41 Best Hotels in The Algarve, Portugal

An intriguing cubist building dating from the 1940s, this family-run hotel on the outskirts of Olhão is both rustic and rural, stylish and cosmopolitan. The guest rooms have private terraces that overlook the nearby nature reserve. The design is simple and elemental, with natural materials like cork that call to mind the region's history.

Perched high on a cliff overlooking the dramatic coastline, the freshly refurbished Tivoli Carvoeiro has striking modern architecture, stunning ocean views, and well-kept grounds dotted with lots of trees. Rooms are sleek and minimalist, all overlooking the sea or garden. Outside there's a sizeable ring-shaped pool, along with tennis and diving facilities. A steep stone stairwell leads down to a private beach that has amazing cave formations.

Explore the beaches and vineyards of the Algarve from this country residence and 25-acre farm featuring a swimming pool, fruit orchards, olive groves, and flower gardens. Fazenda Nova has 15 perfect suites, all with Balinese-style beds topped with Egyptian cotton linens, and most with private outdoor spaces. The rustic-chic main building houses a vinyl library with many genres of music, and a small bar with guests gather.

Facing the Atlantic on Praia de Faro, this slick hotel offers unfussy accommodation with direct access to the beach and the protected landscapes of the Ria Formosa Natural Park. Built in a bold modernist style by Gomes da Costa, it features charming retro touches like marble staircases and a classic inglenook fireplace. Faro city is just a 10-minute drive away.

Stately rows of palm trees give this modern hotel the feel of a tropical retreat. The focus here is getting outdoors, whether it's to swim in the sparkling outdoor pools ringed by lounge chairs or to play a few rounds on the adjacent golf course. Afterwards you can pamper yourself at the world-class spa. The hotel recently divided itself into adults-only and family-friendly areas (including dedicated pools)—a welcome addition for most, though family rooms can be pricey.

With a cool, contemporary decor, this longtime favorite in the heart of Faro has a sunny rooftop pool and top-floor restaurant with lovely views. Rooms are modern and comfortably furnished; ask for one overlooking the harbor area. The fitness center is fantastic; sprawling, sleek—and busy.

This intimate hotel was designed in 1918 by Graça Viterbo, one of Portugal's leading architects of the time, in grand maximalist style that includes cathedral windows and a soaring tower. The luxe feel continues inside with opulent fabrics, tiles, and wood—but, as opposed to overwhelming, the cool-colored hues make the whole thing feel like a breath of fresh air. Most rooms are in new buildings, and have a mix of seaside chic with Portuguese tradition. The hotel has an expansive L'Occitane spa, a gourmet eponymous restaurant, and a rooftop bar that's a popular gathering spot for sunset cocktails.

Inspired by the many springs welling up from the thickly wooded mountain above Monchique, this small lodge has rooms facing the greenery, and some with terraces that afford beautiful mountain views. It's a great place to get away from it all, especially if you like walking. There's a sweet swimming pool in the garden, too.

This sweet hotel—one of few options in Silves—enjoys a prime hillside perch in Silves, offering views of the Arade River and castle. Its Arab-influenced design adds charm, and the setting is ideal for hikers on the Via Algarviana. Rooms are fine and the gardens lovely, but dining and service options feel limited. Great for a short, scenic stay—but don’t expect full-service luxury.

This is the little sister of the more well-known, but temporarily closed, Dom Pedro Vilamoura, and has a similar focus on golf; the five challenging nearby courses are some of the best in the area. Close to Vilamoura's enormous casino, this attractive resort is right by the marina and beach. Besides golf, there's a comprehensive range of facilities like tennis courts and a relaxing spa. Rooms are furnished beautifully, combining modernity and classic style—and there's a lovely garden to relax in.

This luxury property has golf on its mind: guests get reduced green fees and preferential tee times at the prestigious San Lorenzo and Pinheiros Altos golf clubs. The hotel also has a brilliant Arabian-Portuguese fusion restaurant, two bars (including a pool bar), its own tennis courts, and is close to the renowned Vale do Lobo tennis center. Rooms are spacious and modern, and most have sea views.

This resort's low-rise architecture beautifully blends into the landscape, which includes sand dunes and pretty gardens shaded by pine trees. There are six pools (including one indoor and one exclusively for kids), a fitness center, six restaurants, and a large, well-serviced spa where treatments can be enjoyed in the open air. Located in a prime spot overlooking Albufeira's Falésia Beach, the Epic Sana may not have the postal code of its Golden Triangle counterparts, but it certainly has the high quality to match them.

After being neglected for decades, this grand dame—the oldest hotel in the eastern Algarve dating from 1926, when Vila Real de Santo António was the center of the tinned-fish trade—has been returned to its former glory. The elegant building is full of period details like sweeping staircases, marble columns, and crystal chandeliers. The rooms don't quite match up in style—but are spacious, with artwork that recalls the city's heydey.

Grand in style, the cliff-top Santa Eulália occupies a privileged position just a short drive from the town center. It has large, modern rooms (ask for one facing the sea), and a host of facilities, including an impressive spa. Multiple restaurants on site satisfy appetites large and small; from a family-friendly buffet to a seasonal seafood restaurant overlooking the bay.

The sea vistas from this upscale hotel are both spectacular and legendary, so be sure to book a room with a view. The Moorish-style shared spaces are bright, most of the rooms have private balconies, and there's a spa on site, including a hammam. The onsite casino is what draws the guests here—it has a restaurant as well as floor shows.

Positioned around a generously sized swimming pool, this low-rise complex offers more affordable studio and one-bedroom apartments. The accommodation is basic but charming, with azulejo tiles decorating bedrooms. The on-site restaurant, bar and snack bar are low-key and no-frills, but provide a bit of interaction in the otherwise self-serving digs. Golfers will be in their element, as the hotel is flanked on all sides by high-quality courses.

This family-owned hilltop hotel's horseshoe configuration gives all the spacious guest quarters great sea views. Rooms and suites have terraces where you can enjoy the afternoon breezes. The two outdoor pools are lovely, as is the nearby beach—just be prepared to walk back up the steep hillside on the way back from your day in the sun.

Dating from the 1880s, this historic structure offers a pleasant stay in Faro's historic center. Rooms are bright and have some traditional touches like stone floors and French doors leading out to wrought-iron balconies. 

Occupying a converted tuna market (detailed in a small in-house museum, for those interested), the Vila Galé Albacora is a charming hotel that sits at the confluence of two rivers. In fact, in the summer months, boats depart from here to take you to the nearby white-sand beach on Tavira Island. It's traditional in architectural style, modern in decor, and not far from Tavira. Rooms are understated by practical and cozy-feeling.

One of Albufeira's most popular lodgings is a 10-minute walk from the main square. Smart, well-equipped rooms have private balconies; ask for one with a sea view, or you may end up facing the busy main road. Reserve well in advance for summer stays here, as package-tour operators tend to book whole blocks of rooms.

Tucked into the historic Old Town, this spot is a smaller-size hotel option with just five rooms—making it a more personal, boutique stay made even more sweet by the lovely host-owners Isabel and Marek. Right on Praça do Infante and just steps away from Praia da Batata, it offers sweeping ocean views as well as of the lively square—even better from the rooftop. Rooms are simple but pleasant, with cool, calming colors used throughout. A kitchen is available to use for breakfast.

This small bed and breakfast in the heart of Faro has eight modest-sized but charming rooms. Each overlooks a leafy courtyard and herb garden which, as its name suggests, is home to a fragrant lemon tree.

Set on a small square in the center of the old town, this lovely hotel has a cozy home-away-from-home feel. Inside, it has a communal living room complete with a fireplace, perfect for winter; for summer it has interior patios and a pretty swimming pool.

An iconic spot in Quinta do Lago, the Magnolia Hotel has a playful vibe that pays homage to the classic motels of Miami Beach. The public spaces set out to have a youthful atmosphere, with a lively pool bar lined with chattering guests. It's worth the splurge to upgrade to one of the seven retro-chic cottages.

This pretty boutique hotel is set in the center of Sagres' village, overlooking a beautiful white-sand beach. There's a garden filled with tropical plants that sets a peaceful vibe, which is mirrored in the cool tones of the bedrooms. There are plenty of spots to lounge around in, including in hammocks, and plenty of space to sunbathe beneath trees.

Direct access to a lovely beach is one of the main perks at this family-friendly resort, with playgrounds and pools exclusively for children of all ages. Adults aren't neglected, either—there's the luxurious Finisterra Spa with a nature-first range of treatments, plus multiple sports centers. The property itself—set within a natural park on the edge of the beautiful Martinhal Beach—has lots of opportunities for outdoor adventures. A range of accommodation is on offer here, from two-bedroom houses and villas to ordinary hotel doubles.