Any advice on the best phone to use in the Algarve?
I currently use my UK Vodafone mobile when I am in Carvoeiro, about 12 weeks a year, but it's expensive of course, so I use a local phone card in payphones for internal calls.
I can get a TMN SIM from Carphone Warehouse in UK and use that as "pay-as-you- go" in Portugal, which seems to be a good deal.
Anyone got any suggestions from experience

Hi EJ, welcome to the community (sounds like something Corporate Microsoft would say.....but what the heck )

Cellphone pay-as-you-go cards are a good if u have a UK phone that is free to these sim cards. TMN, Vodafone or Optimus are all good options, the trick is to choose the tarif that is most convenient - preferably one which does not require you to charge money onto the sim card on a regular basis. This kind of deal may lead to them locking your sim card if you are out of the country and unable to put money on for several months.
If you go to the local shops in Algarve Shopping you should be able to purchase a sim card with a good tarif.

Thanks, Gambrinus. (for the welcome, also)
I will check it out next time I'm in Portugal.
Any observations on best network coverage? I currently stick to Telecel where possible as I get the best rates as a Vodafone roamer.

EJ

I can't answer your question, but it has occurred to me that knowing how you use your phone may help the people who can.

For example, when in Portugal, would you like to use the phone cheaply to make mainly local calls, or do regularly phone the UK or they you, so good international roaming rates are your highest priority.

Two sims may be one answer . . . but I don't really know what I am talking about on this subject (CVO is holiday only for me and the damn mobile is switched off!!)

Maddi