Algarve – The Sunny Gem of Portugal

The Algarve, Portugal’s southernmost region, is a dream destination for those who seek natural beauty, seaside relaxation, and the charm of the Mediterranean lifestyle. Stretching for more than 150 kilometers along the Atlantic Ocean, this coastline combines golden sandy beaches with dramatic cliffs, hidden coves, and breathtaking rock formations. Sea caves and crystal-clear waters make the landscape unforgettable – no wonder the Algarve is often ranked among the most beautiful coastlines in the world.

The region’s climate

Blessed with a Mediterranean climate, the Algarve enjoys long, hot summers and mild winters, making it an ideal year-round destination. In summer, the refreshing waves of the Atlantic perfectly balance the heat, while spring and autumn offer pleasant temperatures and vibrant colors, ideal for exploring.

Culture, food, and Portuguese charm

But the Algarve is not only about its coastline. Strolling through the towns, visitors will find colourful azulejo tiles – one of Portugal’s most iconic symbols. These hand-painted ceramics tell stories of the past and bring the country’s rich culture to life. Warm hospitality, traditional dishes such as fresh seafood, the famous cataplana, or the beloved pastel de nata custard tart, and of course a glass of world-renowned Port wine, all add to the authentic Portuguese experience.

Highlights of the Algarve

When exploring the Algarve, everyone finds their favorite spot: the sea caves and arches of Ponta da Piedade near Lagos, the lively atmosphere of Albufeira, Faro’s historic old town, or the windswept, untamed coastline of Sagres.

Why we chose the Algarve

The Algarve is much more than just a beach holiday. It combines relaxation with gastronomy, culture, and stunning scenery. Whether you’re seeking a romantic getaway, a family holiday, or adventurous discoveries, Portugal’s southern coast always has something new to reveal.

It was precisely these wonders – the dramatic cliffs, hidden coves, the endless ocean, and the promise of authentic Portuguese charm – that inspired us to choose the Algarve for our summer holiday this year. At the end of July and beginning of August 2025, we spent one unforgettable week here with our 3-year-old daughter. During our stay, we not only discovered the famous rock formations and the deep blue of the Atlantic but also experienced the family-friendly side of the region, which makes the Algarve a perfect destination even for travelers with young children.

If you’re looking for an inspiring travel guide to the Algarve and Lisbon – one that shows how these destinations can be enjoyed even with a toddler in tow – join us on this journey!

From Stansted to Lisbon – the start of our trip

On the day of our trip, we had to leave very early, as our flight took off from Stansted Airport at 6:30 in the morning. We often use eSky to search for flights, because it allows us to compare both low-cost and traditional airlines in one place. That’s how we found this great-value ticket as well – and then booked it directly on the airline’s official website.

Family travel tip: If you’re traveling with a young child and don’t want to spend extra money on renting a car seat with your hire car, it’s good to know that most airlines let you bring two pieces of baby or child equipment for free. For us, one of these is always the car seat – and it has saved us a lot of money over the years.

As always, we left our own car in the airport’s long-stay parking.

You can find practical tips on airport parking here.

While there are direct flights from Stansted to Faro, the “capital” of the Algarve, we chose to fly to Lisbon instead. This way, both on arrival and before heading home, we had the chance to explore this magnificent city. You can read more about our Lisbon highlights here.

Shortly after 9 a.m., we landed in Lisbon, picked up our rental car at the airport, and set off on our one-week Portuguese road trip.

Day 1 – Arrival in Lisbon
Just a few minutes after 9 AM, we landed in Lisbon. Our flight arrived right on time, which instantly set a positive tone for the day. When traveling with a toddler, it’s always a relief when there are no delays, as it makes it much easier to stick to your planned itinerary and enjoy the day stress-free.

Car Rental – Smart Advice

When looking for a rental car, it’s worth checking out the well-known comparison sites, as they often provide better deals and more flexible conditions than booking directly with the rental companies. In many cases, you can even find unlimited mileage or additional perks included.

One important detail: you can book through any platform, but if you plan to add extra insurance, it’s usually best to purchase it directly from the rental company to avoid complications later.

Personally, I recommend QEEQ, Economy Bookings, and Booking.com’s car rental platforms since they offer very detailed filters that help you find exactly what you need – whether that’s by price, car type, or insurance options. Plus, you can instantly compare offers from multiple providers, saving both time and money, while giving you peace of mind before your trip.

Car Rental Experience in Lisbon
For this trip, we booked our car through QEEQ, a platform we can confidently recommend – as always, it proved to be reliable. This time, however, picking up the car at the rental desk came with a bit of a hiccup: we had to wait almost two hours before actually receiving the vehicle. Of course, this wasn’t the fault of the booking platform, but rather due to the local car rental company being overwhelmed at the time. As seasoned travelers, it was the first time we experienced such a long delay, but in the end everything worked out, and we got our car without further issues.

Tip for traveling with kids: always pack some snacks, water, and a few small toys or coloring books to keep little ones entertained during the wait – it definitely helped us make the best of the situation until we finally got the keys.

You can read useful tips about car rental here