Posted on July 14, 2009 by Fiona Hilliard

This week our Tip of the Week topic relates to renting a car in Faro.

Customer asks:

We’ve booked a holiday in the Algarve in September.  We’re travelling with two small children and we’d like to book a car for the holiday. Would the best place to pick-up be the airport or the city centre? Also, is there anywhere you can recommend for daytrips? 

JD, Manchester

Editor says:

Hi JD,

Seeing as you’re travelling with children, I would definitely opt for an airport pick-up.  It will greatly cut-down on the hassle of getting from the airport to the pick-up desk, especially if you’ve booked a late afternoon/evening flight.

In terms of sightseeing day-trips, I’d recommend Estói.  You haven’t said where you’re staying in the Algarve, but to give you a guide, I can tell you that the pretty little village is situated within a half an hour’s drive of Faro Airport.  Estói is famous for its beautiful palace and gardens-especially the blue azulejo tiles that decorate the façade, it’s very picturesque and definitely worth the short drive.

Don’t forget, because you’re renting a car, you’ll have the pick of the beaches in the Algarve.  Less crowded, sandy beaches that are worth visiting include Meia Praia, Lagos, (about an hour’s drive from Faro, the Algarve’s longest beach is popular with watersports enthusiasts, as well as those looking for a lazy beach day). Praia de Odeceixe is located 1.5 hour’s drive from Faro, in the northern Algarve and just a short journey from the village of Odeceixe.  The fact that it is somewhat off the beaten track means it tends to be less crowded than other beaches. Meanwhile, the beautiful Praia de Rocha, (about an hour’s drive from Faro), is definitely one of the most impressive beaches in the Algarve and is very popular with families.