The Algarve for Digital Nomads

For a long time, the Algarve was long overlooked as a destination for digital nomads with most preferring to stay in Lisbon. But when Covid meant that people were no longer easily able to travel to Bali or Thailand, the Algarve started to surge in popularity.

It’s still not as popular as Lisbon, and perhaps even Madeira, but, regardless, the Algarve region has become a hotspot for nomads, remote workers, and other creatives. And with all of its beautiful beaches, fantastic weather, surf spots, and laid-back feel, it’s easy to see why.

I’ve spent a lot of time in the Algarve, living, working, travelling, and spending time with other digital nomads. I think it’s a great place to slow down for a little while, and it could be a good place to move if you like the slower pace of life, but I have noticed that a lot of nomads find themselves craving city life after a few months here.

That said, it is a great place to live. And now that Portugal has introduced a digital nomad visa, which allows digital nomads and remote workers from outside the EU to move to Portugal, it’s likely that the Algarve will continue to grow in popularity.

Where should I go on the Algarve?

Although there are nomads spread out all over the Algarve, particularly in places like Faro, Vilamoura, and Sagres, the majority end up in Lagos, which has fast become a digital nomad hotspot.

Lagos is popular for a reason. It’s within easy reach of the West Coast, a paradise for surfers, it has a beach that you can walk to from the town centre, and, with both a train and a bus station, it has good public transport links to other parts of the Algarve.

Short-term Accommodation for digital nomads

• For short-term accommodation, the most popular option is still Airbnb.com. As with everywhere else, it’s an expensive option — particularly during the summer months.
• Flatio.com, which is like Airbnb but for medium-term rentals, has rooms and apartments across the Algarve.
• Booking.com is also worth looking at, particularly off-season (around October to April). The majority of the listings are for hotels and hostels, but there are some apartments and villas on there too.
• For longer stays see the guide to renting long-term on the Algarve. There’s also a guide to finding winter rentals.
• There are some co-living spaces on the Algarve which can be fun places to live and meet other digital nomads. 
• Some nomads hire campervans while they’re on the Algarve.  This isn’t the cheapest form of accommodation, and there is some anti-campervan sentiment among locals, but it can be a fun way to explore the region.

Where to meet other digital nomads in the Algarve

There are a few relevant groups on Facebook:

• Algarve digital nomads
• Western Algarve digital nomads
• Algarve Portugal Conscious Entrepreneur/Digital Nomad/Creator Community
• Lagos digital nomads
• Portimão Digital Nomads

Getting around the Algarve

The best way to get around the Algarve is by car, especially if you want to go to the beaches or into the countryside. That said, you can visit the Algarve without a car — just expect getting around to take a little longer.

The Algarve does have quite a good train system, but it only connects to some of the towns on the Algarve (Faro, Lagos, and Portimão are all connected). Buses are also an option, but finding the timetables and routes can sometimes be a challenge. Train timetables and information can be on cp.pt and bus information can be found on vamusalgarve.pt.

Uber and other taxi apps are an option too, particularly in larger towns and cities like Lagos, Faro, and Portimão.

Co-working spaces & cafés on the Algarve

Tip: you can also find more co-living options on coliving.com

Albufeira

• Al-Gharb (coffee shop)- Speciality coffee shop situated in Albufeira’s new town (near “The Strip” that offers wifi and seats with power outlets as well as a selection of speciality coffees, cakes, snacks, and main meals.

Brancanes

• Pomar Coliving (co-living)

Faro

• Alandra Square (co-working space)
• Faro Avenida Business Centre (co-working space)

Lagos

• CENTRO Lagos (co-working space)
• London Tiger Coffee (cafe) is a small and cozy café with good wifi and a great selection of cakes and desserts. 
• Abigail’s Cafe (cafe) offers a menu that consists of smoothies, beach bowls, and brunch options, and several of their seats have power outlets as well.
• Coffee Studio (cafe) a café that’s run by digital nomads, so you know the wifi is good!
• NomaVillage (co-living)

Loulé

• Cowork Mucancas Loulé (co-working)
• Golden Creative (co-working)
• Ikea Lounge area (cafe) – Free tea or coffee Monday – Friday if you have an Ikea card. 

Portimão

• CoCreate (co-working)
• Hub Ativo (co-working)

Sagres

• Cowork Surf (co-working & co-living)
• Local Guesthouse (co-living)
• The Surf Experience (co-living)
• Laundry Lounge (cafe) a bar and café that’s popular with surfers and freelancers. You can even do your laundry there as well. 
• The Hangout (cafe) another café that’s popular with surfers and freelancers. As well as pizza, coffee, and beer, there’s often live music as well. 

Vila do Bispo

• Workaround (co-living)

Other places to work from on the Algarve

• Most libraries in the Algarve have free wifi, and are very easy places to work from. 
• Many supermarkets (especially the larger ones like Pingo Doce and Continente) have free wifi. Normally you can pick it up in the food courts or cafés and work from there. There are big food courts at the main shopping centres in the Algarve: Algarve Shopping (near Guia), MAR Shopping (near Loulé), Forum Algarve (near Faro), and Aqua (near Portimão).