4 Great Budget Accommodation Choices in the Algarve

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by Annie Button

Are you looking for an affordable European holiday in the sun? Luckily, holidays on the continent are easily accessible, with budget airlines making flights affordable and convenient. And if you’re looking for a warm Mediterranean welcome in a country that is not too far away, with spectacular scenery, beautiful beaches and rich culture, Portugal’s glorious Algarve should be your destination of choice.

You can fly to Faro from airports all over the UK and when you land, car hire and onward travel are exceptionally reasonable. Then, you are within an hour of virtually the whole of the Algarve. You can check holiday price comparison websites for the best offers or take our shortcut to these 4 great budget locations. You could even plan your holiday so you get to spend a few days in each location.

1.Hotel Sol Algarve, Faro

Right in the centre of downtown Faro and a short bus ride from the airport, the Hotel Sol Algarve has a pleasant courtyard in the middle and is very close to bus and rail links. It has a nice bar, a restaurant and free breakfasts. The hotel gets fantastic reviews as a comfortable, clean city hotel for those on a budget.

It’s an ideal base for exploring Faro and further afield. The city of Faro is great for sightseeing, shopping and nightlife and has lots of very nice cafés, bars and restaurants. It is also one of only few European cities that are blessed with its own great beaches!

2.Quinta dos Carricos Camping, Praia da Salema

What better way to experience the Algarve on a budget than by camping? If you are looking for an outdoor experience close to nature, in the countryside but with easy access to amazing beaches, Quinta dos Carricos is for you.  

The site has a restaurant and bar, minimarket and free Wi-Fi around the camp. There are also a number of studios and apartments available to rent if tents are not your thing – and the camp draws very good reviews for its location and the friendliness of its staff. This is a place to kick really back and relax.            

3.Residencial Mares, Tavira

This 24-room hotel situated right on a river in the centre of the historic town of Tavira. The décor is simple but all rooms have a TV and air conditioning and some have balconies that look out over the river. There’s a restaurant serving breakfast and a nice lounge / day room for relaxation, and the hotel also has Wi-Fi and a sauna.  

Guests can get a boat taxi right outside to take in the beautiful coastline, including the unique Tavira Island. Travelling to and from Faro Airport couldn’t be easier as the hotel can arrange this for guests.  Tavira itself is a beautiful historic town with lots to see, including churches and a castle to visit, lots of lovely places to eat and bustling bars, some of which have live music.

4.Studio 17, Portimao

Studio 17 is a high-rise, nearly new, modern built hotel of 65 beautifully equipped apartments near to the centre of Portimao. These apartments have everything you could need for a holiday, with flat screen TVs, fully fitted kitchens, separate bedroom and living area and large balconies. There’s also a very pleasant though small swimming pool.  

The hotel offers unbelievable value for money, perhaps because the immediate area is not the best – there is a Gypsy camp across the road – but it works well as a base for exploring Portimao and the beautiful resort of Praia da Rocha that is about 15 minutes’ walk.  

The town of Portimao has several shopping centres and numerous bars and restaurants as well as lots of historic, winding, cobbled streets and a pleasant port area. Praia da Rocha has a strip of bars, restaurants and gift shops on a cliff top overlooking a wonderfully golden sandy beach that is well served by beach bars and restaurants. The rock formations here are superb and great for kids to explore.