Where to stay in the Algarve

In the east, Tavira is a quieter town on the Gilão river, about 41 km from the airport by road, with the beaches of Ilha de Tavira across the lagoon. Faro, the regional capital, sits on the Ria Formosa about 7 km from the terminal and suits short stays and early flights.

The middle of the coast is resort country. Vilamoura has a marina and resort hotels, with Quarteira next door, about 24 km from the airport. Albufeira, about 45 km away, has its old town above the Pescadores beach and the Oura strip to the east. Carvoeiro, in Lagoa municipality, is a small resort in a cove about 63 km from the airport, and Praia da Rocha is Portimão's long beach, about 73 km away.

Lagos, about 85 km from the airport, is the western town: a historic centre, a riverside and beaches such as Dona Ana and Meia Praia within a few kilometres.

The A22 motorway along the Algarve has been toll-free since 1 January 2025, so a base far from the airport adds driving time and no motorway tolls. GetCar's guide Driving in the Algarve: Faro Airport, the Free A22, the N125 Cameras and Tolls to Lisbon covers the roads, the speed cameras and the toll to Lisbon.

Parking is where the towns differ. In Lagos, the municipal company Lagos em Forma runs the Anel Verde car park, 386 spaces by one of the gates of the historic centre, and Frente Ribeirinha, 445 spaces by the river and open 24 hours. They charge EUR 0.80 to 1.30 an hour with a day maximum of EUR 8 to 13, and street zones allow 3 to 5 hours. At Praia da Rocha, PortiPark's underground Rocha Prime car park has 272 spaces and has opened 24 hours a day all year since March 2026.

Albufeira points drivers to its P1, P5 and P6 car parks and the spaces on Avenida da Liberdade, and its tourism site warns that parking near the beaches and in the centre can fill early in summer. For Faro, Vilamoura, Tavira and Carvoeiro, no municipal parking prices could be confirmed as of September 2026, so a listing with its own space is the safer choice.

Each town sets its own tourist tax, and most change the rate with the season. Faro charges EUR 2 a night from March to October and EUR 1 from November to February, for at most 7 nights, from age 16. Lagoa, which includes Carvoeiro, and Portimão charge EUR 2 from April to October and EUR 1 from November to March, for at most 7 nights, from age 13. Loulé, which includes Vilamoura and Quarteira, charges the same rates for at most 5 nights, from age 16. Albufeira charges EUR 2 from April to October only, for at most 7 nights, from age 13. No tourist tax was found for Lagos or Tavira as of September 2026.

Holiday lets follow the national Alojamento Local law, which requires the AL registration number in the listing's advertising. At check-in, the host or hotel records a passport or ID card, because Portuguese law requires a registration form for every foreign guest, EU nationals included.

For a summer trip, settle the parking first: Albufeira's tourism site says spaces near the beaches fill early in summer, and a listing with a private space removes the morning search. In Lagos, a week or more with the car can go into a municipal car park pass.

Check which side of the rate change the dates fall on. In Portimão, Lagoa and Loulé the nightly tax doubles on 1 April and halves on 1 November; Faro changes on 1 March and 1 November.

A short stay and an early flight: Faro.

A quiet town in the east: Tavira.

A resort with a marina close to the airport: Vilamoura and Quarteira.

Beach days and nights out: Albufeira.

A villa near coves and cliffs: Carvoeiro.

A long sandy beach: Praia da Rocha.

A town with beaches in the west: Lagos.