At a glance
From Faro Airport
Faro Airport is 109 km southeast of Aljezur. The drive takes about 1 hour 20 minutes via the A22 motorway and then the N120 north from Lagos.
Private transfer or taxi
A pre-booked private transfer takes about 80 minutes and typically costs €90–120 for the car. Worth it after a long flight — the final section is narrow rural road and easy to miss in the dark. Taxis from the airport rank will charge more and may decline the trip.
Uber and Bolt operate in the Algarve but drivers are scarce this far west. You might manage a ride from the airport, but getting one from Aljezur for the return is unlikely.
Car rental
Rental desks are inside the arrivals hall. Take the A22 westbound to Lagos, then the N120 north through rolling countryside to Aljezur — about 45 minutes from Lagos. The A22 is tolled; budget roughly €7–8 for the full stretch. A car is strongly recommended here; without one, reaching the beaches is almost impossible.
By public transport from the airport
There is no practical public transport route from Faro Airport to Aljezur. The best option involves three legs:
- Próximo bus (line 16) from the airport to Faro station (~15 min, ~€2.85)
- Regional train from Faro to Lagos (~2 hours, change at Tunes, ~€8)
- Vamus bus from Lagos to Aljezur (~45 min, ~€4)
Total cost: roughly €14–15. Total time: allow 4–5 hours including waits. The Lagos–Aljezur bus runs only a few times per day. Miss it and you're stuck in Lagos until the next one — or taking a taxi.
From Lisbon
By bus
There is no direct bus from Lisbon to Aljezur. Take Rede Expressos from Sete Rios to Lagos (~4 hours, €20–22), then a Vamus bus north to Aljezur. Some travellers coming from Lisbon drive south through the Alentejo via the IC4 and N120 — a scenic route through the hinterland that takes about 3.5 hours.
By train
Take the Alfa Pendular or Intercidades from Lisbon to Faro (~3–3.5 hours), change for the regional train to Lagos (~2 hours, change at Tunes), then a bus or taxi to Aljezur. The connections rarely align — allow a full day. The bus from Lisbon to Lagos is simpler.
By car
The quickest route is the A2 south from Lisbon, then the A22 to Lagos, then the N120 north to Aljezur. About 300 km, 3.5 hours. Motorway tolls total roughly €22–27.
An alternative is the Alentejo coast road: A2 to Grândola, then the N120/IC4 south through Odemira and down the west coast. Slower (about 4 hours) but scenic, and the route many Rota Vicentina visitors prefer.
From other Algarve towns
By bus
Vamus Algarve connects Lagos to Aljezur with a handful of departures per day (roughly 45 minutes). Weekend service is reduced. There is no direct bus from anywhere else in the Algarve — everything routes through Lagos.
By car
| From | Route | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Lagos | N120 north | 45 min |
| Vila do Bispo | N268 north | 40 min |
| Portimão | A22 west to Lagos, N120 north | 55 min |
| Monchique | N267 west | 50 min |
| Faro | A22 west to Lagos, N120 north | 1h 25 min |
Getting around Aljezur
On foot
Aljezur town is small and walkable. The old town, castle hill, market, and restaurants all fit within a 15-minute stroll. The terrain is hilly on the castle side but flat around the main road.
None of the beaches have a bus or shuttle service. Arrifana is 10 km southwest, Monte Clerigo 8 km west, Amoreira 9 km northwest, and Bordeira 15 km north — all require a car.
Parking
Free parking is easy to find in Aljezur town year-round. At the beaches, free car parks fill up in July and August — arrive before 10am at Arrifana and Monte Clerigo on summer weekends. Amoreira's car park is larger and usually has space. There is no paid parking anywhere in the municipality.
Taxis and transfers
There is no taxi rank in Aljezur. Local taxis operate by phone — ask your accommodation for a number. Uber and Bolt are effectively non-existent here. If you are visiting without a car, pre-arrange transport with your host or consider renting one from Lagos for the duration.
Last reviewed: