Plan Your Trip to the Algarve
Getting to the Algarve, getting around, and making the most of your time once you arrive.
Most visitors fly into Faro Airport, which has direct connections from over 80 European cities on low-cost carriers like Ryanair, easyJet, and Jet2. A rental car is the most practical way to get around, especially for beaches and inland towns, though trains and buses connect the larger coastal towns. The Algarve gets over 300 days of sunshine a year, with beach season running May through October and comfortable sightseeing weather year-round. The guides below cover the practical details: when to come, how to get here, where to base yourself, and how to move around once you arrive.
Algarve in December
December in the Algarve averages 16-17°C daytime highs with around 5 hours of sunshine and 10-12 rain days. Sea temperatures at 16-17°C end swimming for most. The month divides sharply: early December offers deep off-season prices and empty trails, while Christmas markets, Portugal's largest nativity scene in VRSA, and major New Year's Eve celebrations in Albufeira, Faro, and Lagos create a distinct festive mini-season from the 24th onward.
Algarve in November
November in the Algarve averages 19°C daytime highs with 5-6 hours of sunshine and 7-10 rain days. Sea temperatures of 17-18°C end casual swimming, but hiking, surfing, golf, and birdwatching hit peak conditions. Accommodation reaches its cheapest and São Martinho celebrations on 11 November offer cultural depth no summer visit includes.
Algarve in October
October is an excellent month for the Algarve if you understand its split character. Early October delivers 23-24°C days, swimmable 19-20°C seas, and full summer infrastructure. After the clocks change on the last Sunday, evenings darken by 5:30pm and some seasonal businesses close, but hiking, golf, surfing, and birdwatching hit their stride.
Algarve in September
September is one of the best months to visit the Algarve. Air temperatures average 27-28°C, the sea reaches its annual peak at 20-21°C, and crowds thin after schools reconvene. Accommodation costs drop 30-40% from August while conditions remain excellent.
Car Rental in the Algarve
A rental car is the best way to explore the Algarve. Most visitors collect one at Faro Airport, where international and local companies compete on price. The A22 motorway across the Algarve is now toll-free, making driving the region simpler than it has been in over a decade.
Faro Airport Guide
Faro Airport (FAO) is the Algarve's only commercial airport, handling over 10 million passengers a year through a single compact terminal. Most visitors arrive on budget airlines from the UK, Ireland, Germany, and the Netherlands, and onward transport options include car rental (desks in the arrivals hall), the Aerobus to Albufeira and Lagos, local buses to Faro city centre, taxis, and ride-hailing apps.
Getting Around the Algarve
A rental car is the most practical way to get around the Algarve, especially with the A22 motorway now toll-free. Buses and trains connect the main towns but run infrequently outside weekday hours, and many beaches and villages have no public transport at all.
How to Get to the Algarve
Most visitors fly into Faro Airport, which has direct connections from over 80 European cities on airlines like Ryanair, easyJet, and Jet2. From Lisbon, the Alfa Pendular train reaches Faro in about 3 hours, or you can drive the A2 motorway in under 3 hours with tolls applying one way.
When to Visit the Algarve
The best time to visit the Algarve is May to June or September to October, warm enough for beaches (22–28°C), far fewer crowds than July–August, and accommodation prices 30–50% lower than peak season. That said, the Algarve gets over 300 days of sunshine a year, and every month has a genuine reason to visit.
Where to Stay in the Algarve
Base yourself in Lagos for character and beaches, Tavira for quiet authenticity, Albufeira for convenience and nightlife, or Carvoeiro for a smaller village feel near the best coastline. Expect mid-range rates for a decent double room in shoulder season, rising significantly in July and August.
No guides match your search.