The Algarve is a region an area 160km long East to West by 40km North South. It is Portugal's Med.
There are various towns in the Algarve, Faro the capital, Portimão Vilamoura, Albufeira.
Lagos, is an old historic sea-port dating back to Phoenicians times. It still retains its old City walls. It was one of the main points of departure for the Portuguese Voyages of Discovery that opened up the route around Africa for Europe 500 years ago.
Although we have tourists here, Lagos stills retains its Portuguese ambiance.
Express trains from Lisbon to the Algarve run to Faro.
For Lagos, however, you change to a local train at Tunes Station 20minutes before Faro.
Tavira is an old Roman settlement that also retains much of its Portuguese charm. To get there you continue to Faro and take a local connecting train.
Either of these destinations would allow you, provided you travelled by day, to see a lot of the Alentejo region, South of Lisbon and the Algarve. The departure from Lisbon itself is spectacular as it crosses the Tejo estuary under the 25 Abril Bridge offering panoramic views of the estuary and Lisbon.
I suggest you travel down one afternoon, (seat on left hand side of the train to avoid the sun), have a day there, and go back the next day, (seat on right hand side of the train.)
There are also long distance coach services between Lisbon and these centres:
Travel time by train or bus between 3,5 hours to 4,5 hours
For more info, including links to timetables, have a look at:
1) Copies of earlier postings on my blog:
barlaventostravelblog.blogspot.com
2) Cubsur's:
www.algarvebus.info
and
3) This very useful page.
www.solpraiaferias.com/index.php?content=cheg_en
Hope this helps
