Loulé vs Albufeira: which Algarve town suits you?
Loulé has fewer very hot days, a closer airport and less recorded crime; Albufeira has warmer winters, more pharmacies on foot and more restaurants on foot.
Loulé
17,930 peopleChoose Loulé if you want
- Retirees: Hospital 0.2 km away, 14°C January highs, 4 pharmacies within a 15-minute walk
- Car-light living: 14 grocery stores within a 15-minute walk and public transport close by
- Fewer very hot days (0 a year above 35°C, against 17)
- A shorter trip to an airport (14 km, against 26 km)
Albufeira
15,851 peopleChoose Albufeira if you want
- Winter-sun seekers: 16°C January highs and no frost days
- Beach lovers: A beach 0.1 km from the centre
- Warmer winters (16°C January highs, against 14°C)
- More pharmacies within a 15-minute walk (6, against 4)
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 | Loulé | Albufeira |
|---|---|---|
| January high | 14°C | 16°C |
| January low | 9°C | 8°C |
| July high | 28°C | 32°C |
| Days above 35°C a year | 0 | 17 |
| Nights above 20°C a year | 35 | 39 |
| Frost days a year | 0 | 0 |
| Days with rain a year | 63 | 66 |
| Daylight on 21 December | 9 h 36 min | 9 h 37 min |
| Sea in August | – | 20°C |
Daily life within a 15-minute walk
| Measure | Loulé | Albufeira |
|---|---|---|
| Grocery stores | 14 | 19 |
| Pharmacies | 4 | 6 |
| Doctors and clinics | 6 | 7 |
| Cafés | 20 | 28 |
| Restaurants | 76 | 154 |
Getting around
| Measure | Loulé | Albufeira |
|---|---|---|
| Nearest train station | 4.8 km | 4.8 km |
| Nearest bus station | 0.5 km | 1.3 km |
| Nearest hospital | 0.2 km | 2.2 km |
| Nearest beach | 10 km | 0.1 km |
| Nearest airport with scheduled flights | 14 km | 26 km |
Housing and safety (whole municipality)
| Measure | Loulé | Albufeira |
|---|---|---|
| Median rent per m², per month | €10.81/m² | €10.31/m² |
| Sale price per m² | €4,137/m² | €3,490/m² |
| Sale price change, 5 years | +73% | +67% |
| Crimes recorded per 1,000 residents | 48.8 | 66.3 |
People
| Measure | Loulé | Albufeira |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,930 | 15,851 |
| Aged 65 and over | 21.6% | 18.8% |
| Under 15 | 14.4% | 12.4% |
| Born in another country | 17.9% | 29.9% |
Natural hazards
| Measure | Loulé | Albufeira |
|---|---|---|
| Earthquakes of M5+ within 100 km since 1900 | 1 | 1 |
Month by month
Town-level · ERA5-Land 1991-2020| High | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loulé | 14° | 15° | 17° | 18° | 21° | 25° | 28° | 28° | 25° | 21° | 17° | 15° |
| Albufeira | 16° | 17° | 19° | 21° | 24° | 28° | 32° | 32° | 28° | 24° | 19° | 16° |
Albufeira is warmer by 1°C or more in 12 months. Loulé in November · Albufeira in November
Loulé or Albufeira: common questions
Which is warmer in winter, Loulé or Albufeira?
Albufeira, with an average January high of 15.5°C against 14.2°C.
Which has more shops within walking distance?
Albufeira: 19 grocery stores within a 15-minute walk of the centre, against 14 in Loulé.
Which is closer to an airport?
Both use Faro - Gago Coutinho International Airport (FAO): 14 km from Loulé and 26 km from Albufeira, in a straight line.
Cite or link
hexplace (2026). Loulé vs Albufeira: climate, homes and daily life compared. https://hexplace.org/portugal/compare/loule-vs-albufeira/