When we are talking about hotspots in Portugal, most of the time the lists will be full of locations in Lisbon. As Portugal’s most famous city and the biggest contributor to the country’s tourism revenue, this focus is fair. However, it often leaves out great locations in other parts of Portugal.
Today, we’re looking at the Algarve. The southernmost region of Portugal has many things to offer, including some of the best rooftop bars in Europe.
Both the Algarve and Lisbon have unique features that impress. Which one you pick, is mostly a matter of personal taste. Here are some basic facts about the Algarve to help you decide:
The Algarve region lies in the southernmost part of continental Portugal. Its nickname, the California of Europe, is quite fitting considering the climate. There are more than 3000 hours of sunshine per year. Even the winter has an average daily temperature of 18 °C and plenty of sunshine.
While Lisbon might bring in the most money, the Algarve is still considered bigger and more important as a tourism region overall. As a popular holiday spot, the area is wealthy and has high standards of living. This attracts many expats and retirees who wish to spend the rest of their lives under the warm Portugal sun.
Whether you want to emigrate or just visit for a holiday, you will find countless high-quality amenities and accommodations for locals and tourists: There are luxurious villas, cute country houses and popular holiday flats in the Algarve – so everybody will find something to their liking.
Three regions within the Algarve are considered tourism hotspots: Faro, Albufeira, and the so-called Golden Triangle. Let’s have a look at their rooftop bars.
If you are looking for great rooftop bars in the Algarve, Faro is the place to be. Faro is the capital of the Algarve. It’s the biggest city in the region and has the second-largest population. The students visiting the University of the Algarve are a big reason why life in Faro is so vibrant. The young people attract many venues that offer them entertainment, Rooftop bars among them.
The rooftop bar of the Eva Senses Hotel lies in the heart of Faro and offers a view over the city and the marina. They have a great menu of cocktails, wines, and spirits. In the summer, many evenings are filled with events and live music.
● Address: Eva Senses Hotel, Av. da República 1, 8000-078 Faro
● Hours: 10:00 to 22:00
The O Castelo rooftop bar lies on top of the historic Faro city walls. They include this theme into their entertainment and menus, offering traditional food and Fado performances. You could easily consider O Castello a restaurant, club, or just a general entertainment venue. On Fridays and Saturdays, the bar hosts parties, live music, or DJs.
● Address: R. do Castelo 11, 8000-149 Faro
● Hours: 10:30 to 04:00
The Cosmopolitan Rooftop Bar suits its name. It offers a fancy, high-class environment. The bar serves some food and impressive signature cocktails. There are few music events in the Cosmopolitan, but the westward-facing view has the best angle on sunsets.
● Address: Hotel Faro, Praça Dom Francisco Gomes 2, 8000-168 Faro
● Hours: Bar 11:00 to 24:00, Food served from 07:30 to 22:30
If you visit the Woods, you get hearty portions of healthy but tasty cuisine – most famously its salads and sandwiches. The bar, which is more of a restaurant, is stylish, but just a few stories up, just high enough to catch a good view of the sunset.
The LAB Terrace Rooftop Bar has a unique location, being situated in the Algarve Center for Living Science. The rooftop bar offers an uninterrupted view of the sunset and the Ria Formosa Wetlands. The LAB Terrace serves drinks and some tapas, but only opens on weekends.
● Address: R. Cmte. Francisco Manuel, 8000-250 Faro
● Hours: Friday to Sunday from 15:00 to 21:00
Albufeira is a popular resort town in the Algarve. It is famous for its bustling nightlife. While there are many more rooftop bar options, the following stands out:
The Voodoo Rooftop Bar in Albufeira has a kind of Tiki-aesthetic and calls itself mystical and engaging. You can use the lounge chairs to relax and watch the sunset while smoking shisha or sipping cocktails.
● Address: R. Vitória 3, 8200-295 Albufeira
● Hours: Friday and Saturday 18:30 to 01:00
The Golden Triangle is an area between the cities Vilamoura, Almancil, and the gated communities Vale do Lobo & Quinta do Lago. There are several rooftop bars in Vilamoura. However, The Roof in Vale do Lobo has a great location.
The Roof is a rooftop bar in the luxury gated community Vale do Lobo. It has a widespread terrace overlooking the ocean, allowing you to watch the sun dip behind the horizon. They offer relaxing seats, drinks, and occasional live music.
● Address: Praça, Vale do Lobo, 8135-854 Almancil
● Hours: 15:00 to 19:00
The Algarve is the sunniest, warmest part of Portugal. It is a paradise for anyone who loves to spend their holidays on the beach and in the ocean. The region does its best to accommodate tourists and offers plenty of fun and high-quality activities and venues.
There are numerous rooftop bars, all with their own perks and themes, to choose from. Regardless of your choice, the bars will give you the perfect view of the sun going down over Portugal, accompanied by good drinks, food, and most likely music.
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