Algarve - places to go/tips???

[mattSV]

Originally Posted by anna

ohhhhhhhhhh sorry hun missed this thread... my friends have a farm house down there.. give them a shout to see if they have room for you, they are all English and are sooo lovely.

http://www.farmhousealgarve.com/

It´s further south then we are, if you were flying into Porto we would only be a stones throw away ...

Drop us a PM if you hire a car and fancy coming up to Porto or perhaps we could meet you somewhere half way. It´s a shame as you will have just missed St João day here which involves many parties and fireworks. Pack an emense amount of suncream though we are currently having temps of 36º and it will be hotter where you are going.

Lagos (means lakes) - is an old town and has a lovely marina not to be missed with pretty good nightlife in the old part of town and Sagres - has huge cliffs and an old fortress the sailors used to go from, lots of history there. The coast line is amazing and many many beautiful beaches around. Most people speak English so you will be just fine ordering and getting what you need.

Thanks Anna - have already booked accomodation, however that farmhouse looks lovely. We have booked a car, not sure if we will make it as far as Porto - in theory, we are going to find some nice beaches and just chill out, however I fancy seeing a bit of the countryside so might head up that way - if we do, be good to see you if we can - will take the laptop, so will drop you a PM.

Lagos and Sagres sound good, really looking forward to it now.

take the lap top..!

saddo..

Originally Posted by keithd

went there a few years ago, stayed just outside vilamoura which isnt too far. playboys paradise there, ferraris and porches are the norm parked near their yachts...

anyways, really didn't like portugal at all (sorry fillipe and anna!!) thought the waiting staff in all the resturants (in vilamoura) were arogant and rude...however i think we were just unlucky, stayed in a poncy area where commoners like me aint welcome!!

Like Anna said, you were probably unlucky with the area you stayed at. Personally I don't fancy the Algarve that much, and Vilamoura would be the last of all places there.
Just like you said, Vilamoura is usually frequented by rich poncy (and often arrogant) people, so it's no wonder the waiters / waitresses will act like that too... to them, you were probably just another "beef" tourist who doesn't give a toss. I'm really sorry you felt like that, but if you want to try again we'll be more than happy to show you around the really cool places

If you want to stick to the Algarve though, Albufeira is a bit better, Armação de Pêra (don't even try to pronounce it, it's useless ) and Portimão - Praia da Rocha are also cool, but Lagos is by far and away the best place to be there.
Sagres is worth it for the view (most southwestern point of Europe) and history. Beware of the cliffs though

Originally Posted by mattSV

Thanks Anna - have already booked accomodation, however that farmhouse looks lovely. We have booked a car, not sure if we will make it as far as Porto - in theory, we are going to find some nice beaches and just chill out, however I fancy seeing a bit of the countryside so might head up that way - if we do, be good to see you if we can - will take the laptop, so will drop you a PM.

Lagos and Sagres sound good, really looking forward to it now.

Matt, if you really want to chill out then you'll want to a bit to the Northwest, towards the Alentejo coast. A bit of searching around and you'll find the best beaches with the nicest people, without being overcrowded like the Algarve always is. The sea won't be as soup-like as the Mediterranean-esque Algarve, but it'll probably be warm enough for you not to freeze on the spot, and it'll have decent waves!

Have fun, will ya?

[mattSV]

Originally Posted by Quiff Wichard

take the lap top..!

saddo..

Only so I can keep in touch with you

[TSM]

[mattSV]

Originally Posted by TSM

And where is that then?

I hired a villa in villamoura a few years back and i found it pretty nice.
The marina is lovely, personally i thought alberfuira (or however you spell it) was a bit blackpoolish in the streets etc.
Kids coming up to us begging while eating in a cafe (not that they do that in blackpool)
Bars offering a gazillion drinks for next to nothing.
Wouldnt rush back there
Sea was damn cold as well.

Hi Matt

I have been going to Lagos for the last six years in November & it is brilliant ...by far the best town I have been to in the algarve .. as others have mentioned Praia da Rocha is also very nice.

Villamora is nice to have a stroll arond the waterfront and have a coffee .. but a bit expensive & I would avoid the new part of Albufira ... look out for timeshare sales people there aswell !!

You must do Lagos for a day you will not be dissapointed !

The massive beach in the photos looks like praia da rocha & the old town one looks like Lagos if they are not they are very much like them.

Have a great time ....

I dont know who you are getting your car from but for peace of mind I
always pay the few euros a day excess waiver

Cheers Caz.

[TSM]

1) from what i remember is Praia da Rocha
2) cant remember brother drove me there
3) is a small town in Monchique area, on the way up to the top of one of the mountain which has a military radar dome and from there you can see the new Portimao race track

Have a great time Matt and Anita.. ...