I would say Albufeira. You have the choice of the old town or the Strip. Both become quite lively and have something for all age groups. I have been to Vilamoura, it was much quieter there and I think a little more expensive.
The good news is that it is absolutely possible to get around the Algarve without your own transport. Arriving at Faro Airport, you'll find that bus and train services are widely available as long as you're not in a hurry (see here for the options and timetables).
3-Day Algarve ItineraryIf you only have 3 days in the Algarve, I'd suggest visiting Marinha Beach and the Seven Hanging Valleys trail in the area for a full day. The trails can take as long or a short as you want, same as the beach time!
Albufeira is bigger than Lagos so has a wider range of hotels, restaurants and bars. Lagos, on the other hand, has a much more authentic and Portuguese vibe whilst still having a good selection of restaurants and hotels. Both have stunning beaches with white sand and crystal clear waters.
The beautiful southern coastline, known as the Algarve, is the most popular destination with tourists but tends to be the most expensive, especially in the summer. Outside of the summer there are fantastic deals in the larger resorts, and it is possible to have a budget holiday.
14 Best Holiday Resorts in Portugal
- Martinhal Sagres Beach Family Resort Hotel. Photo Source: Martinhal Sagres Beach Family Resort Hotel.
- Penha Longa Resort. Photo Source: Penha Longa Resort.
- VILA VITA Parc Resort & Spa.
- Hotel The Cliff Bay.
- As Cascatas Golf Resort & Spa.
- EPIC SANA Algarve Hotel.
- Conrad Algarve.
- Hotel Grande Real Santa Eulália Resort & Hotel Spa.
Top 10 Places in Algarve For Families To Go
- Lagos. Lagos is a chilled and pleasant city where families can enjoy great scenery on the cobbled streets and high rise walls.
- Portimao. Portimao is well known for the rocky beaches that border the coastline.
- Tavira.
- Albufeira.
- Sagres.
- Carvoeiro.
- Luz.
- Almancil.
You can choose to stay in the larger, more well known cities of Lagos and Faro with their buzzing restaurants, beaches and bars. If you prefer smaller, more traditional towns as the the best place to stay in the Algarve, you can base yourself in a town such as Alvor or Sagres.
The 10 Best Places to See in Portugal
- Amazingly Diverse.
- Lisbon, Portugal's Capital.
- The Algarve, Portugal's Beautiful Beaches.
- Sintra, the Fairytail City.
- Porto and Its Wine.
- Coimbra, Portugal's University City.
- Funchal, Madeira.
- Beautiful Évora.
Broadly speaking, the best time of year to visit Portugal is spring (ie, from February) or early autumn (September–October), when the weather is not too hot, the sea is warm and the summer crowds have thinned out. The lower temperatures during these months also make for ideal sightseeing weather.
Faro is a working city and port, not a tourist destination. The old town is worth a couple of hours, but there are far better places to spend time in Portugal. Not much to see in Faro. The beaches are good, out on the island, but only worth it if you had more time.
July and August are the hottest months of the year, but the Algarve weather has the cool sea breezes and help to mitigate the effects of sun and high temperatures.
By train. There are two types of trains that go from Lisbon to the Algarve. The fast train, called Alfa Pendular (AP), connects Lisbon and Faro twice a day, stopping in Albufeira and Loulé, and the journey takes three hours. The Intercidades makes the same route three times a day, and takes three hours and 30 minutes.
Things like rock falls, processionary caterpillars, forest fires, roundabouts and ocean currents; those are the real dangers of the Algarve. Here are five survival tips.
This service is available to all residents of Portugal. Healthcare under Portugal's national health system is free for children under 18 and for people over 65. Otherwise, unless it is urgent care or falls under specific circumstances, healthcare is available under the NHS at a low rate.
Lagos is an excellent destination for a family holiday. The city boasts a wide selection of family friendly hotels, while restaurants, attractions and activities are welcoming of children.
- Carvoeiro. Carvoeiro, which attained the status of town in April 2001, is also a major tourist area that is one of the most well photographed areas of Portugal.
- Ferragudo.
- Porches.
- Tavira.
- Vilamoura.
- Albufeira.
- Alvor.
Lagos vs Faro: quick answerLagos is much smaller (about half the population) and a pleasant seaside town surrounded with beaches. It has an animated touristic old center and an attractive riverfront. Faro, in contrast, does not have beaches per se.
The Best Destinations for a Winter Break in Portugal
- Tavira. Tavira in the eastern side of Algarve is a relaxing, historical, and charming coastal town that's always welcoming, especially to people who are looking for the Algarve's beaches without the crowds.
- Lisbon.
- Alentejo.
- Serra da Estrela.
- Porto.
The weather on the Algarve at Christmas is, best put, mild but unpredictable. The maximum day time temperature averages between 16-18ºc, which means that it is still warm enough for t-shirts and shorts, but in the evenings it can drop to 5-10ºc, so a jacket or jumper is needed.
Weather in the Algarve in December. You can expect highs of 18°C and lows of 9°C, although the average temperature is about 13°C or 14°C during the day. In our experience December days are bright, sunny and rather warm although the nights can be chilly.
Albufeira has a large permanent population, (with a mixture of ex-pats and Portuguese) and the town never fully closes in the winter, with many restaurants, bars and cafes open year-round.
The country has hot summers, wet and moderate in the north, and drier to the south and the interior. Winters bring some rain to the southern areas and especially more to the north. Summer in Portugal sits between June and mid-September while the winter season falls between December and February.
Visiting the Algarve in Winter
- Tour the Caves in Carvoeiro. Carvoeiro is a former fishing village in a quieter part of the Algarve in Winter.
- Browse the Shops in Albufeira.
- Take A Day Trip to Sagres.
- Go Horse Riding.
- Enjoy A Round of Golf.
- Visit the Zoo.
- Party at The Carnival.
- Sample Some Wine.
