Share the article
Last updated
It’s officially a European summer.
Everyone knows someone preparing for a trip to Europe, with destinations like Italy, France and Spain being the most popular European hotspots for American travelers.
But if you’re looking for an alternative that’s outside the norm, why not consider the Algarve?
This beautiful coastline is the jewel in Portugal’s crown.
And as an added bonus for travelers on a budget, it’s also an affordable destination.
Here’s what you need to know:
Why the Algarve?
The Algarve, often called the ‘California of Europe’, is attracting more and more American travelers this year.
In fact, Portugal News reports this that the number of American visitors to the Algarve has since increased by 70% compared to pre-pandemic figures.
Don’t worry, you probably won’t run into your neighbors!
The number of Americans visiting Portugal is still much smaller than the number of Americans visiting, for example, Great Britain, France or Spain.
But honestly, anyone who hasn’t visited this breathtakingly beautiful region is missing out.
The Algarve is home to an incredible 155km stretch of unspoilt beaches.
There are no fewer than 150 named beaches here, as well as smaller coves and coves, so you’re never far from soft fine sand and turquoise water.
If you can tear yourself away from the beach, the Algarve also offers delicious cuisine, a fascinating cultural heritage and, unlike other European destinations at the moment, a warm welcome.
As an added bonus, Portugal is a country with a high level of English language proficiency, so you don’t have to worry about learning a new language during your trip or things getting lost in translation.
Why the Algarve is a great budget option for American travelers
Historically, traveling in Portugal has been much cheaper than traveling to other European destinations such as Italy, France and even neighboring Spain.
While that gap has closed somewhat in the post-COVID world, Portugal still remains the cheapest country to visit in Western Europe.
To test this theory and give you an idea of how much your trip might cost, I did some research and some amounts!
Flight ticket to the Algarve
The most expensive part of any European holiday is the plane tickets, and there’s no denying that a direct flight from the US to Portugal isn’t going to be cheap.
Faro is the regional airport of the Algarve and currently there is no direct route to Faro from the US
United Airlines had planned to launch a route between New York/Newark and Faro in May 2024, and this is still ongoing, but has been postponed until summer 2025.
Because of this, most American travelers fly to the Algarve from Lisbon and then take the scenic train to the coast, so these prices are based on flights to Lisbon.
You can fly non-stop to Lisbon from Boston, San Francisco, Miami, New York, Philadelphia and Washington DC
For flights from Boston to Lisbon If you travel from September 9 to September 16, you will pay $797 at the time of inquiry. This flight is on Air Portugal.
For flights from Miami to Lisbon Traveling from September 9 to September 16, flights are slightly cheaper at $701. This is also an Air Portugal flight.
Eating and drinking in the Algarve
The cost of eating out in the Algarve is incredibly affordable, especially compared to other European countries and certainly compared to eating out in the US
Of course, there are more expensive fine-dining restaurants, and the Algarve also boasts Michelin-starred restaurants whose price tags match their reputation.
But if you want to go to a traditional Portuguese restaurant, you should expect to pay between €8-13 ($8.60-14) for a main meal.
If you go off the beaten track and avoid the tourist-oriented restaurants, you’ll find plenty of good restaurants offering a menu completo (a complete three-course meal) for €10 in advance.
As a self-respecting Brit, I couldn’t write about food and drink on holiday without mentioning the price of a pint! You’ll pay between €1.50-2.50 ($1.60-$2.70) for a local beer and about the same price for a glass of wine.
Portuguese wine is excellent, so you don’t have to pay more for imported brands.
Is this cheap? Well, for context: you pay €4-5 ($4.30-5.40) for a beer in Barcelona, and the average cost of a pint in London is £6.75 ($8.70).
Absolutely!
Where to stay in the Algarve
There is no shortage of high quality beaches and high quality tourist accommodation options in the Algarve. It has long been a popular holiday destination for both British and German tourists.
So where should you stay in the Algarve? For a first visit, you should base yourself centrally and in one of the larger cities in the region.
Choose Albufeira if you’re looking for a lively atmosphere and easy access to some of the Algarve’s most beautiful beaches.
Alternatively, Faro is an excellent choice for a more relaxing and culturally rich holiday experience.
I looked at some accommodation options that would match the September flights I found above.
And a 7 night stay in the 3 star Hotel Ibis Faro Algarve costs just $795 or $113 per night. If you prefer a 4 star hotel then it is Hotel Monaco comes to $1,048 or $149 per night. These prices are based on 2 persons.
If you’re traveling on a tighter budget, there are holiday apartments available in both Faro and Albufeira from just $40 per night.
✈️Join our Travel Off Path community forum: Where travelers come together, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel companions!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to the latest Travel Off Path breaking travel news, delivered straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
