Albufeira or better options not too far off there?

rightmove

Thinking of portugal in June

Stayed in albufeira many years ago and it was nice but I hear the prices are gone up. Saw some ppl saying almor or Armação de Pêra etc are better price wise and more Portuguese.

5 in total - 2 adults and 3 teens

probably do a private transfer from the airport and would like a property with a pool etc. (probably all have a pool I guess!)
thinking an apartment or aparthotel jobbie - 1 week.

rdser

Duplicate., sry

billyhead

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058386391/albufeira-or-better-options-not-too-far-off-there

Do you mean Alvor? If so it's a lovely quaint seaside town. I would highly recommend it. Plenty of AirBnB accommodation in the area.

Padraig Mor

Armacao de Pera is a bit like Albufeira minus the English and Irish bars (it's got one English bar and no Irish bar). It'll be mobbed with Portuguese in August but should be nicely busy in June. Food and drink will be a good bit cheaper than Albufeira. The latter may have more stuff for teenagers though - having said that AdP is only a ~€10 Uber away if needed.

For transfers, I'd normally say just grab an Uber but your party size blocks you from the cheaper standard size. It may be cheaper to book a transfer but I'd imagine an Uber will still likely be cheaper, and rather less hassle (long passport control delays are common in Faro, which may be a problem if you have a driver waiting).

rightmove

Thanks

Will check out alvor and AdP

Gusser09

Go for alvor or vilamoura.

Albufeira is a dump these days and has been for a while.

stargazer 68

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123027123#Comment_123027123

Totally agree. Was there last year and the old town is heading the same way as the strip. Alvor is lovely and much quieter. Lagos is supposed to be lovely too but have never been.

whatever76

highly recommend Tavira - lovely town - get ferry out to beach during the day which has lots of bar's and restaurants https://wetravelportugal.com/tavira-portugal/

rightmove

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123030172#Comment_123030172

narrowing it down to alvor/quarterira/tavira/salema

think salema is maybe too small and reviews say youd need a car. 3 teenagers who might want a little more going on.

alvor looks to have lovely boardwalk and might be nice for birdwatching. - for me not the teenagers

Let me have a look at tavira now t- thanks

DayInTheBog

We stayed in tavira on the recommendation of Portuguese friends. Lovely spot. We used go to a local cafe for breakfast. Fresh O J and cakes. Kids loved it.

samo

We went to Quarteira last August, lovely beach and great walks but not a ton there unless very into pubs/bars etc - that said, we went up to Vilamoura which is about 10 min drive to do a boat tour one day and the marina area was an over-priced Essex. Very glad to get back to Quarteira!

The accommodation is definitely more reasonable and same for bars, restaurants more locals and good value/ quality but not sure a great deal there for teens. I also work with quite a few Portuguese people and so went with their recommendations, Tavira might be a bit quiet with teens too.

Would recommend one of the boat tours for dolphins etc from Faro and a day there can be well spent with a lot going on.

sky6

Quarteria and Vilamoura are close to each other. I was there in October just gone.

The largest Market and the largest Water park in the Algave are both in Quarteria.

You are also close to Faro and the new big Mar Shopping centre. With Cinemas and lots of Shops including Primark, C&A

And Decimans a big Shoe Store, Lefties, H&M, Sketchers, and lots more shops. and a big Food Court with MCDs, BKing, KFC

and many more food outlets selling everything for burgers, to Coffees and Sandwiches etc. Bifana's is one of my favourites you can get a meal of rich and chips with a big Fillet of Pork Steak or Chicken with an Egg on top for 8.50e

you also have Almancil and Loule towns 10 minutes away. Almancil has a fabulous Cake Shop. Loule is lovey town to visit.

The best about both Quarteria and Vilamoura locations is they are both close to the Airport so cheaper and easier to get too.

Though I recommend hiring a car as it's much more cost effectve and convenient for getting around provided you're not too worried about driving on the right side of the road.

Albuferia is very spread out so expect lots of walking. Alvor is much smaller and quaint though 1 hour plus from the Airport.

MightyMunster

Lagos is very nice, transfer is a bit further but nice town, Marina and beach. Loads of nice restaurants, bars etc ..

Sheedy234

Alvor is beautiful . Albufeira as other have said is really gone down hill,I won't go again.

Alvor beautiful beach and boardwalks, restaurants are fab

Andrew93

We have a place in Alvor & i can't recommend it enough. Lovely town on the seaside with plenty of bars & restaurants.

rightmove

Yep thinking Alvor or tavira.

Guess either would be great.

Is there any recommendations on accommodation

2 adult
3 younger teens

DayInTheBog

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123042256#Comment_123042256

I actually stayed in Olhao at the real Marina hotel. It has apartments and we thought it was really nice. There is a big pool and one on the roof of each block.

Its a fishing town so genuinely Portuguese

rightmove

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123042322#Comment_123042322

Thanks hadnt looked at there.

Ever stay at Almor?

rightmove

alvor

DayInTheBog

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123042331#Comment_123042331

No. Olhao was actually recommended to us by Portuguese friends in Lisbon

It's a working town. Been a few years since we were there but get a car and it's only around the corner from the main road that links all the resorts .

We used walk down the seafront to a cafe opposite the fish market for breakfast. Fresh , sweet OJ and croissants😁

Patrick2010

Tavira is lovely but found having to get a ferry to the beach a bit of a trek plus when you got there it was a good walk from the beach back to loos, bars etc. Highly recommend Olhas De Aqua, only a short bus from there to either Albufeira or Villamora, loads of good value bars and restaurants and a lovely beach.

Patrick2010

For transfers I can't recommend Happy Days enough, provide a great service and at the best price.

Cushtie

Hi, we went to Alvor last easter. We stayed in Hotel Pestana Dom Joao II

2 adults one child. Lovely big hotel right down by the beach. Out the back gate and you were on the beach.

It's a lovely little town. Beautiful beach with a long boardwalk also. Plenty of choice when it came to eating out. It was not mad busy e when we were there, but seems like the kind of place that has a very relaxed vibe. There are a couple of Irish bars, we just called in to one for a quick drink one evening. Nice atmosphere there.

We had breakfast in hotel each morning. A huge buffet setup, it was absolutely fantastic. We found a really nice restaurant we liked and ate there 3 nights out of the 5 we were there 😂😂. We are a bit sad like that!

I would recommend Alvor.

happyoutscan

Albufeira is fine if you want a version of Brits Abroad.

Alvor is great. Also, Praia da Luz is beautiful and has Lagos only a few minutes drive (excellent fast bus service as well) away if you want a bit more actcion.

Albufeira is tacky.

Living Off The Splash

Loved Lagos, Alvor and Tavira.

Tavira a bit different but lovely. The walk to the boat area where you get the boats to the beaches is lovely. You can get local bus and trains to nearby towns and even cross in to Spain to Ayamonte. Lovely little town. Get train from Faro.

Lagos is great, great fish restaurants, nice place to stroll. Get train from Faro.

Alvor, beautiful but nil shade on the board walks, so if temperatures are very high there is little or no escape.

Benihunter

Hi all

A few mates and I are travelling to Albufeira next month for 5 nights and I'm thinking of renting a car for a day or 2 to do a bit of sightseeing.

Are there any good recommendations in the Algarve area? In particular we like old castles, churches, any natural beauty sights, nice restaurants or maybe an olive grove or vineyard that's open for public visits.

Anything along those lines or similar would be great, thanks.

TherapyBoy

Drive up north to Silves, lovely riverside town with a big red castle sitting on a hill in the centre of town. Nice town to have a sight-seeing walk around with plenty of food & drink places dotted around.

Take exit 6 off the A22 onto the 124 to bring you into Silves through the tunnel with a great view of the town & castle or take exit 9 off the A22 onto the IC1 until you get to São Bartolomeu de Messines & take the 124 into the other side of Silves, great drive through hills & orange grove farms.

Benihunter

Perfect, thanks very much for the recommendation TherapyBoy.

Seems like nice town and an interesting place as well, didn't know it was the capital of the Kingdom of the Algarve

TherapyBoy

If you’re out that way & get the chance check out ‘O Barradas’ restaurant just off the N124 outside Silves. Really fantastic restaurant, little hidden gem 👍🏼

Benihunter

Looks a lovely little restaurant that, thanks again for that recommendation.

Have to admit, I am a big foodie, I'll eat anything but I love trying local cuisine, you can't beat variety with food.

Usually on a lads holiday in Albufeira though it's just a burger and chips (some lads even go wild and try some bolognese! 😂) so it'd be great to try something a bit more authentic.

billyhead

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123326059#Comment_123326059

Alvor has a nice nature trail walk and lovely fish restaurants.