavira — If Albufeira is a Friday night, Tavira is a Sunday morning. Roman bridge, quiet cobblestone streets, a genuinely lovely market hall. Perfect for couples or anyone who wants to slow down. The beach is on an island you reach by boat, which somehow makes it feel more special.

Faro — Most people just pass through on the way from the airport. That’s a mistake. The old town — Cidade Velha — is stunning in that understated way. The bone chapel is weird and wonderful. And the Ria Formosa right there? Incredible birdwatching. It’s not glamorous but it’s real.

Olhão, Loulé, Silves — The deep cuts. Olhão has the best fresh fish market in the region, full stop. Loulé’s Saturday market is what every tourist market wishes it was. And Silves — that Moorish castle overlooking orange groves — feels like you’ve stepped into another century.

Beaches — Because That’s Really Why You’re Coming

The Algarve has over 100 beaches. Some are postcard-perfect cove beaches framed by golden cliffs. Others are wide open stretches where you won’t see another person for hours. And then there’s everything in between.

Our full beach guide goes deep on this, but here’s the quick version. For dramatic cliffs and sheltered swimming, head to Marinha, Benagil, or Camilo near Lagos. For long walks and wild Atlantic energy, Bordeira and Amado on the west coast can’t be beaten. For families with small kids, Meia Praia near Lagos has shallow water and soft sand for ages.

One tip we always give: go early. By 11am in July, the popular cliff beaches are full. We’re talking towels-touching-towels full. Get there by 9 and you’ll have a completely different experience. Or go late afternoon — after 5pm the light is gorgeous and half the crowd’s already left.

Food — Skip the Tourist Traps, Here’s What to Actually Eat

Honestly, skip the restaurants right on the main tourist strips. You know the ones — laminated menus in six languages, photos of the food, someone outside trying to wave you in. Walk two streets back and you’ll find where the locals eat. The difference in quality (and price) is staggering.

What should you order? Algarvian food is built on fish, and it’s exceptional. Grilled sardines from June through September — squeeze lemon, eat with your hands, don’t overthink it. Cataplana is the signature dish, a copper-pot seafood stew that every restaurant does a bit differently. Arroz de marisco — wet seafood rice — can be transcendent when done right. In Portimão, hit the waterfront restaurants near Largo da Barca for sardines. In Olhão, the restaurants around the market are outstanding.

And pastries. Dear god, the pastries. Pastel de nata obviously, but also try Dom Rodrigo — it’s an Algarvian specialty made with eggs and almonds wrapped in foil that looks like a little golden nugget. Most bakeries have them. They’re absurdly sweet and completely addictive.

Budget-wise, a solid lunch at a local place runs about 8-12 euros for a main with sides. Dinner at a nicer spot, maybe 20-30 per person with wine. And Portuguese wine? Criminally underpriced for the quality. Ask for the house wine — vinho da casa — and you’ll rarely be disappointed.

Language, Money, and the Practical Bits

Portuguese people in the Algarve speak English remarkably well. Like, better than you’d expect. But learn a few words and watch faces light up. Obrigado (thank you — men say this, women say obrigada), bom dia (good morning), a conta, por favor (the bill, please). That’s honestly enough to get genuine smiles.

Money is straightforward — it’s euros, cards are accepted almost everywhere, and ATMs (called Multibanco) are reliable and plentiful. Tip isn’t mandatory but rounding up or leaving 5-10% at restaurants is appreciated. Don’t tip like you would in the US — it’ll confuse people more than anything.

Safety: The Algarve is safe. Genuinely, properly safe. We’ve never had a guest report anything serious. Normal precautions apply — don’t leave valuables visible in your car, don’t carry your passport on the beach. But compared to most tourist destinations in Europe, this place is a dream.

When to Come — Each Season Has Its Thing

Summer (June to September) is peak season. Hot, busy, expensive. Water’s warmest, days are longest, everything’s open. If you’re coming with kids during school holidays, this is obviously when you’ll be here.

But here’s what the regulars know — May, early June, late September, and October are magic. Temperatures in the mid-twenties, beaches are emptier, prices drop significantly, and the light is just… different. Softer. I remember one October evening at Praia da Falésia where the whole cliff face turned pink and there were maybe ten people on the entire beach. That’s the Algarve at its best.

Winter? It’s mild — 15-17°C most days, occasional rain, but nothing like northern Europe. Some restaurants close, sure, and the vibe is quiet. But golfers love it. Hikers love it. And prices are at their lowest. We’ve had guests book a whole month in January for what a week costs in August.

Surfing, Nightlife, and Day Trips

Surfing: The west coast is where it’s at. Arrifana, Amado, Bordeira — consistent waves, surf schools everywhere, and a completely different atmosphere to the south coast. Water’s cold year-round though, so bring a wetsuit or rent one. The south coast is calmer — better for paddleboarding and kayaking.

Nightlife: Albufeira’s Strip is the obvious answer, and it delivers exactly what you’d expect — loud, cheap drinks, international crowd. Lagos has a more compact scene around Rua da Barroca that’s a bit more relaxed. Vilamoura’s marina has the upscale vibe if that’s your thing. Outside of those three, nightlife is basically “a nice dinner that goes late.”

Day trips: Seville is only two and a half hours by car — totally doable as a day trip and absolutely worth it. The Alentejo region just north of the Algarve is gorgeous and empty — cork forests, medieval villages, and some of the best wine in Portugal. And if you want something closer, take a boat tour along the coast from Lagos or Albufeira. The grottos and sea caves are genuinely spectacular — not just a tourist gimmick.

A Few Random Things Nobody Tells You

• Supermarkets close early on Sundays — some as early as 1pm. Stock up on Saturday if you’re self-catering.
• Pharmacies are excellent. Portuguese pharmacists can advise and sell things over the counter that would need a prescription elsewhere. Got a sunburn, a stomach bug, a weird rash? Pharmacy first, doctor only if needed.
• The tap water is safe to drink but tastes a bit mineral-heavy in some areas. Lots of people buy bottled. Your call.
• Restaurants bring bread, olives, and cheese to your table automatically. It’s not free — it’s called a couvert and it’ll show up on your bill. If you don’t want it, just wave it away politely. No offense taken.
• Sunset at Cabo de São Vicente — the southwesternmost point of continental Europe — is one of those things you have to do at least once. Get there early, bring a jacket because it’s always windy, and just… watch. It’s spectacular.
• Book restaurant dinners in summer. Especially Friday and Saturday nights. Even places that never used to need reservations now fill up by 8pm.

Look, the Algarve isn’t complicated. It’s not a place that requires a lot of planning or stress. Come, slow down, eat well, find a beach you love, and let the days blur together a little. That’s kind of the whole point. And if you need a hand figuring out where exactly to base yourself — well, that’s literally what we do.