The Algarve is notorious in so many good ways: the coast, the lifestyle, wine, food, party vibe, music, culture, architecture and awe-inspiring landscapes. But like every place on earth it has a dark side. Here’s a bunch of not-so-great things about the Algarve to avoid.
Sneaky pickpockets
The Algarve is mostly very safe but there’s always a risk pick-pocketing and bag snatching, especially in busy tourist areas. Just like at home, it is best not to leave anything valuable in a car – it’s just common sense. You’ll want to exercise the same level of common sense when you’re on the beach. It’s wise not to leave your valuables behind when you go for a swim or to get something to eat or drink.
Scary ocean currents
It’s hard to believe the sea can be dangerous when it’s so calm, so perfect, so beautiful and so blue. But the Atlantic ocean is a bit of a beast. Lurking under the harmless-looking surface the currents can be strong and unpredictable. If you find a gorgeous deserted beach or cove with no lifeguard, take extra care. And always obey the warning flags. Green flags mean swimming is safe, yellow means be careful and stay near the beach, and red means… just don’t!
Massive swarms of people
The Algarve region swarms with visitors all summer. It isn’t a destination for people who want acres of empty sand and perfect peace. The old fishing villages transform into bustling resorts and a lot of local people don’t bother visiting the area until things calm down out of season.
If you want to experience the authentic Algarve you’ll need to head inland or go adventuring in search of quieter coastal spots. Your best bet for a mellow, laid back experience is to visit the region off-season. Bear in mind July and August are the busiest months of all.
Mental-crazy heat
In mid August 2023 Portugal suffered terrible wildfires as temperatures soared to more than 46C. The Algarve was affected and the risk of more extreme temperatures is increasing as climate change rumbles on. Ten of summer 2023’s wildfires were classified as ‘uncontrolled’, one just east of Carvoeiro on the Algarve. The fires led to thousands of people being evacuated as the hot, windy conditions continued, and nine firefighters were injured.
Ongoing drought
In January 2024 Portugal’s government ordered cuts in water usage, affecting farmland and hotels in the southern region of Algarve. Things became so bad the drought almost emptied many reservoirs, leaving golf courses and hotels are facing cuts in the amount of water they’re allowed to use, to avoid some areas ending up ‘without water for public supply’. A 2022 report found climate change has already left the Iberian peninsula drier than it has been for 1200 years, something to think about before you visit.
Driving madness
If you’re not confident driving abroad you might find car hire on the Algarve pretty terrifying. The driving standards are famously awful and you’ll be shocked at some of the craziness you’ll see on the roads.
TheEN-125 road running east to west is a hellhole of road accidents and driving madness, stupid overtaking in cars without the power needed to overtake safely, and people driving right up your backside. Because the public transport isn’t very good, drink driving is a big thing and that makes driving even more dangerous, especially after dark.
Complicated law
Dealing with Portuguese law can leave you in a frenzy of exasperation and impatience. The laws can seem unnecessarily complicated and government staff don’t always speak English: fair enough – why should they – but it can make life hard for tourists who get in trouble.
We’ll do it tomorrow, or the day after, or the day after that…
The ‘amanhã’ approach can be maddening. If you need help quickly or want to get something sorted fast, you’ll usually need to apply heroic amounts of patience. Customer service isn’t always very good. Officials aren’t always very helpful.
Unreliable public transport
We don’t all want to hire a car when on holiday, sometimes we just want to hop on a bus or train and feel the freedom. Sadly, while public transport in the Algarve is better than many places in rural Portugal it’s still pretty awful. Train stations in the Algarve are, for some weird reason, often miles from town centres. Services are far from frequent. What public transport there is doesn’t join up.
Dead tourist towns off-season
If you want to avoid the crowds and visit the Algarve of-season, be aware that some of the most touristy places turn into ghost towns when the visitors leave and the bars and restaurants close down. For a sociable time choose a place that isn’t quite so touristy in the first place, then there’s a better chance it’ll be worth visiting off-season.
Big city blues
Love big city life? The Algarve doesn’t have a big city, just lovely Faro and Portimão, both of which are home to around 50,000 people. That’s about the same size as Hereford, Horsham, or Clacton-on-Sea.
Fully-booked restaurants
You’ll probably need to book restaurants in advance in the high season. Some of the best places to eat, those with internationally-recognised chefs, have to be booked months ahead. If it isn’t an award-winning eatery you should be OK booking a few days in advance during the week and a week in advance for a weekend table.
Lethal cliffs
You can fall off a cliff, but you can also have a cliff fall on you! There was a lethal rock fall in 2009 in Albufeira that killed five people and injured three. If you see a sign saying don’t sunbathe under the cliffs or warning you a cliff is likely to fall, don’t ignore it.
Poisonous sea creatures
You won’t want to get stung by the jellyfish-like Man of War. They’re bizarre animals with their blue or pink gas-filled bubbles that stick out of the water. The dodgy bit is the tentacles, which can be as long as 160 feet and are packed with venomous barbs that kill the small fish and prawns they eat.
The sting leaves a red welt that hurts for days and can lead to shock, a fever, swollen lymph nodes and throat, cardiac distress and even death. If you see one in the water, head for the beach. If you see a dead one on the beach steer clear, they can still sting you for days after they die.
Land animals to avoid
Inland you’ll want to steer clear of Pine Processionary Moth caterpillars, whose soft hairs can cause really nasty allergic reactions. Look out for long lines of hairy caterpillars wandering about on the ground. Keep an eye open for the Asian hornet, Black Widow Spider, Desertas Wolf Spider and Brown Recluse or Violin spider, all poisonous. If in doubt, give every spider a wide berth.
The European Scorpion comes with a black body and tail with yellow or pale brown legs and a yellow sting. They live under rocks inland and are not at all scared of people. They can also hide in dark places and cracks in houses and walls. When scared they attack, with a sting that can cause mild irritation and swelling. If you’re allergic it can kill you.
And that’s that! The Algarve is a splendid holiday destination loved by millions – but it’s even better when you’re armed with knowledge about what to avoid.
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