The Details
One of the genuine joys of the Linha do Algarve railway is its meandering, unhurried route. As a local service, it connects the region’s smaller, less-frequented towns and villages which visitors often overlook. It’s not the most comfortable railway service: it could be argued that the stainless-steel Type 0600 DMUs are a little beyond their sell-by date. Nor is it the fastest method of travel – it’s quicker to drive from A to B on the autoestrada dual carriageways, but they’re designed to bypass town centres. And why rush when you’re on holiday?
Your journey begins in the east with a stay in Tavira – a place that’s also best-explored slowly, taking in the mix of rich cultural and architectural influences left by the Phoenicians, the Romans and the Moors. Beyond the town, a short ferry ride through the lagoons of the Ria Formosa lead to long stretches of quiet sand – the antithesis of the busy beaches in Albufeira. You’ll have the option of visiting the eastern terminus of the line at Vila Real de Santo António: purpose built in the 18th century to watch over the Spanish border, Vila Real’s streets are ordered and symmetrical, shaped by design rather than time; a pleasantly different feel to Tavira’s organic charm.
Heading west, the train brings you to Ferragudo on the banks of the River Arade. Despite its proximity to Portimao, Ferragudo’s cobbled streets and whitewashed houses have retained a traditional feel, whilst Portimao across the water has succumbed to modernisation. You’ll have the opportunity to head to sea on a dolphin watching trip, observing the Algarve’s resident pods in their natural setting. Back on dryland, our guide will take you to Silves: one of the Algarve’s oldest settlements and a former Moorish capital, dominated by its medieval sandstone castle.
Back on the train, you’ll arrive at the western terminus of the Linha do Algarve in Lagos. This historic coastal city played a key role in Portugal’s maritime Age of Discoveries – our guide will show you a more rugged and remote side to the Algarve at nearby Cabo de Sao Vicente: a dramatic landscape, shaped by the relentless sway of the Atlantic Ocean.
Your final train journey brings you to Faro: the regional capital, with its popular mix of history and modernity. A final guided excursion takes you to the south coast fishing town of Olhao and the market town of Loule, ending your stay at the Quinta da Tor winery where you’ll sample the best Algarve wines.
