Should you rent a car in the Algarve?
If you’re planning a trip to the Algarve, you might be wondering: should you rent a car?
My answer is simple: yes, I definitely recommend it.
The Algarve is beautiful. And it’s big. The landscape also changes a lot as you travel around. And honestly, that’s one of my favourite things about it. With a car, you can drive to the prettiest coastal towns, find beaches with huge waves, watch surfers on the wild west coast and then spend the afternoon on a lovely golden beach on the south coast. Add some cute white houses and a little restaurant with a terrace, and you’ve got the Algarve I love. For me, having a car makes it so much easier to explore all of this. I personally like booking with Discover Cars.
Is it worth renting a car in the Algarve?
I definitely think so.
The Algarve is perfect for exploring by car.
It’s not just about getting from one place to another. It’s about seeing how different the Algarve can be. The west coast is wild and dramatic. You’ll find huge waves, surfers and rugged cliffs.
Then you drive around the corner and suddenly everything feels different.
The south coast is much calmer. Think golden beaches, clear water, white houses and lovely little restaurants. With a rental car, you can see both sides.
You can visit beautiful coastal towns, find beaches that are a little harder to reach and make random stops whenever you feel like it. And that freedom is exactly why I recommend it.
See a beach you like?
Stop.
Spot a cute little town?
Go explore it.
Want to watch the sunset on the west coast?
Get in the car.
You don’t have to worry about bus times or waiting for a taxi.
Just go.
Praia do Burgau Driving near Alte Praia do Burgau
Would you rather not drive?
That’s completely fine too. You can definitely visit the Algarve without a car.
If you’d rather leave the driving to someone else, have a look at my guide about the Algarve without a car.
There are also a few things that are good to know.
Taxis are surprisingly affordable. At least compared to what I’m used to in Northern Europe, the US and Canada. So taking a taxi every now and then doesn’t have to cost you a fortune.
Public transport is a little different. It’s not quite what I’m used to in Northern Europe. It can take a bit more planning and some connections are not very frequent. But the trains are great.
I actually really like travelling by train in the Algarve. They’re easy to use and connect some of the main towns. So yes, you can absolutely do the Algarve without a car.
You’ll just have a little less freedom.
Is driving in the Algarve difficult?
Not at all. Actually, I find driving in the Algarve really relaxing.
The Portuguese generally aren’t in a huge hurry. Especially in the south. Everything just feels a bit more tranquilo. The roads are usually pretty quiet too.
Even during rush hour, you won’t suddenly find yourself stuck in a huge traffic jam like you might in a big city. You might get a little traffic around 5 pm, but honestly, nothing crazy.
The roads are also well signposted. And the main roads and motorways are wide and easy to drive on. So if you’re a little nervous about driving abroad, I really wouldn’t worry too much.
A few things to watch out for
There are two things I would keep in mind.
1. Avoid the tiny town centres
If you’re not used to driving in the Algarve, I would avoid driving into the small centres of villages and towns. Some of the streets are really narrow.
And I mean really narrow. The corners can be so tight that your rental car almost feels too big for the street. There are plenty of walls and corners that have clearly met a few cars before.
Your car does not need to become the next one. Just park outside the old centre and walk.
2. Consider renting an automatic
Manual cars are very common in Portugal.
But there are also quite a few steep roads in the Algarve. And when you’re stopping and starting on a steep little street, having an automatic can make life a lot easier.
If you’re not very experienced with driving a manual car, I would definitely consider renting an automatic. You can easily filter for automatic cars on booking platforms like Discover Cars.
It might cost a little more, but for me, it’s worth it.
Is it expensive to rent a car in the Algarve?
It depends on what you’re used to.And, of course, it depends on the season.
But outside the Christmas holidays and summer holidays, I actually find car rental in the Algarve really cheap. Take October, for example. October is one of my favourite months to visit the Algarve. The weather is usually still lovely, there are fewer tourists and rental prices can be much lower. You can often find a rental car for under €10 a day. That’s pretty crazy when you think about it. Of course, always check what is included in that price.
What is the best company to rent a car from in the Algarve?
This is a big one. And I actually have a whole article about it based on my own experiences and lots of reviews. So if you want to know which car rental companies I recommend, which ones I would avoid and why, have a look at my full guide:
It will save you a lot of time. And hopefully a little money too.
Things you should know: from me to you
If you’ve never driven in the Algarve before, here are a few things I really want you to know.
These are the little tips I wish someone had given me.
1. Not great at manual? Rent an automatic.
If you don’t have much experience with a manual car, just get an automatic.
You’ll come across steep roads quite often. And stopping and starting on those roads can get annoying when you’re not used to it. You can easily filter for automatic cars on Discover Cars.
For me, paying a little extra for an automatic is worth it.
2. Be careful with those tiny streets
Especially in small town and village centres.
Lagos is a good example. Some streets look perfectly normal when you drive towards them.
And then suddenly... Why am I doing this? I’ve made this mistake a few times already.
So you don’t have to. 😉 If a street looks too narrow, it probably is. Park somewhere else and walk.
3. Cheap can be expensive
This is a big one. Some rental companies offer prices that look almost too good to be true.
And many times they are... The really cheap rentals can come with all kinds of extra costs. You arrive at the desk and suddenly you’re paying much more than you expected. Insurance is a big one. So are deposits and other extras. Believe me, I’ve made these mistakes for you already.
Don’t just book the cheapest car you can find. Read the conditions. Check the reviews. And look at the final price. Your future self will thank you.
4. Travelling with kids? Think about the car seat.
If you’re travelling with children, check the price of a rental car seat before booking.
They can be crazy expensive. I recently bought a travel car seat from Maxi-Cosi instead.
And for me, it makes a huge difference. I save around €100 every time I rent a car.
Plus, I personally prefer having our own car seat with us rather than using one from a rental company. It’s ours, I know where it has been and I know exactly how to use it. Just make sure you check the rules for your child’s age, size and the country you’re travelling in before choosing a seat.
5. Portugal is made for road trips
And finally... Do the road trip.
Portugal is such an amazing country to explore by car.
One of my favourite drives is heading along the south coast and then continuing around towards Sagres. You can take smaller roads, drive along the cliffs, find beautiful beaches and stop whenever you see something you like. Some of the best places aren’t necessarily the ones you planned to visit. Sometimes it’s the random beach you spot from the road. Or the little viewpoint you didn’t know existed Or the tiny restaurant you would never have found without a car. That’s the magic of a road trip. So get in the car. Take the scenic route. Stop at the beach. And see where you end up. You won’t regret it.
So, should you rent a car in the Algarve?
For me, it’s an easy yes. If you want to explore the Algarve properly, I would definitely rent a car.
It gives you so much more freedom. You can see the wild west coast, explore the beautiful south coast and visit all those little places in between. Driving is also much easier than you might expect.
And outside the busiest summer months, renting a car can be surprisingly cheap.
But you don’t need a car. If you’re staying in one place, mainly want to relax on the beach and don’t mind planning around public transport, you can absolutely enjoy the Algarve without one.
But if you ask me? Rent the car. Turn on the music, take the scenic route and see where the road takes you. That’s half the fun.
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