The two main roads are National Road-125 and Motorway 22. Both roads run east-west and are each treated separately on one page.
Here alternative routes are described. These streets are often less hectic. Many restaurants and cafés invite you for a break and good Portuguese snacks or menus. The prices are cheap and the portions are generous.
A-2 (E-01)
Motorway 2 / European route 01 is accessible from the A-22 and leads north to Lisbon. The only other access road in the Algarve is near the village of São Bartolomeu de Messines directly from the N-124. The highway is toll road. When joining the motorway, a ticket is drawn on the machine, and you must pay immediately when leaving it.
The Via Verde track can only be used with a corresponding OBU (on board unit).
IC-1
The IC-1 is the old route to Lisbon; it runs parallel to the A-2. Many of the old rest houses are no longer in operation, however, the road is a good alternative to the toll motorway.
IC-27
The IC-27 begins north of Castro Marim and heads north (parallel to the Rio Guadiana and the Spanish border) to Beja in the Alentejo. Approximately from Alcoutim the direction changes in north-west. The road is well (partially four-lane) developed. The IC-27 has replaced the old N-122 (still passable).
N-2
The N-2 is the longest national road in the country, often called Route 66 of Portugal. Here it is treated the southern section (about 60 KM) from Faro to the border with the Alentejo, about 8 km north of the municipality and the village of Ameixal. Much of the route, after leaving Faro, leads through hills and forests interrupted by small towns. The street still retains the splendour of bygone times when the route was the main north-south connection in Portugal. At São Brás de Alportel, the N-2 is crossed by the N-270.
N-270
The N-270 starts just west of Tavira as a turnoff on the N-125. The route goes through São Brás de Alportel, Loulé, Boliqueime (where the N-125 is hit again) and Paderne until the N-124. The last kilometers run parallel to the A-2 in a northerly direction. The route is very scenic and rich in variety. It leads through the hills of the hinterland as well as through primal villages.
N-124
The N-124 starts off the N-122 and heads west through the northern Algarve hinterland. The municipalities and places Pereiro, Martim Longo, Cachopo, Salir, Alte, São Bartolomeu de Messines, Silves are crossed. In Portimão, the N-124 meets the N-125 and ends there.
The route allows again and again beautiful panoramic views over the almost pristine nature of the Algarve hinterland.