Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Getting Around the Algarve
Trains and buses connect the main towns along the south coast (skimpy service on week-
ends and off-season). Buses take you west from Lagos, where trains don't go. The free-
way crossing the Algarve from Lagos to the Spanish border (and on to Sevilla, Spain)
makes driving quick and easy. (See “Route Tips for Drivers in the Algarve,” at the end of
this chapter.)
One bit of old Algarve magic still glitters quietly in the sun—Salema. It's at the end of
a small road just off the main drag between the big city of Lagos and the rugged south-
west tip of Europe, Cape Sagres. Quietly discovered by British and German tourists, this
simple fishing village has three beachside streets, many restaurants, a few hotels, time-
share condos up the road, a couple of bars, English and German menus, a classic beach
with a paved promenade, and endless sun.
Tourist Information
Salema lacks an official TI, but Salema Property and Services (see “Helpful Hints,” later)
and people in the bars, restaurants, and pensions have heard all the questions and are
happy to provide answers. To study ahead, see
www.salema.info
.
Arrival in Salema
By Train and Bus:
To get to Salema, you'll arrive first at Lagos (with the closest
train station), the western Algarve's transportation hub. From there, buses go every
1-2 hours between Lagos and Sagres, with Salema about halfway between the two
(30-minute ride, 10 miles, last bus departs Lagos at 20:30, fewer buses on weekends,
www.algarvebus.info
)
. Catch the bus at either the Lagos bus station (see “Arrival in La-
gos,”
here
) or at one of the stops along the waterfront of the historic town.
About half the buses go right into the village of Salema (these are usually marked
Sale-
ma Village
). You can confirm with the driver by asking: “
Você vai à praia de Salema, por
favor
?” (voh-say vy ah pry-ah deh Salema, poor fah-vor).
The rest of the buses—marked with a cross in the schedule—stop at the top of the
road, a 20-minute downhill walk into town. (If you're on one of these buses, it's better
to stay on the bus and get off at the next stop—Figueira—from there you can backtrack
20 yards, then follow the sign on the right for
Salema
. It's the same distance as the first
