Faro or Albufeira: Which Algarve destination is the best for me

Are you planning a trip to the Algarve and stuck between Faro or Albufeira. In this article we go through absolutely everything you need to know when planning your Algarve itinerary in these two popular tourist destinations.

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Faro or Albufeira: Some background

Before we get into the Faro vs Albufeira showdown, here is a bit of background on the two destinations.

Faro

Faro is the capital of the Algarve region and is located on the eastern side. It’s famous for it’s gorgeous old town, natural beauty, as well as being the gateway to the rest of the Algarve.

Is Faro worth visiting you might be wondering? This article is for you.

Albufeira

Only a 30 minute drive from Faro, you will find the tourist hotspot of Albufeira. It was once a fishing village, but these days is more popular for its sandy beaches and lively old town.

Faro or Albufeira: which one is better for accommodation

Picking the perfect accommodation is an important part of any trip so let’s breakdown which one is better.

Faro

Accommodation in Faro is easy to find. It’s a popular city, and the capital of the Algarve as mentioned at the beginning of this article. For that reason you will find accommodation to suit all budgets.

For the best areas to stay in Faro you want to look for accommodation around the marina or the old town. Unlike Albufeira it isn’t a beach resort type place so you won’t get a lot of hotels by the beach. So for something by the water and with a view the marina is your best bet.

There are a number of hostels in Faro if you are looking for budget accommodation, or you can also book out an apartment for your holiday. Alternatively there are a number of mid range to luxury hotels located in the city.

We stayed at AP Eva Senses which is a 4 star hotel located right by the marina. The rooms and modern and clean, and breakfast is included. There is a rooftop pool and bar area to relax. If you do decide to leave the hotel you are smack bang in the middle of all the action of the old town and marina.

Albufeira

Albufeira is also a popular tourist spot with several accommodation options from camping holidays to resort stays.

The three main areas for accommodation around Albufeira are the old town, the strip, and the marina. The quieter area is definitely the marina, with the old town and the strip both being incredibly lively especially at night.

We stayed at Hotel California which is an adults only 4 star resort and spa. It was right in the centre of the old town and close to all the action.

Faro or Albufeira?

Faro and Albufeira are on par when it comes to accommodation. There is a lot of choice in both locations, with similar prices.

Faro or Albufeira: which one is better for attractions

If you are trying to decide where in the Algarve you want to visit you might be wondering where the best attractions are. Here are the best things to do in both locations.

Faro

There is a lot to do in Faro, particularly if you love the idea of mixing a city break, with a sun holiday. Here are some of the top activities we recommend.

Ria Formosa National Park

The Ria Formosa National Park is a section of marshes, white sand banks, pine forests and freshwater lakes in the heart of Faro. It’s essentially a 60km tidal lagoon that separates the town from the beach. You can hop on a boat from the old town to further explore the marshes.

Enjoy the beaches

Praia de Faro is one of the top spots to sunbathe and take a dip when visiting Faro. You can partake in a number of water activities from here, or just enjoy the beautiful beaches. The beaches in Faro are a little away from the main tourist bits and the old town so be prepared to travel if you want to experience them.

Explore the Old Town

The old town is a great part of Faro to explore. This is where you can find a lot of the restaurants and bars in the city. It’s also incredibly picturesque filled with beautiful tree lined squares, and traditional Portuguese style buildings.

Igreja da Sé

This is a great place to visit if you want to get some cool views of Faro. The interior is beautiful but the main attraction has to be the bell tower and the views from here. Entry is €5 and you can explore the church, bone chapel, museum, and bell tower as part of this.

Igreja do Carmo

This isn’t just your run of the mill church because the highlight here is the bone chapel. It’s essentially a small chapel behind the main church with walls that are lined with the bones and skulls of Carmelite monks. The idea here is to act as a reminder that life on earth is short.

Albufeira

Albufeira also has a beautiful old town and beautiful beaches to explore when visiting. Here are some of the tourist highlights in Albufeira.

Visit the Old Town

The Old Town in Albufeira is filled with cobblestone streets, traditional Portuguese buildings, museums, and churches. It’s also great for nightlife, and restaurants. It can get a little crazy particularly at night, but you can find nightlife to suit everyone.

Visit the Marina

The Marina in Albufeira, is part of a tourist complex which includes a number of hotels, bars, and shops. It’s incredibly colourful, and very different from the Old Town in Albufeira. It’s also a great place to go to book yourself onto some water activities such as visiting Benagil Caves, or dolphin watching tours.

Enjoy the beaches

Albufeira is popular for having some excellent beaches, so grab your towel, some sunscreen, and enjoy. A lot of the beaches in Albufeira have sun beds and lifeguards, as well as nearby cafes to enjoy a drink or two in the sunshine. You can also paraglide, or take part in other cool activities.

One of the most popular beaches is the Praia dos Pescadores or Fisherman’s Beach. It’s just in front of the old town. There are tons of water activities you can get involved in, and the water is relatively calm too.

Faro or Albufeira?

Faro and Albufeira are both great places to go when it comes to activities. We found that there was more to do in Faro with the many museums and churches to explore. That being said Albufeira is great if you want to enjoy the beaches or do some dolphin watching tours.

Faro or Albufeira: which one is more picturesque

When deciding on your holiday destination one factor to consider is which location is more aesthetically pleasing. Here are our thoughts.

Faro

Faro’s old town has a lot of character and charm, and makes for the perfect place to explore and take photos. You have a lot of traditional Portuguese buildings including tiled houses, as well as some gorgeous squares.

On top of this you also have the Ria Formosa National Park which is incredibly scenic.

Albufeira

Albufeira has some beautiful beaches, and a dramatic coastline to explore. There are several dramatic viewpoints in Albufeira as well as a picturesque old town filled with traditional Portuguese buildings.

Faro or Albufeira?

Because of its location on the Ria Formosa National Park, and the rustic old town, Faro is our recommendation for most picturesque destination of the two.

Faro or Albufeira: which one has the better vibe

I know that judging somewhere by its vibe is a little ambiguous but hear us out.

Faro

Faro is a popular tourist destination particularly for those looking to mix up a city break with a beach break. It’s more of a working city, so in some ways it feels more authentically Portuguese than the more tourist focussed Albufeira. It’s probably a little more uptight too compared to Albufeira which is very chilled.

Albufeira

Albufeira has a huge party vibe. It’s very touristy and is probably the best place in the Algarve to go if you want to party all night, and sit on the beach all day.

Faro or Albufeira?

This all depends on what you want from your trip. If you want a very chilled out sun break head to Albufeira, but if you want a bit more of a city break head to Faro.

Faro or Albufeira: which one is easier to get to

As they say location is everything so which Algarve destination is easier to get to?

Faro

Considering Faro is the capital of the Algarve region, it is obviously the most well connected location in the area. There is an international airport which is about a 15- 20 minute drive to the old town. There is also a train station where you can get trains to from other Portuguese cities.

Albufeira

To get to Albufeira you will first need to make your way to Faro. Albufeira is around a 30 minute drive or train ride from Faro. An Uber will cost around €40 and take about 30 minutes from the airport. Similarly a train will also take about 30 minutes, but these are not frequent so you will need to check schedules in advance.

Faro or Albufeira?

Faro is the easiest Algarve destination to get to. It has an airport, and train station, and is considered the gateway to the rest of the Algarve.

Faro or Albufeira: which one is easier to get around

Getting around on holiday is an important factor when choosing a location. Here is some information for getting around Faro and Albufeira.

Faro

Faro is pretty walkable, and while there is public transport, you probably won’t need to use this as most of the tourist hotspots are within walking distance.

Albufeira

Similarly most people navigate Albufeira on foot so you won’t really need to worry about public transport to get around.

Faro or Albufeira?

Faro and Albufeira are both walkable locations and are both easy to navigate.

Faro or Albufeira: which one is better for beaches

One of the main reasons people visit the Algarve is because of the beaches.

Faro

Many people flock to Faro for their summer vacations. There are some beautiful beaches in Faro but you do have to keep in mind that these are about 10 km away from the town. To get here you will either need to drive or get the bus.

One of the best beaches in Faro is Praia de Faro but just keep in mind it does get incredibly busy particularly in the summer months.

Albufeira

Albufeira is popular for having some excellent beaches, so grab your towel, some sunscreen, and enjoy. A lot of the beaches in Albufeira have sun beds and lifeguards, as well as nearby cafes to enjoy a drink or two in the sunshine. You can also paraglide, or take part in other cool activities.

One of the most popular beaches is the Praia dos Pescadores or Fisherman’s Beach. It’s just in front of the old town. There are tons of water activities you can get involved in, and the water is relatively calm too

Faro or Albufeira?

Albufeira has some of the better beaches, and these are right in the old town area. You tend to get beach resort style accommodation. The beaches are also more catered to tourists.

Faro or Albufeira: which one is better for food

If you are anything like us food is an important part of any holiday. Here is our breakdown of eating in Faro and Albufeira.

Faro

There is so much choice when it comes to food in Faro. The old town is where you will find a lot of the main restaurants particularly if you are looking for your traditional Portuguese cuisine. But there is so much more here than just Portuguese food. There are also many seafood restaurants, tapas bars, and international cuisine that you can chow down on. Here are some of our favourites.

Adega Nova

You know you are onto something good when the locals eat at a place. Adega Nova is a cheap and good quality canteen style restaurant right near the train station in Faro. The food is excellent and really good quality. If you want traditional Portuguese food that won’t break the bank you have to eat here.

Travessa Tapas and Wine

If you are after Portuguese tapas this is our top pick for Faro. The dishes are all delicious and well presented. It does get busy here so it is worth booking in advance.

Buondi

This is a cafe is the centre of Faro old town that does excellent coffee and cake. They also do brunch which we would have tried had our hotel not provided us with a full breakfast beforehand.

8 tapas

This is another really good choice for tapas in Faro. They have a wide range of dishes that are a bit of an international fusion. Prices are decent, and so is the food.

Albufeira

Albufeira has a lot of food choices, although when it comes to authentic Portuguese food there isn’t as much choice as Faro. Here are some of our favourite spots to eat in Albufeira.

Casa Da Fonte

This was probably one of the most authentic places to eat Portuguese food in Albufeira’s old town. They do some great seafood here including grilled fish and even the classic Algarvian dish called Cataplana.

O David

This isa restaurant in Albufeira does does some ok traditional food. The grilled seafood dishes are incredible especially the monkfish and prawn kebabs served with potatoes. It’s just across from Casa da Fonte, and whilst the food might not be as nice, it’s still pretty good. It’s a good second choice if you have already tried Casa da Fonte and want to eat at a different restaurant.

Faro or Albufeira?

Faro is the clear winner when it comes to food. There is so much more choice for eating spots here, especially if you are wanting to try the local cuisine. Albufeira has a lot of choice but not a lot of Portuguese food and not as good quality as Faro either.

Faro or Albufeira: which one is better for nightlife

The Algarve is a popular destination for people wanting to party the night away. Here is a breakdown of the best places to drink in each location.

Although one thing we need to stress is that we prefer cocktails and wine when we are going out. We like trying nice drinks and enjoying the atmosphere. For that reason we probably aren’t your usual Algarve nightlife lovers.

Faro

Faro is a great place to go if you are looking to party, sip cocktails, or try some fancy wine. The entertainment options feel almost endless. Overall we felt there was something to suit all tastes when it came to nightlife. Some of our favourite spots included:

Epicur

If you are after wine and cheese this is the place for you. They have a huge selection of wines and ports by the glass, as well as wine flights, and cheese boards.

LAB Terrace 

This is the best bar in Faro to watch the sunset. Just make sure you get there early because it isn’t exactly a secret. They do great drinks, and there is a really fun atmosphere here.

Columbus

This was our absolute favourite cocktail bar in Faro. They do top quality drinks, and the prices aren’t too bad either. It’s perfect if you are after some creative cocktails, in a well shaded location.

Albufeira

Albufeira is very much the party capital of the Algarve. The old town and the strip are incredibly popular with stag and hen dos and people wanting to party the night away. It’s definitely not our thing so if you are looking for something a bit different these are our recommendations.

Sal Rosa

Sal Rosa is the best cocktail bar in Albufeira. They take pride and care when making their concoctions. This is reflected in the price, but the drinks and the view are very much worth it. If you aren’t into the total party lifestyle Albufeira has to offer and want something a bit more sophisticated this is for you.

Portas Da Villa Antiquity Bar

This is a great hidden gem in Albufeira. Not only that it is one of the prettiest bars we have ever seen. It’s decorated with shells on the outside, which the owner apparently collected himself. They do great drinks and a good price too.

Faro or Albufeira?

Albufeira is the definite winner when it comes to nightlife. It is known for wild nights and cheap drinks. That isn’t to say that Faro isn’t a good place for nightlife, it’s just not as crazy as Albufeira.

Faro or Albufeira: which one is better for culture

If you are interested in culture you might be wondering if Faro or Albufeira are the better option for your trip.

Faro

Faro has a lot of museums you can visit, as well as Fado shows that you can book. There are a lot of food and drink options that are reflective of Portuguese culture, as well as a stunning old town with churches, and old buildings to explore.

Albufeira

Albufeira has a real tourist feel, or at least in our opinion. There were times we didn’t feel we were in Portugal because there were just so many British tourists. The bars and restaurants are catered to foreign tourists and we struggled to enjoy Portuguese culture here.

Faro or Albufeira?

Faro is the better option when it comes to culture. Even one of our tour guides who brought us around Albufeira sadly mentioned that she felt Albufeira no longer had much culture.

Faro or Albufeira: which one is better for safety

When travelling an important fact to consider is safety in your destination. Here we breakdown how safe Faro and Albufeira are.

Faro

Faro is a relatively safe city, and the biggest issue tourists face are things like pickpocketing or petty theft. Obviously you should have your wits about you, as you would anywhere in the world.

Albufeira

Similarly Albufeira is an incredibly safe place to visit. It’s very tourist friendly and you shouldn’t have any issues walking around here day or night.

It is a popular party destination so just have your wits about you, particularly when going places where people are drinking a lot of alcohol. On the whole though you should be fine.

Faro or Albufeira?

Faro and Albufeira are pretty on par when it comes to safety. They are both tourist hotspots where things like petty theft or pickpocketing are common but if you have your wits about you, you shouldn’t have any issues.

Faro or Albufeira: which one is better for couples

If you are planning to visit the Algarve with your significant other here is everything you need to know when visiting Faro and Albufeira.

Faro

Faro has some great things to do if you are travelling as a couple. For starters there are a number of bars and restaurants to enjoy a romantic meal or cocktails. There are some really cool bars geared towards watching the sunset too which is perfect after a long day of exploring.

The atmospheric old town with its cobbled streets, and Portuguese style buildings are also perfect for wandering around as a couple.

Albufeira

Albufeira similarly has a lot to see and do when travelling as a couple. We ended up booking an adults only hotel which included a spa, pool, and onsite bar. It was perfect for relaxing and enjoying time together.

The old town is incredibly scenic with lots of bars and restaurants to enjoy date night. You also have a lot of tours you can book to enjoy your holiday together.

Faro or Albufeira?

Both Faro and Albufeira have a certain romantic element to them. There are lots of things to do in both locations as a couple so we will have to call this one a tie.

Faro or Albufeira: which one is better for families

If you are thinking of travelling to the Algarve with kids you might be wondering if Faro or Albufeira is better for family travel. Here are our thoughts

Faro

Faro has a lot of great accommodation options if you are travelling as a family. A lot of hotels are family friendly or you can opt to stay in an apartment near the old town.

There are several museums you can visit in Faro, as well as boat tours, and of course the Ria Formosa National Park which is perfect for families to tour.

Albufeira

Albufeira is also a good destination if you are travelling with kids, but just keep in mind in peak season (July – August) it does become party central.

That being said there are still a number of family friendly activities to partake in. The beaches are child friendly and it is a resort style town so there is a lot to do as a family.

Faro or Albufeira?

Albufeira is our choice when it comes to family travel in the Algarve. The beaches are much more family friendly and there are plenty of things to do to keep the kids entertained year round.

Faro or Albufeira: which one is better for solo travel

For those of you planning on travelling solo, here is our opinion on which one is better.

Faro

There is a lot to do in Faro for solo travellers. The old town is filled with museums, and great places to explore. You can also book onto group tours if you are wanting to get out there and meet people.

Albufeira

Albufeira is a big party destination, so it wouldn’t be our first choice for places to go when travelling solo. The old town is great to walk around, but apart from enjoy the beaches, or go out drinking you are limited on things to do by yourself.

Faro or Albufeira?

If you are travelling solo Faro is the better location. It’s kind of a mix between a city break and a beach break, so you will find a lot more to do alone. Albufeira gets crazy with stag and hen dos which isn’t always fun to be around when travelling by yourself.

Faro or Albufeira: which one is better for a budget holiday

You might be wondering if Faro or Albufeira is cheaper – here is our breakdown.

Faro

Accommodation in Faro ranges between the super cheap hostels to the more expensive luxury style hotels. For a mid range 4 star hotel we paid €162 per night.

Food and drink are relatively cheap too depending on what you order. On average a meal meal will set you back somewhere between €12 – €20, and cocktails cost around €8.

Albufeira

Similar to Faro, Albufeira has accommodation to suit all travel styles. We stayed in a 4 star hotel which cost us around €160 per night.

Food and drink costs were similar in Albufeira and Faro (and most of the Algarve to be fair), again depending on where you decide to eat/drink.

Faro or Albufeira?

Faro and Albufeira are pretty similar in terms of pricing. You can organise a budget style trip or live a bit more luxuriously depending on your travel style.

Faro or Albufeira: which one is better for day trips

If you are planning some day trips you might be interested to know if you should base yourself in Faro or Albufeira.

Faro

There are a number of great day trips you can book from Faro which include the Benagil Caves (although less tour options than Albufeira), Ria Formosa National Park, and many eastern Algarve towns.

Albufeira

There are several different day trips you can do when staying in Albufeira. These include options such as wine tours, dolphin watching, visiting the Benagil Caves, and much more. We do highly recommend a trip to the Benagil Caves, and Albufeira (or Lagos) are two of the best places to stay to do this.

Faro or Albufeira?

Both Faro and Albufeira are good locations if you are wanting to book a day trip. Albufeira has more options for exploring the coastline and Benagil Caves, but Faro is better if you are wanting to explore some of the smaller towns on the eastern side of the Algarve.

Faro or Albufeira: which one is better for nature

If you want to experience the natural beauty the Algarve you might be wondering if Faro or Albufeira is the better location.

Faro

Faro is more of a city break destination, but it does also have some pretty awesome natural beauty to explore. For starters the Ria Formosa National Park is a must as well as the beaches and islands surrounding Faro.

Albufeira

Albufeira too has a lot of natural beauty and incredible coastlines. Although your best bet to experience natural beauty is to book a day trip to explore places like the Benagil Caves, go dolphin watching, or even explore the mountain landscape of the Algarve.

Faro or Albufeira?

Faro is the better option for natural beauty mostly because of its location in the Ria Formosa National Park.

Faro or Albufeira: which one is better in summer

Summer is peak season when it comes to visiting the Algarve. Here is our recommendation on the best locations to visit in the warmer months.

Faro

Summer is peak season in Faro, with temperatures ranging between 17 – 30 degrees Celsius. That being said it is not unusual for temperatures to reach 35 degrees at times.

There are many hotels with pools and bars, to help keep you cool in the summer months. There are also a number of beaches (although as discussed they are a bit of a trek out of town) where you can swim, or get involved in water sports.

Albufeira

Albufeira really peaks in the summer months, with tourists from around the world flocking here to party. There are lots of activities to partake in like water sports, parasailing, and much more.

Faro or Albufeira?

Both locations are great for visiting in the summer months. Albufeira is better when it comes to beaches as they are much closer to the town than Faro. But it does get a little crazy with the nightlife so it really depends on the kind of holiday you want.

Faro or Albufeira: which one is better in winter

Off season in the Algarve tends to fall in the winter months, and so you might be wondering if Faro and Albufeira are worth visiting.

Faro

Faro is the capital of the Algarve, and is much bigger than Albufeira. It isn’t just solely a tourist destination but is also a working town. A lot of the restaurants and bars are still open, and temperatures are mild averaging between 10 – 20 degrees celsius.

Albufeira

Winter tends to be a good time for families to visit Albufeira. The partygoers only really tend to visit in summer so it is much quieter. It is still open for business so you will get to take advantage of all the tours and bars/ restaurants with less crowds.

Faro or Albufeira?

We would recommend Faro for the winter months. There is a lot more to do that doesn’t just revolve around the beach.

Faro or Albufeira: which one is for me

Hopefully you have found this guide useful in trying to decide if Faro or Albufeira is best for your next trip to the Algarve. Here is a final summary to help you decide.

Faro

Faro as mentioned above is a popular holiday destination, but it is also a working city. The beaches are a little further from the old town, and it’s less resort style holiday more city break mixed with sunshine. It’s great for a city break style holiday mixed with a bit of sunshine and sand.

Albufeira

Albufeira is perfect if you want to party at night, and relax by the beach with a cocktail by day. It’s very much geared towards British tourists and that is reflected in the food and drink options in the town.

Faro or Albufeira?

If you are looking to party, or spend your days sat by the beach with a cocktail in hand you should definitely visit Albufeira. It’s also a good base if you are wanting to do day trips to places like Silves, or the Benagil caves.

But if you want something a little less touristy, that is part city break, part sun holiday you should go to Faro. It’s also got a more Portuguese feel to it, and some really great food options.

We actually preferred Faro because Albufeira was incredibly touristy, and we felt like it was being back in the UK just with better weather. It was also a little too lively for us. We also didn’t feel like there was as much to see and do in Albufeira.

We underestimated how much we would like Faro, as a lot of tourists tend to overlook it and head out to Albufeira or Lagos.

With that in mind if you need further tips on where to stay in the Algarve you can check out these comparison guides.

Lagos or Albufeira

Faro or Lagos

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Happy travels!