When to go
The Algarve has long, dry summers and mild winters. July and August are the hottest and busiest months, with every beach club and restaurant in full swing. May, June, September and October are warm with fewer crowds, which makes them our favourite months. Winter is quiet and sunny, ideal for golf, walking and long lunches.
Getting there and getting around
Faro Airport serves the whole region, and most of the coast is within an hour's drive. Hiring a car is the easiest way to explore. The regional railway runs along the coast between Lagos and Vila Real de Santo António, and buses link the main towns, but many of the best beaches and viewpoints are easier to reach by road.
Where to stay
West (Lagos, Praia da Luz, Sagres): beaches, boat trips, surf and a younger feel. Central (Albufeira, Carvoeiro, Armação de Pêra): lively towns, family resorts and the famous cliff coast. Golden Triangle (Vilamoura, Vale do Lobo, Quinta do Lago): golf, marina life and five-star stays. East (Tavira, Olhão, Cabanas): calm, traditional and close to the Ria Formosa islands.
What to eat and drink
Look for grilled fish and seafood, cataplana (a slow-cooked seafood stew), and piri-piri chicken, which the village of Guia is known for. Finish with a Dom Rodrigo or almond sweets, and try local wines from Lagoa and the wider Algarve. Sunset drinks are a ritual here, so plan at least one evening on a clifftop or rooftop.
Things to do
Take a boat or kayak trip along the cliffs, play one of the region's championship golf courses, walk the Seven Hanging Valleys trail, spend a day on the Ria Formosa islands, book a spa afternoon, and save an evening for the marina at Vilamoura or a beach club at sunset.
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