Where You Will Stay
Our European beach apartment is small. The bedrooms are small. The kitchen is small. The living room is small. It has only 1 bathroom. It fits a maximum of 6 people. It is perfect for a couple and a few kids, or for two couples. If you are 6 adults sharing 1 small bathroom, then it is going to be very tight.
You are living and sleeping above a small but active restaurant and bar. Music is on whenever the bar is open. You smell bangers and mash being made in the morning and Portuguese meatballs cooking at night. You hear the voices of patrons as late as midnight.
If you like this sort of thing, then you can grab a cappuccino on your way to your morning swim, hang with the locals for happy hour, or enjoy a night cap with a group of European tourists. If you don't like the sound of this, then you will not be happy staying at Coquilles Chantant.
After New Years Day, the town of Carvoeiro shuts down for January and February. 80% of the shops and restaurants are closed, including the Atlantic View Restaurant and Bar. If a sleepy, quiet beach town sounds appealing to you, then this is the perfect time to go. But, if you are seeking nightlife and partying, then this is the wrong time to go.
Getting to Carvoeiro
The fastest way to get to Carvoeiro from the United States is to fly United Airlines through Newark (EWR) to Faro (FAO). It's a non-stop 7 hour flight. Faro to Carvoeiro is 61 kilometers and takes about 45 minutes by car.
One can rent a car at the airport (we'd recommend in advance) and easily drive to Carvoeiro, or one can take an Uber. Your Uber will cost around €50.
You will find many flights if you fly into the Portuguese capital, Lisbon. If you rent a car, the drive is 270 kilometers and takes 2.5 hours. If you take a train, it's approximately 3 hours and takes you through the rolling hills of the rural Alentejo region.
There is a necessary train connection in Tunes, where you change lines to head to Lagoa, but it's not difficult. When you arrive in Lagoa, you take an Uber into Carvoeiro which takes about 10 minutes and costs about €12.
Finally, our nephew and niece found taking the bus from Lisbon to Lagoa to be the most budget-friendly. It takes about 3 hours. They recommend walking from the bus station in Lagoa to ALDI or Apolónia (See Recommendations), stocking up on provisions, and then Ubering to Coquilles Chantant.
Average Temperatures
The southern Algarve region is well known for it's mild Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild winters.
Seasonal Weather Highlights:
Summer (June to September): Warm, dry, and sunny. Perfect for beach trips, hiking along the cliffs, and ocean activities. Water temperatures peak around 73°F (23°C) during August.
Spring and Autumn (March–May, October–November): Pleasant, milder temperatures ideal for walking trails and sightseeing without the intense heat. May and October feature very comfortable daylight hours.
Winter (December to February): Cool and windier, but mild compared to northern Europe. Rainfall peaks during December.
For a visit focused on beaches, hiking, and outdoor dining, most people will find May–June and September–October to offer the best balance of warm weather, sunshine, and manageable crowds.
Note: we are typically in Carvoeiro from mid–July to mid–August.
Rental Cars and Parking
Do you need a rental car? Not if you are spending the majority of your time in Carvoeiro. Plus, Ubers make it very easy and affordable to get around.
If you want to explore the Algarve, then renting a car is a good idea and the roads are not difficult to navigate with roads well-maintained and phone directions guiding the way. Just keep in mind that parking can be difficult in the high season.
There is limited public parking down the hill around the beach and shops if you get lucky or park really early or late in the day. There is also parallel parking as you head up the hill on Rua do Paraiso. You can continue to wind around the streets directly behind/above our apartment and use the nearby steps.
What is Coquilles Chantant?
The beach at Praia do Carvoeiro is soft and golden, but if you look closely where the water meets the sand, you'll find a layer of thousands of seashells, broken by the tide.
When the ocean waves break and recede, the tide pulls at the shells and they make a sustained tinkling sound, almost like they are singing.
Coquilles Chantant, which translates from French to "Singing Shells," felt perfect for our family.
We hope the shells sing to you, too...
Cheers! - Katie and Pete