Hi Mirage,
Never been to Madeira but go 2-3 times a year to the Algarve.
September is usually a lovely month with temps about 70 deg. Most resorts will not be shut down but a lot quieter than the school holidays!!!!
We have gone in October and it can be hit or miss as it can be a little more unpredictable.
We go to the eastern side of Faro where things are a lot less quieter and less commercialised than places like Albufeira.
Monte Gordo has a beautiful long promenade and beach with plenty to satisfy all types without being 18-30!!
Places like Altura and Cabanas ( where we go) are quieter again but have enough bars and restaurants to give lots of choice.
Hope this helps a little....... I'm sure lots of others will offer more suggestions.
Pat

Pat,

eastern side of Faro where things are a lot less quieter

Are you sure that's what you meant to say ???

Meant to say quieter or was it less busy????????????????????????
My mind must be on other things!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just as well that you are here to keep us all on our toes

Hi Mirage,

From what you say, I think you would like the Old Town in Albufeira in September/October. Everywhere will still be open (things usually start to wind down in November) and the atmosphere is great but the place won't be so crowded as in the peak season. Weather should be very hot in September and probably still into October. You can find weather statistics on Wunderground. You can change the dates and look at historic weekly/monthly stats, or try the Trip Planner section. Have a look at Madeira too. I really don't know which would be better at that time of year.

You say you want to be on the coast. If this means you want to use the beaches there is no better place than the Algarve. It really does have some of the best beaches in Europe - hundreds of them! We've been to Madeira a couple of times and most of the swimming is off hotel jetties or rocks. Not really any decent beaches there.

If you did decide on Madeira, Funchal would probably be a good place to go as this is the main resort with most bars, restaurants, etc. It's a nice island but somehow not so "holidayish" as the Algarve.

I don't know why Sagres hasn't steered you in the direction of Lagos yet. This is the second largest resort in the Algarve and might be somewhere you would enjoy staying.

Wherever you go, I'm sure you'll love the Algarve!

Roseweb,
Can't understand it either.............perhaps Sagres has gone Wunderground??????????

Ha ha ha Pat bet hes gone Wombling wunderground woverground wombling free, Too much for a welsh womble though Uncle Sagres, (Couldnt resist that) Cheers Jayjan

I don't think he can have been wombling wunderground in Wimbledon, do you?

I think it will be COMMONLY known where he will be wombling wunderground

At last,folks,what the original poster has been waiting for......an on-topic post !!
Mirage,
I would endorse what roseweb has said about Madeira - it's a lovely island but not,to my mind, a "holiday"island.The coastal scenery is beautiful but, in many instances, has to be admired from a distance as many of the hotels are perched on the clifftops.
My personal opinion is that the Algarve offers far more choice in the type of holiday you can have and caters for all tastes.You've already been told about the Eastern and Central parts of the Algarve, both of which are really nice(that's the beauty of the Algarve - it's really difficult to find anywhere that you don't like !) but my favourite part is the Western coast.We holiday in Lagos two or three times a year and use it as a base to visit the spectacular western coast;the further west you travel, the more rugged and breathtaking the coastal scenery becomes.In September/October you're almost guaranteed to find a small cove completely to yourself if that's what you want.There are small villages which are still unspoilt by tourism, yet, within easy travelling distance, there's the historic fishing port of Lagos with its modern Marina and, literally, hundreds of high quality restaurants and varied bars. The town has several top-quality beaches, from Dona Ana ( that's the one with the rock formations just offshore that features in almost every travel brochure for the Algarve), to a glorious 4 km stretch of white sand - Meia Praia - which stretches from the eastern edge of town as far as the neighbouring resort Alvor.
If motoring is not your thing, Lagos is at the western end of the Algarve railway network, so you can easily access other resorts(but, it has to be said, not all, as the railway runs inland of some resorts although the stations still bear the names of the resorts)If Lagos appeals and you need further info regarding hotels etc., just shout.
One last thing for the benefit of those members who have been worried by my short absence from the forum - I went for a pint with the lads- it's as simple as that ! If I'm missing tonight, that'll be because I've an important sporting occasion.Nice to have been missed though !!

The only thing the two areas have in common is Portuguese as a language. If you want a beach holiday and lots of lying around getting a tan, followed by an evening meal then it's the Algarve. If you want a holiday with no beaches, some lying around, but willing to travel around and see some spectacular scenery followed by a meal it's Funchal, Madeira. Funchal never shuts down as it's an all year round visitor centre. It won't be as warm as the Algarve (temp hovers around mid 70s all year round - it's 23 degress at the mo, Algarve is mid 30s) and the weather is more changeable.