A Guide to Cheap Holidays in the Algarve

Cheap holidays in the Algarve from Teletext Holidays. Find out what's on in the Algarve, cheap holidays available now. The Algarve is Portugal's most southerly region and the country's prime tourist area. Home to more than 100 miles of Kodak-moment coastline, there are plenty of Blue Flag beaches, beautiful countryside dotted with Moorish villages and vibrant cities such as regional capital Faro, Albufeira and Lagos.

Getting to and around the Algarve cheaply

Your flight to the Algarve will most likely arrive at Faro Airport, a booming hub for low-cost airlines.
Cheap car hire is readily available for independent travelers. There are train stations in all main towns between Lagos and Vila Real de Santo Antonio in the east and there's public transport in all main areas. Taxi’s aren’t as cheap and try to agree a price before using them.

Beaches in the Algarve

Between Faro and Manta Rota, the eastern beaches on the islands of the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve are justly famous, offering the warmest waters and reached only by small but relatively cheap ferries. A special place is Ilha Deserta - Portugal's southernmost point, reached in high season from Faro's Porta Nova Pier.

Low-cost sightseeing in the Algarve

You should definitely spend some of your time on holiday in Faro pottering around the city's grand square of Praca de Dom Francisco Gomes and the Moorish Old Town.

Don't end your holiday without heading out further west to see Sagres and the Fortaleza de Sagres (Fortress of Sagres) honoured as a monument of national importance. Lisbon and Seville are also possible for cheap day or overnight trips.

Eating cheaply on Holiday in the Algarve

You'll find a wide range of international options in cities and resorts but excellent local fish and shellfish are musts on any menu. Clams cooked in a cataplana - a copper pan - with ham, cockles, onion, garlic, white wine and spices are delicious. More rustic and hardy mountain dishes include stewed chickpeas and cabbage and home-cured sausages.

Figs feature in many a dessert and anyone with a sweet tooth will be in heaven trying arroz doce, a lemon and cinnamon-flavoured rice pudding and delicious custard-filled tarts, pasteis de nata.

Also be prepared to try the fiery local brandy, aguardente de medronho made from the arbutus berry. The Algarve's wine-growing region is divided between Lagos, Portimao, Lagoa, Albufeira and Tavira.

There are many cheap places to eat out in Faro and Albufeira, or go and show off in Vilamoura, an exclusive marina harbouring dazzling yachts, with sophisticated restaurants and nightlife and a casino.

Cheap Shopping in the Algarve

Be on the look out for some cheap bargains such as, bright pottery, wicker baskets, cork goods, knitwear and leather shoes, bags and belts - all good value and typical of the area.

For a market packed with local flavour, head to Loule's Saturday retail-fest in a town known for its excellent copper goods, wrought-iron work, candles and clogs. Visit the traditional Cerâmica d'Alte, if you want beautiful pottery and traditional Portuguese decorative tiles.

This is a fab family holiday choice with excellent hotels, sandy beaches, jeep safaris, horse riding, go-karting, mountain biking, boat trips, river cruises and lots of water sports.

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