Albufeira vs Vila Real de Santo António: which Algarve town suits you?
Their January highs are within 1°C of each other (16°C and 15°C). Albufeira has fewer very hot days, cooler summer nights and more grocery stores on foot; Vila Real de Santo António has fewer rainy days, a warmer sea and a closer train station.
Albufeira
15,851 peopleChoose Albufeira if you want
- Fewer very hot days (17 a year above 35°C, against 25)
- Cooler summer nights (39 nights a year above 20°C, against 64)
- More grocery stores within a 15-minute walk (19, against 12)
- More pharmacies within a 15-minute walk (6, against 3)
Vila Real de Santo António
11,560 peopleChoose Vila Real de Santo António if you want
- Car-light living: 12 grocery stores within a 15-minute walk and public transport close by
- Fewer rainy days (55 a year, against 66)
- A warmer sea in August (22°C, against 20°C)
- A train station closer by (0.6 km, against 4.8 km)
Side by side
Bold marks the better value where one is clearly better and both values are precise.
Climate
Town-level · ERA5-Land 1991-2020| Measure | Albufeira | Vila Real de Santo António |
|---|---|---|
| January high | 16°C | 15°C |
| January low | 8°C | 8°C |
| July high | 32°C | 33°C |
| Days above 35°C a year | 17 | 25 |
| Nights above 20°C a year | 39 | 64 |
| Frost days a year | 0 | 0 |
| Days with rain a year | 66 | 55 |
| Daylight on 21 December | 9 h 37 min | 9 h 36 min |
| Sea in August | 20°C | 22°C |
Daily life within a 15-minute walk
| Measure | Albufeira | Vila Real de Santo António |
|---|---|---|
| Grocery stores | 19 | 12 |
| Pharmacies | 6 | 3 |
| Doctors and clinics | 7 | 2 |
| Cafés | 28 | 27 |
| Restaurants | 154 | 57 |
Getting around
| Measure | Albufeira | Vila Real de Santo António |
|---|---|---|
| Nearest train station | 4.8 km | 0.6 km |
| Nearest bus station | 1.3 km | 0.3 km |
| Nearest hospital | 2.2 km | 49 km |
| Nearest beach | 0.1 km | 1.8 km |
| Nearest airport with scheduled flights | 26 km | 53 km |
Housing and safety (whole municipality)
| Measure | Albufeira | Vila Real de Santo António |
|---|---|---|
| Median rent per m², per month | €10.31/m² | €8.91/m² |
| Sale price per m² | €3,490/m² | €3,116/m² |
| Sale price change, 5 years | +67% | +75% |
| Crimes recorded per 1,000 residents | 66.3 | 43.0 |
People
| Measure | Albufeira | Vila Real de Santo António |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 15,851 | 11,560 |
| Aged 65 and over | 18.8% | 24.5% |
| Under 15 | 12.4% | 14.4% |
| Born in another country | 29.9% | 11.2% |
Natural hazards
| Measure | Albufeira | Vila Real de Santo António |
|---|---|---|
| Earthquakes of M5+ within 100 km since 1900 | 1 | 2 |
Month by month
Town-level · ERA5-Land 1991-2020| High | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albufeira | 16° | 17° | 19° | 21° | 24° | 28° | 32° | 32° | 28° | 24° | 19° | 16° |
| Vila Real de Santo António | 15° | 17° | 19° | 21° | 25° | 29° | 33° | 33° | 29° | 24° | 19° | 16° |
Vila Real de Santo António is warmer by 1°C or more in 1 month; in the other months the highs are within 1°C. Albufeira in November · Vila Real de Santo António in November
Albufeira or Vila Real de Santo António: common questions
Which is warmer in winter, Albufeira or Vila Real de Santo António?
They are within 1°C of each other: average January highs of 15.5°C in Albufeira and 15.4°C in Vila Real de Santo António.
Which has more shops within walking distance?
Albufeira: 19 grocery stores within a 15-minute walk of the centre, against 12 in Vila Real de Santo António.
Which is closer to an airport?
Both use Faro - Gago Coutinho International Airport (FAO): 26 km from Albufeira and 53 km from Vila Real de Santo António, in a straight line.
Cite or link
hexplace (2026). Albufeira vs Vila Real de Santo António: climate, homes and daily life compared. https://hexplace.org/portugal/compare/albufeira-vs-vila-real-de-santo-antonio/