Portugal's best coastline is three hours from the UK. This summer, you can fly there non-stop from London, Liverpool, Cardiff or Bournemouth for as little as £32 return. That's less than a tank of petrol for a day trip to the coast at home.
✈️ The deal
- From: London, Liverpool, Cardiff or Bournemouth
- To: Faro, Algarve, Portugal
- Airline: Low cost carriers
- Stops: Non-stop
- Price: £32–£46 return
- When: Summer 2026
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💰 How far does your money go?
A local beer at a bar in the Algarve costs around €1.50. A three-course set lunch with a drink runs €12–€15. Compare that to a £6 pint and a £14 pub meal at home. Most people find they spend roughly half what they would in the UK.
☀️ The weather
The Algarve averages over 300 days of sunshine per year. In summer, temperatures sit between 28 and 35°C, with the Atlantic keeping the sea at around 21–22°C. June is slightly cooler and less crowded than July and August, with evenings long enough to stay out well past nine.
🏨 Where to stay
Faro is the Algarve's main hub, well connected to the region's best beaches and towns by bus, bike and car.
Stay Hotel Faro Centro | 8.1/10 · From £45/night Straightforward, central and clean. A solid base for exploring the Old Town on foot without overspending.
Faro Boutique Hotel | 8.5/10 · From £75/night A rooftop terrace overlooking the Ria Formosa, three minutes from the marina. Stylish and good value for what you get.
Pousada Palácio de Estoi | 9.0/10 · From £145/night An 18th-century rococo palace just outside Faro, set in manicured gardens. One of the most beautiful places to sleep in Portugal.
🎯 What to do
Sea caves, clifftop walks, market towns and some of the best seafood grills in southern Europe.
Benagil Cave: One of Portugal's most iconic sights, a vast sea cave with a cathedral-like domed ceiling and a natural skylight. Best reached by kayak or boat tour from Benagil beach.
Praia da Marinha: A sheltered beach framed by dramatic limestone arches and rock formations. Consistently rated among the most beautiful in Europe. About 40 minutes from Faro.
Loulé Market: Head inland to this Moorish-inspired covered market for fresh fish, local cheeses and smoked meats. Authentic and unhurried, the opposite of the beach strip.
Ponta da Piedade: Sea stacks, natural arches and hidden grottoes near Lagos. Walk the clifftop path for free, or take a small boat to drift through the caves up close.
🗺️ Where to go from here
Faro is a strong base for extending your trip beyond the beach.
Lagos: The most captivating town in the western Algarve. Stunning cove beaches, a lively historic centre and a compact bar scene. About 1.5 hours from Faro by bus.
Tavira: Quieter and more authentically Portuguese, with a Roman bridge, azulejo-tiled churches and direct ferry access to the Ria Formosa barrier islands. 45 minutes east of Faro.
Seville: Cross into Spain and you're in one of Europe's great cities. The Real Alcázar, the cathedral and the tapas bars. Around 2.5 hours by car from Faro.
Lisbon: Three hours north by train. Alfama, Belém, pastéis de nata and outstanding natural wine. Easy to add a night or two at either end of your trip.
Four UK airports, one destination. Find your route and book before summer fills up.
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