For a cheap and sun-soaked holiday, southern Portugal’s Algarve region ought to be hot on your radar. The town of Albufeira boasts a gorgeous climate, fabulous beaches, cheap apartment-style resorts and a central place within the Algarve. There are over 100 distinct restaurants, nightclubs and bars, and Albufeira even offers a charming old town with traditional Portuguese roads and plazas within the city centre.
The prices for both wine and food are reasonable; make sure to sample the wines of Portugal. While summer is still the busiest and most popular time to go to, I like visiting in late spring; the weather is pleasant and bright, there are fewer tourists and resort prices are incredibly affordable. Albufeira also provides easy access to neighbouring towns like Loulé, with its famous market and a genuine slice of Portuguese culture.
Head north of Lagos to see Ponta da Piedade, with its towering red rock formations from the sea. Play a round of golf in one of the many beautiful courses in the Algarve.
The best place to stay is the Epic Sana Algarve overlooking Praia da Falésia, where you can bask in the sun at one of its five outdoor pools and indulge in the gorgeous spa.