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 places to stay in Albufeira 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.
Among the activities in Albufeira, you can go parasailing, jet skiing, kayaking, and go on various boat trips along the golden rugged coast coastline. 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.
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IN A HURRY?
HERE ARE MY TOP PICKS FOR WHERE TO STAY IN ALBUFEIRA PORTUGAL
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 T’Isabel – beautiful 2-bedroom apartment with private parking and exquisite sea views. Sleeps up to 4 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:
- Lovers of the hustle and bustle
- History enthusiasts
- Shopping
The Old Town is one of the best areas to stay in Albufeira if it’s your first time visiting. The first place you don’t want to miss is the Old Town Square.
The Old Town Square has a little bit of everything so you’ll not run out of things to do. From fine dining, and entertainment to a 10/10 shopping experience all thanks to the multitude of shops, you are bound to have a blast.
The Old Town is also home to some of Albufeira’s oldest architecture, so if history interests you. The old town is one of the best places to stay in Albufeira where you can learn about its traditions and culture.
You may want to start at the Galeria de Arte Pintor Samora Barro which showcases an interesting collection of art exhibitions.
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. You can relax on the beach and take in the satisfying sight of fishing boats and fishermen at work.
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 T’Isabel – beautiful 2-bedroom apartment with private parking and exquisite sea views. Sleeps up to 4 people.
Albufeira Marina – Coolest neighborhood to Stay in Albufeira
Best place to stay in Albufeira for:
- Water activities
- Luxurious bars and restaurants
- Walks on the beach
- 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 commotion and fuss in The Old Town. It’s one of the most laid-back, tranquil, and best locations in Albufeira.
This serene environment is filled with amazing hotels, restaurants, bars, villas, and a recreational and leisure center.
If you love the beach, the Albufeira Marina is also a great spot for you. There are a ton of water activities to partake in like kayaking to Benagil Cave or Parasailing as well as boat tours to Benagil Cave with dolphin watching and epic sunset cruises.
The marina is breathtaking as its combination of fun, colorful buildings with clear blue water is one everyone loves.
For simple activities, you can take a short stroll along the waterfront to watch the sea vessels and the fishermen while you take in the beauty of the colorful buildings.
You can also go on fun boat cruises on a variety of boats – from a luxury Catamaran, Pirate Boat cruise to a Jet boat. If you love golf, you’ll be delighted to visit the Salgados Golf Course at only a 10-minute walk away.
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.
HOUSEBOAT: 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:
- Lovers of nightlife
- 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.
It also offers a mouthwatering range of restaurants that offer local and international cuisine like Johnny Hooper’s Mediterranean Bistro which serves pan-European cuisine.
São João houses ‘The Strip’. An area filled with Albufeira’s best bars and clubs, better yet referred to as the Party Zone.
One of the best things about the nightlife in São João is that it caters to both those who like it low-key and those who like it upbeat. If you like it low-key and easy, Sunset on the Strip is definitely the place for you.
The Kiss Disco Club and Liberto are perfect for those who like it more upbeat. However, Liberto is a little tricky to get into.
São João’s daily life is also as interesting as its nightlife, except it is calmer. During the day, you can go shopping at the biggest mall in the city – Albufeira Shopping. You can get both high-end and upmarket brands.
You can also take day tours to beaches, (like the Arrifes beach and Rocha Baixinha beach) and golf courses (like the Balaia golf village and Pine Cliffs golf course.)
Again, if you’re a lover of the nightlife and looking for where to stay in Albufeira, Portugal, São João is certainly for you.
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 tours
- Waterpark trips
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.
Along the beach are a number of fantastic restaurants like the Restaurante Vivaldo’s and many kid-friendly activities.
Also a must-see is the XFlow Surf Spot Portugal water park. Take your kids on awesome waterslides and give them an experience they will never forget.
If you would like to do a little ‘adulting’, the Garrafeira Ourawineshop offers some tasty Portuguese wine. Overall, the Praia is the best area to stay in Albufeira, Portugal for families.
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.
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. Montechoro boasts of a wonderful social scene all thanks to its healthy influx of backpacking tourists. 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.
It would interest the nightlife lovers that Montechoro also has a great nightlife. You should definitely check out Stones Bar or go on an Albufeira Pub Crawl. There, you can expect great prices, and it will give you a chance to interact with other travelers.
And if after a long day of touring, you need to unwind, then you have to pay the Hoya Instituto a visit. This spa and leisure center has a range of beauty and holistic treatments you might want to try.
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!
