Car rental in the Algarve

Algarve It is a region of land located in the south of Portugal, where the most southwestern point of the entire continent of Europe is located. The word Algarve means west, and in the region there are 16 local authorities spread over about 5,000 square kilometers. The capital city of the Algarve region is Faro and the region actually overlaps the entire province of Faro. This is one of the most popular vacation destinations in Europe in recent years, when it is saturated in various attractions And especially in a spectacular stretch of beach that is very hard to find elsewhere. The district enjoys warm, but not humid weather, while even in winter you can win reasonable and pleasant weather for trips. The water temperature is always ideal and the local breezes make the Algarve to an amazing vacation destination marital or family, no wonder it is very popular with many Israelis.

Half of the tourists who come to Portugal go through the Algarve, which is full In designated summer attractions, such as luxurious resorts, water parks and some of the best golf courses in Portugal. If you continue a little to the east, you will find small islands and lagoons that belong to the national park, and small Spanish houses (which were influenced by the proximity to the border) that make the whole area much more picturesque. In the western Algarve you will find a completely different contrast - a green and wild area, which offers fascinating itineraries and areas where surfers find a place to stay. To soak up everything the Algarve has to offer, rent a car and hit the road.

How much does it cost us?

Renting a car in the Algarve is particularly cheap, mainly because all the major car companies work in the area, there is a wide variety of options, and traveling by car is a must. A double mini car with space for two suitcases will only cost you about 7 euros per day, while most private vehicles and executive cars will cost you between 20 and 30 euros per day, not including fuel. There is a wide variety of sports cars at affordable prices and even if you want to take a large family car, such as a station wagon, you will not have to pay more than 50 euros, even at the height of the season. The price of the car rental is affected by several elements, including the reservation period, its length, the type of vehicle and, of course, its size and the extras you decided to add to it (hanging device, roof, etc.). But as mentioned, the differences are not too significant and the prices are worth every pocket.

When to order?

The very comfortable climate in the Algarve greatly extends the busy tourism period. In the Algarve you will find tourists even in months like March and October, who enjoy a wide variety of attractions adapted to the season. The priority is to order the car well in advance, and to be in contact with the rental company, to make sure that the car is indeed waiting for you at the designated place. Most of the rental companies work at various points throughout the country, so it is very useful to prepare in advance with regards to picking up the car, changing it, stopping points, gas stations and more. Because it is a relatively complex story, it is better to make the order as far in advance as possible, even if it is a few months.

The Algarve has a large number of events throughout the year, as it is an area aimed at vacationers and tourists. In January you will find a magnificent sausage festival and in February a Brazilian style carnival. A seafood festival is held in May and the Portuguese Food Week is held in June. Various music festivals are held throughout the summer and at the end of the year the traditional Christmas and year-end markets are held. All these events are specific, and those that affect the traffic in the area, but not those that interfere excessively with the current conduct. In any case, it's worth using the various navigation apps to avoid getting tangled up in the winding roads of the area.

Which car to choose? 

Traveling in the Algarve is not easy, given the fact that there are so many places to see, and it is a fairly large area. Many people are looking to absorb as much space as possible and see both the nice towns in the east and travel in the west. The ideal is to rent an SUV or a large station wagon, in order to fit as many people and equipment as possible inside, while still enjoying legroom. Small vehicles are not suitable here, even if you are making short trips with few people. Take a big car, and even if you plan to stay in a relatively small area, a small car just won't do the job on these mountain trips.

International driving license

The car rental companies in the Algarve require to see a valid international driver's license in order to give the keys to their vehicles. Remember to take the relevant documents with you on the flight.

Driving and navigating the area

Almost everyone who comes to the Algarve in general, and Faro in particular, takes a car straight from the nearest airport and drives to their hotel. The roads are indeed curvy, but the trips are quite comfortable, with good infrastructure, and it is very easy to get around and park within the towns, and thus experience a large part of the area, after you have finished resting and eating at your resort. It is important to exercise judgment and stay away from the busy tourist areas during rush hours and on holidays, and also not to go too deep into the Portuguese steppe in order not to get into trouble. These are small resort towns with small and narrow roads, so you should also pay attention to two-wheeled vehicles that move around the area as well as the many pedestrians. Drive carefully and respect the traffic laws in the area, especially if you go to the outskirts and more remote areas. The whole area is quite comfortable to drive, and does not include anything unusual in it.

Parking in the Algarve

The Algarve region, as mentioned, consists of many small and picturesque towns, where you will not find parking areas or even regulated parking lots. You just have to be careful not to block the traffic and park in the right places according to the signs. Nowhere in the Algarve will you have to walk too much, unless you come across a big event, in which case you will have to put the car away from the action area and walk a bit. In any case, these towns have something to offer in terms of visibility, so even with a relatively long walk, you will not be disappointed by the sights or the atmosphere until you reach your desired stronghold.