Where to Stay in the Algarve: Town-by-Town Guide

The Algarve stretches about 150km along Portugal’s south coast, and where you stay shapes your whole holiday. Party in Albufeira, family beaches in Alvor, cliffs and coves in Carvoeiro, island beaches in Tavira or surf in Sagres. Here’s a town-by-town guide to help you pick.

Quick answer: Lagos is the best all-rounder (beaches, boat trips, restaurants and nightlife). Carvoeiro or Alvor for families. Albufeira for nightlife and big resorts. Tavira for a quieter, more traditional stay. Vilamoura for golf and a polished marina. Sagres for surfers. Hiring a car? Stay central (Carvoeiro or Ferragudo) to explore both ends.

The western Algarve

Lagos: best all-rounder

A lively old town inside medieval walls, beautiful cove beaches (Dona Ana, Pinhão), the grottos of Ponta da Piedade and long Meia Praia for families. Great restaurants and bars, and a good base for the wild west coast. Good for: couples, friends, first-timers. Places to stay in Lagos · Lagos guide

Praia da Luz: quiet family resort

A relaxed village west of Lagos with a big sandy beach, lots of villas and a strong British community. Good for: families, longer stays. Places to stay in Praia da Luz

Sagres: surf and the end of the world

Wild, windswept and laid-back, near Cape St Vincent, with surf schools and a young crowd. Good for: surfers, hikers, nature. Places to stay in Sagres

The central Algarve

Alvor: easy family beach

A whitewashed fishing village with a vast sandy beach, a lagoon boardwalk and good, low-key restaurants. Good for: families, relaxed couples. Places to stay in Alvor

Portimão and Praia da Rocha

A working town with Praia da Rocha’s huge beach and high-rise strip, and cheap boat trips to Benagil. Lively, but less charming. Good for: budget, beach and nightlife. Places to stay in Portimão

Ferragudo: tiny fishing village

Across the river from Portimão, with colourful boats, a little castle and fish restaurants. Peaceful, central and very pretty. Good for: couples, foodies. Places to stay in Ferragudo

Carvoeiro: cliffs and coves

A small village in a cove, surrounded by clifftop villas and close to Benagil, Marinha and Algar Seco. Hilly, but beautiful. Good for: families, couples, a central base. Places to stay in Carvoeiro

Armação de Pêra: long beach, Portuguese feel

A long sandy beach popular with Portuguese families, with fishermen’s boats offering trips to Benagil. Good value. Good for: families, value. Places to stay in Armação de Pêra

Albufeira: nightlife and resorts

The Algarve’s biggest resort. The “Strip” is all bars and clubs, while the old town is prettier and calmer. Huge choice of hotels and all-inclusives, and great beaches nearby, like Falésia. Good for: groups, nightlife, resort holidays. Places to stay in Albufeira · luxury hotels in Albufeira

Vilamoura and Quarteira: marina and golf

Vilamoura is purpose-built and polished, with a big marina, golf courses and upmarket hotels. Quarteira next door is a more local beach town with a long promenade. Good for: golf, upmarket stays. Places to stay in Vilamoura and Quarteira

The eastern Algarve

Faro: city break and gateway

The capital, with a charming walled old town, the Ria Formosa on its doorstep and the airport 10 minutes away. Great for a first or last night. Good for: short stays, culture. Places to stay in Faro

Olhão: authentic fishing town

A real working town with a fantastic market and ferries to the car-free islands of Armona and Culatra. Good for: a local feel, island beaches. Places to stay in Olhão

Tavira: elegant and traditional

The prettiest town in the Algarve, with island beaches by ferry and a slower pace. Good for: couples, culture lovers, quieter holidays. Places to stay in Tavira · Tavira guide

How to choose

• No car? Stay in a town with everything walkable: Lagos, Albufeira old town, Tavira or Faro. The train links Lagos to Vila Real de Santo António along the coast.
• With a car? A central base (Carvoeiro, Ferragudo, Alvor) puts both ends within an hour. See driving in Portugal.
• Young kids? Look for calm, sandy beaches: Meia Praia, Alvor, Armação de Pêra, or the lagoon side of the Ria Formosa islands.
• Warmer sea? The eastern Algarve usually has slightly warmer, calmer water than the west.
• Summer: book early, as July and August sell out and prices double.

Plan the rest

Getting there: Faro airport transfers. Then the best Algarve beaches, best boat trips and best day trips from the Algarve. Or browse all Algarve stays.

From our sister blog: Our 7-day Algarve road trip itinerary on Sunset Travellers.

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