There are three reasons for delaying a visit to the Algarve until mid-September. Firstly, the school-holiday hordes will be long gone from this hugely popular region of southern Portugal. Next, temperatures ought to be ideal — instead of the mercury potentially hitting 45C, as in August, you can expect appealing averages of 22C. Finally, prices plunge from the peak of high summer, allowing for many £400 holiday options.
For just a little more than £400pp, it’s possible to stay at a surprisingly stylish hotel. The Monchique Resort & Spa interrupts dense woodlands amid the shrubby Serra de Monchique mountain range. It’s a contemporary vision of glass and concrete, with bright interiors inspired by the cork, pottery and tile production of the local area. There are 190 suites, all with terraces or balconies, as well as kitchenettes and dining areas. Plus there are three restaurants to choose from: a pizzeria, a Portuguese specialist and a market-style buffet.
The main lures, however, are the enchanting views of mountains, distant coast and everything in between, plus an impressive range of activities. That begins with the eight-room spa, where treatments accompany tropical showers, a clay chamber, an “aroma grotto”, heated marble loungers and an indoor pool. There’s also a gym and a large outdoor pool. Yet you may be too busy enjoying the weekly roster of things to do — there are two to four activities a day, encompassing yoga, healthy-cooking classes, ping-pong tournaments and guided walks to viewpoints — or getting out and exploring under your own steam.
The western interior of the Algarve is an increasingly popular area for cycling, aided by off-road trails and Foia, at 902m (2,959ft) the highest peak in the region. Bikes and GPS devices can be rented at the hotel. Hiking options are also plentiful, while the less active might simply drive to the summit of Foia for panoramic vistas before mooching around Monchique — a pretty, whitewashed hill town where craft shops on steep lanes sell hand-made ceramics or soap — then visiting producers of aguardente de medronhos, a potent brandy made from arbutus berries. History lovers are directed to Silves, where there is a huge Moorish citadel, while one of the nearest sandy beaches is the pale, two-mile-long expanse at Alvor, 30 minutes away by car from Monchique.
Yes, by car. With local bus services slow and sparse, you’ll be needing one here, not least for the one-hour transfer from Faro airport, which is not included in the package. Hertz has a desk in the arrivals building and two-door vehicles from £186 if booked in advance (hertz.co.uk).
Advertisement
This article contains affiliate links that can earn us revenue
What you get for your £435pp
• Return Gatwick-Faro flights
• 20kg hold luggage
• Seven nights’ B&B at the Monchique Resort & Spa, departing on September 21 (thomascook.com)
Feeling flush?
The £800 holiday
The slumberous Quinta da Capelinha agriturismo stands in foothills within five minutes’ drive of the charming old fishing town of Tavira, and 15 minutes by boat from the sandy beaches and flamingos of its namesake island. Its other perks include a large saltwater pool, shady reading spots amid orange and lemon groves, sprawling vistas, plentiful breakfast spreads and reliably stellar service. Its 12 air-conditioned bedrooms and suites are timber-accented, and all have a patio for sunset drinks or morning coffees.
Details Seven nights’ B&B from £809pp, including flights, departing on September 14 (expedia.co.uk)
• 14 best hotels in the Algarve for your next getaway
The £1,000 holiday
Near the Spanish border, the eco-conscious Conversas de Alpendre is a homestay-style hotel affording views of the coast, two miles away, including the sandbank beach of Cacela. There are stylish suites, featuring terracotta tiles and woven baskets in loud colours, in the white-painted farmhouse, but nothing beats the sea-facing carob treehouse for cool. Elsewhere, the rambling grounds contain orchards and a heated saltwater pool fringed by hammocks. Portuguese suppers are available from Tuesday to Saturday and free yoga classes take place twice a week.
Details Seven nights’ B&B from £990pp, departing on September 3 (conversasdealpendre.com). Return Gatwick-Faro flights from £203 (wizzair.com)
Advertisement
Become a subscriber and, along with unlimited digital access to The Times and The Sunday Times, you can enjoy a collection of travel offers and competitions curated by our trusted travel partners, especially for Times+ members
Sign up for our Times Travel newsletter and follow us on Instagram and X
