Lagos or Albufeira: Which Algarve destination is best for me

Are you trying to decide between Lagos or Albufeira for your next holiday to the Algarve? This article covers absolutely everything you need to know, including which ones has better food, nightlife, tourist attractions, and much more.

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Lagos or Albufeira: Some background

Here is a bit of background on both destinations to start you thinking about which one you should visit on your next trip to the Algarve.

Lagos

Located in the western part of the Algarve, and close to places like Sagres, Lagos is a popular tourist destination. It’s located on the Atlantic Ocean, and is the biggest city in the western Algarve. It’s know for its beaches, rugged shorelines, and colourful architecture.

Albufeira

Only a 30 minute drive from the capital of the Algarve 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.

Lagos or Albufeira: which one is better for accommodation

Choosing the right accommodation is one of the most important parts of your holiday, so we have broken down where to stay in Lagos and Albufeira, to help you decide which one is better.

Lagos

Lagos is a popular tourist location in the Algarve, which means that you won’t have trouble finding accommodation. You can book anything from camp sites to 4 star hotels and resorts.

Popular areas for tourists to stay are the old town, the marina, or near the beaches. These areas are close to all the action with several food and drink options nearby.

We stayed at the Carvi Beach Hotel, which is a resort style accommodation just by the beach. It was around a 15 minute walk into the old town from here, and just across from the Ponta da Piedade walking route.

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.

Lagos or Albufeira?

Honestly Lagos and Albufeira are pretty on par when it comes to accommodation options. The prices are also pretty similar. At a stretch we felt there was more choice in Albufeira but this may have just been due to the time of year we booked.

Lagos or Albufeira: which one is better for attractions

Obviously tourist attractions and things to do is going to be a major factor when deciding between Lagos or Albufeira. Here are some of the top things to do in each location.

Lagos

Lagos is a fantastic holiday destination filled with beautiful beaches, a charming old town, and lots of boat tours. Here are some of the highlights for things to do in Lagos.

Ponta da Piedade

Ponta da Piedade is a beautiful coastal area in Lagos with rugged rock formations, beautiful viewpoints, and a number of caves and grottos to explore.

If you are planning to walk you can see the area from above. There is a boardwalk that you follow and it’s around 2.5km in length. This walk will also take you past Praia Dona Ana and Praia do Camilo so bring your swimming gear if you decide to do it.

There are a couple of restaurants/bars along the boardwalk as well, which is good news if you need to refuel on a hot day.

You can also view Ponta da Piedade by boat. If you can we recommend a grotto/cave tour as you get to really checkout the cool caves in the area.

Explore the old town

Exploring the old town in Lagos is really beautiful. There is so much charm walking through the cobbled back streets, and passing the colourful buildings.

Lagos old town is relatively flat and compact enough that you can do it all on foot. Make sure you explore the squares, eat some gelato, and make the most of the food and drink in the area.

Igreja de Santo António in the Museu de Lagos

Lagos has a number of museums but one of the best is the Museu de Lagos. It’s only a few Euros for entry, and the museum itself doesn’t take long to explore, but it is worth it.

Here you can learn all about the history of Lagos, and marvel at religious and cultural artefacts.

The real highlight though is Igreja de Santo António which is a stunning chapel that you can only access through the museum. It’s pretty spectacular and one of the best things to see in Lagos.

Enjoy the beaches

Lagos has some of the most beautiful beaches in the Algarve. Two of our favourites have to be Praia Dona Ana and Praia do Camilo. These beaches are the most beautiful in Lagos as they encompass the rock formations, golden sand, and clean blue waters that Lagos is famous for.

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.

Lagos or Albufeira?

We think Lagos is the clear winner when it comes to tourist attractions. Whilst there is a lot to do in both, the Ponta da Piedade and atmospheric old town in Lagos make it the better of the two when it comes to sights.

Lagos or Albufeira: which one is more picturesque

You might be wondering if Lagos or Albufeira is the more picturesque place to visit. Here is our run down.

Lagos

Lagos has a lot of beautiful scenery and an incredibly beautiful old town. The beaches are incredibly rugged particularly around Ponta da Piedade. The old town is stunning too with its traditional tiled buildings and cobbled streets.

Albufeira

Albufeira also has beautiful beaches and a picturesque old town. There are some beautiful viewpoints, and coastal views that you can enjoy as well as traditional Portuguese style buildings.

Lagos or Albufeira?

Lagos is definitely the more picturesque of the two, especially with the rugged coastline and caves and grottos around Ponta da Piedade.

Lagos or Albufeira: which one has the better vibe

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

Lagos

Lagos has a very relaxed vibe. It’s the kind of place to go if you are looking for a relaxing beach holiday with a bit of partying in between. It’s very welcoming of tourists.

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.

Lagos or Albufeira?

This one really depends on what you want from your trip. If you just want to party Albufeira has the better vibe. But if you want to relax, take in some scenery, and enjoy some nights out Lagos is perfect.

Lagos or Albufeira: which one is easier to get to

No one wants to spend ages trying to get to their holiday destination, so you might be wondering if Lagos or Albufeira are easier to get to. Keep in mind to get to both destinations you will more than likely need to travel via Faro. The closes airport to both locations is Faro, and most trains from around the country will arrive in Faro.

Lagos

Lagos is located on the western side of the Algarve, and about an hour drive from Faro. You can either rent a car and drive from Faro Airport, or get an Uber. Although keep in mind an Uber will set you back around the €70 mark.

You can also get the train which takes around 1.5 – 2 hours although these are not frequent so check timetables in advance.

Albufeira

Albufeira is closer to Faro and therefore a little easier to get to. An Uber will cost around €40 and take about 30 minutes from Faro Airport. Similarly a train will also take about 30 minutes, but again these are not frequent so you will need to research in advance.

Lagos or Albufeira?

Because Albufeira is closer to Faro it is the easier of the two locations to get to, plus it is a lot cheaper. That being said you can easily Uber to either location from Faro, or get the train.

Lagos or Albufeira: which one is easier to get around

When travelling you want to make sure where ever you are visiting is easy to get around.

Lagos

You won’t really need public transport in Lagos as the main tourist spots are all within walking distance of each other.

Albufeira

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

Lagos or Albufeira?

Both destinations are incredibly walkable and easy to navigate.

Lagos or Albufeira: which one is better for beaches

Let’s face it, visiting the beach is one of the reasons people flock to the Algarve. But between Lagos and Albufeira which one has the better beaches?

Lagos

Famed for its rugged coastlines and fascinating rock formations, Lagos is popular with tourists wanting to relax with sunshine and sand.

One of the best beaches in Lagos is Praia Dona Ana, but there are several smaller beaches nearby that you can also enjoy.

The beaches in Lagos are around a 15 minute walk from the old town, and there are many hotels located near here too.

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.

Lagos or Albufeira?

Both Lagos and Albufeira are great options for a beach holiday. The beaches in Lagos are a little bit more scenic due to the rocky landscape in this part of the Algarve. For this reason we preferred Lagos.

That being said if you are wanting to have a bit of fun on the beach and have fun with inflatable slides and things like that Albufeira is perfect.

Lagos or Albufeira: which one is better for food

Honestly food is one of the best things about going on holiday, so you might be wondering in the battle between Lagos vs Albufeira where the best place for culinary delights is.

Lagos

Lagos is great for food. There is a lot of variety from your cheap and cheerful quick bites to your more fancy restaurants. It’s also great for fresh seafood and Portuguese cuisine. Here are some of our favourites.

Real Portuguese Cuisine

Admittedly we were put off by the name because we thought this was one of those places that tourists flock to to try so called real food. But then when you get there you find it is a tourist trap. We could not be more wrong.

This is a fantastic place to eat for proper good quality Portuguese food in Lagos. It’s a little on the pricey side, but honestly it is so worth it. Try the seafood if you can.

Luca’s Rooftop Restaurant 

Located on top of the Carvi beach hotel you will find Luca’s Rooftop restaurant. As you can guess with the name you get some pretty awesome views from here. But the food is also top quality. It’s great for seafood especially. Just make sure you book ahead.

Taninos Wine & Kitchen

If you want to try Portuguese tapas and some great wine head to Taninos wine and kitchen. This is some of the best food we ate as part of our Algarve itinerary. If you are into goats cheese try their version it is probably the most memorable dish we have ever eaten. Annoyingly I was too busy devouring it to take a photo.

Albufeira

Albufeira has a lot of food choices, although when it comes to authentic Portuguese food there isn’t as much choice as Lagos. 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.

Lagos or Albufeira?

Lagos is the clear winner when it comes to food in the Algarve. 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.

Lagos 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 things to do in each location.

Lagos

Lagos has a lot of cheap and cheerful bars with happy hours, as well as rooftop bars, cocktail lounges, and much more. The old town is the best spot to party the night away, with lots of bars offering cheap drinks and free shots to get people in the doors.

Albufeira

Albufeira is the spot to go in the Algarve if you want to party. The old town and the strip are incredibly lively with several places offering cheap drink deals. The old town also has a few nicer cocktail bars and lounges if you are after something a little more upmarket as well.

Lagos or Albufeira?

Albufeira is the winner when it comes to nightlife. It’s incredibly lively and is essentially known for wild nights, and cheap drinks.

Lagos or Albufeira: which one is better for culture

If you are wanting a more cultural kind of experience on your trip, you might be wondering if Lagos or Albufeira is for you.

Lagos

Lagos 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.

Lagos or Albufeira?

Lagos is the better option if you are looking to experience Portuguese culture. Even one of our tour guides who brought us around Albufeira sadly mentioned that she felt Albufeira no longer had much culture.

Lagos or Albufeira: which one is better for safety

Safety is an important aspect of any trip abroad. Here is a breakdown of how safe Lagos and Albufeira are.

Lagos

Lagos is a really safe place to visit. We didn’t hear of any incidents involving tourists and felt safe walking around here even late in the evening.

It’s worth having your wits about you like you would in any holiday destination, particularly when alcohol is involved, but generally you should be ok.

Pickpocketing and petty crime is common which isn’t surprising as it is a big tourist area.

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.

Lagos or Albufeira?

Lagos 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.

Lagos 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 Lagos and Albufeira.

Lagos

Lagos is a great place to visit as part of a couple. There is so much to see and do here, including romantic sunset tours, hiking around the rugged cliffs of Ponta da Piedade, or just getting lost in the romantic old town.

The bars and restaurants are perfect for date nights too.

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.

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

Lagos or Albufeira?

We enjoyed Lagos a lot more. Albufeira was probably a bit too lively for us, which is fine if you want to go out and party as a couple, whereas our scene is more cocktails and wine. Lagos is also a bit more picturesque with better food and drink options, which is why we preferred it over Albufeira.

Lagos or Albufeira: which one is better for families

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

Lagos

Lagos is very popular for family holidays. The gorgeous beaches, and family friendly resorts make for a fantastic holiday destination, particularly if you a travelling with kids.

There are also some great museums and tons of water based activities to partake in around Lagos.

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.

Lagos or Albufeira?

Lagos is the better option when it comes to being family friendly. There are more beaches, and activities in the old town. It’s less wild than Albufeira as well, making it a bit easier to chill out in the evenings.

Lagos 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.

Lagos

There is a lot to do in Lagos 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.

Lagos or Albufeira?

Lagos is the better choice for solo travel. It’s less chaotic, and has much more to see and do.

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

In this economic climate you might be wondering if Lagos or Albufeira are ideal for budget travel.

Lagos

Lagos has super cheap accommodation, including a campsite, and hostels if you are wanting something cheap.

Overall we found accommodation was a little more expensive in Lagos as we paid €160 per night for accommodation although this was only a 3 star hotel. It was right on the beach though which probably increased the price.

Food and drink were the same as Albufeira, and it really depends on where you eat and drink as to how much it will cost.

Albufeira

Similar to Lagos 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 Lagos, again depending on where you decide to eat/drink.

Lagos or Albufeira?

Both destinations are pretty on par when it comes to costs.

Lagos 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 Lagos or Albufeira.

Lagos

Lagos has a number of day trips you can book onto including visiting the Benagil Caves, dolphin watching tours, Ponta da Piedade cave tours, and trips to Sagres.

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.

Lagos or Albufeira?

Both Lagos and Albufeira have some excellent day tour options. You can book your tours via Get Your Guide.

Lagos or Albufeira: which one is better for nature

The Algarve is renowned for its natural beauty, but between Lagos and Albufeira which one is better?

Lagos

Lagos has a lot of natural beauty including rugged beaches and the incredibly beautiful Ponta da Piedade. Lagos is also relatively close to the Benagil Caves, making it a great place to visit if you are hoping to do a day trip.

Albufeira

Albufeira too has a lot of natural beauty and incredible coastlines. Like Lagos there are several day tours to book if you want to explore places like the Benagil Caves, go dolphin watching, or even explore the mountain landscape of the Algarve.

Lagos or Albufeira?

Lagos has a lot more natural beauty in the town itself. You only need to walk 15 minutes to get to Ponta da Piedade, which is one of the most beautiful hiking spots in the Algarve.

Lagos or Albufeira: which one is better in summer

If you are travelling in summer Lagos and Albufeira are both popular destinations. But which one is better?

Lagos

Summer is also peak season in Lagos with tourists flocking here to enjoy the beaches and nightlife. Temperatures are similar to those in Faro, making it a great place to visit for sunshine and warmth.

There are several beaches you can enjoy in Lagos over the summer months, as well as water activities like kayaking and paddle boarding.

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.

Lagos or Albufeira?

Because Albufeira is such a party destination we would say that Lagos is the better choice for visiting in the summer. That is unless you want to party then Albufeira is for you.

Lagos has more beaches, and things to do that aren’t just focused around drinking.

Lagos 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 Lagos and Albufeira are worth visiting.

Lagos

Lagos is still open for business in the winter months, although it is much quieter. It might not be ideal for swimming but you can still do dolphin watching tours, go hiking, and explore the old town.

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.

Lagos or Albufeira?

We think Lagos is the better choice for winter, only because there is a lot more to see and do. Albufeira is more of a resort/beach destination and whilst Lagos is too, it has a little bit more to it.

Lagos or Albufeira: which one is for me

So you have made it through this list comparing all things Lagos and Albufeira but which one is better for your vacation?

Lagos

If you want to enjoy time at the beach, mixed with exploring the authentic old town Lagos is for you. The beaches are beautiful, particularly around Ponta da Piedade, and it is also ideal for hiking.

The other great thing about Lagos is that you have a lot of food and drink options especially when it comes to traditional foods.

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.

Lagos or Albufeira?

Personally we preferred Lagos to Albufeira. There was way more to see and do, and honestly the food is just so much better. The old town has way more personality, and it feels a lot more like you are on holiday in Portugal, compared to Albufeira which in our opinion felt like an extension of England.

Albufeira is great if you do want to party or you are visiting in a large group for a stag or hen do, but apart from that we didn’t feel that there was much to see and do.

Hopefully this article has helped you decide between Lagos and Albufeira.

Make sure you pin this article for later.

And if you want to compare Lagos and Faro here is a helpful guide.

Alternatively we have a Faro vs Albufeira comparison that you might find helpful.

Or if you just want to know if Faro is worth visiting you can go here.