If Portugal’s Algarve is on your radar, you’re not alone. This southern stretch of the country is famous for honey-colored cliffs, turquoise water, and some of the most scenic coastal walks in Europe. What’s less obvious when you start researching is just how different each town feels and how much that choice shapes your experience.
The Algarve isn’t one destination, it’s a collection of towns, beaches, fishing villages, and inland countryside, each with its own rhythm. Some places lean heavily into nightlife and mass tourism. Others feel more authentic and rooted in the natural beauty versus the bar scene. If you are looking for scenery, culture, good food, and a relaxed pace to pair with a visit to Lisbon, choosing the right base matters.
I’m just back from my second visit to this region and I spent a good amount of time exploring the different areas and scoping out hotels so that I could best match my clients with the right fit. So let me break it down for you. And, if you would like assistance planning your trip, I’d love to help. You can learn more about my custom trip planning services or you can book your hotels (and still receive my agency’s preferred partner or Virtuoso perks) using my self-service hotel booking platform.
The Algarve at a Glance
The region stretches along Portugal’s southern coast from Sagres in the west to the Spanish border in the east. It’s known for dramatic limestone cliffs, sea caves, golden beaches, fresh seafood, and easygoing hospitality. You’ll see couples, groups of friends, golfers, and active travelers who want a mix of coastal scenery and charming towns.
While this region is really popular with British and European tourists searching for a cheap holiday, there are also many luxury resorts, pristine beaches, and lush valleys offering respite from crowds.
Best time to visit:
- May–June & September–October are ideal: warm water, fewer crowds, and excellent hiking weather
- July–August bring beach energy and European holiday crowds, especially in August
- Winter is mild and quiet, great for walkers and golfers, but many beach clubs close
Where to Stay in the Algarve
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Lagos: Character, History, and Coastal Drama
Lagos is one of the Algarve’s most appealing bases if you want atmosphere without losing authenticity. Yes, it’s popular, but it still feels Portuguese. I loved wandering the old town’s cobblestone streets, walking past the historic fort walls, and enjoying a long walk along the beach.
The coastal scenery here is exceptional. The cliff walks around Ponta da Piedade are some of the most dramatic in the region, with arches, stacks, and hidden coves below. Walking up and down the stairs to reach some of the small beaches and viewpoints is a bit of a workout, but the views are entirely worth the effort. Many of the beaches are postcard-worthy, tucked right into the rock formations (just watch the tide schedule!)
Where I recommend staying:
Cascade Wellness Resort
Set just outside the old town, this resort feels calm and elevated, both literally and figuratively. Built into the cliffs, it offers sweeping ocean views, multiple pools, and easy access to the coastal trail. The rooms are spacious and serene, and it’s a wonderful balance of resort comfort and proximity to town without feeling dropped into the middle of it all. And, while it is called a wellness resort, it actually has some excellent room options for families.
Portimão: Boats, Beaches, and a Working-Town Feel
Portimão feels more lived-in than charming at first glance, but it’s an excellent base if you want to be on the water and also walk into town. Across the river sits Ferragudo, a small fishing village that feels refreshingly authentic, with pastel houses and local cafés along the quay.
This is one of the best places to depart on boat tours along the cliffs and out to the famous Benagil cave as the boat ride is shorter than the ones that leave from the Albufeira area. Praia da Rocha is a long and sandy beach, backed by dramatic rock formations and a lively promenade.
Where I recommend staying:
Bela Vista Hotel & Spa
A restored historic mansion, which is part of the Relais & Chateaux Hotels, Bela Vista is perched above Praia da Rocha. This hotel feels intimate and refined. The décor blends classic elegance with coastal light, and the views over the beach are beautiful. It’s a great option if you want something stylish and personal rather than a large modern resort.
This property is also part of Virtuoso and when booking through a Virtuoso travel advisor (like me), you can receive amenities such as: Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability, Daily breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom, served in the restaurant (already included in property rates), $100 USD equivalent Resort or Hotel credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full), and Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability.
Carvoeiro: Small-Town Charm with Big Views
Carvoeiro is one of those towns that immediately feels welcoming. It’s compact, walkable, and built around a pretty beach that opens right into town. Fishing boats still pull up on the sand, and the village has a relaxed, friendly energy.
The cliff walk here is fantastic, linking Carvoeiro to Algar Seco and beyond with the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail (Percurso dos Sete Vales Suspensos), offering ocean views almost the entire way. It’s ideal if you want scenery and simplicity without nightlife dominating the experience.
Where I recommend staying:
Tivoli Carvoeiro Algarve Resort
This resort sits dramatically on the cliffs just outside town. While it’s larger, the setting is outstanding, and the walk into Carvoeiro along the cliffs is one of the highlights. Rooms are bright and modern, and the views are some of the best in the Algarve.
Vilamoura: Polished, Planned, and Easy
Vilamoura is a purpose-built resort community, in the best and worst ways. It’s upscale, well-organized, and popular with golfers and boaters. The marina is lined with restaurants, and the beaches here are long and wide, perfect for relaxed beach days. There are five golf courses in Vilamoura, and more in the surrounding area.
This is not where you go for old-world Portugal, but it’s easy, scenic, and very comfortable. The marina area reminded me of San Diego, La Jolla, or other areas of the Southern California coast.
Where I recommend staying:
Tivoli Marina Vilamoura
Right on the marina and steps from the beach, this hotel is ideal if you want everything at your doorstep. It’s polished and lively, with beach club access and a strong dining scene nearby. The rooms are spacious and many offer gorgeous water views.
Albufeira: Know What You’re Signing Up For
Albufeira is the name many people recognize first when they think of the Algarve, and it’s also the most misunderstood. Parts of town are beautiful, with a wide sandy beach and whitewashed buildings, but much of Albufeira is dominated by nightlife aimed at British party crowds.
If you’re trying to picture it, think Bourbon Street in New Orleans or Duval Street in Key West, but transplanted to the Algarve. Bars, clubs, and tourist-focused restaurants dominate certain areas, and it can be hard to find the quieter, cultural side of Portugal here.
Where to stay if you choose Albufeira:
- Hotel Sol e Mar – Right on the beach in the old town, ideal if you want central access and sea views
- Pine Cliffs Resort – A large, polished resort outside town, perched above a stunning beach
- Vila Joya – Intimate, luxurious, and focused on fine dining and tranquility
Vila Vita Parc: A Destination in Itself
Tucked between Carvoeiro and Albufeira, Vila Vita Parc deserves its own mention. This is one of my top recommendations in the Algarve. It has multiple pools, excellent restaurants, and direct access to the beach via a path or shuttle, yet it never feels overwhelming.
What sets it apart is scale and design. There are no towering hotel blocks here. Instead, it feels like a collection of beautifully designed spaces spread across the cliffs, with gardens, terraces, and quiet corners throughout.
Vila Vita Parc is also part of Virtuoso and I can get you the following amenities: Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability, Daily breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom, served in the restaurant (already included in property rates), $100 USD equivalent Resort or Hotel credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full), and Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability.
the Inland Algarve: Countryside Calm with Coastal Access
Staying inland offers a very different Algarve experience, one that feels grounded in nature and daily Portuguese life rather than beach traffic and resort strips. This part of the region is defined by rolling hills, cork oak forests, olive groves, vineyards, and small whitewashed villages where you can still find the authentic Portugal you are seeking. You’re still within easy reach of the coast, but evenings are quieter, skies are darker, and mornings start with birdsong instead of beach clubs.
Viceroy at Ombria Algarve
The Viceroy at Ombria Algarve feels like a modern interpretation of a traditional Algarve hill town. Set within a protected landscape just outside Loulé, the property is spread across the hills rather than concentrated into a single structure, which immediately gives it a more organic, village-like feel.
Rooms and suites are generous in size, many with terraces that look out over the hills or the golf course, and the overall atmosphere is calm and refined without feeling overly formal. For families, there is a very spacious two-bedroom suite. It is such a surprising gem!
While they offer a shuttle to the beach, golf on-site, and an amazing spa, the focus is on the activities that connect you with the region including beekeeping, horseback riding, star gazing, weaving, tile painting, bread making, and more.
The Viceroy at Ombria Algarve is also part of Virtuoso, offering the following amenities when you book through me: Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability, Daily Buffet breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom, served in the restaurant, $100 USD equivalent Resort or Hotel credit to be utilized during stay (Not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full), Complimentary wine tasting for up to 2 guests per room, once during stay, Early check-in / Late check-out, subject to availability, and Complimentary Wi-Fi.
Another Inland Option: A Wine Estate Stay
Morgado do Quintão is another excellent inland option for travelers drawn to rural settings. Located near Lagoa, this working wine estate offers self-catering accommodations surrounded by vineyards, fig trees, and open countryside.
Morgado do Quintão feels deeply personal and unpolished in the best way. It’s ideal for travelers who value independence, local food and wine, and a more immersive connection to the land. While you won’t have the full-service amenities of a resort, you gain a quiet, authentic atmosphere that makes a wonderful contrast to time spent along the coast.
Getting to the Algarve
- Flying: Most travelers fly into Faro Airport, with frequent connections from Lisbon and seasonal direct flights from major European hubs. From Lisbon, flights are about 45 minutes.
- Driving: Lisbon to the Algarve takes about 2.5–3 hours by car, depending on your destination. The drive is straightforward and scenic.
- Train: Trains run from Lisbon to Faro and continue west to towns like Portimão and Lagos. It’s comfortable, but you’ll want a car once you arrive to explore beaches and villages.
Ready to Plan Your Algarve Trip?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by options, that’s completely normal. The Algarve rewards thoughtful planning, and choosing the right base makes all the difference. I help travelers craft Portugal itineraries that balance beautiful hotels, meaningful experiences, and a pace that actually feels like a vacation. If you’d like help planning your Algarve trip, I’d love to work with you.
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Tamara Gruber is an award-winning travel writer and the founder of Your Time to Fly. With more than a decade of professional writing experience across two travel publications and hundreds of destination guides, she specializes in crafting practical, detailed itineraries that help travelers explore the world with confidence. Her work reflects years of on-the-ground research across the globe. Tamara is a member of SATW and serves on the Board of Directors of the Family Travel Association.
