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Algarve Resort reviews |
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 Information  Holidays  Hotels  Flights  Resorts |
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Resort suitability: Best for Families: Albufeira, Altura, Alvor, Cabanas, Lagos, Monte Gordo, Praia da Luz and Vilamoura. Best for Couples: Albufeira, Alvor, Faro, Monte Gordo, Praia da Luz and Vilamoura. Best nightlife: Albufeira, Faro, Praia da Rocha and Vilamoura. |
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The Algarve |
| The southern Portuguese province of the Algarve, divided from the rest of the country by a series of low-lying mountains, is one of Europe’s most popular coastal holiday destinations, catering for millions of tourists every year. The region’s capital, Faro, is built around a charming harbour beside a wide lagoon. An international airport was opened near Faro in 1965 to cater for the incoming tourists, making the city the hub of the resort trade. Most of the Algarve’s trendy, modern holiday resorts were formerly little fishing villages. They still feature central areas with narrow streets, whitewashed houses and ancient churches, but it is the region’s long sandy beaches, which have ensured its place as a holiday Mecca. |
If you feel that any of our comments about a particular resort is unfair or needs updating then do please send us an email by clicking here. We also welcome photos of your holiday. |
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Independent Algarve resort reviews |
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Albufeira The most famous resort in the Algarve. Visitors could easily believe that they're in one of the Costa's or in one of the more popular Mediterranean resorts. Albufeira is loud, full of people, packed with restaurants of every sort, and in the middle of a large number of apartment blocks, hotels and villas. It has minimal charm in the summer months and unless you're in the 18 - 30's market then our advice would be to stay well away. The infamous 'Strip' has almost every facility the younger set could ever want (bars, good food, disco's etc.) and all the associated noise and hassle that goes with it. The 'Strip' is about 1½ miles long from the north (Montechoro end) to the south (Praia da Oura end). Going straight on takes you down Cardiac hill to the Praia da Oura beach; right goes to Albufeira town |
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Alvor This quaint old fishing village sits on the edge of a wide bay with a scenic lagoon and is generally more Portuguese than other tourist areas. Around the waters edge, there's a superb array of fish restaurants - many serving clams that have been raked up at low tide just offshore, cafes and bars, as well as a warren of little back streets to explore. The main sandy beach at Praia da Alvor is fringed by dunes and is very clean and a peaceful atmosphere abounds. Night time entertainment can be found at nearby Praia da Rocha, which provides endless lively bars. |
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Almancil A typical Portuguese resort, Almancil is surrounded by olive trees and orange and lemon groves. There are a host of shops in Almancil plus all the usual amenities of a modern resort. Vale Do Lobo is only 3kms away where there is a championship golf course and a superb sandy beach. |
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Armacao de Pera Blessed with one of the Algarve's finest sandy beaches, Armacao de Pera is perfect for combining sunshine and relaxation with lots of water based activities. The sea front here is similar to Quarteira in that it has a large number of ugly apartment blocks with cafes underneath. There is, however, a less seedy atmosphere and, generally, a much less rundown feel to the place especially when you leave the sea front and walk along the narrow streets. The beach is long, very long, and stretches from the western cliffs and rock pools into the east where the town peters out and the fishermen ply their trade. There are numerous bars, cafes and great fish restaurants and the surrounding coastline is dotted with charming, cliff-framed coves ideal for days out. There is also a giant waterpark nearby to keep the youngsters happy. |
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Carvoeiro Picturesque with a delightful but small sandy beach, Carvoeiro is growing fast and unsurprisingly so, considering its many charms. Still a quaint fishing village with a working fleet, the main beach and nearby coves benefit from the shelter of high cliffs. Within the resort, you'll find a selection of cafes, bars and restaurants and a handful of shops. Carvoeiro is ideal for families who want to relax in a pretty location but do remember that like most resorts in the Algarve there's a generous helping of steep hills, which may not suit very young children. |
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Montechoro/Praia da Oura About 2 miles to the east of Albufeira, Praia da Oura is ideal for a family beach holiday. The wide, long expanse of golden sandy beach is the main temptation. The beach has a wide range of water sports available including, para-ascending , yellow banana rides, tractor tyre rides and jet skis. The next cove along has Scuba Diving for the more adventurous. There are also a good choice of friendly bars and restaurants. Modern, with its own selection of shops, restaurants and bars, it offers the bonus of beautiful Praia da Oura beach which is a mile away. Warning: There are some very steep hills and parking can be a problem |
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Olhos D' Agua Olhos d' Agua is a firm favourite with families and couples looking for a refreshing beach holiday. The new promenade (built in 2002) has improved the beach front with both toilets and showers. Lying a few kilometres east of Albufeira, the resort's new hotels look out over one of the longest expanses of sand the Algarve offers, stretching for more than 5 miles. The gently shelving beach is perfect for young children and at low tide fresh water springs (providing there isn't a drought) well from the sands, creating little fountains and pools that are really delightful. The resort centre still portrays some of its fishing-port charms, with gaily-coloured boats moored on the sands and has small shops, local restaurants and cafes. Warning: There are some very steep hills and parking can be a problem |
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Praia da Luz The main attraction of Praia da Luz is the beach. This is a gently shelving, crescent shaped arena for an extensive range of watersports. It should be noted that the beach does get crowded in July and August. One end of the beach is rocky with a good selection of rock pools which should keep the children happy for a while. Situated at the western, and generally quieter, end of the Algarve, Praia da Luz is very popular with British families and you will either love it or hate it. It is not very Portuguese and, in fact, looks artificial with its hills covered in Moorish style white villas and apartments. Very little of the original fishing village is apparent but there is an extensive shopping area and many restaurants. |
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Praia da Rocha Praia da Rocha is famous for its long beach which is embraced by beautiful sandstone cliffs. When you're not lounging on the sands, you can stroll along the cliff top promenade, lined with restaurants and cafes. Shopping is good too, and at night there's plenty to keep you happy from numerous busy discos and a casino to some lively late-night cocktail bars. Sports are in good supply, including a great selection of watersports. Ideal holiday for the younger generation but you may as well be in Skegness with extra sunshine. |
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Praia do Vau A small resort with a selection of bars, restaurants and shops. Situated on the exceptional sandy coast and only about 3.5km from the better known resort of Praia da Rocha. |
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Quarteira Quarteira was originally a small fishing village but it has grown into a holiday resort combining the pleasures of a beach holiday with great town life. The new pedestrianised promenade, with small shops, restaurants and bars faces an inviting stretch of soft, sandy beach favoured by families and young people. Intertwined with the hotels are numerous open air cafes and bars where you can refresh yourself by day or night, as well as a good choice of appetising seafood restaurants. Shoppers will also want to roam the town's old quarter, where they'll discover a permanently lively fish and produce market, and on Wednesdays a fascinating gypsy market where Algarvian antiques, tiles and ceramics can be found on about 5% of the stalls but the remaining 95% are like any other 'flea' market - boring and uninteresting. Great for sea fishing from the beach. |
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Sagres Near the most South Western point of Europe, Sagres is located on the South side of Cape St Vincent. A sleepy, quiet town renowned for its impressive cliffs, local fish restaurants and wild orchids. |
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Tavira Situated at the eastern end of the Algarve Tavira was unaffected by the huge western boom in tourism. This means that Tavira has remained mostly unspoilt and is a great place to enjoy sun-baked days by the pool and on the beach. Its much quieter and with more traditional facilities in the west however its proximity to Spain offers a range of exciting day trips. |
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Vilamoura Cosmopolitan Vilamoura is a stylish choice for a relaxing or sporty vacation. Specially built to appeal to the holiday maker, Its centrepiece is a magnificent marina, full of expensive private yachts and cruisers but for those less well off a wide range of boat trips can be purchased. The marina competes with a buzzing waterfront of chic cafes, bars, boutiques and restaurants. First class sports facilities are thick on the ground with excellent golf, tennis, fishing and horse-riding, and there are two sandy beaches either side of the marina. Nightlife is relatively low-key and is mainly hotel based or situated around a wide selection of eateries. There is also a casino. Journey time from the airport: 30 minutes approx |
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If you feel that any of our comments about a particular resort is unfair or needs updating then do please send us an email by clicking here. We also welcome photos of your holiday. |
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ABTA & ATOL protection is included on all holidays |
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