Car Rental in Albufeira

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Pick-up location

Albufeira, Portugal

Return car in same location

Pick-up date

Drop-off date

Driver's country of residence is United States of America (USA) and age is 30-65

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Cheapest Car Rental Rates

Downtown

Mini

Fiat 500 or similar

4
1
3
A/C
Man.

per day

Downtown

Economy

Peugeot 208 or similar

5
2
5
A/C
Man.

per day

Downtown

Compact

Ford Focus or similar

5
1
4
A/C
Man.

per day

Downtown

Intermediate SUV

Seat Arona or similar

5
2
5
A/C
Man.

per day

Travel Information

Languages

Portuguese

Currency

EUR

Drive on

Right-hand side

Country code

+351

Average car rental price

$22 per day

Average car rental length

6 days

Speed limit within town

20 - 50 km/h or 12 - 31 mph

Speed limit out of town

90 - 120 km/h or 56 - 75 mph

Acceptable limit of BAC

0.05%

Rating

9.3 / 10

Average gas price

$1.75 per liter or $6.63 per gallon

Lowest gas price

$1.72 per liter or $6.51 per gallon

Highest gas price

$2.11 per liter or $7.98 per gallon

Why rent a car in Albufeira?

Located in the central part of the Algarve, Albufeira is one of the most visited destinations in the famous beach region of Portugal. Mainly visited for its attractive coastline, Albufeira also boasts interesting history and architecture for those eager to explore it. Better yet, the town offers easy access to the rest of Algarve and everything that this part of the country has to offer.

Furthermore, the public transport in the Algarve isn’t very good, so if you want to explore this region, renting a car is a must.

One-Way Car Rentals in Albufeira

The most popular one-way rental options for pick up in Albufeira and drop off in another city include:

From Albufeira to Faro - 82 offers from $18.77 per day
From Albufeira to Porto - 34 offers from $26.10 per day
From Albufeira to Lisbon - 83 offers from $23.17 per day

Top ways to enter Albufeira

Faro Airport: The main airport of the Algarve is only a 40-minute drive east of Albufeira. The airport is a large hub for the low-cost carriers Ryanair and easyJet, and also has flights by a number of other airlines. While there are many direct flights between Faro and other European countries, it is also possible to first fly to Lisbon and Porto and then get a connecting flight to Faro (this is an especially useful option for visitors coming from outside of Europe).
Lisbon Airport: The main air hub of the country, Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport handled more than 31 million travelers in 2019. In addition to European connections, there are many flights to and from the Americas, Africa, and the Middle East. As mentioned above, it’s possible to get another short flight from Lisbon to Faro, but many travelers choose to pick up a rental car at Lisbon Airport and drive the rest of the distance. Lisbon is 275 km (171 miles) north of Faro and the trip between them takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Top sights and activities

Beaches. Characterized by their golden sands and the Blue Flag status that most of them have, Albufeira has a wealth of pretty beaches to choose from. These include the very central Praia dos Pescadores ( Fisherman’s Beach), Tunnel Beach (named after a tunnel that you have to travel through to reach it), and the hip Praia da Oura. In addition to swimming and sunbathing, there are also good opportunities for doing watersports like kayaking and snorkeling.
Old Town. Albufeira has a lovely Old Town featuring cobblestone streets, whitewashed and tiled houses, museums, lovely alleys, picturesque churches, lively squares, and a myriad of restaurants, stores, bars, and pubs. There’s also two famous viewpoints, Miradouro do Pau da Bandeira and Peneco, from where you can get a bird’s eye view of the city.
Nightlife. Albufeira has the hottest nightlife in the Algarve with a plethora of bars and clubs that attract young locals and tourists. You can go to two different areas of the city: the Old Town, where you can find lots of bars with live performances and entertainment; and the Strip, a 2 km-long avenue full of neon lights, cafes, restaurants, themed bars and clubs. Both parts get busier from 9 - 10 pm and go until 3 – 4 am.
Marina de Albufeira. Located around two kilometers west of the Old Town, Albufeira Marina is considered one of the best marinas in the country. In addition to the marina itself and the Nautical Club, this development hosts several types of restaurants, stores, tour agencies, and beauty parlors. It also provides family-friendly entertainment such as bowling, a leisure center, and indoor karting, which are perfect for a rainy day.
Castle of Paderne. Like neighboring Andalusia in Spain, the Algarve spent centuries under Islamic rule during the Middle Ages (even its name comes from the Arabic word al-ḡarb, meaning “the west”). Many historic sites and much architecture remain as reminders of that era, including the Castle of Paderne, an impressive fortification built in the 12th century. Located just a short 20-minute drive north of Albufeira, it is definitely worth a visit.
Zoomarine. A theme park, an aquarium, and a 4D cinema, Zoomarine is one of the most popular attractions in the Algarve. The park has varied flora and fauna, including sharks, dolphins, and seals, as well as pools, beaches, and water slides. Located just 10km (6.2 miles) northwest of Albufeira, the Zoomarine can be reached in about 15 minutes.

Traffic and parking

In most of the cities in the Algarve, including Albufeira, you won’t have a problem finding a parking spot. You can park on the streets, but remember to always obey the traffic signs, or designated public parking. However, in the height of summer, it can be a bit hard to find available parking slots in places such as Albufeira Old Town and Praia da Marinha.
The areas around Zoomarine/Albufeira Shopping and Avenida dos Descobrimentos (the main avenue in Downtown Albufeira) get extremely busy during the summer around 05:00 - 06:00 PM. The same is true of The Strip (Rua da Oura) around 10:00 - 11:00 PM.
The Algarve has over 300 days of sunshine a year, so make sure you have sunglasses in the car when road tripping as it can be dangerous if you are blinded by the sun while driving.
Proof of insurance and the car’s documentation need to be in the car whenever you’re driving.
When driving, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.
The primary, nationwide emergency number in Portugal is 112.

Toll roads

A lot of motorways in Portugal are subject to toll fees. See Portugal's official toll road website site for maps and fees.

In the Algarve, the main highway is the A22, also known as Via do Infante. If you don’t want to drive on a toll road, the N125, an alternative parallel route, is the best option.

Ideas for day trips

Praia da Marinha. Located in the Lagoa area, a half-hour drive from Albufeira, this award-winning beach has been featured in many Portuguese guidebooks and advertising campaigns. It has amazing orange-yellowish limestone cliffs, golden sand, and crystal-clear blue water and was considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe by Michelin Guide.
Benagil Cave. Also located in the municipality of Lagoa, in the little fishing village of Benagil, Algar de Benagil is a stunning cave just around the corner from Benagil Beach. What makes it so special is the perfect combination of golden walls with a round aperture in the ceiling and two beautiful archways. Benagil Cave has gained popularity over recent years and has become one of the most sought-after places in the Algarve.
Lagos. Not to be confused with the Nigerian megalopolis of the same name, Portugal’s Lagos is a quaint and historic beach town. Smaller and perhaps also more relaxed than Albufeira, it has just as beautiful beaches and a very special atmosphere that is only heightened by its well-preserved architecture. Located some 60km (37 miles) west of Albufeira, Lagos can be reached in about 45 minutes.
Faro. Although Faro is the largest city in Algarve and the location of the region’s main airport, it isn’t usually mentioned among its main attractions. More industrial, it is perhaps less scenic than Lagos, Albufeira, or Portimao. But those who give the city a chance will discover a surprising variety of attractions including a well-preserved old town, the scarily impressive Bone Chapel, the Jewish Heritage Center, and Ria Formosa National Park. You could do worse than checking out Faro before dropping off your car at the airport or as a day-trip. Located 45km (28 miles) east of Albufeira, the city can be reached in some 40 minutes.
Monchique. Located in the inland part of Algarve that remains unexplored by most visitors, Monchique is an ancient spa town situated in the region’s hills. Some of the highest peaks of the Algarve are located just outside the town, and you’ll also find hiking trails, baths that have been enjoyed by the Romans, and some of the most charming hill stations in all of the country. Located about 85km (53 miles), Monchique can be reached in just over one hour. Note: If you’re visiting during the warmest time of the year, make sure to check out Portugal’s wildfire forecast — unfortunately, Monchique has periodically suffered from wildfires in the surrounding eucalyptus forests over the last decade.

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car in Albufeira is the Peugeot 308, followed by the Renault Clio and the Citroen C1. The most popular rental car types are compact, economy, and mini.

Car rental prices in Albufeira

Convertibles - from $10 per day
Station wagons - from $12 per day
Large cars - from $21 per day
Medium cars - from $10 per day
Vans - from $23 per day
Premium cars - from $168 per day
Small cars - from $7 per day
SUVs - from $10 per day

Money-saving and other tips

These are some good methods to save money on your rental car:

Compare the rates of different rental car suppliers
Book your rental car well in advance
Plan your route before you go
Know your fuel and mileage requirements
Visit during the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Albufeira is the cheapest in February when renting a car is about 52% cheaper than the yearly average and a whole 60% cheaper than renting a vehicle in July. You can also find great deals in May and September-October.

This information was written, fact-checked, and/or translated by our content creators.

Learn more about our Editorial Policy.

Fact checked by

Pericles Rosa

This article was reviewed by Pericles Rosa, a Brazilian travel blogger and adventurer based in London. Pericles has visited over 50 countries and has been traveling continuously to the Algarve since 2008.

Top 20 cities near Albufeira

Vilamoura from $7.23 per day

10.9 km / 6.8 miles away
Quarteira from $9.56 per day

12.3 km / 7.6 miles away
Armacao de Pera from $7.01 per day

13.1 km / 8.1 miles away
Carvoeiro from $10.34 per day

20.6 km / 12.8 miles away
Faro from $3.60 per day

25.3 km / 15.7 miles away
Portimao from $10.34 per day

26.8 km / 16.7 miles away
Alvor from $22.34 per day

29.9 km / 18.6 miles away
Olhao from $27.94 per day

36 km / 22.4 miles away
Lagos from $7.81 per day

39 km / 24.2 miles away
Tavira from $28.16 per day

52.6 km / 32.7 miles away
Monte Gordo from $7.81 per day

70.9 km / 44.1 miles away
Beja from $10.38 per day

107.9 km / 67 miles away
Evora from $8.90 per day

165.6 km / 102.9 miles away
Setubal from $6.26 per day

170 km / 105.6 miles away
Almada from $7.16 per day

193.3 km / 120.1 miles away
Lisbon from $1.66 per day

202.4 km / 125.8 miles away
Parede from $47.05 per day

202.8 km / 126 miles away
Estoril from $47.05 per day

206.8 km / 128.5 miles away
Cascais from $9.27 per day

206.9 km / 128.6 miles away
Sintra from $10.30 per day

214.9 km / 133.5 miles away

Top 16 locations near Albufeira

Downtown from $7.23 per day
Albufeira Pine Cliffs from $8.77 per day

5.6 km / 3.5 miles away
Faro Airport from $3.60 per day

25.3 km / 15.7 miles away
Lisbon Santa Apolonia

196.4 km / 122 miles away
Lisbon Hotel Tivoli from $16.69 per day

198 km / 123 miles away
Lisbon Alameda from $9.97 per day

199.1 km / 123.7 miles away
Downtown from $4.26 per day

199.2 km / 123.8 miles away
Oriente Train Station from $44.41 per day

201.1 km / 125 miles away
Lisbon Airport from $1.66 per day

202.4 km / 125.8 miles away
Lisbon Prior Velho from $3.13 per day

203.6 km / 126.5 miles away
Porto Campanha Railway Station from $6.82 per day

452.2 km / 281 miles away
Downtown from $7.54 per day

453.3 km / 281.7 miles away
Porto Boavista from $7.49 per day

453.6 km / 281.9 miles away
Porto Airport from $1.59 per day

463.8 km / 288.2 miles away
Porto Santo Airport (Madeira) from $65.57 per day

862.3 km / 535.8 miles away
Madeira Funchal Airport from $6.18 per day

918.5 km / 570.7 miles away

What is the cheapest month to rent a car in Albufeira?

Car rental prices in Albufeira vary by time of year. This graph shows the average prices per month to help you find the best time of year to rent.

Average rental costs per day in Albufeira

$13.34

January

$17.02

February

$18.91

March

$28.83

April

$33.88

May

$34.92

June

$50.95

July

$58.31

August

$33.65

September

$22.48

October

$17.37

November

$19.16

December

The cheapest month to rent a car in Albufeira is January (when prices average $13.34 per day). This is 54% cheaper than the yearly average and 77% cheaper than renting in August (when prices average $58.31).

This information can help you identify the low season. But these are only average numbers. How much your car rental will cost will depend on the type of vehicle you rent, how long you’ll rent it for, and how far ahead you book. Simply enter your dates in the form at the top of the page to see the exact prices.

What’s the usual rental length in Albufeira?

How long travelers keep their rental cars for varies from month to month: in January, the average renter keeps their car for 12 days, and in April, they keep their car for 5 days.

Average number of rental days in Albufeira

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

What's the most popular month to rent a car in Albufeira?

Based on the number of searches by our customers, the most popular month for renting a car in Albufeira is August, and the least popular is January.

Monthly searches in Albufeira by pick-up date relative to the average

48%

January

73%

February

67%

March

78%

April

99%

May

104%

June

136%

July

143%

August

140%

September

138%

October

63%

November

112%

December

Car rental information

Car rental locations	3
Popular suppliers	SIXT, Auto Prudente Rent A Car, Keddy, Best Deal, Visacar
Popular car categories	Small cars, SUVs, Medium cars, Vans
Lowest price	$7 per day
Cheapest supplier	Keddy

Most popular car models of rental suppliers

Rental Supplier	Model	Doors	Luggage	Type
SIXT	Renault Clio	5	1	Small cars
Keddy	Renault Clio	4	2	Small cars
Best Deal	Seat Ibiza	5	2	Small cars
Auto Prudente Rent A Car	Peugeot 108	5	1	Small cars
Keddy	Fiat 500	3	1	Small cars
Auto Prudente Rent A Car	Seat Arona	5	2	SUVs
SIXT	Renault Captur	5	1	SUVs
Europcar	Fiat 500	3	1	Small cars
Thrifty	Seat Ibiza	5	1	Small cars
Thrifty	Fiat 500	2	1	Small cars

Our customers' reviews

Because we want to make sure each review listed here is left by a real customer, we don’t have the option to post a review here. Instead, we ask each and every customer to leave a review after they return their rental car. This way, you know that all reviews are authentic.

United States of America (USA)

Kia Picanto

4/24/24

We went to multiple wineries and different towns throughout the Algarve.

United Kingdom

Seat Ibiza

8/27/23

Lovely beaches in Sagres

United Kingdom

Seat Ibiza

7/4/23

We enjoyed the inland scenery across mountains & in the historic towns & villages. On the coast, cliffs, caves & beaches.

Ireland

Seat Ibiza

7/1/23

First time in Portugal and we wanted to see around so did trips around. Did not spend much time at the beach. We did snorkelling, jeep safari, boat trips and parasailing as well.