Insiders reveal best times to visit Europe’s cheapest holiday spot

The Algarve is a budget-friendly paradise, whether your after a break with all mod-cons or something a bit more traditional.

Before we get to when to book, there are two months locals say are a definite no-no, if you’re planning a break to Portugal’s stunning Algarve.

The region has just been named as the fifth best-value destination in the world for 2024 by Post Office Travel Money, making it Europe’s cheapest.

According to the brand’s Worldwide Holiday Costs Barometer, you’ll get more bang for your buck here than anywhere else on the continent, including Marmaris in Turkey and Sunny Beach in Bulgaria, where prices have risen in the last year.

However, after visiting last month, I was toldtime and time again by locals and tour guides to avoid July and August at all costs. Apparently, it’s simply too hot and too busy.

Obviously the heat hasn’t put people off so far, but one local told us that the area gets so rammed it’s become commonplace to see people queueing up to get into nearby mini-marts.

So, if peak summer holiday months are off-limits, when is the best time to visit this Portuguese jewel?

Well, according to one of the brilliant guides who showed me some of the lesser-known areas, May is the sweet spot, followed by March, October and November.

It was a recommendation backed up by a second tour guide and, to be fair, these guys should know as they make a living out of the tourist industry.

I met both guides on a trip to the Algarve a couple of weeks ago in March (sensible time to go, apparently!) and can concur that it indeed was a really pleasant time to visit – if you aren’t planning to just flop and fly.

The weather got up to the early 20s, but at times it was cloudy and there were a few spots of much-needed rain – so while it wasn’t the best for sun-lovers, it was perfect for adventurers.  (Again another travel insider said that if you’re thinking of an activity holiday in the Algarve – steer clear of the super-sunny summer months.)

Named ‘Europe’s best beach destination’ in 2023 for the tenth time in a row, the Algarve has 200km of stunning coastline with 88 Blue Flag beaches, ranging from stretches of golden sand to secluded rocky bays.

Undeniably these will always be a major draw for tourists, but there’s plenty more to do if you want a packed itinerary.

Our break was broken up with two contrasting areas of the Algarve – the more relaxed and traditional Calveiro, and the busier (but definitely not bustling) modern area of Villamoura.

On top of that we took a little trip to the most amazing little tourist spot, Culatra Island, which had an amazing story to tell.

Inside Carvoeiro

A small picturesque coastal town, Carvoeira combines beautiful sandy beaches with stunning cliffs and sea caves. Praia do Carvoeiro is the main beach, then there’s Praia da Marinha and Praia de Benagil. Visitors can also take a boat tour to get up close to the magical ‘grottos’ carved into the coastline, or take a walk along the top, as I did.

Called the Seven Hanging Valleys, due to the sea-made indents in the cliffs, the trail spans around eight miles, although our tour covered just half of that, as our guide Fábio Rodrigues, kindly incorporated a hotel finish into our walk, as it was nestled into the cliffside alongside one of the many caves.

The trek was organised by Algarfun, as we walked along the clifftops, Fabio told all about how the coves were formed by the sea and rainfall and shown various sinkholes along the way. Some would end up creating yet another cove, while others stood starkly as a simple reminder of the power of nature.

It was a stunning but rocky walk with some ups and downs, so for those who aren’t fans of a bit of legwork, further along the coastline you can also take a trip along the very safe boardwalk, which offers the same glorious views, which also takes you into the town.

There are plenty of places to eat and drink in Carvoeiro, too. As we went in early spring there wasn’t really an issue finding a table, but as the months warm up, even a small town like this attracts the crowds, so book ahead. There’s also plenty of shops to mooch in, especially if you’re after some of local cork and leather goodies.

Discover Villamoura

If you love a bit of luxury-yacht spotting, this is the place to be as it boasts one of the largest marinas in Portugal and is filled with so many envy-enducing mega-fancy boats.

It’s also home to a bustling hub of activity day and night, whether you want to take a stroll around the shops or restaurants or a trip to some beautifully sandy beaches, such as Praia da Marina and Praia da Falésia, where you can just chill or do something a bit more adventurous like jet skiing and parasailing.

The Algarve’s secret gem

Culatra is an island located in the Ria Formosa Natural Park, situated just off the coast and requires a boat to get there, which you can either hire privately or take the ferry from Olhão or Faro.

As we took a mile-long walk from the lighthouse in Ria Formosa Natural Park, along the beach, our guide Diana Nunes explained that the island is made up of three areas: one which is home to tourists and locals, another which is the main tourist post and another spot, called Ilha da Culatra, where the president of the island, Sílvia Padinha lives.

Although Ilha da Culatra allows visitors, you’ll not find one Airbnb here, as this place is strictly home to locals only. You can’t even buy your way to owning a place on the island – and plenty have tried apparently.

It’s no understatement that this place looks like a postcard picture. Colourful old boats line the quay, the beaches are golden and litter-free, while the houses and streets, wihch are surrounded by an array of greenery, carry a beautiful simplicity.

Diana arranged for us to have local fresh oysters with Sílvia, who has been a gamechanger in turning the island around. Home to a small fishing community, she has helped it become a designated protected area due to its ecological significance.

As an oyster virgin, the pressure was on for me not to gag in front of the President if I didn’t like them. Thankfully I was a convert, and ended up guzzling eight of them – and that was before a lunch of prawns, cuttlefish and clams at the local restaurant, followed by a freshly baked pastel de nata from the only bakery on the island.

Where else to go

Other popular spots in the Algarve include Albufeira, Lagos, Faro, and Portimao, with dolphin-spotting tours and sunset cruises departing from each throughout the busy season.

Faro’s Old Town is a must-see for history buffs, while families can enjoy theme parks like Zoomarine and Slide & Splash. There are also a number of nearby vineyards, where you can sample the local wines and find out how it’s produced.

We also enjoyed a fair few cocktails, such as The Argo, which included gin and was infused with phytoplankton and the more straight forward tequila-based The Argonauts.

Weather in the Algarve

According the Met Office, you can average maximum temperatures of 29.1°C in July, with hardly any rain and up 12 hours of sunshine each day during the summer. January is the coldest month, seeing peaks of 16.2°C and 60mm rainfall.

How to get to there

Regular flights to Faro are available from most UK airports, with return fares in May starting at £37 according to Skyscanner. The most expensive month is August, when a return will set you back at least £103.