In association with: Visit Portugal
A self-drive holiday gives you the keys to a deeper exploration of the Algarve and Alentejo regions
With its butterscotch-tinged sands, cliffs honeycombed with caves and more than 300 days of sunshine a year, the Algarve needs little introduction. Few tourists venture far from the beaches, but if you suggest a fly-drive holiday to clients then a whole new side to Portugal is easily within reach. Hiring a car unlocks hidden treasures, not only in the Algarve, but in the neighbouring Alentejo region. It’s time for clients to get their motor running…
Gear up for the Algarve
Hiring a car gives clients the ultimate flexibility. In the case of the Algarve, its inland charm is just a few gear shifts away. Clients can collect their car at Faro airport (electric vehicles are available for a more sustainable option), with the most difficult decision being where to go first. Suggest heading an hour west to the hilltop town of Silves with its ancient castle or, if they’d prefer to trace the coastline, go east to soak up the riverside charm of church-studded Tavira.
But the freedom of hiring a car also allows clients to tap into cultural experiences – suggest gastronomic encounters with locals such as olive oil tastings. Meanwhile, sustainable boat tours can whisk visitors to the iconic Benagil Caves at sunset or to admire Portimão’s heritage.
Motor on to Alentejo
North of the Algarve lies the rustic expanse of the Alentejo region, a bucolic patchwork of sun-bleached vines, whitewashed villages and golden bubblewrap hills that cover a third of the country yet attract a fraction of the visitors. Self-drive clients can find joy among the 14th-century walls of Évora or the medieval castle and churches of Beja.
On days when they’re not driving, they can relax at the many sustainable wine estates that Alentejo is renowned for, engaging in tastings and sampling their farm-to-table philosophy through hands-on bread-making workshops. Clients can drive west to the wild coast for hiking opportunities along the Rota Vicentina or visit olive oil mills and organic local farms for a deeper understanding of how Alentejo is akin to a giant outdoor larder.
How to get there
The Algarve is easily reached from the UK, with non-stop flights from London, Manchester, Bristol, Birmingham and Edinburgh; flight times start from around three hours. Plenty of car hire options are available at Faro airport that can be booked in advance or on the day (UK driving licences are accepted in Portugal). From Faro, Beja in Alentejo is a 90-minute drive and to Évora it’s two and a half hours.
For more information, head to the official Visit Portugal website.
Images: Visit Portugal