Algarve, best place to stay?

[so called]

Hi all, I'm looking at driving down to the Algarve this year and wondering which is the best location along the coast.
As we've never been and after spending the weekend researching, it looks like the Albufeira area would be good.

Any tips would be warmly welcomed.

Thanks,
Tony.

[worsy]

Albufeira is nice, the old town has a lovely square with lots of restaurants around it. Avoid the strip though unless on a stag do!

Been a few years since I've been but Vilamoura always was a little quieter and more family orientated. Lagos along the coast too, Luz Bay very nice (insert obligatory McCann ref).

[craig1912]

Having been a number of times I would head to the West- Luz, Lagos, Carvoeiro, Sagres
Tends to be a bit quieter and less touristy

[so called]

Great, thanks to you both.
Thats exactly the type of feedback I was hoping for

[dazzalse]

We drive down every year for the summer, breaking the journey in cascais and estoril for a few nights.

You might want to look at Alvor, close to the beach, great restaurants and nice old fishing village.
The Penina hotel is a nice old fashioned hotel, however you need to drive everywhere from there, newly opened last year is the Pestana Alvor South Beach, we called in for drinks last August when we were down, great location.

I would avoid Albuferia at al costs, was great 20 years ago but terrible now.

[so called]

Oh, thanks for the advise on Albufeira.
We are booking a Villa and so the location is important.
Discussed some with my Wife yesterday and made a short list which I will now revisit.

Which driving route down do you take.
We normally stay on the Spanish east coast so drive down either French west coast or central France, Dijon etc.
So I'm thinking French west coast and then head towards Lisbon.
I wanted to stay in Seville on the way down so may go down the E803 after Salamanca. Never been on that road before.

[worsy]

Duly noted too. Haven't been back to Albufeira for about 12 years.

[C0ffin D0dger]

I've been a few times. Last trip we stayed in Carvoeiro, had a decent sized Villa with a pool for the four of us (2 kids 2 & 4 years old). This was a great spot for us as not too busy, suited the kids, nice beach, plenty of stuff to do just a short drive away etc.

Also been to Albufeira, had a villa just off the strip with a pool, totally right for us back then - young couples and single mates, lots of boozing, partying and sleeping it off by the pool the next day.

Final place I've stayed is Alvor, lot less developed back then but still really nice, massive beach, lots of old town charm, etc.

However if I were going again I'd want to be near the place we stumbled across towards the end of our last week which was Martinhal beach near Sagres. Beautiful spot.

[anonymous-user]

I'd be looking to the west, as it is quite a bit quieter.

We have a place in Burgau, which is a few miles west of Luz/Lagos and still retains a fishing village type feel - even if it does get a bit busy during the school holiday time.

I actually prefer Salema as a village and Sagres is very nice as well.

If you have young kids you need to be a bit careful with the sea in Sagres.

Overall I really like the area.

[craig1912]

Forgot to mention Burgau- visited some friends who were staying there and said that would be the next place to stay if we went back to the Algarve

[BigRickus]

Stayed with 'simply salema' a few times in their villas. Very highly recommend!

[RammyMP]

I agree with the avoid Albufeira advice, it's a bit of a dump. Vilamoura gets quite busy also. I'd head west, Salema is nice. Try the local restaurants at lunch time, a lot do dish of the day, desert, 1/2l wine and a coffee and brandy for about €7.

[thewhangie]

Zambujeiro do mar.

Just over an hour north of the main Algarve coast.

Great beach, cheaper and a fair smattering of eateries.

[Buster73]

Quinta do Lago is a fabulous place to stay .

Val do Lobo a few miles away is good as well .

Both about 30 minutes drive from Faro .

[so called]

Thanks again for the advice.
Booked a villa near Olhos de Aqua.
As it's our first visit, we're planning to tour around and explore quite a bit ready for future visits.

[FUBAR]

desolate said:

We have a place in Burgau, which is a few miles west of Luz/Lagos and still retains a fishing village type feel - even if it does get a bit busy during the school holiday time.

Whereabouts? My folks had a villa at Cama da Vaca for 30 years so I know the place quite well We probably know a few of the same people.

[anonymous-user]

FUBAR said:

Whereabouts? My folks had a villa at Cama da Vaca for 30 years so I know the place quite well We probably know a few of the same people.

We are at the top of the village nr the school - which I think is now closed.
Effectively the last of the old buildings.

[FUBAR]

So you'll know Sally V @ Casa Grande.

Ours was up behind the 'green roofed house' (local landmark!) on the Luz road. Miss the place terribly. Bought a couple of apartments in Barbados but just not the same.

[Downward]

so called said:

Thanks again for the advice.
Booked a villa near Olhos de Aqua.
As it's our first visit, we're planning to tour around and explore quite a bit ready for future visits.

How was it.
Looking to book around here next year.

[craig1912]

Downward said:

How was it.
Looking to book around here next year.

I’d look a little further west, Carviero, Lagos, Luz , Burgau or even Sagres.