Algarve records best-ever April for tourist overnight stays – Portugal Resident

The Algarve recorded its best April ever for tourist overnight stays.

According to figures released by the Portuguese Statistics Institute (INE), tourist accommodation units in Portugal’s southernmost region registered 1.86 million overnight stays in April – a new record for the month and a 0.9% increase compared with April 2025.

The region welcomed around 515,000 guests during the month, representing year-on-year growth of 5.5%, with international markets once again driving demand. Foreign guest numbers rose 6.5%, while domestic tourism increased by 2.3%.

Meanwhile, overnight stays by international visitors grew 1.5%, offsetting a 2.2% decline in the domestic market.

Tourism revenues also continued to rise. Total accommodation income increased 6.4% to €137 million, outpacing the growth in overnight stays.

Algarve tourism boss André Gomes said the figures demonstrate the destination’s ability to continue generating value throughout the year.

Cited in a statement to the press, Gomes said April confirmed the Algarve’s resilience, with more guests, a new monthly overnight stay record and revenue growth that highlights the importance of improving quality, diversifying markets and enhancing the visitor experience year-round.

The Algarve also maintained the highest average stay in mainland Portugal, with tourists spending an average of 3.6 nights in the region – well above the national average of 2.46 nights.

Room occupancy reached 58.6%, close to the national average of 59.2%.

Among municipalities, Albufeira stood out with an 8.5% increase in overnight stays, making it the second-best performing destination in the country by volume, behind only Lisbon. Overall, seven Algarve municipalities ranked among Portugal’s top 15 destinations for overnight stays.

Faro Airport also recorded continued growth, handling 4% more passengers in April than in the same month last year. The UK remained the Algarve’s main international market, accounting for 464,000 passengers and 41.5% of total traffic – a rise of 2.6%.

Regional tourism board Turismo do Algarve said the latest figures reinforce both the region’s weight within Portugal’s tourism sector and its continued ability to attract visitors while increasing tourism-generated revenue.