1. Festival Do Orgao do Algarve (Organ Festival of the Algarve)

The festival is taking place between 03.11.2017 – 25.11.2017. It follows eight succesfull years in faro and has been expaded across the regios. This year, the festival will take place across four counties: Portimao, Faro, Tavira and Loulé.

You should’t miss this as you will enjoy many concerts and for sure you will have lot of fun.

2. St. Martin’s fair in Portimao

 The fair has taken place every year since 1662 and it is considered the most ancient event and also the most popular in the city.

Visitors will have the chance to browse through 84 stalls where you can find anything from food, clothes, shoes,household item, toys and so on.

Also this year a novelty it will be the exhibition of new and used cars, which represents nine car brands in the Algarve. The show will take place at Portimao Arena, locaed in the grounds of the Parque de Feiras e Exposicoes, from 15:00 to 23:00, each day until 18.11.2017.

3. Christmas and New Year’s Eve

Christmas celebration in Portugal traditionally start on December 8^th (“The day of “Our Lady of the Conception”) and end of 12^th night.

Christmas itself is celebrated on Christmas Eve night.

Did you ever imagined spending Christmas sorounded by decorations but somewhere where the weather is still warm? Algarve is the perfect answer.

New Year celebration can become very expensive but did you thought that you can get more with less money?

You can watch the firework displays on the river front in Lagos and get a view of Portimao’s display as well.

Many open air concerts will take place in Albufeira and all the bars and clubs across the Algarve will stay open until the early hours so everyone can celebrate.

If you need a car we suggest you to hire a car from Lagos Car Hire as they have very good prices and lots of discounts up to 30% this time of the year.

Hope we helped you with some ideas for this autumn and winter and we wish you to enjoy your time in Algarve.

The North of Portugal is the industrial region, recognized as the richer and more somber side of the country. You can travel here easily with a Porto airport transfer. You can also travel from there to the other corners of the country should you like to lodge in the north during your stay.

7. Porto has a lot of mainstream sites to boast with, but also a lot of hidden, secret and wonderful sites, such as the Lello Bookstore, dubbed the most beautiful library in the world. Any bookworm traveling around the Globe should go there for a cup of coffee and a good book to browse through.

8. If you want to rent a car in Porto, you can afford to travel outside the city as well. In this case of figures, you should take a ride to Vila Nova de Gaia. the “barcos rabelos” accosted in the harbor make for a colorful and idyllic landscape. A trip top this typically northern-Portuguese town can serve as a perfect city break option.

9. And here we are, at the end of our list. What should our last Portuguese suggestion be? Can we end our list so soon? First off, you must remember these are just mere suggestions, the list doesn’t really ever end. So here it is: Cais da Ribeira, a labyrinth of winding streets and narrow alleys facing the beautiful riverfront of the majestic Douro River.

Have a great time in Portugal this summer!

The southern part of Portugal is called the Algarve. It is the most beautiful and bright area and also home to some of the most outstanding samples of inter-culturality, as it witnessed the rise and fall of several empires and rules, from the Roman to the Christian, to the Moorish and back to the Portuguese victory of the Reconquista. Good: so what can we visit here?

4. Faro is the capital city of the Algarve. It is also one of the most beautiful and economically prominent sites in Portugal. Cidade Velha is the compact and extremely romantic old town center of Faro, reminiscent of centuries old gone. Larga da Se is the core of the quarter, dominated by the silhouette of the old cathedral.

Of course, Faro is not just the old center. The harbor is a beautiful picturesque spot as well and not to mention the Museu do Marítimo Almirante Ramalho Ortigão, which tells a beautiful tale about the maritime history of Portugal and the Algarve.

5. Lagos is our next recommendation for your Algarve trip. You can stay there for a week or more for very accessible rates. It is big enough to have a city feel and everything you need at the tip of your fingers and small enough to be cozy and authentically Portuguese. You can go to Lagos car rental and benefit from the best transport option: a car all ready for you for your trip.

6. Last (for today), but certainly not least, is Silves, one of the most scenic and picturesque towns in the Algarve. The Medieval Festival of Silves is an event that attracts thousands of people from all around the world, eager to have fun and remember the wonderful past with melancholy.

The annual Medieval Fair in Silves is the best chance to sample the life Moors and Christians alike led during the Middle Ages. Having begun on August 7th, the fair is going to last until Sunday, August 16th.

During the medieval Arab rule of the Algarve, Silves used to the capital city and it was then that the city saw its golden days. After the Reconquista, Silves, like the entire Algarve, returned to the possession of Christian Portugal. But it never lost its eclectic cultural quality.

For the fair, knights, Moors, damsels,  minstrels, jesters, dancers and magicians crowd the streets for nine days. You can join the party, rent a costume and delve deep into the romantic (or rather, Oriental) atmosphere. For only 3 EUR, you can be a knight or a clown for a day – now, that’s not too bad!

You’ve still got a few days to enjoy the Feira Medieval in Silves. Or rather, a few nights, seen that activities start daily from 6 PM and last until 1 in the morning or later. The entry ticket only costs 2 EUR, except for the day when the jousting tournament is held.

So if you are currently in the Algarve or if you plan on spending your weekend there, put the Medieval Festival in Silves 2015 on your list. You might need a vehicle, so Algarve car rental can deal with this problem. Or you can book a Faro airport transfer for a tour and a ride.

August and September are high season on the Portuguese shores of the endless Atlantic Ocean, so there is much entertainment to speak of, a lot of excitement and enthusiasm. Here’s what you can enjoy during the following weeks in the region:

From August 7th until the 16th of the month, you are all invited to delve deep into the tumultuous, but fascinating past of the Algarve in the Silves Medieval Festival 2015. Silves town is definitely the best setting for such display of history and colour. The picturesque medieval town center will be the arena for princes and princesses, Moors, jesters and knights. You can blend in if you get a costume and sit down for a meal and a drink. The events begin every evening from 6 PM and end at 1 AM and the entry ticket is only 2-3 EUR. To attend the jousting tournament, you need to pay 5 EUR, but they’ll be worth every… eurocent.

For one day, between the 8th and 9th August, Portimao will be the center of the Algarve, hosting the huge inflatable water slide measuring 300 m in length and promising American-style fun! For 5 EUR per slide, you can test its slope and for 85 EUR, you can have unlimited fun for the entire day.

In Lagoa, between the 21st and the 30th of August, you can attend one of the greatest festivals in the Algarve, Fatacil 2015, having got to its 36th edition. There will be fairs with handicrafts, tourist offers, food and drink for everyone.

To move freely around the Algarve, you can either rent a car in the Algarve or book a Faro airport transfer.

The practice is not advisable, because availability can be limited, but you can book your car rental in the Algarve on short notice as well. The car can be picked up from Faro Airport or from your location in the Algarve for an additional fee.

Anyway, if you haven’t yet planned your trip to Portugal, but wish to do so, don’t panic, not just yet! If you are quick to organize yourselves, you can find lodgings, book plane tickets and even confirm a car rental reservation for your stay in a matter of days.

Why do people opt for “last-minute everything”? The psychology behind last-minute booking is very intricate. On the one hand, there is the notion that, if you wait until the last minute, you will find cheaper deals. This practice is common with flight companies, but what people (choose to) forget is that there is no guarantee that you actually will find availability for the exact moment you want to travel. What is more, the likelihood of this is very slim during the high season.

On the other hand, there is indeed the chance that you will get the services you look for exactly when you need them – and at normal, if not lower, prices. If the prudent advice would be to take some time to make plans (for vacation and not only), there is also much to say about spontaneity. After all, where would we be without a bit of surprise in our lives?

Among the cities in the Algarve, Tavira might not be the largest, nor is it the most economically prominent; but for those of you searching for a moment of respite in a peaceful and beautiful landscape, it is an ideal getaway.

The history of Tavira in a nutshell

Tavira used to be a village in the Bronze Age. In the 8th century BC, it became a sturdy Phoenician settlement before being conquered by the Romans under Caesar. The Moors came to the Algarve in the early Middle Ages and occupied Tavira between the 8th and the 13th century, influencing the cultural life, agriculture, cuisine and architecture, the latter being visible today in the Tavira Castle and the whitewashed houses with Moorish rooftops and doors which are a mark of the city.

After the 1242 Reconquista, the city became Christian and Portuguese again. Today, Tavira is renowned for its history, tourist attractions, calm atmosphere, for its beaches and golfing facilities.

With its Roman bridge which makes up the favorite promenade in town, the Gilao River meeting the Atlantic Ocean is the most important spot in Tavira.

Only accessible by boat, Tavira Island is one of the best beaches in the Algarve and a definite must-see. The Ria Formosa Natural Park is a pristine paradise you should set foot on for at least a minute.

And if you want to “get to the other side”, Pego do Inferno is right “around the corner” (so to speak), a tiny picturesque lagoon with a high waterfall, the perfect place for a quick swim or a day in the open air.

Back in town, you can pass by the Tavira car rental office to collect your car and visit the Castle, the Old Town Market and the medieval relics of Torre d’Aires and Forte do Rato.

In the sub-region of Faro, Castro Marim is a small town of less than 2000 inhabitants, but an outstanding holiday destination. Its quiet and beauty, as well as the golf facilities and location make it one of the greatest “unknown destinations” in the Algarve.

Access to Castro Marim is quite easy from different locations and in town you can opt to have an Algarve transfer at your service, which can be booked online. The city is limited by Alcoutim, Spain, Vila Real de Santo Antonio, Tavira and the endless Atlantic Ocean.

The history of Castro Marim dates back 7 millennia. It used to be an ancient port, connected to Lisbon by a long Roman bridge that trailed along the river. In the middle ages, it was the home of the Order or Christ, who replaced the Knights Templar in the 14th century.

Today, Castro Marim is an exquisite choice if you would like to enjoy the traditional Portuguese air and the wonders of the surrounding countryside. The city is part of the Baixo Guadiana region, where the mountain meets the sea in a wonderful display of beauty and wild nature.

It is a great place to hike and you can explore the Reserva Natural do Sapal, home to hundreds of species of birds and 400 species of plants and flowers.

Castro Marim is the greatest unexpected choice if you are looking for a short holiday adventure. All that you need to do is get your backpack ready and comfy clothes and enjoy an unforgettable day away from the stress of life.

Everybody knows that Portugal in its southern region is the ultimate seaside destination, with fun in the sun and sand and seashells, the numerous resorts and holiday facilities ensuring great family holidays and enjoyable stays by the shore of the Atlantic Ocean.

But the Algarve is so much more: it is an interesting realm, dipped in history and boasting with a rich culture. Apart from the great centers of Faro, Portimao or Lagos, there are countless cities and villages, sites and parks that deserve our attention in the Algarve. Here are a few:

If you hire a car in the Algarve, you can go exploring beyond the borders of Albufeira into Guia, a very old and peaceful settlement just off the coast. It is the best place to escape crowds and heat, where you can admire agriculture, picturesque sites or lie in the sand on secluded beaches.

The Monchique hills are filled with flowers, cool and fresh, so if you like hiking, this is the place for you.

As for Carrapateira, Aljezur, this is the best surfing destination. But it is also suitable for a day’s trip if you want to visit the old fort or the local church.

Olhao is also probably one of the most underrated cities in the Algarve. A medieval fishing town, Olhao is located just 20 kilometers away from Faro (you can book a Faro transfer to get there). The city has it all: great architecture, local colour, shops and markets, restaurants, hotels and gorgeous, less visited beaches.

We hope you find these ideas useful in planning your Algarve trip!

The Sardine Festival is one of the most emblematic festivals both in Portugal and in Portimao. 45.000 people attended the festival last year and the municipality is hoping to attract just as many this year – at least.

Though this is mainly a culinary event, eating sardines is not the only activity to perform during the festival. There is music, dance and entertainment involved as well and everybody is expected to have a great time.

Portimao is one of the greatest cities in the Algarve, being strong both from the economic and from the tourist point of view. Portimao and Faro are the most populous cities in the region of southern Portugal.

In the past, Portimao used to be a fishing village, then a shipbuilding center and a prosperous port. Today, much of its activity revolves around tourism.

Sailing is one of the reasons Portimao is so popular among foreign tourists. Some consider it the best location in the Atlantic Ocean. Scuba diving is another popular activity among tourists who come here.

For the less adventurous, the beaches of Praia da Rocha and Praia da Santa Catarina are the optimal places to go lie in the sun with not a care in the world.

Accessibility is one key feature of Portugal. Being close to the Algarve capital of Faro, you can always employ Faro airport transfers to ensure local transport. As an alternative, you can also call on Lagos car hire, an equally appealing alternative if you want more freedom of movement.