Knowing a bit about what makes your destination tick makes a big difference to a holiday, with fewer opportunities for embarrassing faux pas! Here are our tips to prepare for the best ever Algarve holiday.

  1. Don’t speak Spanish to Portuguese people – the languages are actually very different and it’s horribly rude
  2. Imagine how you’d feel if someone from Portugal came to the UK on holiday and expected you to speak Portuguese. You’d be baffled, insulted and annoyed. The same goes for Brits abroad. While many locals living on the Algarve speak decent English, it’s polite to learn a few simple words and phrases to help you get by: Hello is ola, please is por favor, thank you is obrigado for a man and obrigada when you’re a woman, it’s all pretty straightforward.
  3. The Algarve is a big area, so spend some time beforehand deciding exactly what you want to see and do, avoiding getting overwhelmed at the other end and missing something super-cool. If you’re in the market for an Algarve holiday with a difference look for hidden gems inland, including beautiful villages and towns, natural wonders and amazing history. The ancient capital of the region, Silves, is stunnin, as is the drive to the Monchique mountains. To discover the real Portugal you could go off-piste to explore the grittier, more everyday towns in the east of the region
  4. Book excursions ahead of time for the best prices and deals. Popular boat trips to Benagil Cave or kayaking at Ponta da Piedade, for example, are almost always booked up well in advance. In summer you might have to book two or three days ahead to eat in the best-loved Algarve restaurants, too
  5.  Algarve gets more than 300 days of sunshine a year and if it rains, it’s never for long. Most rainfall is in November to February, but there are only five or six proper rainy days in any winter. As you can imagine, like in any dry country, local people appreciate the rain. It’s good not to use too much water whatever season you visit, since it’s such a precious resource  
  6. The summer holidays are pretty crowded but the seasons either side, spring and autumn, are dramatically less full, perfect for more leisurely breaks. Spring and autumn are also excellent for actually travelling around: it isn’t so hot, car rental costs less, there’s more choice of accommodation and there’s more chance you’ll be able to book the Algarve day trips that take your fancy. The most expensive four and five star resorts drop their prices right down off-season, always worth a go
  7. While many tourist-related businesses close altogether in winter, from November  to March, it never gets truly cold on the Algarve so it’s great for hiking. The seas and rivers are far to cold to swim in during winter, though. You’ll need an indoor pool for swimming
  8. The sunsets are at their most dramatic and lovely during November
  9. Because holidays in the region focus on the coast, which is spectacular, it’s nice to book accommodation as close to the sea as you can find and afford. You won’t have to carry your stuff as far, and at the end of a day on the beach you’ll soon be home
  10. Make sure the place you’re staying has decent air conditioning
  11. Rent a car if you want to do more than lounge on the beach at your resort. On the downside in summer car hire is expensive – and its a bugger to park. Luckily taxi fares are low and there’s Uber and Bolt to get you around as well as organised tours to take you to special places
  12. Bear in mind the public transport is patchy. Many train services stop for a four hour siesta at noon and the buses are infrequent. Plus, many of the best bits of the coastline simply aren’t on a bus or train route
  13. If you hire a car take a load of photos so you can prove it was in good condition when you left the hire place. And choose the full insurance on offer for a belt and braces approach to avoiding extra charges. Remember the main roads are often paid toll roads and find out how it all works before driving on the Algarve
  14. If you have the time, don’t miss the Atlantic coastline to the west. It’s a thrill a minute
  15. Hiking long distances in remote places in high summer is an uncomfortable experience, far too hot, and it can be dangerous if you run out of water or get lost
  16. Always give the local food and wines a try – it’s worthwhile for the culinary thrills alone! Support local restaurants as well as enjoying your hotel or resort eateries – the locals will really appreciate it and it won’t cost you a fortune
  17. Start off on your adventures early, before it gets too hot and busy and the traffic gets tricky Parking is easier to find, the places you visit aren’t so full  – including the beaches and water parks – and there will be fewer people milling around. When it gets hot and the Portuguese sensibly retreat indoors, find yourself a shady spot to relax with a cold drink. Hire your kayaks early, go surfing early, do all the fun things before the heat gets too mental-crazy and the crowds too mad
  18. They still use cash in Portugal, so keep some with you – they use Euros over there. Not all restaurants take cards, so check before you sit or you’ll have to go find a cashpoint
  19. A UV T-shirt is a brilliant idea when you’ll be in and out of the sea, and you won’t have to slather yourself with sun cream every few hours. Because it’s so easy to burn, especially when you’re on the beach close to the water’s reflections or in the ocean, bring sunscreen. Also bring flip-flops or buy some when you get here – the sand, the pavements and the patios are all fiercely hot on bare feet. If you’re going out to sea on a boat you might need a light hoodie or jacket to keep the wind off
  20. Don’t bother with heels in the little villages and towns – this place is full of pretty cobbled streets that are lethal for high heels
  21. Chill out like a local. Don’t expect everything to happen ‘now’, you’ll have to wait so enjoy the ride. This is why people are so much less stressed than they are at home: they just don’t rush around as much as we do, nor do they get so het up about little things
  22. Watch your manners an hide your wobbly bits! While you can wear casual stuff most of the time, it isn’t nice for other people if you go into an eatery in your budgie smugglers or – heaven forbid – a thong 😉
  23. Remember you can’t reserve your poolside or beach chairs when you’re not actually using them. There’s no need to get fighty about seating, something that drives resort and hotel proprietors nuts

Now you’re ready to holiday on the Algarve in style. It’s going to be heavenly!

author avatar
admin
See Full Bio