Americans Will Be Able To Fly Nonstop To This Gorgeous Beach City In Portugal From Spring

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Ornate Baroque churches, fado players at every turn, crunchy-on-the-outside, soft-and-warm-on-the-inside pastéis de nata and sun-drenched beaches extending for miles on end: it's no wonder Portugal is on the bucket list of millions of travelers.

However, beyond the hilly streets of Lisbon, and the lively riverfront in Porto, two of the country's most visited cities, there's an entire country to be discovered most Americans are still sleeping on.

But hey, we don't blame them: for many years, flying either to Lisbon or Porto was the only available option getting to Portugal. From 2026, there'll be no excuses: United Airlines has just confirmed nonstop flights to the Algarve will return.

The Algarve is Portugal's southernmost, and sunniest region, boasting over 300 sunny days per year, and temperatures averaging 61–64°F even in winter. It's also home to one of the trendiest beach cities in the country, located a short 35-minute drive from the airport:

Albufeira Is Portugal's Hottest Destination For 2026

The most sought-after beach town of the Algarve, Albufeira has been a popular vacation spot for Brits and Germans for years. It took the Americans a little bit longer to catch up, but now it's finally on their radar as well.

When it comes to European summers, Albufeira simply ticks all of the boxes, and then some:

• ✅ Huge variety of beaches
• ✅ Picture-perfect Historic Center
• ✅ Vibrant nightlife
• ✅ ]ourist-friendly

It straddles the Atlantic Ocean, boasting a number of golden-sand beaches and cliff-flanked coves, that are typically bathed by crystal-clear, calm waters.

Notable examples include Praia da Oura, Praia dos Pescadores, and our personal favorite, São Rafael, all within minutes of each other.

Meanwhile, Albufeira's famous ‘Strip' is lined with British-style pubs catering to the namesake clientele and late-night eateries. It can get a little hectic over the weekend, but it's still great fun (particularly if you're a fan of karaoke!)

In that case, you'll definitely find your crowd at The Old House.

Old World Charm Galore

Naturally, the main highlight is Albufeira's timeless Old Town, with whitewashed townhouses, azulejo-clad buildings, and cobble-paved alleys galore:

At the heart of the Old Town, you'll find a charming main square bordered by laid-back restaurants serving local cuisine—if you love seafood, Os Arcos should be high on your wishlist. Best grilled octopus in the entire Algarve!

The main church, Igreja Matriz de Albufeira, is only a 4 min walk from the square, and it has a richly-decorated Baroque interior. If you've been inside Portuguese churches before, you know at this point they can be a feast for the eyes, and this one is no exception.

On the edge of the Old Town, the Albufeira Marina is not to be missed, either: a scenic area filled with Portuguese taverns, and colorful boats dancing to the gentle Atlantic waves, it is our go-to spot for dinner when in town.

Albufeira isn't exactly built across seven hills like Lisbon, but it has an equally high concentration of incredible miradouros.

The town's most famous lookout, Pau da Bandeira, overlooks Praia dos Percadores, offering dramatic views not only of the Atlantic but also of the golden-tinged roofs of the Old Town during sunset. It's the perfect way to round off a day in Albufeira before you hit the clubs.

Fly Direct To Albufeira Next Spring

The best part? Starting next spring, Americans will be able to fly nonstop to this beautiful region of Portugal without layovers in intermediate hubs.

After a successful launch earlier this year, United is reinstating direct flights from its Newark (EWR) base to Faro (FAO), the capital of the Algarve, a 35-40 minute drive to Albufeira.

Flights will resume on May 15, 2026, and similarly to this year, they will run 4 times a week, on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays:

Timetables

From Newark (EWR) to Faro (FAO)

• Departs 9:20 PM (local EWR time)
• Arrives 9:25 AM the next day (local FAO time)

From Faro (FAO) to Newark (EWR)

• Departs 11:40 AM (local FAO time)
• Arrives 14:55 PM (local EWR time)

In 2025, roundtrip fares started from $550–720 return, so we can expect prices to remain within a similar range in 2026.

Could The Algarve Overtake Lisbon?

The President of the Algarve Tourism Region (RTA), Mr André Gomes, added that Americans no longer travel to the south of Portugal only to see the region, but are instead ‘long-haul tourists' who will end up visiting the whole country:

‘Before, they often arrived through Lisbon or Porto and then came town to the Algarve', he commented, ‘now, they can start their visit here and get to know the country from south to north'.

According to data released by Portugal's National Statistics Institute (INE), 9.8% more Americans visited the country in August of this year, making the United States one of the fastest-growing source markets.

The Algarve in particular accounted for the largest share of tourism revenue during the peak of summer, up to 36.3% of Portugal's total.

With United's nonstop route now confirmed as a seasonal option for Americans traveling to the Iberian country, the Algarve is bound to become a consolidated summer getaway for U.S. vacationers.