Hi everyone,
Im visiting western Algarve for the 1st with a friend, 1st week of april and we are totally lost. i have been researching on the internet for weeks about places to visit and its has left me more confused than ever! We are definately going to Lagos first and after which we have time for 2 more places. I am keen on carvoeiro it sounds great. Anymore suggestions.? I have looked in to alvor, praia da rocha (but am worried it might b too highrised and tacky with the development). This is sort of what we are looking for:
1. Most important.. Beautiful Beaches
2. NO concrete jungles with high rises!
3. However since we both are in are 20s we would like a bit of a nightlife.. nothing hectic, just a few lively bar options, without the trashiness and maybe some young ppl :)
Sorry for the high demands :) but we've been waiting for this trip to algarve for a long time! Any suggestions would be seriously appreciated.
Any tips on bars restaurants, esp. Accommodation in Lagos? Thanks! :)
2007-03-26 05:44:10 · 11 answers · asked by Seeker 1 in Travel ➔ Europe (Continental) ➔ Portugal
Hey thank you guys for the help.. however im we're not too keen on albufeira.. its sounds like too much.. hopefully something little less touristic? Any opinions on alvor (is it too empty?) or praia da rocha? Haha sorry .. All help appreciated! :)
2007-03-26 11:00:10 · update #1
Hi guys,
Thanks again.. Tavira sounds great but think we´re going to stay on the west coast. Sagres sounds good.. think it might b a toss up between there and alvor.. any suggestions dont really know too much bout either. and just so.. how far is tavira from faro airport and carvoeiro. Thanks ppl! Besos!
2007-03-28 01:07:26 · update #2
Hello!
I live in Portugal and go to the Algarve a couple of times a year. Even the worst places are not too bad by Costa del Sol standards... If you're staying in Lagos you'll inevitably encounter a bit of mass tourism, but compared to places like Albufeira (going by your question, I would tell you avoid it completely!) it's not too bad. Carvoeiro's OK but again it has lots of villas and one or two big hotels.
The quietest, best places in the Algarve are the far west (Sagres) and the far east (from Tavira to the Spanish border)
For what you want, I would recommend Sagres, right on the southwestern tip of Portugal. Stunning scenery, nice town, beautiful beaches and cliffs. It also has some bars and stuff for nightlife, and a laid back surfing scene. Check it out and have fun!
If you go east, check out Monte Gordo, Praia Verde, and Vila Real do Santo Antonio on the border, and take a ferry ride over to spain for some shrimps and beer in Ayamonte (full of spanish and portuguese, not at all package touristy)
2007-03-27 00:59:58 · answer #1 · answered by Alyosha 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I went to Algarve many years ago now. can't remember if any beach was the best of all of them, just remembered the slabs of concrete leading from the path to beach coz the sand was too hot to stand on! oh and watch out for the traders on the streets they follow you for miles trying to get you to buy what ever it is there selling, that got on my nerves hopefully you wont have that. Where ever you stay around the Algarve they celebrate most evenings with fire works food and music quite late. Best thing to do is find an English person when you get there and ask or go on-line type - things to do in Portugal good luck and hope you have a good time. x
2007-03-29 04:33:41 · answer #2 · answered by donna 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know you said that you didnt fancy Albufeira but i recently got back from there nearly 2weeks ago and it is really nice at this time of year as opposed to the middle of summer when it is like Blackpool with sunshine. If you go there in April it will not be too touristy, it has beautiful beaches and when i went had beautiful weather to!! The old town is lovely and really worth visiting even if you only spend a day or 2 there.
2007-03-28 03:33:16 · answer #3 · answered by pinkkittenliverpool 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
praia da rocha is a lovely place got back from there last week the beaches are amazing,there are high rises but some of them are 22 years old as it was one of the first places in the Algave to have tourists;they have done a lot of work to make the beach more accesible as the cliffs are high.lots of wildlife wonderful flora ans fauna wild orchids etc there are plenty of places to go evenings bars restaurants on the beach too ,lovely friendly people and on good transport routes.
2007-03-27 05:27:44 · answer #4 · answered by toto 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would recommend Albufeira. There are some lovely beaches in that area and in terms of concrete jungle it is not too bad. The city has some good history and its not trashy but you will find some nightlife. One bar i liked was Erins Isle Irish Bar in Albufeira.
I booked accommodation with http://www.holiday-velvet.com/algarve/algarve_accommodation/search/area/Albufeira
You can also try www.hostels.com if you want to youth hostel it.
2007-03-26 07:23:12 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Albufeira old town but some of new town ok lovely beaches all round Algarve cant go wrong really
2007-03-26 05:50:35 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tavira is great for a non-tourist option, but only one night club i'm afrad......The Tavira Island is buzzing in the summer with young backpackers but not sure if that will be open so early in the year.
2007-03-27 05:53:53 · answer #7 · answered by huvgj 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi!! wow! that's a lot of questions!!! here's any easy answer, xek my blog, i have an article i wrote about the algarve and things to do and...loads of links!!!
http://experienceportugal.blogspot.com/
Have Fun!!!
2007-03-26 09:40:11 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
carvoeiro is beautiful, i stayed there several years ago! the beach is lovely, silves castle is beautiful and monchique is worth a look too!! have fun!
2007-03-26 05:58:04 · answer #9 · answered by Charlotte J 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
did you get it as a package holiday? if yeah, then you'll have a travel rep so they will tell you about day trips out etc x
2007-03-26 05:52:43 · answer #10 · answered by xkayleepx 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋