Which part of algarve to stay? (2023)

FAQs

What is the best area of the Algarve to stay in? ›

Tavira – Best Areas to Stay, Algarve, Portugal, for a Quiet Beach Holiday. Tavira is one of Algarve's best places to enjoy some tranquillity. While most people will mention Carvoeiro, we've chosen Tavira based on its beaches, churches, and the Gilão River. This city boasts protected waterways and untouched countryside.

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.

Tavira. Tavira is one of the main towns in the Algarve, as well as one of the most beautiful. It's situated along the banks of the River Gilão and has a great historical legacy left by first the Romans and later the Arabs.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Do I need a car in the algarves? ›

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 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.

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.

While there's less to do and see than other Portuguese cities, Faro is walkable, filled with friendly faces, and extremely affordable.

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.

Renting a car in Portugal and going on road trips across the country is the best way to get to enjoy it. It gives you the freedom to go to places you wouldn't otherwise get to go, or you could, but it would take too much time with public transportation.

The further you go towards the west, the colder the water gets. For example, on the west coast the sea water temperature is usually between 17 and 20 degrees, while east of Tavira the sea water temperature can reach up to 26 degrees. Also, the sea is warmer in the summer than in the winter.

High season is considered to be June and July. The cheapest month to fly to Portugal is February.

Is Algarve hotter than Lisbon? ›

And although it'll always be a few degrees cooler than the Algarve, Lisbon and the surrounding towns and cities like Setúbal, Costa da Caparica, Estoril, Cascais, and Ericeira still have fantastic weather, both in summer and winter, and are very popular with people moving to Portugal.

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

There are plenty of hot summer party spots where you can enjoy fun times and great sounds in 2023. From chilled and relaxed to energetic boat parties, there's pretty much something for everyone.

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.)

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.

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.

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.

Albufeira offers a diverse mix of, family attractions, nightlife and natural beauty. Albufeira is a coastal city, renowned for its club culture, beach bars, lively restaurants and endless entertainment. Every year thousands of holiday makers are drawn to its stunning beaches and exciting nightlife.

Complete your plans today by reserving a ride with Uber in Algarve. Request a ride up to 30 days in advance, at any time and on any day of the year.

How do you get around the Algarves? ›

There are essentially 7 ways to get around in the Algarve: by (rental) car, train, bus, taxi, uber, transfers and hiring a camper. Each of this means of transport can be most suitable to get around in the Algarve, depending on the situation.

Where do expats live in the Algarve? The majority of expats in Algarve are in Tavira, Vilamoura, Lagos, Faro, Albufeira, Alvor and Ferragudo. These towns also happen to attract a large amount of tourists each year, so they can get quite busy during high season.

With beautiful beaches, a picturesque old town and accessible location, it's a great choice for where to stay in the Algarve. Tavira, Algarve is a seaside town that straddles the Gilão River via an old Roman bridge. You'll be charmed by Tavira's winding cobblestone streets, hilltop castle, and abundance of churches.

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.

Lagos is a small city; you can pretty much walk everywhere. There is a 1 bus station and a 2 train station to take you to other cities (Silves, Faro, Portimao) and taxis are abundant. Walk to the beautiful sandy golden beaches.

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.

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.

Uber is available at Faro Airport, so you can enjoy a convenient and comfortable ride to wherever you need to go.

What is Portugal most beautiful village? ›

Obidos is without a doubt one of the most popular and beautiful villages in Portugal to visit. Hundreds of thousands of tourists flock to the picturesque little hilltop village each year, most of them on a day trip from Lisbon.

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.

Albufeira is better if you're looking for a resort holiday experience – beach during the day and party during the night. Lagos is better if you want a more traditional Portugese holiday, backpacker vibes and stunning landscapes close to the city.