I had one of the best holidays of my life in Lagos and Sagres a few years ago. Of course many factors count, the company being one of the biggest. If you like surfing, Sagres is a really good place.  Albufeira is more known as a beach resort I think. It depends on what you like. I have never been in Albufeira or Faro or the other places in Algarve, so I don't have that comparison. Lagos was not too crowded which we liked and Sagres was still quite unspoiled at that time which we loved.  Good luck deciding!  ;-) 

Thank you Bjorn. This is very helpful. I was told that Faro is the nicest place in Portugal, but i will investigate the places that you mentioned as well. Has anyone been to both Faro and Lagos/Sagres?

Ok, this reply may come a bit out of timing, but I'm portuguese and I know Algarve like I know myself, even though I'm from Lisbon.

Faro is ok, but is the biggest city in Algarve, so I wouldn't go there. Lagos is great, I've been there 4 times and if you're looking to relax, they have good beach, a nice marina and a small but very active "downtown". Another good places are Albufeira and Portimão, but these two ones for parties and beach. Then you have Vilamora, which is the "classy" part of Algarve, more expensive and with classy parties and good beach also. Finally, you have Monte Gordo that is close to the spanish/portuguese border and I love to go there because the water is warmer, and there's a lot of people going there too.

Hope this was useful. I strongly strongly suggest you to go to Portugal because it's a beautiful country.

Arif

Hello 

You can try kenya a hotel called leopard beach hotel. I used to work there and its a really nice place. without mentioning the big whitesands beach and the nice safaris you can make from the hotel. Friendly local people and staff you will never regret

If you are really interested I can give you a nice contact and mentioning me will give you a princess holiday