Travel Tips

Passports & Entry Requirements

Please check your passport expiration date! If you need to renew your passport, the process can take ~4-6 weeks.

To enter Portugal, your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after your departure date and have been issued within the last 10 years.

Keep an eye out for updates about the EU's proposed ETIAS program, which is a proposed electronic travel authorization for visa-exempt travelers. It hasn't rolled out yet, so nothing to worry about now, but we'll update this site if that changes before May.

Booking Flights

Fly into Faro Airport (FAO) — it's the main airport in the Algarve and only about 10 minutes from the city center. 
If flights are expensive, consider flying into Lisbon (LIS) and taking:

• A train (~3 hours) - https://www.cp.pt/pt
• A bus (~3.5 hours) - https://global.flixbus.com/

We recommend arriving on 3 or 4 May so you have time to recover from the journey and enjoy the area before the wedding on the 6th.

Book flights early (usually 3-5 months in advance is the sweet spot for international flights). We recommend setting up price tracking on Google Flights to monitor prices and find the best deal. TAP Portugal also often has good sales, so signing up for their email promotions is a good idea.

Where to Stay

The Algarve is very tourist-friendly, so you'll be spoiled for choice in terms of accommodation options. We've put together some suggestions across a range of price levels to get you started. Whatever you do, though, try to book sooner rather than later!

Getting Around

Uber and Bolt are super affordable and widely available around Faro and near the coast. We recommend using these apps instead of taxis (especially at the airport; the taxi drivers will try to overcharge you).

For the day of the wedding:

We are planning to coordinate shuttle buses to take guests to and from Alte, especially those who are staying on the coast, as it will be extremely difficult to get an Uber/Bolt back to your accommodation at 2am. Stay tuned for more specifics!

If you're staying longer to explore the Algarve:

Renting a car is a great idea, especially if you're staying more inland. The region is spread out, and many top spots are easier to access by car.

Fun Things to Do in the Algarve

The Algarve is famous for beaches, cliffs, food, and relaxed vibes. If you're flying all this way, you might as well take a vacation, too!

Near Faro

• Explore Old Town (Cidade Velha)
• Ferry to the Ria Formosa islands (Ilha Deserta, Culatra, Farol). Culatra is one of our favorites. It's a cute fishing village with no cars and a really peaceful beach that most tourists miss.
• Relax at Praia de Faro

Algarve highlights

• Benagil Cave - iconic sea cave (but can get very touristy)
• Praia da Marinha - one of Europe's most beautiful beaches
• Ponta da Piedade - dramatic cliffs and viewpoints
• Ria Formosa Natural Park - lagoons, wildlife, and boat tours

Other ideas

• Wine tasting
• Golfing, surf lessons, kayaking
• Explore towns like Lagos, Olhão, Tavira

Miscellaneous Tips

• Currency: Portugal uses the Euro. Most places take credit cards/Apple pay/Google pay, but a handful of places are cash only.
• Pro tip: When paying at a card machine or taking cash out from an ATM, ALWAYS select to pay in Euros and “reject conversion” even if it gives you a scary warning message. Don't get scammed by the card company/ATM's inflated conversion rate.
• Language: Portuguese (English is widely spoken, but knowing a few basic words goes a long way in terms of politeness).
• Weather: Warm and sunny. Don't forget sunscreen!
• Power plugs: Portugal uses Type F plugs at 230V. US/UK guests will need an adapter.
• Comfortable shoes: The old tile streets are no joke! Save your ankles and bring comfortable shoes with a good tread for your trip. For those inclined to wear heels to the wedding, a wedge or platform will be your best friend.