_{*average flight time from London to the Algarve}

Beaches made for bathing

Of course, the beaches play a huge part in drawing travellers to Portugal’s southernmost region.

There are more than 150 of them and they come in every conceivable size, colour and style. To the west of Faro, the regional capital, you’ll find the biggest and best-known Algarve holiday resorts, from the fun-loving town of Albufeira to family-friendly Praia da Galé.

This sun-drenched portion of the coastline is typified by long, golden stretches of shoreline, most of which is dotted with beach bars, seafood restaurants, hotels and sun loungers.

The latest Algarve deals

*All deal pricing below is accurate as of 9:00am GMT today. Prices are subject to change. Deals are subject to the partners’ T&Cs.

Head west, slow down

Head further west still and the tourism infrastructure peters out, giving way to a wildly beautiful region.

Here, you’ll find yourself scrambling down russet-coloured cliffs to reach deserted sandy bays, where dolphins play in the surf and seabirds wheel overhead. 

The laid-back east

The eastern Algarve is Portugal at its sleepiest and most traditional: a landscape of olive groves, cork trees and whitewashed houses, where life moves at a slower pace and tourists rarely venture.

Unpeel yourself from the coast

Most visitors spending holidays in Algarve destinations stick to the coast like Velcro, but inland the region is gloriously undeveloped.

Scattered around the wooded hills of Monchique you’ll find dozens of postcard-perfect Portuguese villages, whose cobbled streets and red-roofed houses remain untouched by the ravages of modernity. Buy olives from a local market, lounge about in a rustic pavement café, or don your hiking boots and conquer the 902 metres (2,959 feet) of Foiá.  

Which resort to choose?

You’ll find most all-inclusive Algarve holidays on the coastline between Quarteira and Lagos, which are both popular beach resorts in their own right.

For cheap holiday deals, Albufeira and Praia da Rocha boast a heady mix of sun-kissed sandy beaches, tip-top hotel infrastructure and stellar nightlife that makes them popular with visitors looking for family package holidays to the Algarve.

The area between Almancil, Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo, on the other hand, is known as the ‘Golden Triangle’ because of its emphasis on luxury all-inclusive Algarve holidays. 

If you’re after a lavish but cheap holiday to the Algarve in 2020, try an up-and-coming package spot such as Ferragudo or Vilamoura.

Silves and Tavira, on the other hand, are both rich in history and sure to appeal to culture vultures.

When to go 

Long summers, mild winters and bags of sunshine all year round make the Algarve one of Europe’s few genuine trans-seasonal destinations.

A pleasant sea breeze generally stops the temperature from getting uncomfortably hot over summer, and it’s rare to see a frost on the grass even in the coldest winters.

The Atlantic is a tad nippier than the Med, so if you’re dreaming of sculling about in the ocean then stick to the warmer months – that’s anytime between May and September.

With so many popular sun, sea ‘n’ sand destinations, prices soar during the summer holidays. May, June, early July and September are great times to visit, with plenty of well-priced Algarve holiday deals on offer and weather that’s more than good enough for sunbathing and swimming.

Cheap holidays to the Algarve are plentiful from October through to April, although you’ll see a price rise during the Easter holidays and over half term breaks from school. Even if you’re restricted to school holidays, though, there are plenty of Algarve package deals available at bargainous prices.  

Events for your diary

Summer sees an array of events taking place along the coast, including Loulé’s International Jazz Festival in July, Silves’ Medieval Fair in August and the diverse MED Festival in June.  

Other destinations you may be interested in…