Compare self-catering holidays in Portugal

The best places for family self-catering holidays in Portugal combine great beaches, plenty of local markets and shops, and a ready supply of apartments and villas for every budget. Resort towns such as Albufeira or Estoril are great for a beach break. Lisbon is more suitable if you have older children or teens – steep slopes can be tough with prams.

Self-catering apartments in Portugal are not guaranteed to have air conditioning. While many hotels with kitchenettes or apart-hotels will offer it – especially if the building is more modern – older apartments and villas may not. Always check before you book if this is important to you.

Buying groceries in Portugal for a self-catering holiday is very easy, with plenty of major supermarkets, local markets and smaller shops to choose from in most destinations. Groceries in Portugal are also reasonably priced and usually cheaper than in the UK, so you can stock up on essentials without breaking the bank.

An apart-hotel combines self-contained apartment living with on-site hotel services. You’ll often have multiple rooms and a kitchen, but still have a check-in desk and housekeeping service. However, a self-catering apartment, such as a private rental holiday flat, is an independent living space without built-in hotel facilities.

Whether you need a hire car for a self-catering holiday in Portugal depends on where you’re staying and what you plan to do. In city centres and resort towns, shops, restaurants and many attractions may be within walking distance or easy to reach by public transport. For a more remote stay, a car can make it easier to explore and carry groceries. Before booking, check how you’ll get to the property and how close it is to shops, beaches and transport links.

Portugal is a popular self-catering destination because it combines affordability, great weather that’s mild when the UK is cold and hot in the summer and a large number of self-catering hotels, villas and apartments. Eating out is great value too, with restaurant prices often cheaper in comparison to the UK.

Yes, tap water in Portuguese accommodation is generally safe to drink and conforms to strict national

and European Union quality standards. According to Portugal’s Water and Waste Services Regulation Authority, 98.84% of the country’s tap water is drinkable. However, some older buildings may have ageing pipes and some rural areas may use untreated well water.

Choosing a package deal, where you book your transport and accommodation together, means your trip is protected by the ATOL scheme. This means if, for example, the travel companies you have booked with were to go bust, you wouldn’t be left stranded or out of pocket. All package holidays with a flight on TravelSupermarket are covered by ATOL.