Algarve, Portugal

eve_1

I'm thinking of going to the Algarve in early Sept this year for a beach holiday. I can't decide bewtween Alvor, Lagos or Albufeira. Has anybody been to any of these places that could share some information on them?

Would like some place with a nice beach, restaurants and great nightlife but not any place tacky and full of drunks. I'm kind of leaning towards Albufeira. Thank you for any info.

CastlebarMan

Hi I have been to albufeira and Lagos in the last month.

Albufeira - Big tourist spot, Massive strip loads of nightlife, beach right on your doorstep. No car required. Loads of young people and couples.

Lagos - I reckon you would need a car, Two late bars and a Night Club, not really a strip as such. Loads of surfers and older people.
Lagos is really quiet compaired to Albufeira. Miles of Beaches.

vibe666

albufeira definitely. aim for in between the new town and the old town and it'll be quiet enough and away from the strip, but close enough to the nightlife and all the restaurants that you can walk everywhere you need to.

we got married in the algarve 2 years ago and stayed at the forte do vale apartment/hotel complex with about 35 of our wedding guests as it was by far the best place we found on our scouting trip the previous year and none of our guests had a single negative comment about the place.

mrsbouquet

Would second albufeira ,cant speak for Alvor or Lagos though. The old town is lovely some lovely restaurants and bars . Would not recommend the strip in the new town it was a bit tacky. We stayed in the Areais Village and it was in between the two and are fab apartments. A taxi to the old town about 4 euro. Also stayed in Oura Praia before and they are really nice apartments too.

cottager83

Was also thinking of heading there for a few days in August as its the only week I can get off, like the above I wouldnt be into nightclubs but would enjoy a good bar with music etc, will be heading with the gf, if anybody can recommend any other apptments/hotels I would appreciate it, cheers!

Savman

I like Vilamoura actually, not as swamped as Albufeira etc. Granted it's a little more upmarket/pricey and a car is recommended to get around.

peejay1986

Go to Lagos every year (mooch off the Grandparents and stay in their apartment!) and I love it! I'm not overly keen on places for nightlife - I'm more interested in quiet beaches and nice food. Lagos is amazing for both. The beach is lovely and I've never seen it busy at any time I've been (usually peak season).

The restaurants are lovely too. There's a nice marina arena with bars and restaurants (some for young people, others more quiet and relaxing) and then you've got the old town a short walk away. The town itself is small and to be honest there's not too much to it. Just enough to keep you occupied.

There's also train station there that can bring you to the regional towns, or straight to Faro if you like.

Going back there on Tuesday and can't wait.

EDIT: By the way, I'm 25 year old male. Just in case adds a bit more to my 'review'

Benny_Cake

peejay1986 wrote: »

Go to Lagos every year (mooch off the Grandparents and stay in their apartment!) and I love it! I'm not overly keen on places for nightlife - I'm more interested in quiet beaches and nice food. Lagos is amazing for both. The beach is lovely and I've never seen it busy at any time I've been (usually peak season).

The restaurants are lovely too. There's a nice marina arena with bars and restaurants (some for young people, others more quiet and relaxing) and then you've got the old town a short walk away. The town itself is small and to be honest there's not too much to it. Just enough to keep you occupied.

There's also train station there that can bring you to the regional towns, or straight to Faro if you like.

Going back there on Tuesday and can't wait.

EDIT: By the way, I'm 25 year old male. Just in case adds a bit more to my 'review'

+1 to that. We're going to Lagos for the third time at the end of September, it's a great spot. Incredible choice of restaurants and if you hire a car there are great beaches on the west coast that you might even have completely to yourself.

k mac

Flying into Faro the last week in august and wondering where the best place to stay is, such as lagos,faro,albufero etc. I am a male in my mid thirties and will be travelling on my own. I would like a place that is fairly lively as in live music in the bars but not 18-30 mad drunks and full of nightclubs. Like to keep active with good walking trails, plenty of sigthseeing etc. Any recommendations greatly appreciated .

jtown

Can anyone recommend a nice hotel in Albufeira.

Thanks in advance

vibe666

forte do vale is great, we've stayed there 3 times now (once with almost 50 of us for our wedding in the algarve in 2010). highly recommended, close to everything, but far enough away at the same time, if you know what i mean.

only downside is it's getting expensive now because it's so popular.

we booked it the first time in 2008 (i think) when it was very new and we got a week in may for €150. we just booked it there a couple of months back for September this year and it cost us €850 for 9 days.

jtown

vibe666 wrote: »

forte do vale is great, we've stayed there 3 times now (once with almost 50 of us for our wedding in the algarve in 2010). highly recommended, close to everything, but far enough away at the same time, if you know what i mean.

only downside is it's getting expensive now because it's so popular.

we booked it the first time in 2008 (i think) when it was very new and we got a week in may for €150. we just booked it there a couple of months back for September this year and it cost us €850 for 9 days.

Hotels are generally expensive there.. Looking to go for 11 nights and its going to be close to 1k :mad: