Portugal Algarve Travel Information & Pictures
Holiday or Long Stay ~ Try the Algarve!
Portugal Algarve is a great place for a short vacation or a long stay destination, for the golf, the fishing, the beaches, or touring around the ruins (Check rates and reviews for typical longstay properties here.) From Faro or Albufeira, and other cities, you can take a day trip to Gibraltar (it's about five hours' driving time from Albufeira each way). There are a number of lovely Portugal villages to explore in the Algarve, like Vila Do Bispo (with its menhirs), and the lighthouse at Cabo Sao Vicente, all within a few hours' drive from Faro or Albufeira (pronounced, roughly, Al Boo Feh da -- the Portuguese do interesting things with the 'eira' endings). At Amazon.com (or Amazon UK or Amazon Canada), you can order a Berlitz Portugal Phrasebook AND Dictionary
Other day trips go to Sevilla (Seville, Spain, about 2-3 hours drive each way from Albufeira or Faro) and Lisbon (north from Faro, Albufeira, about 4-5 hours each way) as well as Gibraltar (see my Gibraltar travel story. Day trips are easy to arrange at your hotel or condo. The Algarve -- in the south western part of Portugal -- has good local produce (in season), a Mediterranean climate, local olives, and good, inexpensive wines. Bottled water is well priced and seafood, fish and espresso are excellent!. And remember Portugal is the home of Port wines (see book). I think it's a great holiday or long stay! I hope you will, too!
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Portugal ~ Country Travel Information & tips about the Algarve
Travel Health Is it safe to travel in Portugal? Portugal is generally considered safe, but check with your travel health clinic as you should before any trip, and make sure that your usual vaccinations are up to date. For OTC meds to pack for travel, see travel packing medications page. For general government travel advisories, see the links on the Disclaimer page.
What language do they speak? In Portugal, the official language is Portuguese, which is sort of like Spanish in the way that French is like Spanish -- similar but way different! English and German are commonly spoken in the main tourism areas, but if you will be traveling around, or staying for a long time, get a Portuguese phrasebook with dictionary like Berlitz Portugal Phrasebook AND Dictionary
Currency - what money do they use? Portugal is in the EU and uses the Euro (EUR) | The exchange rates may change : 1EUR=$1.43USD ($1USD=.71 EUR) See all travel currency tips
Do I need a Visa for Portugal? Generally, most visitors can enter without a visa for up to 90 days, but search online for "portugal visa" for a Portugal embassy or consulate in your home country for the most current information. Usually, once you are in any EU country, you can travel between all of them without a visa.
If you go to the Algarve Most visitors arrive by air in the south coast capital, Faro, with its airport at the end of a long strip of land. Albufeira is about 45 minutes west from Faro by road. Tour companies offer day trips to Lisbon, Seville Spain, Gibraltar etc. so take your day trip destinations into account when plananing for visas, passports etc.
Local Algarve Bus companies travel between many of the seaside towns. If you are not renting a car to get yourself around, then ask for bus informationn at your hotel.
Portugal travel guides, travel maps Get the Lonely Planet Portugal
Roads in Portugal villages, even near the coast, can be very steep and cobbled. As well, there are traffic circles that may not be well signed. On the freeway, local drivers often exceed the posted 120 kph (74 mph) limit. If renting a car, keep your rental papers etc with you in the vehicle in case you are stopped by the police for a 'routine' check.
Driving into Spain from Portugal requires extra insurance, though the freeway to Seville is new, and an easy drive. Check with your car rental company, if renting a car. EU residents with their own car should check their policy. Your rental car may come with a road map, or get the Michelin Portugal and Madeira map
Can I drink the water? Yes and no: Generally, the water is potable safe to drink) BUT its high mineral content may not agree with you. Bottled water is about $1 for 5 liters (1 gallon) at the supermarket.
What's the food like in Portugal? At one small restaurant on the ocean, near the border with Spain, diners were loving the baby squid in tomatoes and garlic (squid's not my thing but they raved about it!). You should really try some Portuguese barbecue -- look for 'Churrasquiera' on the menu or in the restaurant name. Also look for entrees labelled 'cataplana'. Cataplana is the name of the traditional copper cooking pot with a hinged lid that'sused to cook shellfish, meat, chicken, fish, etc., though some also use that term for foods cooked in that pot.
Generally fish dishes are tasty, not too spicy. Snails are offered, too, and tiny black olives to nibble on with drinks. Long stays can choose their own fresh produce, fruits and cheeses, chicken breasts, fish, etc at any of the local markets and cook their own. Watch out for piri piri sauce -- it heralds from west Africa and is super hot! When someone warns you that a food is spicy -- Believe them! You can get a book about traditional Portuguese Cooking
How long should I stay? As long as you can! One week is lovely for some golf and beach time; Two weeks is better, with time to explore the many little villages and small towns, and take a few day trips to Lisbon, Gibraltar, etc. The more time you are there, the less rushed you wil be to fit in all you want to see, and still have plenty of time just chillin'.
What's the weather like? December and January can be quite cool, so it's a good idea to make sure your condo or hotel has heating. (If not, pack an electric blanket and a voltage adaptor.) In the summer, it's often very hot, sending the locals heading for their summer homes on the barrier islands south of Faro.
How far's the beach? How wheelchair accessible is it? Many hotels, etc will say they are on the beach, or give a distance, such as 'a kilometer' or 'half a kilometer' (1/4 to 1/2 a mile) from the beach. BUT (that's a big But) some beaches are accessed across a very busy road with no signal lights, and some are down many steps and / or a cliff path, which would not suit children's strollers, wheechairs, or scooters. or anyone who can't climb a long flight of stairs. The streets in many villages and town centers, including Albufeira, are very steep and cobbled. If wheelchair access is a factor for you to travel, please have your travel agent (or email the hotel or long stay) to ensure that you will be able to navigate easily.
Memories of Portugal's Algarve Been there, done that, forgot to get the T-shirt? Get one now, and more at my Portugal OnLIne shop -- notebooks, journals, postcards, too !
Tourism in Portugal See the ofiiicial site for Portugal Tourism
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More Pictures, Information on these Algarve pages
Albufeira This western Algarve center has lovely beaches right in town!
Cape St Vincent A nice day trip from Albufeira, Faro area to this historic coast
Vila Do Bispo Picturesque village west of Albufeira east of Cape St Vincent
Portugal Menhirs Stone monolith relics near Vila do Bispo -- a walk into the past
Western Algarve travel story about Algarve Portugal as a 'long stay' destination
- Gibraltar Travel Story a Day trip from Algarve to Gibraltar
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Add A Comment
Hi Suzanne
When I was there, the highway south of Sevilla -- the Ruta de Toros, I believe -- was under construction in parts, so likely it's faster than the 5 hours it took us on a bus.
I have looked through my Algarve maps, but cannot find the actual distance in kms anywhere - I imagine you've been having the same problem looking online.
I would estimate going by car would /should take perhaps 4 hours - but it all depends on the time of year and traffic. We left early from Faro and still managed to hit Sevilla at rush hour.
We did have a car in the Algarve, but didn't want to have to get additional insurance to drive into Spain. The car was insured only for Portugal travel, so do check this out.
Sorry I can't be more definite :-) Perhaps someone who has the distance or driving time will add a comment.
How long will it take by car to travel from Faro / Portugal to Gibraltar ?
or what is the distance by road in km ?