Hiring a car each time you visit Portugal can be a hassle, particularly if you plan on spending long periods of time in the country as you will need to apply for a Portuguese driving licence. Luckily, Portuguese public transport is generally very good and there are numerous towns where you won’t need a car. Here are 5 such towns in the Algarve…

Who needs a Portuguese driving licence?

First of all, it is important to understand at what point you need to swap your international driving licence for a Portuguese one; if you don’t, you could face hefty fines.

For short-term visitors (i.e. those staying in Portugal for no more than six months), your international licence will be fine. However, remember that with the introduction of the new Brexit rules, non-EU citizens can only stay in Portugal for 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa.

If you decide to spend longer in Portugal, you can apply for a Portuguese residency permit. As soon as you get residency, your international driving licence will no longer be valid and you will have 90 days to exchange your old licence for a Portuguese one at the Institute for Mobility and Transport office (Instituto da Mobilidade e dos Transportes).

Of course, if you go car free you won’t have to worry about any of this! Let’s take a look at 5 towns in the Algarve with great public transport.

Faro

Being the capital city of the Algarve, Faro is the hub for all the region’s public transport and is just 15 minutes by bus from the airport. Often overlooked by many due to its proximity to the airport, Faro is a charming town and brilliant spot for both a holiday home or permanent home.

There is a gorgeous walled old town with weekly markets and a lovely marina area with plenty of places to eat and drink. What’s more, you can easily hop on one of the regular ferries and water taxis and visit the beautiful, deserted island of Ilha Deserta.

Tavira

Just 40 minutes by train from Faro, Tavira is another great Algarve location that doesn’t require a car. This charming, and still working, city is one of the most authentically Portuguese towns in the Algarve. It is served by two train stations: Tavira and Palma Nova.

Despite being a small place, you’ll find a castle, a Roman Bridge and a small amphitheatre. The town also has an island beach that is separated from the mainland by the Ria Formosa natural park, which you can reach in just five minutes by ferry or water taxi.

Cabanas

If you stay on the train for one more stop, you’ll arrive in Cabanas de Tavira. The station is called Conceicão and is just five minutes’ walk from the town of Cabanas.

Largely more resort-like that Tavira, Cabernas is a favourite with overseas buyers, particularly the British and Dutch, and is a popular getaway for the Spanish and those from Lisbon and Porto. So, you’ll likely hear a whole host of different languages being spoken!

The old fishing village can get rather busy in the summer months but remains warm in the winter months when it quietens down a bit. Property buyers have a choice of traditional village houses or swanky modern apartments.

Monte Gordo

Situated right on the Portuguese-Spanish border, Monte Gardo is easy to reach from Faro: there is a direct train that takes around an hour.

Like Cabernas, this traditional Portuguese resort town has a very cosmopolitan feel. What makes Monte Gordo special is that unlike many of the other Eastern Algarve towns, there is a long sandy beach that is directly connected to the mainland. It has also been said that Monte Gordo has the warmest water in Portugal!

There are a plethora of shops, restaurants and even a casino, along with numerous beachfront developments. Larger villas can be found further inland.

Lagos

Finally, we look at Lagos. Located at the other end of the trainline, in the west, Lagos takes about one hour and 45 minutes via a direct train from Faro.

You might hear accents from further afield, as the city attracts tourists from as far as Australia and the USA. Lagos has a lot to offer property buyers, from quaint cobbled streets, café-lined squares and fourteenth century old walls to excellent restaurants and a vibrant nightlife.

The beaches are second to none too, ranging from picturesque sandy coves to wild and rugged shorelines with brilliant waves for surfing.

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If you would like further advice on the buying process in Portugal, download your free Portugal Guide.

Why not split the cost and double the fun of owning a holiday home in Portugal by buying with family or friends? Read our guide to   Buying Abroad with Family

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