Algarve help
 

I will be vacationing with my family of 4 (2 boys--10 and 13) in Portugal in late June/early July. We want to spend 5-7 days in The Algarve. I'd like a stay in a place on or near the beach, preferably with a patio with a nice view of the water as well as access to a pool. We prefer somewhere with nearby restaurants and possibly some shops. We prefer more quaint/quiet vs touristy with lots of people. Does anyone have recommendations on the best areas to stay in The Algarve that would fit these preferences?? Can you provide some specific accommodation recommendations? I'd love to find something under $200/night for min 2 beds/4 people, but would consider up to $300 for something amazing.

Also, we will be coming from Lisbon. Would you recommend the train or renting a car to get to the Algarve? We'd like the ability to visit other locations in the Algarve. Is transportation between towns pretty easy (bus? Taxi? Uber?)? If we had a car, is parking a problem?

Thanks!!!

Algarve, near the sea, quiet, near restaurants, June...... going to be tricky.

nothing much comes to mind, maybe others

Your requirements are a bit contradictory, restaurants, shops, quiet. None of the shops and restaurants would stay open if it was quiet. I'd think that if you avoid the busier resorts you'd be better off and my personal preference would be Lagos or Carvoeiro.

You may also struggle with having four of you in one room, as many hotels are not designed that way in Europe and your budget won't get anything amazing for $300 per night, especially if you need two rooms.

The road from Lisbon down to the Algarve is pretty much all motorway-E1- (freeway) and you'll be in your resort in under 3 hours. This is a toll road so be sure that your car is equipped for the tolls. Parking is not too much of a problem and I'd recommend a car for sightseeing.

I might look up the West coast of the Algarve and into the national park of the next region. There are fewer tourists and towns are much smaller, but some have accomodation (sometimes a bit more rudimentory).

I will be able to tell you after June 15th. We will stay at the Alentejo Coast (as suggested by bilboburgler) in Vila Nova de Milfontes for a week and in Carvoeiro (Algarve) for the week thereafter. I have visited Carvoeiro before on a daytrip and liked it very much (the reason why we go for a week now). It's small and quaint and there are some excellent restaurants.

We're also going in June and aimed to find a similar spot. We opted for Carvoeiro, and I couldn't be more excited especially after joining a Carvoeiro group on Facebook to get to know the town before we get there. It seems like the perfect mix of quiet beach town but still has enough restaurants and shops to bounce around to.

We're staying at Algar Seco Parque, which looks gorgeous, has great reviews, and is walkable to the beach and town. It's also about a 10 minute drive to the Benagil Sea Caves, which we're very excited to see!

Actually good point, I also like Ferragudo. I have a photo of it up on a website of mine.

Just to answer your question a bit better; when you say near the beach, how close are we talking? Were you thinking about renting a car? Do you plan on seeing more than 1 beach?

I live in the Algarve and can tell you that your request is a difficult one. I also think that with a well thought out plan, you will be able to have a very enjoyable trip.

I re-read your post and sorry for the irrelevant questions. haha just trying to help.

I second on renting a car for being able to see multiple locations. Parking shouldn't be too bad, but can still be difficult in certain locations (smaller beaches).

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but I believe renting a car is the most feasible way to travel from Lisbon to the Algarve with 4 people. There was a chart breaking down the price of each method, I'll post it when I come accross it.

Yes, a car is definitely the most feasible way to travel in Portugal with 4 people (and luggage, I suppose).
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