The Algarve owes much of its appeal to its 150km of Atlantic coastline, with its ochre cliffs, sandy beaches and secret coves. Staying by the sea in this region means enjoying direct access to the ocean or unobstructed views from your room or pool, and sometimes private access to the beach. We have selected for you the 10 best seaside hotels in the Algarve, establishments that place the ocean at the heart of the holiday experience.
In this article, you’ll find our selection from Albufeira, Lagos and Portimão, plus a complementary list of hotels with sea or marina views.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
The best seaside hotels in the Algarve: summary
The Algarve’s seaside hotel offer is particularly varied, fromAlbufeira to Lagos and Portimão. You can stay close to some of the Algarve’s most beautiful beaches. Whatever your travel style, we recommend booking in advance, especially for the best-positioned establishments: beachfront hotels are among the first to sell out at the start of the high season.
- Some establishments are built above the beach, like theHotel Sol e Mar in Albufeira, where an indoor elevator descends directly onto the sand.
- Others are perched on cliffs with breathtaking ocean views, like Hotel Bela Vista in Portimão or Boutique Hotel Vivenda Miranda in Lagos.
- Finally, for a truly original experience, The Homeboat Company allows you to sleep on the water, moored in the Albufeira Marina.
OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING A CAR IN THE Algarve
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Don’t take a car that’s too wide, as old towns have narrow streets and small parking spaces.
- For more choice, book early.
1. Bela Vista Hotel & Spa – Relais & Châteaux (Portimão)
Why stay there?
Perched on a cliff overlooking Praia da Rocha, the Bela Vista Hotel & Spa is probably the oldest hotel in the Algarve, dating back to 1934. Classified as a Relais & Châteaux, it offers one of the most remarkable locations on the entire Algarvian coast: direct panoramic ocean views from most rooms, the pool and the terrace. Its 38 rooms, in three buildings of distinct character – the Palacere (1918), the Casa Azul (1930s) and the Bela Vista Jardim (2011) – combine historic charm with contemporary comfort. We stayed in the Casa Azul with sea view and have particularly fond memories of it. The Michelin-starred gourmet restaurant, 400m² L’Occitane spa and privileged direct access to the Praia da Rocha make this establishment an address apart in the Algarve. If you’re looking for a seaside hotel with character, this is the place to stay.
Swimming pools and beach access
- Outdoor pool with panoramic beach view
- Indoor pool in spa area
- Pool bar
- Privileged direct access to Praia da Rocha
- 10min walk from Praia dos Três Castelos
- Beach towels provided
Practical information
- District: Praia da Rocha, seafront (Portimão)
- Price range: 5 stars – Relais & Châteaux
- Restaurant: yes (Michelin-starred gourmet, bistro, lounge bar)
- Family rooms: no (children aged 12 and over permitted)
- Facilities: 400m² L’Occitane spa, sea-view gym, garden, panoramic terrace
- Parking: private pay car park, valet parking
- Read our dedicated article here
- See photos, prices and availability – and book!
A LITTLE MORE patience
All the photos, maps, information and addresses you need to make your stay in Portugal a success will soon be available in a single ebook!
If you would like to be informed when our guide to Portugal is published, please register:
2. Hotel Sol e Mar (Albufeira)
Why stay there?
Hotel Sol e Mar boasts a truly unique location in the Algarve: the hotel is built literally on top of the Praia do Peneco, accessible directly from inside the hotel by elevator. Located in the heart of Albufeira’s old town, this adults-only hotel combines close proximity to the beach with a central location for exploring the historic center on foot. We were seduced by the breathtaking ocean views from the rooms and common areas. Modern, functional furnishings make for a pleasant stay. Two restaurants complete the offer: the Sunrise, for buffets overlooking the sea, and the Sunset, whose menu features regional and international cuisine. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a hotel in Albufeira with a better location to the beach.
Swimming pool and beach
- Year-round indoor pool
- Beach at the foot of the hotel, accessible by indoor elevator
Practical information
- Neighborhood: historic center (Albufeira)
- Price range: 4 stars
- Restaurant: 2 restaurants (Sunrise buffet with sea view, Sunset à la carte)
- Family rooms: no (hotel for adults only)
- Facilities: Free WiFi, airport shuttle
- Parking: no
- See photos, prices and availability – and book!
3. Pine Cliffs Ocean Suites Hotel (Albufeira)
Why stay there?
Perched on the ochre cliffs of the Algarve, Pine Cliffs Ocean Suites offers direct views of the Atlantic Ocean and Praia da Falésia. This 5-star resort boasts a private beach accessible from the estate, direct access to the sea and 8 outdoor pools. We were impressed by the quality and diversity of the facilities, which will satisfy couples and families alike. The Serenity Spa, which won a World Luxury Spa Award in 2024, 15 restaurants and bars, and a wide range of sporting activities including golf, tennis and water sports, complete a particularly comprehensive offering. It’s an establishment designed for an entire seaside stay, without the need to stray far from the estate. You’ll love the location on the cliffs, one of the most beautiful on the entire coast.
Swimming pool, spa and beach
- 8 outdoor pools and 1 indoor pool, open all year round
- Private beach access from the hotel
- Private beach
- Towels, parasols and deckchairs provided
- Award-winning Serenity Spa (treatments, massages, sauna, Jacuzzi, sensory shower)
Practical information
- District: Village Olhos de Água (9km from Albufeira)
- Price range: 5 stars
- Restaurant: 15 restaurants and bars
- Family rooms: yes, free cot available on request
- Facilities: Free WiFi, gym, airport shuttle, room service
- Parking: yes, free and private
- See photos, prices and availability – and book!
4. PortoBay Falésia Hotel (Albufeira)
Why stay there?
Set atop the ochre cliffs of Praia de Falésia, Hotel PortoBay Falésia offers the ideal setting for a seaside vacation. We enjoyed the panoramic ocean views from the hotel’s lush gardens and pools. Comfortable, well-equipped rooms guarantee a pleasant stay. The Praia de Falésia, voted best beach in the world in 2024, can be reached in just a few minutes via a private path. The wellness center offers a full range of treatments, whether you want to recover from a day on the beach or enjoy a relaxing interlude. We recommend this hotel for a stay focused on the sea and nature, in an unspoilt setting. You’ll be amazed by the beauty of the cliffs that frame the beach from the heights of the estate.
Swimming pool, spa and beach
- 2 swimming pools (indoor and outdoor), open all year round
- Private beach access from the hotel
- Private beach
- Spa (treatments, massages, sauna, Jacuzzi, hammam)
Practical information
- District: Village Olhos de Água (9km from Albufeira)
- Price range: 4 stars
- Restaurant: yes, 2 restaurants (buffet and à la carte) and a bar/snack bar
- Family rooms: yes, free cot available on request
- Facilities: Free WiFi, gym, airport shuttle
- Parking: yes, private and paying
- See photos, prices and availability – and book!
FUN in the Algarve: activities
Caves and cliffs by boat
Kayak Tours
Dolphin watching
Jeep tour
5. Boutique Hotel Vivenda Miranda (Lagos)
Why stay there?
Perched on the cliffs of Porto de Mós in Ponta da Piedade, the Boutique Hotel Vivenda Miranda offers one of the most breathtaking views of the entire Lagos coastline. The panoramic pool and garden suspended over the ocean create a setting that’s hard to forget. This former private residence is distinguished by its meticulous decor, featuring murals and restored antique furniture. Restaurant Mirandus enjoys the same spectacular view of the rocky escarpments below. We loved the opportunity to practice yoga in the garden pavilion facing the sea. An experience that sums up the spirit of this hotel. It’s the ideal address for a couple’s getaway, in an exceptional natural setting just a few minutes’ walk from the Praia do Porto de Mós.
Swimming pool and beach access
- Outdoor pool with integrated jets and panoramic ocean views
- Open-air Jacuzzi integrated into the pool
- 10-minute walk to Praia do Porto de Mós and 25-minute walk to Praia do Canavial
Practical information
- Neighborhood: Ponta da Piedade (Lagos)
- Price range: 4 stars
- Restaurant: Restaurant Mirandus (Mediterranean and healthy cuisine) and bar
- Family rooms: no
- Facilities: spa with sauna and steam bath, gym, yoga pavilion, yoga classes for all levels
- Parking: yes, with electric terminals and PMR spaces
- See photos, prices and availability – and book!
6. Clube Porto de Mós – O SunPlace (Lagos)
Why stay there?
Overlooking the Praia do Porto de Mós, this 4-star family resort offers spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean from its apartments and swimming pools. Some units have balconies with particularly good sea views. The facility boasts several pools, some of which are reserved for children, as well as an indoor pool. We appreciated the direct proximity to the beach, just 5 minutes away on foot. The spa offers a range of treatments and massages on reservation, and the restaurant features regional and international cuisine. You’ll love the location of this establishment, close to both the cliffs of Ponta da Piedade and Lagos’ most accessible beaches.
Swimming pools and beach access
- Several outdoor pools, including one overlooking the beach
- Children’s pools
- Heated indoor pool
- Direct access to the Praia do Porto de Mós in 5 minutes on foot
Practical information
- Neighborhood: Ponta da Piedade (Lagos)
- Price range: 4 stars
- Restaurant: yes (regional and international cuisine) and pool bar
- Family rooms: yes (family apartments)
- Facilities: spa, sauna, massages on request, gym
- Parking: yes, free
- See photos, prices and availability – and book!
7. RR Hotel da Rocha (Portimão)
Why stay there?
Located just a few meters from Praia da Rocha, RR Hotel da Rocha offers spacious suites with contemporary decor, particularly suited to families. The outdoor pool and solarium, complete with Balinese beds, offer a pleasant place to relax between two beach sessions. We liked the generous rooms, some with sea-view balconies, living rooms and kitchens. Direct access to the Praia da Rocha makes it a natural choice for seaside holidays in Portimão. The restaurant, which serves buffet dinners, is a pleasant addition to the hotel’s offering. Here you’ll find a well-balanced combination of family comfort and seaside location.
Swimming pool and beach access
- Unheated outdoor pool
- Deckchairs and parasols available
- Balinese beds on solarium level
- Direct access to Praia da Rocha
- 13min walk from Praia dos Três Castelos
Practical information
- District: Praia da Rocha (Portimão)
- Price range: 4 stars
- Restaurant: yes (buffet dinner)
- Family rooms: yes (family suites)
- Facilities: gym, massage room, elevators, toilets adapted for disabled people.
- Parking: private, paying, underground
- Read our review of this hotel here
- See photos, prices and availability – and book!
8. Aparthotel Jardim do Vau (Portimão)
Why stay there?
Aparthotel Jardim do Vau has direct access to Praia do Vau, one of Portimão’s most pleasant beaches. The modern apartments, each with a balcony and sun loungers, offer a maritime setting that’s appreciated from the moment you wake up. We found this establishment particularly family-friendly, thanks to its varied facilities: indoor and outdoor pools, playground, junior club and children’s pool. The spa, with its sauna, Turkish bath and Jacuzzi, also offers adults a fully-fledged relaxation area. The fully-equipped kitchen in each apartment adds real freedom for multi-day stays. You’ll love the location of this establishment, right on the seafront in a quieter area than Praia da Rocha.
Swimming pools and beach access
- Outdoor pools surrounded by deckchairs
- Children’s pool with low water level
- Heated indoor pool in spa area
- Direct access to Praia do Vau
- 10min walk from Praia do Alemão
Practical information
- District: Praia do Vau (Portimão)
- Price range: 4 stars
- Restaurant: yes
- Family rooms: yes (family apartments)
- Facilities: spa (sauna, Turkish bath, Jacuzzi), fitness room, playground, junior club
- Parking: public, free
- See photos, prices and availability – and book!
9. Lagos Atlantic Hotel (Lagos)
Why stay there?
Nestled on the Ponta da Piedade side, just a few minutes’ walk from the Praia do Porto de Mós, the Lagos Atlantic Hotel boasts a strategic location and a superb outdoor pool with sea-view terrace. We loved the warm atmosphere of this 4-star establishment, enhanced by attentive service and modern, well-kept surroundings. A gym overlooking the pool and a massage service complete the wellness offer. The proximity of the Ponta da Piedade is an added bonus for lovers of coastal scenery. The Praia do Porto de Mós is a 10-minute walk downhill. It’s an address we recommend for a seaside holiday, in a quieter setting than the big seaside resorts.
Swimming pool and beach access
- Outdoor swimming pool with terrace
- Access to Praia do Porto de Mós via a downhill path in 10 minutes on foot
Practical information
- Neighborhood: Ponta da Piedade (Lagos)
- Price range: 4 stars
- Restaurant: no, but 1 pool bar
- Family rooms: yes
- Facilities: massage service, gym, pool view
- Parking: yes, with electric charging stations, bicycle parking, PRM spaces
- See our detailed review of our stay at this hotel here
- See photos, prices and availability – and book!
Subscribe to our Newsletter
- Get away from it all with Region Lovers’ beautiful destinations!
- Once a month
- Advertising-free
10. The Homeboat Company floating hotel (Albufeira)
Why stay there?
For a truly original seaside accommodation experience, The Homeboat Company offers stays on floating apartments moored at Albufeira Marina. We enjoyed the unique atmosphere of the port and the feeling of sleeping on the water, aboard a modern, comfortable barge. The apartments feature fully-equipped kitchens, toilets, showers and private terraces, providing all the comforts you need for a pleasant stay. The harbor’s restaurants are in the immediate vicinity, and nautical excursions from the marina to caves, dolphins and the coast are easy to organize. It’s a rare concept, seductive both for its originality and the tranquility of its harbor setting. You’ll be surprised by the calm that reigns here, a far cry from the hustle and bustle of central Albufeira.
Practical information
- Neighborhood: Marina d’Albufeira
- Price range: 4-star equivalent
- Restaurant: no (fully equipped kitchen in each unit)
- Family rooms: yes, equipped with sofa beds
- Facilities: Free WiFi, airport shuttle, free cot available on request
- Parking: yes, free and underground
- Accessibility: stairs and steps, not suitable for PRM
- See photos, prices and availability – and book!
11. Jupiter Marina Hotel – Couples & Spa (Portimão)
Why stay there?
Exclusively for adults, the Jupiter Marina Hotel faces the Portimão marina at the mouth of the River Arade. Bohemian chic decor favors neutral tones and noble materials to create a neat, zen atmosphere. The spa area houses a heated swimming pool, Jacuzzi, Turkish bath and sauna, with a single objective: absolute relaxation. We were particularly taken with the hotel’s rooftop, which boasts a panoramic pool overlooking the marina, and the Arade Bar, where we enjoyed a sunset cocktail. In our opinion, this is one of the best adults-only addresses in Portimão, ideal for a couple’s stay in an elegant setting overlooking the water. A free shuttle service to Praia da Rocha will also enable you to enjoy the beaches effortlessly.
Swimming pools and beach access:
- Outdoor rooftop pool overlooking the marina
- Heated indoor pool in spa area
- Solarium with premium deckchairs
- Balinese beds available
- Free shuttle service to Praia da Rocha
Practical info:
- Neighborhood: Marina de Portimão
- Price range: 4 stars
- Restaurant: yes (Mediterranean cuisine, rooftop bar)
- Family rooms: no (adults only)
- Facilities: spa area, fitness center, panoramic terrace, free shuttle to Praia da Rocha
- Parking: private pay car park, electric recharging points
- See photos, prices and availability – and book!
12. Rochavau Hotel (Portimão)
Why stay there?
Nestled between the Praia da Rocha and Praia do Vau from which it takes its name, the Rochavau Hotel uses the Algarve as a source of inspiration for its decor. The reception area showcases regional palm leaf weavings and handmade ceramics, an attention to local know-how that we really appreciated. In our opinion, this is the hotel with the best location at the crossroads of several of Portimão’s beaches, giving you plenty of opportunities for sunrise and sunset strolls overlooking the ocean. Family rooms and an outdoor pool also make this a family-friendly option. You’ll appreciate this contemporary address for its solid value for money and its direct proximity to the beaches.
Swimming pool and beach access:
- Unheated outdoor pool in low season
- 2min walk from Praia do Amado
- 7min walk from Praia dos Careanos
- 8min walk from Praia dos Três Castelos
Practical info:
- District: Praia do Vau (Portimão)
- Price range: 4 stars
- Restaurant: no
- Family rooms: yes
- Facilities: Free WiFi
- Parking: private, chargeable
- See photos, prices and availability – and book!
It’s time to book!
Compare everything: companies, prices, schedules and availability.
Other hotels with sea or marina views in the Algarve
These establishments don’t have an immediate seafront position, but have views of the ocean, cliffs or Algarvian marinas that also deserve your attention:
- TURIM Presidente Hotel (Portimão) – direct access to Praia dos Careanos, most rooms with balcony and sea view – See prices, photos and availability
- AP Eva Senses (Faro) – overlooking the Faro marina with views of the boats and the Ria Formosa lagoon – See prices, photos and availability
- Real Marina Hotel & Spa (Olhão/Faro) – opposite Olhão marina, panoramic view of the Ria Formosa natural park – See prices, photos and availability
To find out more about the Algarve’s hotels by destination, check out our complete guides:
- Where to stay in Albufeira: best hotels and districts
- Where to stay in Lagos: best hotels and neighborhoods
- Where to stay in Faro: best hotels and neighborhoods
- Where to stay in Portimão: best hotels and neighborhoods
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO THE algarve
- Best of
What to do in the Algarve
The most beautiful landscapes
Most beautiful towns and villages
Algarve’s most beautiful beaches
Best excursions
- Practical advice
When to go?
How to rent a car in the Algarve
How many days?
Itineraries
Where to stay in the Algarve
Lagos, Portimao or Albufeira
Most beautiful hotels
