Travel

Algarve guide: beaches, towns and living there

The Algarve for visitors and residents: which towns to choose, getting around without and with a car, seasons, and what living there year-round is like.

Golden cliffs and a small beach on the Algarve coast
Photo: Mélanie Martin / Unsplash

What this guide will cover

  1. Towns at a glance
  2. Getting around
  3. Seasons
  4. Living in the Algarve year-round

Official sources

We check our guides against these official pages. If something has changed, the official source wins.

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Official bodies and services related to this guide. Sponsored listings are always labelled.

  • Official Transport

    CP — Comboios de Portugal

    The national rail operator: suburban and regional lines (including Lisbon–Sintra and Lisbon–Cascais) and long-distance Alfa Pendular and Intercidades trains.

    Languages
    Portuguese, English
    Where
    Nationwide
    cp.pt
  • Official Transport

    Metro de Lisboa

    Lisbon's four-line metro, including the Red Line to Humberto Delgado Airport. Check the official site for current fares and service changes.

    Languages
    Portuguese, English
    Where
    Lisbon
    metrolisboa.pt
  • Official Transport

    Carris

    Operator of Lisbon's buses and historic trams, as well as the city's funiculars and the Santa Justa lift.

    Languages
    Portuguese, English
    Where
    Lisbon
    carris.pt

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