Three Days In….Algarve Coast

Location:  Algarve Coast of Portugal

Visit:  August 2019

Portugal is a very managable country to visit. There are many, many flights from all of the other major European cities to Lisbon, and even some direct flights from the US. Once you are in Lisbon, you are only about 3 hours away by car or train from the two other main tourists areas in Lisbon. Going north will take you to the famous wine region near the city of Porto. If you are more interested in beaches and sunny weather, then the Algarve Coast would be your destination of choice.

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There are a number of great towns along the coast, starting with Lagos in the west and ending with Tavira in the east, near the Spanish border, with the main action centering in the middle, in the towns of Faro and Albufeira. We choose to stay in the town of Vilamoura (which is located between Faro and Albufeira), based on its location, it’s accessibility to the Faro airport and access to the beach. We traveled by train from Lisbon and then took an Uber from the train station near Vale Judeu (which is a few miles inland).

Our hotel was the Tivoli Marina Vilamoura ($250-$350) (Rua Marina de Vilamour, 8125 Loule, Portugal) (tivolihotel.com) – a large, “high-rise” (9 floor), modern hotel with lots of amenities. We typically don’t like to stay at bigger hotels, as the quirks and intimacy of smaller, boutique hotels (or the luxury of truly premium brands) makes travel all the more memorable. In this case, since it was our first trip to this region, we opted to play it safe. No regrets either. The location was perfect, there was easy access to restaurants, the beach, pools and taxis/Ubers.

• General Rating: 81 (Exceptional)
• Four Star Rating: 76 (Great)
• Notes: The price point is a little steep, especially given the amazing rates in the rest of Portugual. Not totally unexpected, based on the touristy nature of the region, but that is the reason for the drop off. Pool scene is next level (see below) and overall amenities are first-rate, as you’d expect in a large, luxury hotel.

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There are more boutique options in Albufeira, a few miles to the west, but we preferred that location as a day trip, rather than a place to stay.

Unlike Lisbon (or any big city with lots of sites to see), there wasn’t much of an itinerary for our three days, so we won’t break it down day-by-day. Instead, here are a few of the highlights of the area.

Purobeach: The Tivoli hotel faces both to the harbor (our view) or out over the white sandy beaches that slip into the Atlantic. At the sand’s edge sits Purobeach, a loungy, restaurant/beach club with lots of lounge chairs, day beds and direct access to the water. Great for families, since kids are welcome.

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Purobeach Oasis Pool: Just adjacent to the hotel’s main (all ages) pool sits the adults-only, hidden gem of the Purobeach “Oasis del Mar”. Inside is a gorgeous, Versace inspired pool, with day beds, lounge chairs, poolside drink and dining service and an available massuse. Around 3:00pm the DJ comes on to give it a more party vibe, but overall it’s an amazing place to relax for a few hours with some adult beverages.

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Town of Albufeira: Located about 20 minutes to the west of modern Vilamoura, is the classic coastal village of Albufeira. Inevitably, some modern development has occured on the outskirts of town and near the harbor, but the heart of the city is streets lined with whitewashed shops, restaurants, apartments and boutique hotels. Most of the town is located along a bluff, overlooking a perfect slice of the Atlantic. A great place to spend the day wandering around, grabbing a bite in the town square, or relaxing at the beach.

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Algarve Coastline & Caves + Kayaking: The sandy stone along the Algarve Coast has been chipped away over the millenia to create amazing bluffs, hidden beaches and small caves. Some are accessible by the the shoreline, but many are only accessible by boat. Why not thow a little adventure into the mix and spend the day on a kayak? There are quite a few tour companies, most based out of the harbor in Albufeira. After a short boat ride, it’s life-jackets on and into your kayak. The water is cold, to be sure, but with a bright sun and outdoor temps in the 80s, it doesn’t feel so bad. Don’t take a camera unless it’s in a waterproof case, because you are going to get wet. It’s also a good workout, as you’ll be paddling around 3 miles (5km). Totally worth it as a way to mix it up on your vacation.

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