Where To Stay In The Algarve: Sagres
Located on the western tip of the Algarve region, Sagres is blessed with a rugged yet beautiful stretch of coastline. When deciding where to stay in the Algarve, Sagres is ideal for those that are looking for adventure, with its dramatic landscapes carved by years of raging seas and bracing winds.
Due to these conditions, Sagres is a popular Algarve town for surfers who come to try their luck on the turbulent seas. Other activities include cycling, hiking over the cliffside trails or simply taking in the sunshine and views from the cliffs and beaches.
The town itself is laid back and peaceful and has multiple beaches, all of which face different directions. The Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina is an area of natural beauty, filled with remote beaches.
Part of the towns allure is its remote setting, but youll also find a number of modern hotels and popular restaurants, making it one of the best areas to stay in the Algarve.
Side note: This is where I choose to stay in the Algarve! Its become a second home to me and is definitely my favorite Algarve town.
Tavira One Of The Most Popular Places To Stay In Algarve
Located in the eastern part of the Algarve, Tavira is a beautiful, traditional town, set on the banks of the Rio Gilão river. Mazes of cobbled streets weave in and out of traditional churches and buildings, many containing local shops and restaurants.
The beautiful Tavira Castle is a fabulous example of Moorish architecture, giving you a great view of the areas past. While primarily popular for its urban attractions, it also has a fabulous natural side as well.
The quiet beach is often filled with various species of birds, allowing you to relax and enjoy the wildlife at the same time. Meanwhile, for those looking for more of an adventure, the Ria Formosa Natural Park lies just off the coast and is a perfect choice for a day trip.
The best beaches in Tavira include:
- Praia do Barril, a Blue Flag beach, also a quiet, sandy beach, good for jogging, bird watching
- Praia de Tavira, the best beaches for families with wide range of watersport activities
- Praia de Santa Luzia or Praira da Terra Estreita, known for its scenic fishing village
- Praia de Cabanas, located opposite of the Cabanas Village
- Praia dos Tesos, a small beach within the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa
Tavira offers a wide range of accommodation from fashionable Portuguese guest houses to resort-style hotels, and apartment complexes.
Stay In Tavira If you prefer a small, quiet, traditional town, you want to see some of the regions wildlife, you are a fan of churches and castles.
Best places to stay in Tavira:
Where To Stay In Portimao
luxury
Algarve Casino Hotel This luxury hotel is located right on Rocha Beach and is just a five-minute walk from Portimao marina. Offering opulent interiors that are impeccably well maintained, Algarve Casino Hotel is a world of class and sophistication for your holiday. Packed with amenities such as a casino, two outdoor pools, a childrens playground, a hot tub, and a Turkish bath staying here will be heaps of fun. There are also evening shows and live music, so you wont need to go into town!
midrange
Hotel da Rocha Tastefully decorated and boasting modern and minimalistic rooms that feel like cool apartments rather than hotel rooms, theres a wide selection of room sizes on offer to suit your travel needs at this 4-star offering. At Hotel da Rocha, the communal spaces are all immaculate, decorated with plenty of greenery and stylish furniture. Theres an outdoor swimming pool here, a swanky bar which serves tasty tapas, as well as a fantastic restaurant. Rocha Beach is right on the doorstep.
budget
Hotel Globo Compact and charming, this family-friendly hotel is great for those traveling on a budget its also clean and convenient. The location is great its in the middle of the action with views of Portimao town as well as the Arade River. Dine in the rooftop restaurant with ocean views or take a step outside for a walk around the old square, complete with nice bars and restaurants. Transport links are also good here, making it easy to explore the area.
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The Algarve For Families Where To Stay And What To Do
So you’re traveling with your family to the Algarve and have no idea where to stay? Well, I can definitely help you with that. I have a whole lot of experience with traveling to the Algarve and have stayed in a lot of different places. With this blog I want to share my knowledge about my favorite places to stay in the Algarve with you
I’ve listed everything you want to know about staying in the Algarve with your family. This beautiful, modern and safe holiday destination could potentially be the perfect destination for and your family to spend some quality time together under the warm Algarve sun.
What’s in this blog?
The best towns to stay for families
The best time to travel for families
Things to do with you family
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Private Apartments To Relax The Algarve
Casa da Ponte
Center Algarve
Despite being in the center of Estói, the small town alone takes away from the hustle and bustle of the beaches and is close to a lot of nature and the ruins of Milreu. The apartment is modestly decorated but very friendly, and one of the accesses to the house is via a pedestrian bridge.
Best Towns To Stay In Lagos
Being a coastal town means two things: first of all, Lagos has a long history as a port city and was the centre of exploration when Portugal set about discovering the New World secondly, it means beaches and plenty of them. This means Lagos is a balanced place full of sightseeing and relaxation .
No matter where you stay in Lagos, getting from point A to B is always quite simple, but theres a scenic railroad that runs from Lagos to Alvor in the east, meaning you can explore the different beaches and historic sights from one stretch of the region to the other with ease.
But youll want to pick somewhere thats right for you, so lets have a look at the best areas to stay in Lagos
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Farmhouse Of The Palms
This Kinfolk daydream of a bed-and-breakfast is in the hills near the sleepy town of São Bras de Alportelsome ten miles from the beach. But the town, it turns out, was once one of the richest in the region, and the project occupies a grand estate house that belonged to a wine-making family. The seven large suites have artwork inspired by the regions fishing history and furniture and accents from local markets and craftspeople, and the best of them has a canopied bed on the rooftop.
Casa Modesta
Guillherme da Rosa
Where To Stay In The Algarve For Boutique Hotels
Where are the boutique hotel lovers out there? I am a big fan of them as boutique hotels provide top-notch service and with op top an extremely personalized note.
That means that they are just the opposite of large resorts that are there to please the taste of many, many tourists.
Thus, if you decide to stay in a boutique hotel in the Algarve, be ready to explore new interior designs and Portuguese hospitality at its finest. Sometimes a downside of staying in a boutique hotel might be that youll not have the same facilities as large resorts.
However, if you prefer a calm and personalized experience, staying in a boutique hotel in the Algarve, will be the best option for your holiday in Southern Portugal.
Boutique hotels can be found throughout the Algarve, but most of them are near Tavira and Lagos.
I prepared for you a selection of the best boutique hotels in the Algarve to spend unforgettable holidays in the south of Portugal. Some of them figure among the best hotels in the Algarve!
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Faro Best Place To Stay In Algarve For City Life
In the Algarve region, Faro is perfect for city living. The exceptional character, colour and cobbled streets of Faro will steal a piece of your heart.
Its not as big as Lisbon, Porto or Sintra, the main cities in Portugal, but its characterised by a strong city vibe. Thats not to say it doesnt offer easy access to gorgeous beaches and natural attractions.
If youre looking for sandy beaches and unique attractions like walls decorated with bones, Faro is the perfect place to stay.
Visit the Capela Dos Ossos or the Ilha Deserta before spending your days entrenched in the citys quaint cobbled streets or discovering wildlife at the Natural Park.
Sunset in Faro Marina, Portugal
I listed below where I stayed in Faro, and some other suggestions for other budgets.
Budget: Hostellicious In my personal experience, this hostel is one of the best places Algarve has on offer for budget travellers. It can get a bit loud, but its perfect for the young, spirited traveller.
Mid-Range: Sunlight House This gorgeous house offers amazing terrace views with bright decor and a great variety of rooms and restaurants to choose from. Guests can socialise in the living room or enjoy one of the many activities available in the surrounding area.
Check out prices and availability at Sunlight House here!
Exploring Arco da Vila in Faro, Portugal
Faro Capital Where To Stay In Algarve For First
The capital and the largest city in the Algarve, Faro is the best place to stay in Algarve for first-time tourists. One of the most densely populated regions in The Algarve, Faro is everything you would want from a traditional European tourist hotspot.
The location of the Algarves international airport, Faro Airport, is the main hub for visitors to it and the surrounding areas. It also well-connect public transport with Albufeira, Quarteira, Vilamoura, Tavira, and Olhão with buses and trains.
Featuring beautiful beaches, sea views, and bars, restaurants, and hotels aplenty, its perfect for families, especially those with children, and anyone looking for a relaxing vacation in the sun. For those looking for a little more to explore, there are fantastic locations in the city, as well as hills, valleys, rivers, and lagoons in the surrounding areas to spend your days roaming through the natural landscape in the brilliant sunshine.
Spend your day by strolling around Old Town which is located within Faros ancient city walls. Its full of cobbled streets, medieval buildings, museums, cathedrals, churches, Roman Ruins of Milreu, and whitewashed houses. Rows of orange trees along the pedestrian-friendly promenades, leading to little squares and hidden patios.
Some of the best beaches near Faro including:
- Praia de Faro,
- Praia do Farol,
- Praia da Ilha da Culatra.
Best places to stay in the Algarve in Faro:
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Tavira Best Areas To Stay Algarve Portugal For A Quiet Beach Holiday
Tavira is one of Algarves best places to enjoy some tranquillity.
While most people will mention Carvoeiro, weve chosen Tavira based on its beaches, churches, and the Gilão River. This city boasts protected waterways and untouched countryside.
This area attracts fewer tourists than any other part of the Algarve region, which makes for a spectacularly serene stay.
You can relax on the beach and catch up on your favourite book or experience the cultural attractions on your way back to the hotel. The town itself is really cute, characterised by the recognisable Portuguese white houses and cobbled streets.
Exploring Tavira in the Algarve by tuk-tuk
Rooftop views in Tavira, Portugal
Here are some great places to stay in Tavira for every budget.
Budget: Beas Bed & Breakfast This bed and breakfast has uniquely decorated rooms with earthy tones and bright colours. The modern rooms are fully equipped with everything you will need for a quiet holiday, just a few kilometres away from the beach.
Igreja do Santa Maria do Castelo in Tavira, Portugal
Albufeira Best Neighborhood In Algarve For Families
- COOLEST Thing to Do in Albufeira Spot the wildlife on the coastline and visit Zoomarine for an educational day out
- BEST Place to Visit in Albufeira Head down to the promenade for diving tours or dolphin tours off the coast
Albufeira is a lively, sunny town with lots of energy and attractions. This makes it one of the best choices when youre trying to decide where to stay in Algarve with family, as theres so much to explore. This town has a real atmosphere of fun and relaxation and is ideal if you want to forget that the modern world exists for a while.
Staying in Albufeira also means youll have access to hundreds of bars and places to eat out ideal if you want a break from cooking! Its full of things to do for all ages, and is well-worth a visit even if you dont stay here.
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Best Area To Stay In Algarve For The Beach
The region of Algarve offers more than 200km of coastline. You will be spoiled by the choice.
For surfing, for example, I would suggest a stay in Sagrés, however, I would not recommend it for swimming or for families. Too many challenging waves.
The town with the highest concentration of beautiful beaches is probably Lagos.
You can spend a week there and visit a new one every single day
Things To See And Do In Lagos Marina
- Take a train ride from Lagos train station and experience the beauty of the coast or other Portuguese cities.
- Stroll along the marina itself and down to the beach.
- Visit the Wax Museum of Discovery for a unique way to learn about Portugals history and ocean-going adventures.
- Have a top-quality lunch at the beautiful bistro of Quay Lagos.
- Walk out onto the Replica Caravela Boa Esperanca, the old gated dock of Lagos.
- Shop for lunch at the Pingo Doce, a large market featuring fresh produce
- And eat it waterside whilst people–watching.
- Go for sunset drinks at A Barrigada.
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Carvoeiro Where To Stay In Algarve For Relaxing Holidays
Thick sea cliffs and white homes stacked facing the water give the horseshoe-shaped bay of Carvoeiro a very distinctive Mediterranean vibe. This is a great option for those looking for relaxing holidays.
Enjoy hiking and boat trips while staying in a place that offers some of Portugals most dramatic sea views.
This is a very family-friendly resort spot that simply offers a slower pace of living than what youll find in most other spots. In fact, there is little to worry about other than splashing in the water or choosing which restaurant to dine at after a day of relaxation.
Carvoeiro doesnt offer the robust accommodations found in some neighboring areas. However, it is possible to find a room on nearly any budget with a little bit of searching.
The only option for public transportation in Carvoeiro is the bus offered out of Faro Airport.
BEST PLACES TO STAY IN CARVOEIRO
Where To Stay In Olhao
Real Marina Hotel Vibrant and opulent, with rooms themed around the marina, this hotel overlooks the Rio Formosa Nature Park, as well as the marina itself. It is a large, gleaming, 5-star hotel with all the trimmings youd expect think beautiful breakfasts, a chic bar, and top-class facilities throughout. Perfect for a luxurious long weekend by the sea, you can hop on the ferry by the pier just a block away to explore the Algarve coast.
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Best Airbnb In Lagos Marina: Simple But Modern Apartment
This great Airbnb just gets the job done. The spacious and airy flat offers the perfect location, roughly 2min from Marina and Lagos historical centre, while still being far enoough from the busy streets so that you can enjoy a quiet nights sleep. With three bedrooms and a capacity of 8 guests, its also a great home for a large family or a group of friends that travel together. Theres a fully equipped kitchen, a washing machine and a dryer perfect for long-term stays!
Cheap Places To Stay In The Algarve
Throughout this guide, we have mentioned a number of amazing towns and cities with beautiful places to stay. However, this doesnt mean travelers on a budget are excluded from staying on the Algarve coast.
Each of the towns we have mentioned has cheap options available, whether it be a more budget Airbnb or a smaller, simpler hotel or hostel room.
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