According to data published by the National Statistics Institute (INE) on July 31, the Algarve remains at the top of the list of preferred destinations for tourists visiting the country. During the month of June 2025, overnight stays in the region represented almost 30% of the total registered nationwide – with the municipality of Albufeira remaining the regional leader, ahead of growing municipalities such as Lagos and Portimão.
Albufeira is the municipality with the second highest number of overnight stays registered nationwide, behind only Lisbon. In June, the municipality reached nearly 900,000 overnight stays, accounting for 11.1% of the national total – equivalent to more than a third of the total number of overnight stays registered in the Algarve region.
The mayor of Albufeira said that "the figures are encouraging for the rest of the year." For José Carlos Rolo, the numbers are proof of the "excellence and diversification of our hotel capacity" and show that "Albufeira has increasingly established itself as the capital of tourism, with all the positive impacts this brings to the local economy." According to information gathered by the INE, the figures recorded in June follow a growth trend seen throughout the first half of 2025. Compared to the same period last year, there were increases of 1.7% in the number of guests, 0.3% in the number of overnight stays, and a significant 5.5% in total revenue.
José Carlos Rolo believes that, in recent years, there has been a "paradigm shift regarding seasonality." For the mayor, "the results achieved are a result of the work that has been done to boost tourism activity during the low season, particularly through the hosting of major sporting events."
I wonder how many of those people only stayed overnight because they were catching an early morning flight from faro airport.thats what we used to do on a regular.basis.
Recently we travelled to albufeira to see relatives. The place they were staying at was completely soulless and as for trying to get out of the place was near impossible due to the traffic.Certainly won't be going back any time soon.
By Peter from Other on 06 Aug 2025, 10:33
Amazing how when you are the first to post a comment and it's negative it doesn't get posted
By Peter from Other on 06 Aug 2025, 13:43
If severely overcrowded beaches,a town full of only plastic chinese bucket and spade shop,restaurant touts hassling you to go eat their appalling food,a bunch of rowdy drunks everywhere,is what you are looking for great.
If not avoid like the plague.
By James from Algarve on 07 Aug 2025, 06:40
Your post is not even close to being a description of Albufeira.
I live there.
If you take a place in old town or near the strip, you are either a fool or you are getting what you wanted.
There are so many local places run by Portuguese or located away from these two areas that you do not need to expose yourself to them.
As far as the beaches go, have you ever been to the beaches in Albufeira?
Sao Rapheal, and Arrifes are crowded because they are small and at high tide Arrifes has very little beach.
Alemaes Aveiros and most of Fishermans beach always have ample room for your pleasure.
Compare these to places like Marinha and they are relatively empty.
Does Albufeira have some bad areas...it sure does but they are easily avoided.
Some people just need to complain, get a grip
By j from Algarve on 10 Aug 2025, 13:24
Albufeira has nothing but tacky bars and restaurants where you are hassled by touts to go in.
There is not one decent shop they are either selling plastic rubbish from china tacky souvenirs alcohol or other trash.
The beaches are extremely crowded wherever you go and the more central the more drunk yobs.
The traffic is terrible there is nowhere to park.
Portuguese restaurants selling highly salted highly overrated baby chickens called piri piri where you get a plate of bones because that is all a baby chicken is
Enjoy your stay
By James from Algarve on 15 Aug 2025, 04:41