For freedom and flexibility car hire is of tremendous benefit. If you would like to hire a car you will need a full drivers licence held for over a year and be at least 21 years of age. Most car hire companies also require a deposit for the petrol, which is refunded when the car is returned with the same amount of petrol.
Driving can be hazardous especially in the countryside where obstacles range from potholes to stray goats. The main road in the Algarve is the EN125 which runs parallel to the coast and is well maintained but not all the roads are as good.
Driving is on the right and traffic from the right has priority, this is especially important on runabouts.
The official speed limit is 90 km/h (57 m.p.h.) on the EN125 and 60 km/h (37 m.p.h.) on normal roads. Be warned that the police operate “on the spot fines”; this also applies to drunk driving and seat belts which must be worn at all times. It is important to carry the rental agreement and your driving licence at all times.
In case of emergency there are SOS telephones along the highways (usually every 3 kms) and also normal telephones (dial 115 for the police). The address and telephone number of the rental company is on the agreement, all other emergency phone numbers can be found on the last page of this booklet.
There are garages in most major resorts and along the highways but please note that they are few and far between in the countryside. Petrol is sold in liters and is available in super (4 star) and normal (2 star).

DISTANCES:

This is an indication of the distances in kilometers between Faro and the various destinations:
Albufeira 38 km; Sagres 110 km; Lagos 80 km; Silves 55 km; Lisbon 300 km; Tavira 30 km; Portimao 60 km; Vilamoura 22 km; Porto 570 km; Vila Real Santo Antonio 55 km

Buses - The most convenient and cheapest way of travelling in the Algarve is by bus. The R N (orange and white buses) provide services to all major towns and resorts along the coast. Bus stops are identified by a sign reading “Paragem”.
Trains - The railway system links Faro with Vila Real de Santo Antonio in the east and Portimao and Lagos in the west. There is also a link from Faro to Lisbon, which is about a three hour journey. In general the trains are slow and do not connect the main coastal resorts.
Taxis - Taxis are black with green roofs. Taxi ranks can be found in the center of most towns and villages. The taxis have no meters but follow a standard fare table based on mileage. It is usually worthwhile to pre-book taxis especially in peak season. 

Car hire - You can hire a car easily, there are care hire stores almost in every place

May-June - The Algarve music festival with concerts held in churches and theaters in Lagos, Faro and Portimao.
On May 1 there is a lively feast and open air market in the picturesque village of Alte. Silves is the home of the June beer festival, a chance to sample all the types of beer produced in Portugal to the accompaniment of folkdancing groups and musicians.
July-August - Summer festival in Silves where you will find music, ballet and theater in the ancient capital town.
The ideal time to eat sardines, most villages and towns hold their annual sardine festival. The most famous is Portimao where sardines are grilled on open fires along the quayside, folkdancing and music are also enjoyed.
September - National Folklore Festival. Traditional dances, music and songs in venues throughout the region.

Shops are open 0900-1300 and 1500-1900, Monday to Friday, closing lunchtime Saturday. The siesta, so much a part of life in nearby Spain is not observed here, but two hours for lunch is the norm. Supermarkets may open 0800-2000 weekdays. Your representative will be pleased to advise which supermarkets open on Sundays.
Fresh fruit and vegetables can be purchased at markets held daily in the market buildings of Lagos, Albufeira, Loule, Portimao and Armacao de Pera. Larger markets where you can buy clothes, shoes and handicrafts are held the following days:
Lagos ……………………..first Saturday of the month
Quarteira ……………….every Wednesday morning
Portimao ………………..first Monday of the month
Loule……………………….every Saturday morning
Silves………………………. third Monday of the month
Albufeira ……………….every Tuesday morning

CHEMISTS - The “farmacias” (pharmacies) are open during normal business hours, there is one pharmacy in every town that is on duty through the night, it’s address is posted in the window of every other chemist and in local newspapers.
HOSPITALS - There are hospitals at Faro, Loule, Albufeira, Portimao and Lagos, all of which have some English speaking staff.
DOCTORS - There are doctors and medical centers at most resorts usually manned
by English speaking doctors.
DENTISTS - Portuguese dentists are available in all major towns. English dentists can only be found in Almancil and Faro.