The Algarve is the southernmost region of Portugal, on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean.
Tourist Guide
Regions
Cities
Understand
The Algarve is Portugal's most popular holiday destination due to the clean beaches (approximately 200km of them), the cool, unpolluted water, and the facts that it is relatively cheap and very safe.
Get in
By plane
Faro Airport is the main airport for the region.
On arrival there is a wide selection of car hire options both at static desks in the airport and also within the terminal at a meeting point.
To pre-arrange your car hire before arrival try these sites:
By bus
There are daily bus connections between Lagos, Olhao, Faro (and many other cities) and spanish cities like Sevilla and Huelva.
A single ticket Sevilla - Faro costs 16 euros and the journey needs 4 to 5 hours.
By train
There are daily train connections between Faro and Lisboa (4 hours).
Get around
Take the train or buses, more detailed information: see above.
Car rental
See
Lagos - The old inner city inside the remnants of a protective wall. You'll find winding streets barely wide enough for small cars, quaint shops and wonderful (but pricey) restaurants.
Silves - The red stone castle. The road there is narrow and winds through some rural areas, but it is definitely worth a 1/2 day trip if you like castles.
Do
Play golf - the Algarve is littered with high quality courses. For a list of locations and further information, see
Eat
The Algarve is famous for its hot and spicy Piri Piri Chicken, which can be found all over.
Since it has a big and rich coast, it boasts a very interesting array of fish and seafood, from sardines to "cataplanas", and many dry fruit sweets that will make your mouth water for more
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