Just booked two flights to Faro, Portugal in early March

[cliffords]

Where shall we go and stay ? Recommendations gratefully received.
We are mid 50' s. Happy to get a car . Nearly always go to Italy but must explore some more places . We like stay in a town , ability to walk to restaurants and a few shops bars . Normally stay in boutique type small hotels with nice breakfast . What town / resort area should we head to.
Don't want it too quiet but don't want a party town. My neighbour said go to Alburfura, looking at that it looks like a big resort . But maybe not too full on in March ? Thanks for any suggestions.

[RammyMP]

Avoid Albufeira! There are some nice towns along the coast, Alvor or Carvoeiro for example.

[Ziplobb]

my daughter and her friend are staying here from tomorrow evening - sounds and look superb

https://en.villazawaia.com/?fbclid=IwAR1qQOa04cQyQ...

[Boxster5]

Albufeira is horrible so avoid like the plague.
Head West to Lagos about an hours drive from Faro airport - lovely good sized town with plenty of great restaurants to choose from. Much more of a traditional Portugese feel but it is getting bigger.
Luckily, it hasn’t attracted the hen & stag parties to any great extent so you won’t be surrounded by nasty British tattooed Sharon’s & Tracy’s or Lads on the Lash which Albufeira has unfortunately become accustomed to.

[cliffords]

Ok thanks. I have got the message on Albufeira sounds ghastly. Lagos sounds good. The flight back is 11 am. In a hire car if we left at 8 am is it a safe hour ?
Wife's birthday that day of return by coincidence so I don't want to stress her out !

Thanks for the insight and any more thoughts welcome. I will book something on Wednesday. Lagos in the lead so far

[Nickbrapp]

Lagos is quite a drive, 2 hours or so, I stayed last year in Alvor, really nice but I would expect it to be pretty quiet in March.

How about Villamora, the posh part of the algarve, much closer to the airport too.

I’m going later in the year and staying at the lake spa resort right on the harbor

[ninepoint2]

Nickbrapp said:

Lagos is quite a drive, 2 hours or so,

Another vote for Lagos, wonderful place. It's only an hours drive, been going there for over 20 years.

[CharlesdeGaulle]

Much of the Algarve will be quiet and partially closed in March so head for a proper Portuguese Town. Alvor has been recommended, although I was slightly underwhelmed with it over a New Year break. Fantastic beach for walking though. Villamoura is also worth a look.

You could also consider heading east. Tavira, Silva and Sao Bras de Alportel are all places I've stayed out of season and like.

[andrebar]

Tavira sounds like a good call to me too.

[essayer]

Casa Chico Ze is a fab roadside restaurant just outside Lagos. Well worth a trip for lunch

[craig1912]

Nickbrapp said:

Lagos is quite a drive, 2 hours or so, I stayed last year in Alvor, really nice but I would expect it to be pretty quiet in March.

How about Villamora, the posh part of the algarve, much closer to the airport too.

I’m going later in the year and staying at the lake spa resort right on the harbor

Lagos is only an hour. I’d stay there and have trips to Sagres and Monchique. Possibly also Portamaio.

[raucousV8]

craig1912 said:

Lagos is only an hour. I’d stay there and have trips to Sagres and Monchique. Possibly also Portamaio.

I'd echo the above and the mention of Alvor, maybe also check out Silves too. Villamora is like Albufeira but with more money thrown at it - equally bad.

[cliffords]

Thanks to all the views. I have been looking at Lagos just now and it seems perfect. My only reservation is the distance from airport on the go home day .Hire car to return and 10:55 am flight . Fine to get up early but I don't want to make it stressy. Seems as though some say it's an hour and some say two ? Can we settle on 90 mins realistically?

[mikef]

I’m not sure if you said how long you’re going for, but how about…. Faro? It’s a bit of a working port but that means good and affordable food with more locals than tourists. Some nice old squares and streets and good beaches a short ride away including the barrier islands

[cliffords]

mikef said:

I’m not sure if you said how long you’re going for, but how about…. Faro? It’s a bit of a working port but that means good and affordable food with more locals than tourists. Some nice old squares and streets and good beaches a short ride away including the barrier islands

6 nights . Maybe we do two places ?

[ninepoint2]

cliffords said:

Thanks to all the views. I have been looking at Lagos just now and it seems perfect. My only reservation is the distance from airport on the go home day .Hire car to return and 10:55 am flight . Fine to get up early but I don't want to make it stressy. Seems as though some say it's an hour and some say two ? Can we settle on 90 mins realistically?

It's an hours drive, add 15 minutes to drop car off and you should be fine.

[raucousV8]

It's an hour give or take 5 mins

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Faro+Airport+(FAO)...

[Yazza54]

andrebar said:

Tavira sounds like a good call to me too.

Tavira is nice and you should visit cabanas too

[C70GT]

As others have said: Lagos is about an hour from the airport. We have just returned today - have an apartment in Benagil - and that is 40-45 mins door to door. One thing to factor in: when you book the car make sure you can collect on airport from the hut in carpark 4 - many hire companies have the cars off site and bus you to the depot, which obviously adds time and stress. When returning the car drop off is in carpark 1 and immediately opposite the terminal - literally walk across the road to the door. That is if you collect and return on airport. We always use Zest Car Rental - UK based brokers.

Another vote for Lagos, something for everyone. Vilamoura is an upmarket Albufiera Pleasant to stroll around the marina, but that is about it. That is unless you want a round of golf, a dodgy massage in one of the parlours near the marina and a blow out in an English bar afterwards.

Edited by C70GT on Monday 30th January 21:45

[Nickbrapp]

Looking at google it is 1 hour, I stayed in Alvor and somehow it took us a hour and 30 mins in a taxi to get there, god knows which way he took us! Glad it was included