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The Algarve is a coast of separate towns, from Tavira in the east to Lagos in the west, with Faro airport between them. By road Faro is about 7 km from the terminal and Lagos about 85 km, and tourist taxes are set town by town.
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The regional capital, with its old town on the Ria Formosa lagoon and the airport a short drive away. It suits short stays, early flights and travellers who want a working town with a year-round life more than a resort.
Car and parking
The municipal company Ambifaro runs Faro's limited-duration parking zones; their prices could not be read as of September 2026, so ask the host about a space. The airport is about 7 km away by road.
A quieter town in the east on the Gilão river, with the beaches of Ilha de Tavira across the lagoon. It suits couples, slower trips and a base for the eastern Algarve.
Car and parking
No municipal parking scheme could be confirmed as of September 2026. The A22 motorway along the Algarve has been toll-free since 1 January 2025, and the airport is about 41 km away by road.
Vilamoura's marina and resort hotels, with the town seafront of Quarteira next door. It suits resort holidays and families who want a big beach close to the airport.
Car and parking
No municipal parking scheme could be confirmed as of September 2026. The airport is about 24 km away by road, the shortest run of the resort areas here.
The old town above the Pescadores beach, and the Oura strip to the east; the municipal tourism site lists both for nightlife. It suits groups and beach holidays with evenings out, less so a quiet week.
Car and parking
The municipality points drivers to the P1, P5 and P6 car parks and the surface spaces on Avenida da Liberdade. In summer, parking near the beaches and in the centre can fill early, and its tourism site suggests parking further out and walking or taking the local bus.
A small resort in a cove between golden cliffs, in Lagoa municipality. It suits couples and villa stays by the coves.
Car and parking
No municipal parking scheme could be confirmed as of September 2026, so ask the host whether the house or apartment has a space. The airport is about 63 km away by road.
Portimão's long beach, with hotel towers along the top of the cliff and the town about 3 km away. It suits big-beach holidays and apartment stays by the sea.
Car and parking
PortiPark runs the underground Rocha Prime car park at Praia da Rocha: 272 spaces on three floors, open 24 hours all year since March 2026. Passes cost EUR 75 for 7 days and EUR 180 for 30 days from June to September, and EUR 50 and EUR 120 from October to May.
The western town with a historic centre, a riverside and beaches such as Dona Ana and Meia Praia within a few kilometres. It suits a town stay with beaches, and trips on to Sagres; it is the longest airport run on this list.
Car and parking
Lagos em Forma, the municipal company, runs two car parks: Anel Verde, 386 spaces by one of the gates of the historic centre, and Frente Ribeirinha, 445 spaces by the river and open 24 hours. Hourly rates run from EUR 0.80 to 1.30, and street zones allow 3 to 5 hours.
Where to stay
The Algarve changes from east to west: lagoon towns near Faro, resort beaches in the middle, cliffs and coves towards Lagos. The base decides the airport run, the parking and the tax.
Photo: Keith Yahl, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Monthly stay
A month in the Algarve can be a long Alojamento Local booking or a lease for a transitory purpose. The town decides the tax, from none found in Lagos and Tavira to seasonal rates elsewhere, and whether the car can have a monthly pass.
Albufeira for beach and nightlife in the old town and the Oura strip, about 45 km from the airport by road. Lagos for a town with its own beaches in the west, about 85 km away. Faro for a short stay close to the airport.
In some towns, and it changes with the season. Faro, Lagoa, Loulé and Portimão charge EUR 2 a night in the warmer months and EUR 1 in winter; Albufeira charges EUR 2 from April to October only. No tax was found in Lagos or Tavira as of September 2026.
In Lagos, the municipal car parks sell monthly passes from EUR 55, and at Praia da Rocha the Rocha Prime car park sells 7, 15 and 30-day passes. Elsewhere, ask the host for a space.
No. The A22 has been toll-free since 1 January 2025.
