Pocket-sized culture
Found along Portugal’s south coast in the Algarve, holidays to Porches allow you to experience the country at its most authentic. This pretty seaside town isn’t just for beach lovers – it’s full of culture and a sense of history just waiting to be explored. Families will love the gently shelving beaches where little ones can paddle to their heart’s content while couples can enjoy a romantic sunset boat trip or the pretty streets of the town.
If you’re looking to try something livelier, nearby Lagos is just a 10 minute drive away. Here you’ll find shopping, activities, water sports and theme parks, perfect for families with older children. Hire a car and explore this stretch of coastline where you’ll find plenty of fishing villages, as well as little coves where you can relax with a picnic. Stop off in a family run taverna and try some of the country’s delicious seafood and locally sourced produce or sit in a streetside café and indulge in some people watching.
Whether you want to immerse yourself in the natural surroundings or enjoy the upmarket restaurants and bars, luxury holidays in Porches will leave you feeling relaxed. To the north of the town are orange and olive groves, as well as forests and hiking trails. The town itself is home to modern buildings full of luxury hotels and restaurants, as well as winding narrow streets which lead down to the glittering sea. Wine lovers can taste some of the local varieties, while foodies will find opportunities to immerse themselves in Portugal’s celebrated cuisine.
At Sovereign we’ve handpicked the very best hotels in Porches to ensure you get the most from your holiday. Choose the cliffside hotel VILA VITA Parc where you can experience spectacular views of the seemingly endless blues of the Atlantic Ocean.
Every one of our hotels is handpicked and personally visited by our team
Flight time from the UK to Algarve is around 2 hours 40 minutes.
If you're planning a trip to Algarve (FAO) from the UK, the following airports have direct flights:
Aberdeen (ABZ), Belfast International (BFS), Birmingham (BHX), Bournemouth (BOH), Bristol (BRS), East Midlands (EMA), Edinburgh (EDI), Glasgow (GLA), Leeds Bradford (LBA), Liverpool (LPL), London City (LCY), London Gatwick (LGW), London Heathrow (LHR), London Luton (LTN), London Southend (SEN), London Stansted (STN), Manchester (MAN), Newcastle (NCL), Norwich (NWI) and Southampton (SOU).
Transfer time from Faro airport to Porches is approximately 40 minutes.
Summers in the Algarve get pretty scorching, so beach-goers can expect the mercury to top 30°C in July and August. The shoulder months of April, May and October stay at a pleasantly toasty low 20s, and even in winter, things rarely drop below 15°C – ideal for year-round golfers.
Currently visas are not required for UK citizens travelling to Portugal.
A service charge won’t typically be added to your restaurant bill in the Algarve, so it’s common to leave a tip of around 10% of the bill. The same goes for taxi drivers – aim for 10% or round up your fare to the nearest euro. Tipping is not expected for bar staff, hotel porters or maids, although a euro or two would be appreciated for excellent service.
The official language of Portugal is Portuguese. English is widely spoken too, so getting by is easy.