Algarve

Algarve holidays

Trimmed by golden beaches, twinkling cobalt waters and ochre-tinged cliffs, Portugal's dramatic south coast is a natural stunner. This is the amazing Algarve, where you can count on long days of sunshine and a laidback pace of life. Seaside towns in various guises pepper its shores, from swanky Vilamoura and family-friendly Albufeira to vibrant Alvor and soulful Lagos. That means you can take your pick from lazing on Blue Flag beaches, teeing off on top golf courses, wandering tile-clad old towns and whooshing down slides at waterparks. Oh, and if you like buzzy bars, Irish pubs and atmospheric restaurants, the Algarve’s nightlife will be right up your street.

Popular Algarve holiday resorts

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3HB Guarana

Olhos D’Agua (Albufeira) , Algarve

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Our rating

Based on 758 reviews

Great All Inclusive package
Fantastic entertainment
Choice of bars and restaurants
Interconnecting rooms available
Great for all ages

Jupiter Albufeira Hotel

Albufeira, Algarve

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Our rating

Based on 3560 reviews

Excellent family entertainment
On-site waterpark
Great All Inclusive programme
Modern and spacious rooms
Certified Sustainable Hotel

Tivoli Alvor Algarve Resort

Alvor, Algarve

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Our rating

Based on 908 reviews

Great for families and couples
Fantastic all inclusive package
Outdoor heated pools*
Modern rooms
Certified Sustainable Hotel

Ukino Palmeiras Village

Armacao De Pera, Algarve

Our rating

Based on 3426 reviews

Close to the beach
Great range of facilities
24 hour snacks and soft drinks
Splash park
Certified Sustainable Hotel

Eden Villas & Apartments

Albufeira, Algarve

Our rating

Based on 4482 reviews

Great for families
24 hour All Inclusive*
On-site Aqua park
Well-equipped apartments and villas
Complimentary shuttle service

Brisa Sol Aparthotel

Albufeira, Algarve

Our rating

Based on 2580 reviews

Great central location
Large outdoor pool
Friendly atmosphere
Next to the popular Riviera Cake Shop
Close to shops, bars and restaurants

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Language

Portuguese

Currency

Euro

Time difference

GMT

Local beer

£1.70

Meal for two

£34.30

Average flight time

3-4hrs

Bounty of beaches

For more than four decades, visitors from all over the world have flocked to the Algarve’s beaches in search of sun, fun and adventure. From long sandy sweeps to hidden coves, there are loads to choose from. In Ria Formosa National Park near Faro, you’ll even find beaches that look like they’ve been plucked out of the Caribbean, with blue waters and golden sands.

Activities galore

Water sports are a big deal here, particularly around Lagos and if you’re into kitesurfing and water-skiing. If surfing’s more your thing, Sagres on the Algarve’s western tip is the place to be. In Vilamoura, you can even take a sailing lesson. Prefer to stay on dry land? You can play a round at one of championship golf courses, cycle the coast or go horse riding along the shore.

Wine and dine

Come to the Algarve with an appetite, as freshly grilled fish, just-caught seafood and succulent peri-peri chicken are all on the menu. Wine’s a big deal here too, with vineyards peppered throughout the rolling hills – tour and tasting, anyone? If you’re more of a gin fan, you’ll find more and more independent gin bars popping up here too.

Albufeira

There’s a reason why Albufeira’s one of the Algarve’s most popular resorts – it’s got something for everyone among its golden beaches, whitewashed Old Town and buzzy Strip. Great golf courses?

Vilamoura

Looking for luxury? Say hello to swanky Vilamoura. A stunning, yacht-filled marina trimmed by cocktail bars and gorgeous golden beaches are just the start of its best bits.

Alvor

Uncover a traditional side of the Algarve in Alvor. Things take a relaxed pace in this dinky fishing village, where you can find centuries-old churches alongside waterfront bars.

Olhos D’Agua (Albufeira)

You won’t have to go far to find a great beach on your Olhos D’Agua holiday. Praia de Falesia sits close by, with its gorgeous golden sands backed by beautiful burnt-orange cliffs.

Armacao De Pera

It may be tucked between Algarvian favourites, Albufeira and Carvoeiro, but Armacao De Pera is a charmer in its own right.

Carvoeiro

This off-the-beaten-track resort is a real hidden gem. Along with a selection of sandy beaches, you’ll find tourist-friendly attractions like a sun-drenched golf course and fun-packed waterpark.

Bordeira

Bordeira is a real hidden gem of the Algarve region, offering stunning scenery which spans for miles.

Castro Marim

You’ll find Castro Marim next to the Guadiana – the river that defines the Portugal-Spain border.

Estoi

Pops of colourful flowers dot around the quaint cobbled streets.

Faro

Portuguese perfection in resort form – let’s talk about fabulous Faro.

Ferragudo

This quaint fishing village still manages to retain plenty of that old-school charm.

Lagos

Oh lovely Lagos, how we adore thee! Nestled close to the Algarve’s far western edge, its walled old town and oceanfront views make it a beauty of a beach resort.

Beaches

You’ll be spoilt for choice with the Algarve’s beaches. The coastlines are rugged, the sand is silky-soft and the water’s a shimmering shade of turquoise. You’ll find the tourist hotspots with their café-lined promenades, and the quieter spots that are great for a bit of shade in the warm climate.

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Sights

If you want to see dolphins in their natural environment, head to Mar Ilimitado in Sagres. You might even see porpoises and sea turtles, as well as lots of interesting birdlife! Castle ruins scatter this stunning Algarvian resort with majestic historical remnants, so prepare for a blast from the past.

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Capela dos Ossos

Algarve

The Capela dos Ossos was built by a Franciscan monk in the 16th century and lined with the exhumed skeletons of hundreds of his peers as a meditation on mortality and eternity. The inscription at the entrance...

Cathedral of Faro

Algarve

Like many of Faro’s churches, its Cathedral was built on the site of a Moorish mosque. It was completed in 1271 and can be found in the Old Town. A small entrance fee will get you access to the tower,...

Activities

The Algarve has more than its share of waterparks. Near Albufeira, you’ve got Aqualand, one of Portugal’s biggest waterparks, with everything from kamikaze thrill rides to toddler-friendly slides. On the flipside, parks and museums offer a bit of culture. Don't miss the top-ranking golf courses either.

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Slide & Splash Waterpark

Algarve

If waterparks are your thing then Slide and Splash, one of the largest waterparks in the Algarve, will tick all the boxes. Brave the Kamikaze and the Black Hole or race your friends on the Banzai speed lanes....

Ria Formosa

Algarve

What better way to spend a winter break on the Algarve than with a spot of birdwatching? Ria Formosa National Park is a vast maze of lagoons and tiny islands on the coast of Quinta do Lago. This epic ecosystem...

Eating and drinking

As it’s top drawer for its delicious fresh seafood, you're guaranteed incredible cuisine on your Algarve holiday. Dishes generally include caldeirada, a fish stew, and conquilhas – clams, Algarve-style. Wash them down with a glass of spirit made from locally grown fruit, and you’ve got yourself something tasty. Eateries nestled within coves offer awesome views!

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Casa Da Fonte

Albufeira, Algarve

Nestled in the heart of Albufeira's cobbled Old Town, Casa Da Fonte's a much-loved favourite when it comes to Portuguese cooking. You can expect all the usual suspects on the menu like grilled sardines,...

Jorge do Peixe

Quarteira, Algarve

Head off the beaten path to this inconspicuous restaurant. Jorge do Peixe's something of a local secret, famed for its fish dishes. Seafood stew, grilled grouper and garlicky clams are just some of the...

Shopping

The Algarve is a fab place to pick up traditional linens, pottery and leather goods. You’ll find small boutiques selling these in all the major resorts, so you’ll have plenty of options for a spree. For big-name brands, head to malls like Algarve Shopping in Albufeira, or Forum Algarve in Faro.

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Nightlife

Swish bars, lounges, and night-long clubs make the Algarve the prime pick for after-dark scenes. Albufeira’s a known hotspot for nightlife, with a big choice of small-hours watering holes and restaurants lining the famous Strip. And Alvor’s cobbled streets offer plenty of bars within easy walking distance.

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Casino Vilamoura

Vilamoura, Algarve

Casino Vilamoura is just a stone's throw from the resort's glitzy marina. Along with live table games, where you can play roulette and blackjack, you'll find a cabaret show, disco, restaurants and bars inside...

Club Kiss

Albufeira, Algarve

Just a few minutes walk from The Strip, is Kiss Club, three floors of all-night music and dancing. Kiss host international DJs and have live music and their variety of nights include R'n'B nights, electro and...