If you are looking for the best places to stay in Albufeira, Portugal, you are about to visit one of the best towns in the Algarve! And I will help you find the perfect place to stay so that you can enjoy an epic vacation.
Albufeira is full of fun, sun, party, and shopping, and is just as good a destination for partying as it is for exciting family vacations. Yet it is a favorite Algarve destination for couples. Could it get any better?
Among the activities in Albufeira, you can go parasailing, jet skiing, kayaking, and go on various boat trips along the golden rugged coast. With so much to do, there is no surprise that Albufeira is one of the best places to stay near Faro.
Read on to explore the best places to stay in Albufeira and start planning your dream vacation, whether you plan to stay there and go on day trips from Albufeira or it is part of a larger Algarve itinerary.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. That means that if you make a purchase through one of those links, I will get a small commission at no extra cost to you.
I’m Linn Haglund, the face behind Amused by Algarve! I’ve been traveling extensively in the Algarve and Portugal for more than 10 years. Every time I spend time there I fall more and more in love with the region and I’m here to help you navigate the Algarve like a pro (and hopefully fall in love with it too)!
IN A HURRY?
HERE ARE MY TOP PICKS FOR WHERE TO STAY IN ALBUFEIRA PORTUGAL
⭐MOST UNIQUE!⭐ HOME BOAT: Home Boat Company – stay in a luxurious home boat on the marina of Albufeira! Boats are fully equipped with kitchen and bathroom and house up to 4 people.
LUXURY: Monicca Collection Suites and Residences – excellent family-friendly hotel located right on the beach, with 3 swimming pools, spa and wellness center, and free parking.
MID-RANGE: Bertolina Guest House – a wonderful guest house with an outdoor pool overlooking the Old Town and the beach below.
BUDGET: Casa dos Arcos – Charm Guesthouse – truly a charming guest house in an 18th-century palace with a cute courtyard. They offer both private rooms and dorms, all with private bathrooms.
APARTMENT: Casa dos Sonhos Albufeira – beautiful 3-bedroom apartment with beach views. Sleeps up to 6 people.
Table of Contents
Best Places to Stay in Albufeira Portugal
Old Town – Best Place to Stay in Albufeira For First-timers
Best place to stay in Albufeira for:
- Foodies
- Shopaholics
- Beach dwellers
The Old Town is one of the best areas to stay in Albufeira if it’s your first time visiting. This is where you’ll find the charming white houses, cobblestoned streets, and old churches.
You can expect a lively hub all year round with plenty of restaurants and bars, as well as great shopping with cute boutique shops and art stores where you can grab those unique gifts and souvernirs from your trip.
The Old Town is also home to two beautiful Albufeira beaches – Praia do Pescadores and Praia do Peneco.
So if you’d like to enjoy a relaxing stay in Albufeira the Old Town is perfect for you, as you can relax on the beach and enjoy refreshing drinks nearby.
HERE ARE MY TOP PICKS FOR ACCOMMODATION IN ALBUFEIRA OLD TOWN
MID-RANGE: Bertolina Guest House – a wonderful guest house with an outdoor pool overlooking the Old Town and the beach below.
BUDGET: Casa dos Arcos – Charm Guesthouse – truly a charming guest house in an 18th-century palace with a cute courtyard. They offer both private rooms and dorms, all with private bathrooms.
APARTMENT: Casa dos Sonhos Albufeira – beautiful 3-bedroom apartment with beach views. Sleeps up to 6 people.
Albufeira Marina – Coolest neighborhood to Stay in Albufeira
Best place to stay in Albufeira for:
- Water activities
- Luxurious bars and restaurants
- Calm and tranquility
The Albufeira Marina is one of the latest neighborhoods in Albufeira, Portugal and it’s also one of the coolest. Besides, it is the most calm and tranquil area to stay in Albufeira.
The Albufeira Marina is the best place to stay in Albufeira for those looking for a break from the hustle and bustle in The Old Town. It’s one of the most laid-back, tranquil, and best locations in Albufeira.
It’s filled with amazing hotels, restaurants, bars, villas, and a recreational and leisure center.
There are a ton of water activities to explore in the marina in like kayaking to explore hidden caves or Parasailing as well as boat tours to Benagil Cave with dolphin watching and epic sunset cruises.
TI love staying in the marina die the proximity to all the fun, the colorful buildings, and nice restaurants and bars.
You can also go on fun boat cruises on a variety of boats – from a luxury Catamaran to a Jet boat. If you love golf, you’ll be delighted to visit the Salgados Golf Course at only a 10-minute drive away from the marina.
HERE ARE MY TOP PICKS FOR WHERE TO STAY IN ALBUFEIRA MARINA
LUXURY APARTMENT: Albufeira Marina Gold – located a stone’s throw from the marina, this is a beautiful and modern apartment with a large outdoor area with a pool. It sleeps up to 6 people.
LUXURY APARTMENT: Marina CIP – located right on the marina, this spacious and modern apartment with a pool sleeps up to 10 people.
MID-RANGE HOTEL: Cerro Da Marina Hotel – a great place to stay on the edge of the old town at only a few minutes walk from the marina, with a pool and spa, and wellness center. The hotel is accessible and offers free parking.
HOUSE BOAT: The Homeboat Company Albufeira – a unique stay in a boat on Albufeira Marina. The units have small kitchens and ensuite bathrooms. On the marina, there are plenty of bars and restaurants.
Areias de São João – Best Area to Stay in Albufeira for Nightlife
Best place to stay in Albufeira for:
- Nightlife seekers
- Golfers
If you are looking for where to stay in Albufeira for nightlife, you just landed in the right neighborhood. The Areias de São João is home to the most famous clubs and bars in the Algarve.
São João is home to the famous ‘The Strip’. The street filled with Albufeira’s best bars and clubs.
But even if you want a quieter evening drink, there are lounge bars where you can enjoy cocktails while taking in the sunset over the Atlantic.
If you’re a golfer, you’ll top-rated great courses at Balaia Golf Course and Pine Cliffs Golf Course nearby.
HERE ARE MY TOP PICKS FOR WHERE TO STAY IN AREIAS DE SÃO JOÃO
MID-RANGE: Apartamentos Sereia da Oura – excellent apartment hotel only a 5-minute walk from the strip.
BUDGET: KR Hotels – Albufeira Lounge – at only 5 minutes walk from The strip, the hotel offer outdoor swimming pool, rooms with a terrace (make sure to ask for one up front,) free parking, and a bar.
Praia De Oura – Best Place to Stay – Albufeira for families
Best place to stay in Albufeira for:
- Family travel
- Beach dwellers
There are a ton of family-friendly attractions in Praia De Oura, which is why it’s the best location to stay in Albufeira for families. As nightlife is to São João, beach life is to Praia De Oura.
On the beach, there are caves and coves, so if you’re feeling adventurous you can try exploring the caves – but watch your head!
The neighborhood is also home to a number of kid-friendly restaurants, like Festa de Praia that has a dedicated kids play area.
Only a 5-minute drive from Oura Beach, you can also take the kids playing mini golf at Adventure Mini Golfe Park.
The best way to move around Praia De Oura is by car, so you might want to consider renting one if you don’t have any.
Overall, the Praia de Oura neighborhood is the best area to stay in Albufeira, Portugal for families.
HERE ARE MY TOP PICKS FOR WHERE TO STAY IN ALBUFEIRA – PRAIA DE OURA
LUXURY: Monicca Collection Suites and Residences – excellent family-friendly hotel located right on the beach, with 3 swimming pools, spa and wellness center, and free parking.
MID-RANGE: Borda d`Água, Praia da Oura – an excellent beach resort with both indoor and outdoor pools, restaurant, bar, and private parking.
BUDGET: 3HB Golden Beach – apartment hotel with balconies facing the ocean, 2 pools, bar, and paid parking.
Montechoro – best for budget travelers
Best area to stay in Albufeira for:
- Backpackers and nomad travelers
- Budget accommodation and outings
Montechoro is the best area to stay in Albufeira on a budget and is located slightly more inland than the other neighborhoods in this guide.
Montechoro boasts of a wonderful social scene all thanks to its healthy influx of backpackers. It also boasts some amazing cafes and restaurants.
The majority of great restaurants are located on Montechoro Strip, which is the major road passing through the area.
Montechoro also has a great nightlife. You should definitely check out Stones Bar or go on an Albufeira Pub Crawl to meet other travelers.
HERE ARE MY TOP PICKS FOR THE BEST HOTELS IN ALBUFEIRA – MONTECHORO
LUXURY: Jupiter Albufeira Hotel – all-inclusive hotel with 5 pools, a water park with slides, and a spa. There is an onsite restaurant and bar. This is a great option for families.
LUXURY APARTMENT: Bambu Villa – large and spacious apartment with outdoor space and barbeque. They offer free parking and pets are welcome.
BUDGET: Choromar Apartments – an apartment hotel with an outdoor pool and kids activities. Besides, there is a spa, restaurant, and bar.
FURTHER READING:
- Albufeira vs. Lagos: which is best to visit?
- Best things to do in Albufeira
- Winter in Albufeira
- Day trips from Albufeira
Reflections on Where to Stay in Albufeira
There are so many great places to stay in Albufeira Portugal, and with the above in mind, I am sure you have found your favorite area already.
Get ready for a fantastic trip to southern Portugal and one of the most bustling cities in the Algarve which grows on me more and more for every time I visit.
Happy travels!