The Algarve Portugal - Visited May/June 2012
My wife had previously visited the algarve a couple of times, so she decided to take me with her this time and I really liked it and would definitely visit again. I have included some information and advice from our experience of driving in the Algarve, Tolls and the villa we stayed in, so simply click on any of the below links to be taken directly to that review or simply scroll down through the reviews one at a time.
Villa - Near Loulé
The villa my wife found for us to stay at, while on holiday in The Algarve, was just outside Loulé and only 20 minutes from Vilamoura and 35 minutes from Albufeira and we found it really easy to find from the directions we were given.
Due to the location of the villa, you will need a car, which we had and the villa has it’s own gated entrance and drive to park on. The owners advised us to reverse in and drive out, due to the blind bend further down the road, but as we only had a little Corsa, we could drive in and carefully turn around on the drive.
The villa is a detached annex at the side of the owners house and had a lovely large wild garden, where you could sit out and have breakfast, with only the sound of the birds chirping. Whilst guests are staying, they have sole use of the private pool and roof terrace, which was brilliant!. There is a lovely kitchen/living room, two bedrooms (1 double and 1 twin) and bathroom with walk in shower.
I would happily stay here again, it had everything we needed and there is a large supermarket only 5 minutes drive away. The location worked perfectly for us, but maybe not for everyone, but if you want a nice size villa, private pool and peaceful surroundings, then I would recommend you take a look at this and with extremely helpful, friendly british owners, we couldn't have been happier.
If you would like to enquire further, please click here to send Kelly an email.
The villa my wife found for us to stay at, while on holiday in The Algarve, was just outside Loulé and only 20 minutes from Vilamoura and 35 minutes from Albufeira and we found it really easy to find from the directions we were given.
Due to the location of the villa, you will need a car, which we had and the villa has it’s own gated entrance and drive to park on. The owners advised us to reverse in and drive out, due to the blind bend further down the road, but as we only had a little Corsa, we could drive in and carefully turn around on the drive.
The villa is a detached annex at the side of the owners house and had a lovely large wild garden, where you could sit out and have breakfast, with only the sound of the birds chirping. Whilst guests are staying, they have sole use of the private pool and roof terrace, which was brilliant!. There is a lovely kitchen/living room, two bedrooms (1 double and 1 twin) and bathroom with walk in shower.
I would happily stay here again, it had everything we needed and there is a large supermarket only 5 minutes drive away. The location worked perfectly for us, but maybe not for everyone, but if you want a nice size villa, private pool and peaceful surroundings, then I would recommend you take a look at this and with extremely helpful, friendly british owners, we couldn't have been happier.
If you would like to enquire further, please click here to send Kelly an email.
Driving in the Algarve
With a combination of signs, maps and our tomtom, we managed to navigate our way around, but it is hair raising at times, with narrow bumpy roads, unfinished edges for you to drop off, (especially when the oncoming vehicle is too close to the centre of the road), the very hard to see road markings, (especially at T junctions with no stop line), so I would say the condition of some of the roads is terrible, but the more major roads are pretty good, but watch out for the narrow streets, unpaved roads and be aware, there are very little road speed limit signs.
Generally the following speeds apply
Motorways 120kph
Major roads 90/100kph
Towns/Villages 50kph (some 30kph, but these are usually well signposted)
We only noticed speed signs when the speed reduced, like approaching a roundabout, there is an 80/70kph sign, closely followed by a 60/50kph sign, so we then knew the previous section most probably was 90kph. When also noticed, that when we passed a sign notifying us we had left that particular village (village name with a red line through it), our tomtom instantly showed an increased speed limit, but there was no sign, so when the car behind is driving on your bumper, it may be because you are unknowingly driving too slow. There are also some sections with two lanes and a sign (square blue sign) indicating a minimum speed limit in the left of the two lanes of 60kph, allowing the guy behind to overtake. Most of the reduced 50kph sections were clearly signed and there is some cameras, not bright yellow ones like the UK though. Our tomtom is not up to date, so sometimes speed information was different to the signs, so we stuck with the signed speed wherever there was a sign.
With a combination of signs, maps and our tomtom, we managed to navigate our way around, but it is hair raising at times, with narrow bumpy roads, unfinished edges for you to drop off, (especially when the oncoming vehicle is too close to the centre of the road), the very hard to see road markings, (especially at T junctions with no stop line), so I would say the condition of some of the roads is terrible, but the more major roads are pretty good, but watch out for the narrow streets, unpaved roads and be aware, there are very little road speed limit signs.
Generally the following speeds apply
Motorways 120kph
Major roads 90/100kph
Towns/Villages 50kph (some 30kph, but these are usually well signposted)
We only noticed speed signs when the speed reduced, like approaching a roundabout, there is an 80/70kph sign, closely followed by a 60/50kph sign, so we then knew the previous section most probably was 90kph. When also noticed, that when we passed a sign notifying us we had left that particular village (village name with a red line through it), our tomtom instantly showed an increased speed limit, but there was no sign, so when the car behind is driving on your bumper, it may be because you are unknowingly driving too slow. There are also some sections with two lanes and a sign (square blue sign) indicating a minimum speed limit in the left of the two lanes of 60kph, allowing the guy behind to overtake. Most of the reduced 50kph sections were clearly signed and there is some cameras, not bright yellow ones like the UK though. Our tomtom is not up to date, so sometimes speed information was different to the signs, so we stuck with the signed speed wherever there was a sign.
Tolls
When my wife visited the Algarve previously, there were no toll roads, so when we heard they had added toll roads, we decided to check it out a little more before arriving in the Algarve. On reading some forums and reviews, we were very concerned about driving on the toll roads, as it appeared the biggest issue was not the toll charges, but how to pay them and the time it would take standing in the post office to pay.
While in the Algarve we used our sat nav to avoid all motorways, as the only toll road was the A22, which is the main motorway running east to west and this seemed to work well, as the alternative roads were not that busy, however in higher seasons they may be. Unfortunately we made a wrong turn on a roundabout and headed onto the motorway south and couldn’t get off, this motorway had a toll, but you arrived at a toll booth and paid, but then it lead us straight onto the A22! We only went through one automated toll camera, which was only €1.50 + taxes, but I was really annoyed that we would now have to spend precious holiday time standing in a foreign post office, to pay only €2!! However, while we were visiting Monte Gordo in the east, we went into a post office, straight to the counter and paid, no problem!
When my wife visited the Algarve previously, there were no toll roads, so when we heard they had added toll roads, we decided to check it out a little more before arriving in the Algarve. On reading some forums and reviews, we were very concerned about driving on the toll roads, as it appeared the biggest issue was not the toll charges, but how to pay them and the time it would take standing in the post office to pay.
While in the Algarve we used our sat nav to avoid all motorways, as the only toll road was the A22, which is the main motorway running east to west and this seemed to work well, as the alternative roads were not that busy, however in higher seasons they may be. Unfortunately we made a wrong turn on a roundabout and headed onto the motorway south and couldn’t get off, this motorway had a toll, but you arrived at a toll booth and paid, but then it lead us straight onto the A22! We only went through one automated toll camera, which was only €1.50 + taxes, but I was really annoyed that we would now have to spend precious holiday time standing in a foreign post office, to pay only €2!! However, while we were visiting Monte Gordo in the east, we went into a post office, straight to the counter and paid, no problem!
WiFi
One thing we found in the Algarve is the amount of free WiFi hotspots available and with both of us having smartphone’s, it came in very handy, while having a cafe break, however you do have to be careful when connecting to WiFi, as some are bogus and some say free, but take you to a website to pay.
One thing we found in the Algarve is the amount of free WiFi hotspots available and with both of us having smartphone’s, it came in very handy, while having a cafe break, however you do have to be careful when connecting to WiFi, as some are bogus and some say free, but take you to a website to pay.
Albufeira
Around the main road of Albufeira, there are roundabouts with different sculptures on, which helps you navigate your way around, like The Watches, Two Worlds and Worms roundabouts.
The first time we parked just down from the two world’s roundabout and walked down from the car park. As we walked around the streets lined with shops and restaurants, I did feel there is a similarity between the shops.
As we continued around the streets, we came across "the tunnel to the sea", which is basically a tunnel through the rock down to the beach. The beach stretches quite a distance and if you head back through the streets to the east, you come to an open square, which also leads directly onto the beach. You can also go up the escalators and look down to the massive golden beach below.
Around the main road of Albufeira, there are roundabouts with different sculptures on, which helps you navigate your way around, like The Watches, Two Worlds and Worms roundabouts.
The first time we parked just down from the two world’s roundabout and walked down from the car park. As we walked around the streets lined with shops and restaurants, I did feel there is a similarity between the shops.
As we continued around the streets, we came across "the tunnel to the sea", which is basically a tunnel through the rock down to the beach. The beach stretches quite a distance and if you head back through the streets to the east, you come to an open square, which also leads directly onto the beach. You can also go up the escalators and look down to the massive golden beach below.
Shopping
I'm not exactly a big shopping fan, however there are a few shopping centres in the Algarve, providing a much more relaxing and interesting visit, to what I normally find a chore in the UK. Below are the shopping centres we visited, many of them had underground parking, water fountains and outdoor areas.
I'm not exactly a big shopping fan, however there are a few shopping centres in the Algarve, providing a much more relaxing and interesting visit, to what I normally find a chore in the UK. Below are the shopping centres we visited, many of them had underground parking, water fountains and outdoor areas.
Algarve Shopping Centre - Albufeira
Aqua Shopping Centre – Portimāo
Forum Algarve - Faro
Alvor - Town
We drove down towards the sea front, where you can turn left or right, turning right will take you to the beach and boardwalk. There is parking bays on the right for €1.50, remember to take your towels if you’re going to the beach, where there are sun loungers or If you like to walk, then you can head to the right along the boardwalk, which carries on for quite a while and leads you further along the beach, but be prepared, take some water with you and there is no shade along the boardwalk.
We drove down towards the sea front, where you can turn left or right, turning right will take you to the beach and boardwalk. There is parking bays on the right for €1.50, remember to take your towels if you’re going to the beach, where there are sun loungers or If you like to walk, then you can head to the right along the boardwalk, which carries on for quite a while and leads you further along the beach, but be prepared, take some water with you and there is no shade along the boardwalk.
Alvor – Beach and Boardwalk
If you want to go to the town then turn right at the junction and you will be able to park up on the roadside. Walk along to the roundabout at the end and head up to the right, where you will find lovely streets with bars, restaurants and shops.
If you want to go to the town then turn right at the junction and you will be able to park up on the roadside. Walk along to the roundabout at the end and head up to the right, where you will find lovely streets with bars, restaurants and shops.
I personally really liked Alvor, it is a beautiful place to walk around and has a great beach, definitely worth a visit!
Cape St Vincent
This is the south western most point of the Algarve, where the cliffs rise out of the sea, creating fantastic scenery. There is a lighthouse and cafe, but be prepared, it can be very cold from the wind, as you will see from the stalls selling jumpers.
This is the south western most point of the Algarve, where the cliffs rise out of the sea, creating fantastic scenery. There is a lighthouse and cafe, but be prepared, it can be very cold from the wind, as you will see from the stalls selling jumpers.
On the road from Cape St Vincent, we came across what looked like an old castle, so we stopped and took some pictures, however we are not quite sure what it was.
Praia do Beliche
We then continued further along the coast and came across this lovely quaint beach.
We then continued further along the coast and came across this lovely quaint beach.
Roma Family Golf - Vilamoura
We thought €15 each wasn't bad value to do each of the 2 courses, I'm a big fan of crazy golf, with obstacles like windmills to go through, however this was more a mini golf, as the only obstacles were rocks and humps, but there were 5 of us and we all had fun playing.
Portimāo
There is a market on a Monday, which is near the arena, but we didn’t walk around the town, we went straight ‘round to the marina, where there is a long, nicely paved sea front with benches.
There is a market on a Monday, which is near the arena, but we didn’t walk around the town, we went straight ‘round to the marina, where there is a long, nicely paved sea front with benches.
Faro
We parked down by the marina and got on the road train for a 40 minute tour around Faro town. It wasn't the most comfortable ride along the cobbled streets, especially if you have a bad back, luckily the train was almost empty, so we had the carriage to ourselves, but still found it difficult to take photos on such a bouncy ride and not knowing what was coming up, however the commentary was repeated in English.
The marina is very nice and if you cross over the railway, there is a wooden walkway, where there are great views of the lagoon flats and you can also see the airport, with planes consistently coming in overhead.
We parked down by the marina and got on the road train for a 40 minute tour around Faro town. It wasn't the most comfortable ride along the cobbled streets, especially if you have a bad back, luckily the train was almost empty, so we had the carriage to ourselves, but still found it difficult to take photos on such a bouncy ride and not knowing what was coming up, however the commentary was repeated in English.
The marina is very nice and if you cross over the railway, there is a wooden walkway, where there are great views of the lagoon flats and you can also see the airport, with planes consistently coming in overhead.
Fuzeta
We took a chance on driving down to this little place on the way back from Monte Gordo and I was really glad we did, as it paid off, this is one of my favourite places we visited. As you drive in, it doesn't look much, but when you get down to where all the boats are moored up along the river banks, it is very pretty and sitting on a bench, it was like being on a desert island, with the golden beaches and blue sea.
We took a chance on driving down to this little place on the way back from Monte Gordo and I was really glad we did, as it paid off, this is one of my favourite places we visited. As you drive in, it doesn't look much, but when you get down to where all the boats are moored up along the river banks, it is very pretty and sitting on a bench, it was like being on a desert island, with the golden beaches and blue sea.
Lagos
This is a very nice place to visit, with a long sea front to walk along and across the bridge is the marina. We would recommend stopping at the Restaurante O Charo in town, where we were served by a Romanian waitress, whom was very friendly and helpful and the food was beautiful!
This is a very nice place to visit, with a long sea front to walk along and across the bridge is the marina. We would recommend stopping at the Restaurante O Charo in town, where we were served by a Romanian waitress, whom was very friendly and helpful and the food was beautiful!
Loulé
There is a Saturday market in the centre, which was mainly a food market, but it had a very nice buzz about it and the town is a nice place to walk around and look in the shops.
There is a Saturday market in the centre, which was mainly a food market, but it had a very nice buzz about it and the town is a nice place to walk around and look in the shops.
Monte Gordo
On the south east coast, we initially came here to do a boat trip, however we decided 7 hours was too long for us, but we decided to stay and have a look around and It’s a Lovely little coastal village, with massive beach, small park and a few shops, this is also where we paid out toll charge at the post office, which was really quiet at the time.
On the south east coast, we initially came here to do a boat trip, however we decided 7 hours was too long for us, but we decided to stay and have a look around and It’s a Lovely little coastal village, with massive beach, small park and a few shops, this is also where we paid out toll charge at the post office, which was really quiet at the time.
Vilamoura
This is one of my favourite places we visited in the Algarve, the marina is a beautiful to walk around and with its variety of restaurants, (including many with tables on decking over the water) and the relaxing atmosphere, it makes it a great place to go for a meal and look in the shops, definitely worth visiting!
This is one of my favourite places we visited in the Algarve, the marina is a beautiful to walk around and with its variety of restaurants, (including many with tables on decking over the water) and the relaxing atmosphere, it makes it a great place to go for a meal and look in the shops, definitely worth visiting!
O'Pirata
This restaurant is situated outside Vilamoura centre, on what appears to be a residential street, so it’s not somewhere you would pass normally. The seating layout and pools make very nice relaxing surroundings for a meal, however when we visited in the evening, there were some kids playing football next door. The meals we had were fantastic! I had sirloin steak with mushroom sauce, it was gorgeous, highly recommended!! And we felt very good value and we liked it so much, we told our friends who were also on holiday nearby and we all went the very next night!
This restaurant is situated outside Vilamoura centre, on what appears to be a residential street, so it’s not somewhere you would pass normally. The seating layout and pools make very nice relaxing surroundings for a meal, however when we visited in the evening, there were some kids playing football next door. The meals we had were fantastic! I had sirloin steak with mushroom sauce, it was gorgeous, highly recommended!! And we felt very good value and we liked it so much, we told our friends who were also on holiday nearby and we all went the very next night!
Tavira
Spanning both sides of the river, this is a nice pretty town to visit.
Spanning both sides of the river, this is a nice pretty town to visit.
Olhao
This wasn’t as pretty as Tavira, but personally I felt it has a more interesting town centre. Parking was really easy, we followed the signs for the centre and parked in a roadside bay and walked straight to the end, where it was then pedestrianised.
This wasn’t as pretty as Tavira, but personally I felt it has a more interesting town centre. Parking was really easy, we followed the signs for the centre and parked in a roadside bay and walked straight to the end, where it was then pedestrianised.
Silves
We parked near the river and walked along, where there seemed to be a park that has recently been updated. Across from the park is the town, but the walk up to the castle is up some steep roads, however entry to the castle is fair and once inside you can walk along the walls and look at the brilliant views. Inside the castle walls they look to have built a cafe and toilet block, but it didn’t appear to be open and sections inside appeared to be still undergoing renovation.
We parked near the river and walked along, where there seemed to be a park that has recently been updated. Across from the park is the town, but the walk up to the castle is up some steep roads, however entry to the castle is fair and once inside you can walk along the walls and look at the brilliant views. Inside the castle walls they look to have built a cafe and toilet block, but it didn’t appear to be open and sections inside appeared to be still undergoing renovation.
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