Algarve Car Hire | Car rental Algarve

Welcome to Algarve Car Hire

Algarve is south of Portugal. It’s a very popular tourist destination almost anytime of the year. Its streets bustle during holidays and otherwise. The reason for its year round tourist attraction may be because of its generally sunny weather and excellent beaches.

Accommodations in Algarve are most affordable during its winter season. Winter comes in around December 21 and it usually ends on March 19 or sometime near that date. Like in most tourist spots, summer would definitely be peak season. Expect a heavy influx of tourists from June 21 to September 21 of every year.

Algarve is quite famous for its alluring beaches and more specifically, Albufeira, would be one of the best places to go swimming and beach partying. Its coast boasts of twenty three excellent beaches and thousands of vacationers make it a point to either stay there or drop by there. Fittingly, that would explain why Albufeira was chosen as a tourist capital.

In this part of Algarve, population runs at an approximate of forty thousand residents. Because of a devastating earthquake in the year 1755, Albufeira lost its castle and many of its old fishing village structures. Still, traces of its old history can be seen in the area.

Cape St. Vincent is another good place to visit in Algarve. It’s also known in Portugal as the “Land’s End”. It’s a well known shipping port. Its lighthouse can be spotted fifty miles away. Cape St. Vincent can become so crowded during the summer season, yet in spite of that, one can still find secluded beaches and places for quiet relaxation.

Faro, Algarve is filled with old structures, many dating after the 1532 and 1755 earthquakes. Population in Faro, Algarve is over 55,000 people. The place has traces of Arab and Roman influences. Faro is most famous for its ninth century Roman walls. You can also find a sixteenth century convent in this area. Now, this convent is used as an archaeological museum.

Another place of interest in Faro, Algarve is the Ria Formosa lagoon. This is a natural reserve that has an area of more than 17,000 hectares. Even birds find this reserve a good place to stop over in autumn and spring.

Lagos, Algarve is one of the most famous and interesting cities. It is a major entry and exit port. It’s interesting to note that Prince Henry (a Navigator) chose Lagos for his headquarters. The place though was destroyed in 1755’s Great Earthquake. Lagos, has a building which has existed since the year 1445. History says that this building was the first one used for slave trading.

The beauty of Monchique, Algarve is still relatively untouched by modern tourism. This area is sandwiched between 2 high hills (Foia and Picota) Population is around 10,000 people. A popular place in Monchique is a Franciscan monastery (17th century). Visitors are privileged to see beautiful panoramic views of the countryside.

Besides those mentioned, there are many other scenic places in Algarve. One vacation won’t suffice at all.