Travel tips · Algarve · Portugal
Algarve travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Vitor Oliveira from Torres Vedras, PORTUGAL, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Quick answer
The Algarve was the last part of Portugal taken from the Moors in 1249, and its Moorish heritage survives in place names beginning with 'Al-', almond and fig farming and lattice chimneys. Fishing and tourism shape the coast, while inland villages remain rural and traditional. People are friendly and relaxed, and English is widely spoken in resort areas.
Key facts
- Language
- Portuguese
- Currency
- EUR
- Plugs
- Type C and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink, though many people prefer bottled water for taste.
- Emergency
- 112 (European emergency number)
Things to know
- Greet with 'Bom dia' or 'Boa tarde' in shops and restaurants.
- Cover up with a shirt or dress when leaving the beach for towns, shops or restaurants.
- Speak Portuguese or English rather than Spanish; Portugal has its own language and identity.
- Topless sunbathing is accepted on many beaches; nudity only on designated beaches.
- Inside churches, cover shoulders and keep quiet.
- Book Benagil Cave ahead: Rules on landing and swimming inside the cave have tightened in recent years; book a licensed boat or kayak operator and check their current itinerary.
- Beaches, cliff walks and viewpoints such as Ponta da Piedade and Cape St Vincent are free.
Tipping
Tipping is modest: around 5–10% in restaurants for good service, or round up the bill. Small change is fine in cafés and taxis.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Bom dia | Good morning |
| Obrigado / Obrigada | Thank you (said by a man / a woman) |
| A conta, por favor | The bill, please |
| Uma imperial | A small draught beer (south of Portugal) |
| Quanto custa? | How much is it? |
What to wear
Light summer clothes, a sun hat and sandals are fine almost everywhere; bring a warm layer for windy evenings in the west and for winter.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type C and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Drinking water
- Tap water is safe to drink, though many people prefer bottled water for taste.
- Emergency number
- 112 (European emergency number)
- Phone and internet
- Mobile coverage is good across the coast; EU roaming applies to European SIMs, and many cafés and hotels offer free Wi-Fi.
- Time zone
- Europe/Lisbon
The main risks are natural: strong currents and waves on west-coast and exposed beaches, unstable cliff edges and rockfalls, and intense summer heat. Thefts from parked cars at beaches and viewpoints are common, so leave nothing visible inside.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check Portugal's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Algarve?
Tipping is modest: around 5–10% in restaurants for good service, or round up the bill. Small change is fine in cafés and taxis.
+Can you drink the tap water in Algarve?
Tap water is safe to drink, though many people prefer bottled water for taste.
+What plugs are used in Algarve?
Type C and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
+What language is spoken in Algarve?
Portuguese.