Do I need a car for getting around in Portugal ?

Hi, It really depends on where you live in the Algarve. Some areas are better served by public transport than others. For ex I know in Lagos there is a train station and a coach station in close proximity. However, if you want to get to beaches in more rural locations then the answer is yes you need a car. IMHO It really depends on what you want to do. Kind regards PiP

Hi Kate,

As PiP mentioned wether or not you choose to buy in Portugal will depend on where exactly you choose to live in the Algave.

Coastal areas are served well by Portugal's rail networks and if you want to travel inland you'll need to explore intercity bus options.

If you do choose to drive, just be aware that driving conditions in Portugal are likely to be different to what you are used to from ther rest of Europe. While road conditions and infrastructure is of a good standard, locals are known for their erractic behaviour on the roads.

Have a read of the recently updated  Expat Arrivals page on Transport and Driving in Portugal page for more information.

Good luck with your move

Kate, if you would like to visit different parts of Portugal, in my opinion, the best thing for you to do is consider purchasing a car. If you were moving to Porto or Lisbon, I would say that it would be possible to live entirely on the grid and move about by the public transportation. However, I have several friends (Portuguese, Brazilian and expats) who live in the Algarve and all of them own their own vehicles. 

When my family and I moved to Portugal from the US five years ago, we had very few problems navigating the roads. Portuguese drivers aren't the best or most polite in Europe, but both my wife and I made a smooth transition. If you had experience driving in Italy, you should not have any major problems in Portugal. Again, in my opinion.