Are you going to the Algarve for the first time? Looking for the best places there? Welcome! We love the Algarve very much. We think you will love it too!
Portugal is a pretty country. It has things for all kinds of travellers and the Algarve is one of our favourite spots in Portugal. We have compiled, what we think, is a great start to discovering the Algarve. With our 10 best places to stay for first time visitors.
For the best Algarve holiday, you need to choose where to stay carefully. Think about how you like to travel and your budget. That will help you find the perfect Algarve spot for your trip.
Where to Stay in the Algarve? Map Locations
The Algarve has many different places. You could stay almost anywhere and enjoy your time. However, you should choose the right area for how you like to travel.
Where Should You Stay in the Algarve? Depends on What You’re Looking For
Armação de Pêra
A paradise for people who love beaches. You’ll find lots of cafes, bars, restaurants, and ice cream shops.
Alvor
A popular beach town and lively tourist destination, with many restaurants and bars.
Lagos
Ideal for first-timers. It’s conveniently close to major Algarve attractions, making a great base.
Albufeira
The party town with affordable hostels, bars and restaurants.
Faro
The capital and biggest city. It’s an easy drive to many sights and offers a lively city vibe.
Tavira
A small medieval town with gorgeous beaches nearby. Perfect for a relaxed beach holiday.
Carvoeiro
Ideal for families. A beautiful beach and close to attractions. Great town with amenities and a friendly feel.
Portimão
Pair a beach trip with trendy shopping in this town.
Quarteira
A romantic, laid-back small town with pretty beaches – great for couples.
Sagres
Perfect for surfers. This small, laid-back town has nice bars and restaurants. Additionally, it’s a short drive to the best surf beaches.
1. Where to Stay in the Algarve for:
Beaches, Restaurants and Ice Cream
Armação de Pêra
Armação de Pêra is a resort town situated in a wide bay, which stretches from Senhora da Rocha all the way to Praia da Galé. Accordingly, its main attraction, Praia de Armação de Pêra beach, draws both Portuguese and international tourists.
I remember my first visit to Armação de Pêra – I was instantly charmed by the colourful fishing boats on the sand and the lively atmosphere along the promenade. It’s a memory that always brings a smile to my face.
This beach is quite expansive – about 50 meters wide and over a kilometre long. Basically, it is one extended sandy shore lined with many high-rise hotels and apartments behind it. Moreover, the sand feels fine and pleasant for strolling, while the calm, transparent waters invite swimming.
During the hot summer, the Praia de Armação de Pêra beach gets very crowded. Nevertheless, because of its huge size, there’s always enough room for you to find a spot and enjoy yourself.
Behind the sandy area, a fun boulevard goes for over a kilometre. You’ll see lots of restaurants and bars on this lively walkway.
Especially in the summer months, this long promenade makes the village feel vibrant and energetic.
On the eastern side, you can spot colourful fishing boats on the sand and fishermen repairing nets and tending to their vessels. Specifically, just behind are fishermen’s huts used for storing gear. Additionally, locals sometimes refer to this section as Praia dos Pescadores or “fishermen’s beach.”
2. Where to Stay in the Algarve for:
A Relaxing, Beach-Based Holiday
Alvor
Alvor sits beside the Ria de Alvor river inlet in Algarve, while toward the south, Praia do Alvor beach spreads its huge sandy expanse for you.
The town of Alvor itself has a distinctively Portuguese feel that you’ll experience. Traditional whitewashed homes line the narrow, stone-paved streets you’ll stroll. Additionally, you’ll see fishing boats moored along the riverside. Although Alvor is relatively small, it nevertheless surprisingly hosts many restaurants, shops, and late-night spots clustered down-town for you.
Families tend to flock here during the summer to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere. Conversely, the non-peak season brings elder visitors who prefer the calmer vibe you can experience.
Your vacation may primarily revolve around the beach. However, the surrounding region also offers much for you to explore – exciting water-parks, boat tours, golf courses, nature trails, and dolphin watching tours.
Specifically, day-trips allow you to visit the fortified town of Silves, Portimão’s historic city centre, or the lively Praia da Rocha resort.
Undoubtedly, Alvor combines the key elements for your perfect beach holiday – vast sandy shores, glorious sunny weather, and exceptional value in Portugal.
Moreover, this former fishing village has developed responsibly into a popular tourist destination for you. Along the coastline are modern resort complexes, whereas in the town itself, you’ll find authentic Portuguese restaurants and lively bars.
Consequently, Alvor retains its traditional, non-commercialized Portuguese charm and character unlike many other beach towns.
As a mid-sized resort town, Alvor provides ample dining and shopping options for you without feeling overwhelming. Likewise, its smaller scale discourages the presence of rowdy groups, allowing you much calmer summer days compared to the larger Albufeira, Praia da Rocha, Lagos or Vilamoura resorts.
3. Where to Stay in the Algarve For:
First-Time Visitors
Lagos
You’ll find Lagos is one of the most visited spots in Portugal itineraries. Why? The iconic beaches, charming surroundings, rich heritage, and great tourist facilities warmly welcome first-timers.
Additionally, the heavy tourism makes Lagos an easy place to feel welcomed and comfortable. Especially if abroad for the first time. You’ll see the usual cobblestone streets and white houses lined with bars and restaurants in town.
Nevertheless, it offers all amenities you might need. Plus, it’s conveniently close to the Algarve’s famous beaches and attractions, so no need to travel far.
Admittedly, the tourist crowds can take away some authentic Portuguese feel. However, you can easily day-trip to more traditional towns like Olhao or Tavira. Overall then, Lagos makes an excellent Algarve base for exploring, especially for first-timers.
Algarve Day Tours
4. Where to Stay in the Algarve for:
The Best Nightlife
Albufeira
While some may prefer hiking or cycling, others surely agree a fun night out is just as vital for staying fit while travelling. I’d recommend Albufeira for a joyous time dancing the night away.
This coastal city is perfect for letting loose – experiencing the nightlife or simply cruising along the promenade and sandy beaches.
Albufeira’s old town is special. White houses and stone streets sit high on a hill. They overlook the beach below. This old part of town makes Albufeira stand out. Additionally, the modern strip is located below, next to the sea. It also has a huge beach right outside.
After a night out at the many beach-front bars on the promenade, you can spend the next day relaxing on the huge beach, exploring the cute old town streets above, or taking a day trip to one of the famous nearby locations.
5. Where to Stay in the Algarve for:
A City Break
Faro
In the Algarve, Faro is perfect for a city experience. The exceptional character, colours, and cobblestone streets will steal a piece of your heart.
It’s not as big as Portugal’s main cities like Lisbon or Porto. However, Faro has a definite city vibe. Yet it still offers easy beach and natural attraction access.
If you want sandy beaches and unique sights like bone-decorated walls, Faro is ideal. Visit Capela Dos Ossos or Ilha Deserta before exploring the quaint cobblestone streets or Natural Park wildlife.
6. Where to Stay in the Algarve for:
A Peaceful Beach Break
Tavira
Tavira is one of the best Algarve spots for anyone seeking tranquillity. While most mention Carvoeiro, we chose Tavira for its beaches, churches, and Gilao River. This city boasts protected waterways and untouched countryside.
When I went to Tavira, I was amazed by how pretty and calm it was. I walked around the cute streets for an afternoon. I liked looking at the white houses and feeling the peaceful vibe. It was a nice break from my busy everyday life.
It attracts fewer tourists than other Algarve areas, making for a spectacularly serene stay. You can relax on the beach reading your favourite book or experience cultural attractions on the way back to your hotel. The town itself is really cute, with recognizable Portuguese whitewashed houses and cobblestone streets.
Algarve Day Tours
7. Where Should Visit in the Algarve for:
Beaches and Hiking
Carvoeiro
This region has some of Algarve’s best beaches. Additionally, the serenity makes it a double winner.
With iconic white houses perched right above the beach, Carvoeiro is one of Portugal’s prettiest towns in my opinion.
On one hand, Carvoeiro offers a calming beach holiday. On the other hand, the fun activities here also make it a wonderland for kids.
This best-of-both-worlds town has hiking trails, boat tours, and theme parks too. Visit the famous Benagil cave, enjoy beautiful Praia do Carvoeiro beach, or go to Slide and Splash water park.
Families will most enjoy Carvoeiro during the summer months.
8. Where Should You Stay In the Algarve for:
A Beach Holiday With Shopping
Portimão
While this region is best known for popular Praia da Rocha beach, the city boasts beautiful architecture and great history too. You can see beautiful historic sites like Igreja Matriz de Portimao catholic church.
However, the region is best known for the many markets and shops lining streets like Diogo Tome and Portades da Sao Joao. Besides fantastic retail outlets, you can indulge in freshly caught fish.
Portimão is great for combining an iconic beach holiday with some shopping. If you want to pair beach time with a shopping spree, stay here.
9. Where Should Couples Stay in the Algarve for:
A Romantic Getaway
Quarteira
This region is particularly popular with Portuguese tourists. It is considered the first resort town within the greater Algarve region.
Consequently, Quarteira makes a wonderful spot for couples looking to enjoy an authentic Portuguese experience.
Moreover, Quarteira is very popular also out of season. Many travellers search for that tranquil European winter sun experience there.
Since it is a local treasure, travellers can expect reasonable prices even throughout the peak season. The multitude of great restaurants, boat tours, and dolphin watching makes this the perfect spot for you and your better half.
Algarve Day Tours
10. Where Should You Stay in the Algarve for:
A Surfing Holiday
Sagres
An Algarve trip isn’t complete without surfing! Sagres is perfect if you want to surf. It’s close to many beaches with surf spots.
I love to surf, so I had to check out Sagres. I spent days riding waves at different beaches. Also I was amazed by the beautiful cliffs and the chill feel of the town. It quickly became one of my favorite places to surf in the Algarve.
The town has a laid-back vibe, with cute bars, restaurants, and local shops. The scenic beaches have towering cliffs above turquoise seas – ideal for surfers.
You can discover places like Praia de Mareta beach or the Cabo de Sao Vicente lighthouse. It’s perched on dramatic cliffs, making a stunning sunset spot.
You can easily hire surfing gear at the main surf beaches. So Sagres works for novice and expert surfers alike.
Final Thoughts on Where to Stay in the Algarve
There you have the ultimate guide on where you should stay in the Algarve, Portugal! The Algarve is a stunning region, and it’s also easy to see why it features on so many Europe bucket lists for you. There are many beautiful places in Portugal like the Douro Valley, Obidos, Nazaré and Evora, but the Algarve was a favourite for me.
Our Guides to Portugal
Travel Guide for Where to Stay in the Algarve
Travel Insurance for Your Trip to Algarve
Buying insurance is always valuable when travelling abroad. Therefore, enjoy your holiday in Portugal stress-free with one of my favourite providers, Visitors Coverage Insurance.
Renting a Car in Portugal
Indeed, renting a car in Portugal is easy and is a great way to explore the island freely. Consequently, I recommend booking yours with Rentalcars.com – they offer a variety of operators for all budgets.
Finding the Perfect Accommodation
The best way to book your accommodation in Portugal is with Booking.com. In fact, it’s my go to site to compare and reserve places to stay each night, from affordable guesthouses to luxury hotels.
Booking Flights to Portugal
Lastly, for air travel, I recommend booking your flight with Omio. Moreover, it has been my favourite platform for years, as it allows me to book the cheapest flights to visit Portugal.
