Algarve in Sept, help?

Izbizzle

First time abroad with my boyfriend, we're looking at the Algarve because it seems quite cheap and warm for that time of year. Am wanting beaches & culture, not too chavvy and ideally around £300pp. Any ideas of where to stay, what to see etc? Is the Algarve a good choice?

delwynshd

look at Vilamoura its nice, lovely marina nice beaches in the area, not chavvy at all, Albufeira is a little chavvy on the strip but there are some parts of the resort which are nice

Depends too on what your wanting for the budget of 300pp

Izbizzle

Thanks, I really have no idea where to start! Yes that does look very nice! Have found a couple of all inclusive deals for about £350, which seems really good value... Doesn't have to be catered though, but would make life easier. I don't have any interest in the clubbing scene - would like somewhere relatively relaxing with sea views but I know this is hard to find on my budget. Therefore I'm relatively open - doesn't have to be the Algarve.

Can you recommend things to see and do in the area that aren't beaches or nightlife, or is that it?

Debt_Free_Chick

I think you need to define "chavvy" as if there's one place on the Algarve that's chavvy, to me, it's Vilamoura - sorry! It's the kind of place Katie Price and WAGs would go to. All expensive bad taste. The area around the Marina is full of designer tat and restaurants. No "culture" of any description. It's the biggest man-made tourist complex in Europe.

Albufeira - the old town is pleasant, architecturally - but full of tourist shops. Some are quaint and interesting - most are the Portugese equivalent of "Kiss me Quick" hat shops. The newer "overspill" part of Albufeira is a bl00dy nightmare!

Most of the Algarve West of Faro is "well developed". Far West is more tasteful, IMHO as is East. Tavira, for example, is a beautiful town (with an ugly out-of-town shopping mall on the outskirts) as is Lagos. Burgau retains an old fishing village feel and has a nice beach too.

You could go to Vilamoura and find you love it - but it's difficult to be sure without a description of what "culture" and "chavvy" means to you

spiro

The other thing to bear in mind is the pound is low against the euro and Portugal is not the cheapest place in europe so you may want to consider going outside the eurozone. A friend went to Sunny Beach in Bulgaria about that time last year as said it was great especially cheap food and drink.

lagoslife

With the € as it is, you may be better full board, although you can eat for €20-€30 for two if you stay off the tourist trail restaurants.

Lagos or Albufeira old town should be ideal.