Which part of algarve is the best? (2023)

FAQs

Which part of the Algarve has the best beaches? ›

The best beaches in Algarve are between the cities of Albufeira and Lagos. In this part of the Algarvian Coast, you find beaches with crystalline blue water surrounded by yellow-orangish limestone cliffs dotted with caves and grottoes for which the Algarve is famous.

The best areas to stay in Algarve for first-timer are the beautiful towns of Faro, Albufeira, Portimão and Praia da Rocha, Lagos, Lagoa, Olhao, Aljezur, Silves, Alcoutim, Loule, Tavira, Carvoeiro, Sagres, Quarteira, and Vilamoura.

Portugal's beach-filled southern coastline has long been considered the country's summer playground. And while the west side has enjoyed the lion's share of the tourist trade since the 1970s, the east side, stretching from the central city of Faro to the Spanish border, is far more relaxing and infinitely more cool.

The priciest in the Algarve is Loulé (€3,026/sqm), followed by Lagos (€2,699), Lagoa (€2,672), Albufeira (€2,438), Tavira (€2,199), Portimão (€2,108), Silves (€2,039), VRSA and Faro (€2,029), and Olhão (€2,004).

Faro – Best Place to Stay in Algarve for City Life

It's not as big as Lisbon, Porto or Sintra, the main cities in Portugal, but it's characterised by a strong city vibe. That's not to say it doesn't offer easy access to gorgeous beaches and natural attractions.

Sagres itself is one of the prettiest seaside towns in the Algarve, with a small marina and port famed for its lobster fishing – though it makes a perfect base for surfers who come to ride the Algarve's gnarliest waves.

Praia do Camilo is widely known as one of the most gorgeous beaches in the Algarve. It has the characteristic high cliffs of many beaches in the region, as well as clear green waters and views of Lagos and the Ponta da Piedade rock formations.

A full week on the Algarve gives you plenty of time to split between activities and relaxing on the beach. If you're looking for a more relaxing beach holiday, 7 days on the Algarve is a good choice.

Lagos provides a better beach experience than Faro. Lagos offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The beaches are long, flat and sandy with beautifully dramatic rock formations. The largest beach in the area is Meia Praia and arguably one of the best beaches is Praia Dona Ana.

Do I need a car in the Algarve? ›

The easiest way to get around in the Algarve is by car. This is because public transport between cities can be complicated. Moreover, some of the most beautiful beaches are only accessible by car. If you don't have access to a car, we recommend that you rent one.

Faro is the capital of the Algarve, with a long history. It has Roman and Arab ruins, but most of the town was built after the earthquake of 1755. The city has more than 50.000 inhabitants and is the biggest city in the Algarve. Faro serves as the administrative centre of the Algarve.

Albufeira is considered to be a more popular beach destination than Faro. The beaches in Albufeira are among the best in the world. With their golden sands and blue waters, the beaches are world class. The area also has a diversity of beaches that are perfect for all types of vacationers.

Where the rich live in Sintra, Cascais, and Estoril. The Portuguese Riviera has been known for being home to wealthy families for many years. Once a small fishing community, Cascais has become a cosmopolitan retreat for the wealthy in the past century.

The most expensive properties and plots of land in the Algarve are located in the premium "Golden Triangle" area, where the spas of Vale do Lobo, Quinta do Lago, Vilamoura and Pine Cliffs are located.

POLITICS, CELEBS AND THE ALGARVE

Many celebrities own homes in this region, including Boyzone front man Ronan Keating, television presenter Carol Smillie, celebrity gardener Charlie Dimmock and Total Eclipse of the Heart singer Bonnie Tyler.

The Algarve is the perfect region for great walks because of its fantastic scenery, unspoilt nature and the absence of big cities that can make it difficult to find natural green spaces.

Faro is the capital and biggest city of the Algarve, with a population of about 118.000 people. For most people it is the gateway to the Algarve, since Faro Airport is the only airport of the Algarve. You can find a lot of Portuguese culture and history in the town.

Can you swim in the sea in the Algarve? ›

If you are looking for a beach holiday, then the Algarve is the perfection destination. You can swim in the ocean comfortably from March until October. And in the winter months, you can take long refreshing beach walks.

This is where, in the most exclusive regions of Portugal. Where do the rich live in Portugal? Where do the rich live in Portugal? Lisbon, Oeiras, Cascais, Sintra, Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia are the municipalities with the highest concentration of population with the highest income in the country.

Anchoring the south of Portugal, the Algarve is famous for its cliff-backed beaches, mouthwatering seafood and picturesque villages. It's also a remarkably easy-going region, with a welcoming vibe for every kind of traveler.

Praia do Vale de Centeanes is where you'll want to go to see some of the clearest water in the Algarve. On a clear day, it's easy to see the bottom of the ocean without even setting foot in the water. This beach is located near Carvoeiro, so it won't be hard to travel from here to Praia da Marinha or Praia de Benagil.

1. Praia de Tavira, Algarve - best beaches Portugal. a sandbar island which runs from Tavira towards Fuseta and is reached by a ferry from the mainland.

Praia da Manta Rota, Algarve.

Praia dos Coelhos, Sétubal

The setting for innumerable films and advertising campaigns, this idyllic, secluded beach on the Arrábida coastline boasts some of the clearest waters you'll likely ever swim in.

It can still be quite touristy in this region but if you go in mid or low season these places are absolutely perfect for a beach holiday, hiking and exploring. With many cute restaurants, a beautiful coastline and beautiful traditional Portuguese beach towns, the central Algarve can be the perfect area for you to stay.

If you're a sunseeker the best time to visit Algarve is between June and August. The hottest month of the year is July with an average daily maximum of 30 C and an average low of 22 C. The coolest month of the year is February with an average daily maximum of 16 C and an average low of 10 C.

Winter: If you don't like the heat, the North is your number one choice. The climate is Atlantic, which means the sea moderates the presence of the heat so it'll never be too hot. And so, you can enjoy and visit monumental cities as Viseu, Aveiro and Porto without a drop of sweat. Summer: So, you're a Summer lover…

Is the drive from Lisbon to Algarve scenic? ›

The drive between Lisbon and Algarve is a pleasant one, with uncomplicated directions. Once you are outside of Lisbon, cross over the impressive Vasco de Gama Bridge and continue on the A12 for 6 miles (10 km). Then you'll get on the A2 Highway for 160 miles (257 km) before arriving into the Algarve.

At this time of year, Albufeira Old Town and Lagos are very similar, and you will have an enjoyable holiday at either. Albufeira Old Town may be the slightly better choice, with its larger selection of activities, restaurants and nightlife.

Is Lagos or Albufeira Better for Families? Families may find more to do in Lagos than Albufeira. With a huge array of activities for kids, Lagos is very family-friendly. You can spend days hanging out on the beautiful beaches, but there are so many other activities that the whole family will enjoy.

BY FOOT- Faro is a quaint city that is easy to get around on foot. In fact, this is my top recommendations for those visiting. There are so many side streets and cobblestone alleyways you don't want to miss! Walking all over will ultimately lead you to the best backstreet spots.

U.S. Citizens are entitled to drive in Portugal with their U.S. issued driver's license for a period no to exceed 185 days, provided they are not legal residents.

English is widely spoken in Portugal, especially in the larger cities and in the Algarve. Plenty of foreigners live comfortably and reasonably efficiently speaking only in English. (In fact, it can be difficult to find a Portuguese who will speak to you in Portuguese.)

Renting a car in Portugal with a US license

Portuguese law accepts American Driver's licenses for rentals of 6 months or less. There's no need to apply for an international driving permit.

Affordable living, residency, easy access to social activities, and a pleasant year-round climate make Portugal preferable to Spain. However, each person has their own experience and perspective on the two countries. It is impossible to say that one is better than the other, prettier, or richer in culture.

In either Lisbon or Faro, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Lisbon than Faro because of the overall number of sights and activities. The ideal length of time for a trip to Lisbon is 3-7 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Faro is 2-5 days.

Is Algarve better than Madeira? ›

So if you are looking for a quiet place with relatively fewer tourist activities, then Madeira would be your best option. On the other hand, if you are looking to reside in a larger inland city that is bustling with life, the Algarve might be ideal for you.

Is Faro, Portugal; touristy? Despite being the region's capital, most tourists decide to travel to other beach towns in Algarve. Such as Lagos or Albufeira. So although Faro is home to an international airport, it is not as touristy as other parts of the region.

The algarve is a region in Portugal, albufeira is an area is within the region.

Faro is the best-known city in Portugal's deservedly famous Algarve region. There's an archaeological museum and a “Bishops' Palace,” a Renaissance cathedral that was heavily bombed during World War II, but later rebuilt.

A stay of three nights allows Faro and the surrounding region to be fully discovered. This length provides you time to explore historic centre, tour the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa, relax on the Praia de Faro or Ilha Deserta beaches, and have a day trip to Estoi or the Ilha da Culatra.

Lagos provides a better beach experience than Faro. Lagos offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The beaches are long, flat and sandy with beautifully dramatic rock formations. The largest beach in the area is Meia Praia and arguably one of the best beaches is Praia Dona Ana.

The Algarve is arguably the best part of Portugal to visit. The region has hundreds of beaches, beautiful hotels, and arguably the most delicious cuisine in the country.

Low wages in Portugal

A major downside to living in Portugal is finding a well-paying job. Whether you are making minimum wage or the average salary, do not expect to make a lot of money. In 2022, the national minimum salary in Portugal is €705 a month before tax.

In the Algarve, it is the Portimão and Albufeira areas that are most popular among celebrities who bought or rent homes in Portugal. These coastal areas are close to some of the best casinos, shops and restaurants.

Where do most expats live in Portugal? ›

Far and away the most popular destination for expatriates are Portugal's cities. The capital, Lisbon (population 500,000) and Porto (population 215,000) attract people from around the world with their historic buildings, laid-back ways of life and buzzing culture.

Tavira. The prettiest of all, Tavira is among the best places to go in the Algarve and one of the best small towns in Portugal. This seaside gateway has taken the modern tourist in its stride while maintaining its old charm. Enveloped by Praia do Barril and Praia da Ilha de Tavira, the town flexes its coastal beauty.

Albufeira is considered to be a more popular beach destination than Faro. The beaches in Albufeira are among the best in the world. With their golden sands and blue waters, the beaches are world class. The area also has a diversity of beaches that are perfect for all types of vacationers.

The cities with the best air quality in Europe in 2020 and 2021 were Faro and Funchal in Portugal and Umeå, in Sweden.