looking for recommendations for day trips in the car to see more of the 'real' portugal. Been up to monchique and to sagres etc but was wondering if anyone has any ideas for a trip somewhere nice and interesting??

Hi Dodger

Try the old road from Vila Real DSO along the banks of the Guardiana to Alcutim and then on out of the Algarve to Mertola, a lovely small fortified town. Some super views of the Guardiana on the way.

Alternatively head up the west coast possibly as far as Praia Odeceixe and explore some of the beaches along this coastline. A rugged coastline with some super beaches and walks. Can be quite spectacular in the winter.

OK- leave cv then head for monchique turn off and go through marmelete onto aljezur then you must take in monte clerigo follow coast road and see zambujeira do mar now have lunch in vila nova de milfontes (make sure you find your way to the river front many side streets to find it ) then onto odemira have a drink on the river front then cut through to ourique, on your way back take the time to see the baragem santa clara from there ICI to sao bartolomew de messines (yes people do live here ) then into silves (another drink and a walk through the the town ) see the castle and smell the river ( if low tide ) just like cv in summer Now you can say you have had a day out PS make sure you have a full tank of fuel

Checked out both these routes and they look interesting,thanks. Any others??

Hiya Bazza,
Great route, did one run out of petrol!!?

If you go into the Turismo they have a set of about 4 or 5 tours covering different sectors of the Algarve. I think the leaflets are yellow and available in different languages. As far as I can remember the leaflets show a high level map (so you still need a decent map) and a narrative of the highlights.

However, best advice is to get a good map (not a tourist map) and just explore. Don't forget that what looks like a dirt track is often a designated road. Also remember that some car rentals do not cover off-road use.

baggysj - nope but did not want to be responsible if my route was taken and someone did! bazza

Carvoeiro, Silves, Messines, Ourique, Beja, Serpa, Moura (here follow signs to Alqueva), Mourão, Reguengos for lunch (make sure you get there early All of the restaurants get busy). After lunch Mourão, Amereleja, Moura, Serpa, Beja, Ourique, Messines, Silves, Carvoeiro.

DaveK wrote:Hi Dodger

Try the old road from Vila Real DSO along the banks of the Guardiana to Alcutim and then on out of the Algarve to Mertola, a lovely small fortified town. Some super views of the Guardiana on the way.

Alternatively head up the west coast possibly as far as Praia Odeceixe and explore some of the beaches along this coastline. A rugged coastline with some super beaches and walks. Can be quite spectacular in the winter.

This sounds worthwhile. We'll give it a go at Christmas. Tom Tom has found it so I won't get lost coming back to the villa.

I have just asked TT to plot me a route . . . . it is 1650 miles from Lincoln and will take me 25 and 1/2 hours to get there

We did it in the summer and there's a snack bar and showers at a tributary in Aucotim where you can swim in the river. It was great.

Bear in mind the water may be a bit cold at Christmas

roy4eyes wrote:Bear in mind the water may be a bit cold at Christmas

That doesn't bother me, Roy. I always take a dip on New Year's Day in Mike's pool . . . . and it is bloody freezing!

Was your voice considerably higher after that plunge????