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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Algarve - which area is best

29 replies

Reusername · 19/04/2023 20:11

HI, I've never been to Portugal. Which area of the Algarve has the best beaches and the nicer towns. Looking for something upmarket but also suitable for a couple of teens who would've to be able to walk to things.

OP posts:
hellswelshy · 20/04/2023 13:56

Hi op, Olhos D'agua may work, take a look at that area. I know other posters also love Caveiro, so check that out too.

Original poster
Reusername · 20/04/2023 19:21

Thank you. I don't know where to start.

OP posts:
HydrangeaFairy · 20/04/2023 19:25

Alvor has one of the best beaches I've seen. Miles of sandy beach, great for bodyboarding or surfing. It's a lovely town with cobbled streets, a harbour and lots of bars and restaurants. My DC were early teens when we went and loved it.

KickboxingWanker · 20/04/2023 21:12

Just back from a week in Alvor it’s the first time I’ve been to the Algarve.
it had some of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever seen.
lovely little fishing village with lots of restaurants/bars.

Costacoffeeplease · 20/04/2023 21:31

I live in carvoeiro so am biased, but it is very popular with families. Also look at Alvor and Lagos

Happy to answer any questions

m00rfarm · 20/04/2023 21:35

I live in the Algarve. Carvoeiro is always popular, central, so easy to access things during the day and busy in the evenings (nice restaurants, beach has entertainment in the summer etc). I would choose this over places like Albufeira. The teens (assuming they are older teens) will find plenty of safe bars, etc. as well as the beach entertainment. However, if not in August, then it may be a bit tame for them in the evenings. Algarve is generally not a club area (apart from Albufeira and Praia da Rocha). Of the two, Praia da Rocha is only a few miles from Carvoeiro, so easy to access with an Uber, so I still think that overall Carvoeiro would be the best option.

Original poster
Reusername · 20/04/2023 22:13

Thank you all. Brilliant advice. So we are going in early July and have two teens aged 17 & 19 - so I am assuming only one can go into bars. I don't want them going to clubs (or the Strip!) but it would be nice to give them freedom to go out together without mum and dad hanging around as one has been at uni all year and they haven't seen each other much. I had actually looked at Vilamoura because there is a Hilton there with condos and they run a bus back and forward to the marina. But I'be also spent the evening looking at airbnbs but got a bit overwhelmed with all the choice and towns and beaches! What is the beach like at Carvoeiro? Also is the sea warm in July?

OP posts:
m00rfarm · 20/04/2023 22:17

The sea is never warm - it is Atlantic. Doesn't stop people swimming, but it is definitely COLD! Vilamoura is fine - it depends what sort of holiday you want. Something a bit traditional with local people living in the same area, or a place which could be any holiday resort. There are several beaches near Carvoeiro - but no huge ones. Big beaches locally would be Praia da Rocha or Ferragudo perhaps. The caves near Carvoeiro are amazing - so boat trips etc are popular.

Costacoffeeplease · 20/04/2023 23:04

Carvoeiro town beach is a cove with cliffs either side but 5 minutes by car will take you to Centeanes which is bigger and has a restaurant/snack bar or 10 minutes in the other direction is Praia Grande which is huge and has water sports and several bars and restaurants including Club Nau with live music at the weekend

There aren’t any clubs in Carvoeiro but there are bars with live music/karaoke. It’s definitely somewhere you can let sensible older teens have a bit of freedom as the centre is quite compact, and taxis are available and cheap

There are a few hotels but it’s mostly self catering villas and apartments. If you want to be within walking distance of the village, look at Monte Dourado, Colina Verde, Areias dos Moinhos, Monte Carvoeiro, Algar Seco, Colina Branca and parts of Quinta do Paraíso

Original poster
Reusername · 21/04/2023 17:42

Thank you. Shame about the sea :( Still the beaches look lovely.

OP posts:
Birdsongsinging · 21/04/2023 17:47

I was disappointed with Carvoeiro. I thought the beach and surrounding areas was lovely but the town itself was a bit 70s soulless. I prefer the sound of Alvor.

teapotsohot · 21/04/2023 18:03

I didn't like Carvoeiro, preferred Lagos. My favourite was Alvor, beautiful.

AuntieMarys · 21/04/2023 18:05

Carvoiero is fab

Original poster
Reusername · 21/04/2023 18:24

Could anyone tell me more about Lagos please?

OP posts:
m00rfarm · 21/04/2023 20:56

Reusername · 21/04/2023 18:24

Could anyone tell me more about Lagos please?

Lagos is a busy city, several beaches, quite a few restaurants - wide range of people.

m00rfarm · 21/04/2023 20:59

Birdsongsinging · 21/04/2023 17:47

I was disappointed with Carvoeiro. I thought the beach and surrounding areas was lovely but the town itself was a bit 70s soulless. I prefer the sound of Alvor.

You thought Carvoeiro was soulless and 70s? Where did you think the town was? I can only think you did not realise you were in Carvoeiro. Which surrounding areas were lovely? The town is just three or four streets really - which have cafes and restaurants and is one of the most traditional areas in the Algarve! Many of the establishments have been there for 30 or 40 years. Many buildings are the original ones from way before the 60s, and others are modernised. Most of the larger buildings were constructed mid 80s and 90s. But there are no large tower blocks, unlike pretty much every other town in the Algarve. I have heard Carvoeiro described as many things, but soulless? Never heard that one before!

m00rfarm · 21/04/2023 21:00

For those of you who like your food, there are several Michelin restaurants in and around Carvoeiro.

Costacoffeeplease · 21/04/2023 21:29

I’m quite glad some people aren’t keen on Carvoeiro, it gets busy enough in summer as it is 😄

NowZeusHasLainWithLeda · 22/04/2023 12:47

I went to Alvor with DD when she was 15 and we loved it. We did trips to Lisbon (long day but worth it and we returned last year for 3 full days) and Lagos. DD said at the time if we went back she'd like to stay in Lagos itself.

ZenNudist · 22/04/2023 12:51

I prefer to go west of Lagos but agree lagos is a good busy town. I like Sagres but it's rougher seas. Not a fan of Central algarve. Tacky.

ZenNudist · 22/04/2023 12:58

Tavira is nice, east of faro. Boats to sandy beaches.

Praia da Luz is a small town but I like it. Few more bars and restaurants and a promenade.

I used to prefer the small small places like Bugau and Salema which are a bit more developed nowadays but have few restaurants and are basically a beach and a bit of town.

Given your requirements I think Lagos is best bet. Avoid the central area of the algarve, especially in summer.

E

N0tfinished · 22/04/2023 13:22

HydrangeaFairy · 20/04/2023 19:25

Alvor has one of the best beaches I've seen. Miles of sandy beach, great for bodyboarding or surfing. It's a lovely town with cobbled streets, a harbour and lots of bars and restaurants. My DC were early teens when we went and loved it.

We were there last year & loved it. Very relaxed & family friendly. Great little village & fab beaches. Did some bus trips (just public bus) to Lagos which was a stunning town (city?? Quite big) Resorts around Lagos might be more buzzy, and it seemed more upmarket.

N0tfinished · 22/04/2023 13:25

I took these pics in Lagos last year. Very cute with cobblestones and white buildings. Lovely marina area too.

Algarve - which area is best
Algarve - which area is best
N0tfinished · 22/04/2023 13:31

Oh sorry, meant to add. We had our DS17 with us last year in Alvor. Id have been perfectly happy for him to wander off by himself, especially if there were 2 of them. It's a small family friendly kind of place, the one street with most of the bars is pretty contained, it's more restaurants than bars. Definitely not full of drunk 20-somethings

m00rfarm · 22/04/2023 16:10

ZenNudist · 22/04/2023 12:51

I prefer to go west of Lagos but agree lagos is a good busy town. I like Sagres but it's rougher seas. Not a fan of Central algarve. Tacky.

Before you label everywhere tacky, please remember that there are quite a few mumsnetters who live there and clearly don’t find it tacky. I’m assuming you have explored the entire area to make your claim. Personally, I don’t find it tacky. I lived in Marlow for ten years and didn’t find that tacky either.

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