Tips for Solo Travel in Algarve
We asked our friends at Seabookings for their top tips for solo travellers in the Algarve. Check out their advice below and then start planning your trip!
Seabookings are the experts on all sea-related fun in the Algarve. You can book boat trips, sea activities and watersports online at seabookings.com
Safety - is it safe to travel solo in the Algarve?
One of the most important questions for solo travellers, especially for females, is whether the destination is safe. And for the Algarve, the answer is a big fat YES! Portugal has been in the top 5 of the safest countries for the last several years, and in 2020 it was ranked 3rd on the list of the most peaceful countries published by the Global Peace Index. There is relatively little violence and crime in the Algarve, and you can wander and explore without feeling insecure. Of course, there can always be exceptions to the rule, but in general you can enjoy relaxed travel around the Algarve.
Portuguese people are usually very helpful, so if you ever have any doubt or feel uncertain, you can always ask for help. Even if you donât speak Portuguese, English is fairly widely spoken in the Algarve. The local police, (there are two police forces â GNR and PSP) also usually speak English and are friendly and helpful when dealing with people.

Getting around the Algarve
Solo travellers can easily get around between the bigger towns in the Algarve, by train or bus. There are good connections between Faro, Albufeira, Portimão and Lagos. You can catch local buses or trains to travel, both are inexpensive. You can find information about schedules and prices online and check out this info on public transport in the Algarve.
The bus terminals and train stations are generally quite central in the cities, so you can always ask at your accommodation how to get there. Bus drivers and ticket sellers usually speak some English, so you can ask for help or more information if needed.
Alternatively, renting a car gives you a lot more freedom to explore, travelling at our own speed and where your whims take you. Car hire is a great way to discover the hidden gems of the Algarve and to see the best of the coastline, as public transport coverage in less densely populated areas can be spotty. Check out these great scenic drives you can enjoy by yourself.
If you donât want to rent a car by yourself but still would like to visit some of the places with more remote access, you can book trips and tours from the city youâre staying in to visit places like the famous sea-cave of Benagil or Ria Formosa. Boat tours are a great way to get to know the most beautiful coastal spots of the Algarve! There are off-road jeep safaris to the inland regions of the Algarve and fabulous walking routes you can explore by yourself or with a walking tour. Find out more about some of the best walks in the Algarve.
How to meet people
When traveling solo in the Algarve, itâs always nice to meet new people from all over the world and make deep connections during the time spent together. In the Algarve, this is super easy and you will be able to find people from every corner of the planet to connect with! In Albufeira and Lagos especially, there are large backpacking communities, and the cities are filled with hostels and opportunities for meeting people!
Did you know that Lagos and Albufeira are also famous for the buzzing nightlife? Lagos, particularly, is a magnet for travellers looking for a fun time, and funny enough, it is full of Australians during summer! But not only Ozzys, Americans, Asians and of course people from all over Europe love to stop by Lagos and spend some time there, thanks to the fun vibe the city has to offer day and night. Oh, and of course also because of the stunning beaches that are all within walking distance from the centre. Lagos is also the last stop on the train service in the western Algarve, so it is an obvious spot for travellers to congregate.

If the party scene is not for you, you also have the chance to meet like-minded people around the Algarve. Both the western and the eastern ends of the region offer of plenty of alternative events and activities like yoga, ecstatic dances, retreats, art workshops, and many similar activities. There are local yoga studios where you can just drop by for a class, and grab a delicious organic coffee at any of the new and modern cafés nearby. So whatever kind of people youâre looking for, in the Algarve, chances are youâll find them!
Things to do in the Algarve as a solo traveler
When traveling the Algarve by yourself thereâs plenty of things you can do that donât require any company at all! First off there are of course the most amazing beaches all along the coast, blessed with white sand and turquoise waters. In all the coastal towns there are many beaches that you can simply walk to when staying around the town. So if you love the beach, you will have plenty of them to choose from during your time in the Algarve.
But even if youâre not a beach bum you can do a lot of fun things around the region. Watersports in the Algarve are very popular, and thereâs a lot to choose from! No matter if you would like to do a Kayak Tour to Benagil, a Stand-Up Paddle Tour around the Ponta da Piedade or maybe even try out Flyboard in the Algarve - thereâs something for everyone and all around the Algarve!
Surfing in the Algarve is also a big thing, and people from all over the world come here to enjoy the consistently good conditions and the broad variety of excellent surf spots. You can join one of the local surf schools around the coast to learn how to surf in the Algarve, which is a really good way to meet new people!

Best places in the Algarve to stay for solo travellers
So as you can see, the Algarve is a real paradise for solo travellers. But the Algarve is also quite big, and there are many different places you can stay. However, we definitely have a Top 3 of best places in the Algarve to stay for solo travellers:
- Lagos

- Albufeira
Read our detailed guide to Albufeira.

- Sagres
Read our detailed guide to Sagres.

One thingâs for sure, the Algarve has a lot to offer for solo travellers and should be on the bucket list of anybody looking for some fun beach time and meeting great new people in one of the most beautiful destinations in Europe!