Plan Your Trip to the Algarve
Practical guides for getting to the Algarve, getting around, and making the most of your time here.
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 from 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.