Top Algarve hotels
Old Town Albufeira
12 Reviews The crazy construction that disfigured Algarve, has (thanks God!) spared the central area of old Albufeira. Now, cleaned and organized for touristy exhibition, the central Albufeira looks good, and,...
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Slave Market Lagos
6 Reviews One of the darker periods in Lagos’ history is the time when in the 15th century the town sported a market at which slaves, imported from North Africa, were sold on a market. The first African slaves...
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Beaches Albufeira
23 Reviews At the touristy south coast of the Algarve, more or less, between Quinta do Lago and Sagres, the coast has this sandstone cliffs. They have colours ranging from yellow to red, depending on the amount...
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Fortaleza da Ponta da Bandeira Lagos
6 Reviews This is my favorite point in Algarve. A long walk, or a short ride by car, and you are at a beautiful natural point, 5 Km from town. Naturism is still possible in Pinheirinhos, one of its secluded...
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Waterparks Albufeira
6 Reviews This water shute I found frightening. It looks so simple. I watched for a while before I was tempted/persuaded to have a go. When you get to the top and its your turn to sit down with your legs...
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Dolphins Lagos
6 Reviews Take a trip on the Dolphin Safaris RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat), which leaves from the Lagos Harbour, when we went it cost about 35 euros each but well worth it,The trip last approx 45mins,Taking in...
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Zoo Marine Albufeira
6 Reviews Zoo Marine is a kind of seaworld/zoo on the Algarve coast,the main attraction being the Dolphin show which is shown several times a day everyday of the week,other attractions include a sea-lion...
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Statues Lagos
11 Reviews Built against a section of the city wall overlooking the square where you'll find the statue of Henry the Navigator, this house was built in 1728. It was refurbished in 1737, the date on the facade...
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Oura Beach Albufeira
3 Reviews This is a very glamourous beach. There is golden sand, young people, beach bars and restaurants, and plenty of other services. Oura Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Albufeira, and is...
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Beaches Lagos
10 Reviews This small beach lies to the south of Fortaleza da Ponta da Bandeira, just a stone's throw from the city walls. It's name means, oddly, potato beach so try and not to get fried here! It's a small...
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Fisherman's Beach Albufeira
4 Reviews Right in the centre of the city, this is THE beach of Albufeira. Construction in the area took people form this beach spreading them along the coast, but it didn't loose its sortilege. Now it misses...
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Castles Lagos
7 Reviews Built in the 13Th century, the castle was seriously dammaged by Lisbon's eartquake. A recent reconstruction effort, rebuilt several hundred meters of walls, respecting their original doors and...
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Marina Albufeira
6 Reviews Albufeira has a fairly new marina located a little away from the center of town to the west. It´s still in the build up fase, but i think it´s a pleasant part of town to hang out with some nice cafes...
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Grottos Lagos
5 Reviews If this is your first visit to Lagos, you simply must take a "grotto tour". Step into a small fishing boat, let your local fisherman be your guide, and witness from the water, the distinctive and...
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Churches Albufeira
8 Reviews This tower is part of the parish church and I am not sure if you can go to the top (even if there are lots of stairs that allow you lol), but we did not had much time to go around, so we only walked...
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Church of Santo António Lagos
5 Reviews Lagos' claim-to-fame, this churches plain façade with dissimilar bell towers, dating from 1715, contrasts sharply with the extravaganza of its beautiful and richly decorated interior, which is covered...
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Santa Maria Church Lagos
3 Reviews This church is located overlooking the square where you'll find the statue of Henry the Navigator and the slave market. It's origins can be traced back to the 14th century but most of it dates from...
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Marina Lagos
4 Reviews This is the place where all the rich tourists arrive by their yachts and boats. Around the marina you find a lot of open-air places to eat and drink and to have a few over the lively scene of the...
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Museums Lagos
2 Reviews This museum surrounds the Church of Santo Antonio which you'll pass through on your way round. To say this museum is a little eccentric is an understatement. It has an amazing haphazardness about it...
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Out of the main touristy area, this small village by the sea has invested in serious recuperation work, enhancing its traditional look. It is not comfortable to reach the beach, but the views are great. You may see my Cacela page
More than 20 years later I was back to Oura, and I enjoyed what I saw. Algarve was spoilt by heavy construction, and Oura is no exception, but the beach keeps the beauty that makes it one of my favorites.
I stayed in Altura for a week 20 years ago. I went back there last month, and... couldn't recognize it. I mean, the only thing that I remembered was the hotel, the only high building in several kilometers of coast. Big construction (with wiser criteria than commonly seen in Algarve) new roads and streets, and a lively place. Altura is a beach that I may consider in future vacations.
A disappointment. Largely promoted by the pink magazines, this beach didn't convince me. Very wide beach, distant from the densely constructed area, has nothing to challenge its neighbours Monte Gordo or Altura except... some pink business.
One of the most historic places in Algarve is one of the least known by the Portuguese, included... me. Beach is the common destination and only foreigners like to travel inland watching the country. It's an error that I will correct. This year I stayed in the eastern side of Algarve, and saw something there (Tavira and Cacela, for instance). Next time in the central or western side I will leave some time to Silves.
A village builded for tourists. Beautiful avenues with big palmtrees leads you to the large harbor with big boats.Nice to see, but not a place for me to stay longer than one day. We visited this place on our travelday from Tunes to Almancil
One of the most exclusive places of Algarve, Vale do Lobo is something that... I don't like. It is exclusive because it is expensive, and it is expensive only to be exclusive. Maybe I was unlucky, but all my few experiences there were negative. I didn't swim, but the beach didn't attract me, and I only used restaurants, and bar for the night. All expensive, without any reason - the quality ranged from bad to average, the service was slow and unkind, though professional, and the small unmerited tip was collected with disdain.No, Vale do Lobo is not MY Algarve!
Most Portuguese skip Tavira. When they go to Algarve the essential is... sea, and Tavira is distant enough from the sea to become a top destination. When we "are" in Algarve, and decide to leave the sea, for variation, Tavira is too close to the sea to be the alternative, and we prefer to go inland.That's why Tavira is mainly for foreigner eyes, more interesting in the contact with the whole and real Algarve. And, for that, Tavira is one of the best solutions.Tavira is also the best point to reach lone and remote beaches. Always needing a boat, those who hate crowds may find from Tavira the best wild and hard to reach beaches of Portugal
The area west of Lagos is... foreigner land. This means that we, Portuguese prefer to go east of Lagos. Between Lagos and Sagres, the main vacation area is Praia da Luz. English and Nordic people do have here the needed sun, in a not so expensive nor crowded ambiance. But the colder water (1-2º less than in the east), the more windy weather and higher surf don't attract us. As a matter of fact, we love to be abroad, but... in the other countries.
This town at very short distance from Faro is in a second line of touristy destinations, because its good beaches are not very easy to reach, some of them needing a boat. However, Olhão deserves three special references: - It's the best place to watch the typical roofs of Algarve, in a wise respect to the local traditions. - Fish is generally sold in the market much cheaper than in Faro, largely paying the trip if you are cooking at home. - If you want savage and lonely beaches, you can't find better elsewhere.
Sheraton Algarve Hotel at Pine Cliffs Resort Albufeira Albufeira
1 Review and 411 Opinions I stayed two nights here in December 2004. The pools & garden are very nice. There is a indoor pool,...
Aqualuz Aparthotel Lagos
2 Reviews and 144 Opinions Very good self-catering apartments. Very busy during August so have to book well in advance....
Tivoli Carvoeiro Faro
1 Review and 382 Opinions Rooms are in need of a makeover - ours was noisey especially in the evening in the form of...
Reviews and photos of Algarve attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Algarve sightseeing.
More Cities in Algarve
Q: Is it better I book my hotel in Albufeira or Lagos if I am going to visit Monchique; by public bus? How long would the journey...
A: Lagos would be much better, Portimão better still!. The buses to Monchique leave from Portimão, which is 20 minutes by fast bus or train from Lagos, 40 minutes by the...
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