Algarve (Portimão) event weekends: what to do between sessions

Portugal's south coast of golden cliffs and sea caves. The Algarve International Circuit sits in the hills above Portimão.

Events we cover in Algarve (Portimão)

Arriving

Faro airport (FAO) is about 1 hour from Portimão by car. Lisbon is 2.5 hours by car or train plus bus.

Where to stay

Three hotels we would book

• Budget: Hotel Jupiter Algarve
• Mid-range: Tivoli Lagos
• Splurge: Vila Vita Parc

Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Tours

Where to eat

• Portimão sardine grills by the bridge Grilled sardines by the river
• O Camilo Seafood over the Lagos cliffs
• Dona Barca Fish in Portimão
• Lagos old town bars Busy in the evenings

With kids

• Zoomarine near Albufeira.
• Slide and Splash water park.

Rainy-day backups

• Portimão Museum in a sardine cannery.

Free things to do

• Praia da Rocha beach and promenade.
• Ponta da Piedade cliff walk.

Getting around

• You need a car or taxi to reach the circuit; shuttle buses run from Portimão on race weekends.
• Uber and Bolt are cheap in Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve.
• CP Alfa Pendular trains connect Lisbon, Porto and Faro.