Once a fishing port and now a major beach resort, Albufeira stacks its white old town above beaches framed by ochre rocks. Autumn and winter evenings are cool here, and without a heated pool, so is the water. You'll find villas where heating is ordered in advance and clifftop resorts with an indoor pool. I've selected 17 places, all rated at least 8/10; the top-rated is Casa Alves - Villa with Private Heated Pool (4.98/5).
Each city has its own selection, with a page for each type of accommodation.
Places are ranked from highest to lowest rated. The yellow bubble shows the advertised water temperature, when it's known.
17 places shown
The pool. Private saltwater pool, in the sun all day, with a cover. Heating available at extra cost.
The pool comes up in 16 guest reviews.
Guide's tip. Heating is charged and isn't guaranteed if you book less than 7 days before arrival.
The pool. Private outdoor pool, heated to 25 °C on request.
The pool comes up in 24 guest reviews.
Guide's tip. Heating costs extra: €40 a night, to be booked for the whole stay, 24 to 48 hours in advance.
The pool. Heated private outdoor pool, advertised as available depending on the season.
The pool comes up in 11 guest reviews.
Guide's tip. The listing doesn't say when the pool is open: get the heating period confirmed for your dates.
The pool. An indoor pool complements the outdoor pool. Heating isn't specified.
The hot tub. Jacuzzi on site.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature. The few complaints are mostly about the pool bar, which is sometimes closed.
Guide's tip. Ask about the indoor pool's opening hours when you arrive.
The pool. Heated indoor pool at the Genki Spa, open 10 am to 7 pm, free for guests. There's also an outdoor pool and a rooftop pool.
The hot tub. Jacuzzi and hydromassage circuit at the Genki Spa.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Swim caps are compulsory in the indoor pool.
The pool. Indoor pool, outdoor pool and children's pool. Heating isn't specified.
The hot tub. Hot tub in the spa.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. A good choice for families out of season, thanks to the covered pool.
The pool. An indoor pool and numerous outdoor pools (six according to Hotels.com, nine according to Kayak). Heating isn't specified.
The pool areas go down well, but a few guests report closed pools, and one guest found the water too cold in August, without saying which pool.
Guide's tip. The complex has just been rebranded: check the name when you book.
The pool. Indoor pool, outdoor pools and a children's water park. Heating isn't specified.
Families like the pools and the water park. I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. All-inclusive package: compare it with a half-board stay.
The pool. Heated indoor pool in the fitness club, free for guests, in addition to numerous outdoor pools. The spa has a hydrotherapy pool with jets, advertised at 28 °C.
Two journalists who stayed there confirm the fitness club's heated indoor pool. They don't say whether the outdoor pools are heated.
Guide's tip. The 28 °C hydrotherapy pool is in the spa: ask whether it's included or charged.
The pool. Four outdoor pools heated when it's cooler, and an indoor pool in the spa (paid).
The Oyster guide confirms that the outdoor pools are heated in the cooler season. Reviews are mixed: on Kayak the pool scores only 3/10, criticised as small, crowded or poorly maintained, though there are no complaints about the temperature.
Guide's tip. The pools come in for frequent criticism: read recent reviews before you book, and expect to pay for spa access to use the indoor pool.
The pool. Indoor pool and large outdoor pool; the listing mentions a heated pool without saying which.
The hot tub. Hot tub among the facilities.
Guests give the pools 8.5/10 and mention a very large pool. I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Ask which pool is heated before you book.
The pool. An indoor pool, two outdoor pools and a children's pool. Heating isn't specified.
The hot tub. Hot tub among the facilities.
Opinions on the pools are mixed: many find them gorgeous, but one guest thought the water was too cold, without saying which pool, and another found the adults' pool dirty at times.
Guide's tip. If you're coming out of season, get the indoor pool's temperature confirmed.
The pool. Four outdoor pools and one indoor pool; the listing mentions a heated pool without saying which one.
The hot tub. Jacuzzi and sauna at the spa.
Travellers rate the pools 8.5/10. I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Ask which pool is heated before booking.
The pool. Covered pool, outdoor pool and children's pool. Heating isn't specified.
The hot tub. Jacuzzi and sauna.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. A chain hotel that's handy for walking into the centre.
The pool. Indoor pool presented by the hotel as a space for the whole family. Heating isn't specified.
One guest found the indoor pool attractive, noting that swim caps are compulsory. None mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Bring a swim cap for the indoor pool.
The pool. Indoor pool under a glass roof, seasonal outdoor pool and children's slides from April to October. Heating isn't specified.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. The outdoor pool is seasonal: outside summer, count on the covered pool.
The pool. Indoor pool in the spa and outdoor pools; a heated pool is listed among the facilities.
A wellness blogger who visited in November describes the spa's indoor pools, without mentioning the temperature. Kayak doesn't publish any reviews on this point.
Guide's tip. The listing doesn't say which pool is heated: ask the hotel if you're coming out of season.
These places don't have a confirmed heated pool, but they do have a hot tub: the water is hot all year round. A good way to relax in the warm.
These places were suggested to us directly by their owners. The heated pool is declared by them; they don't yet have enough guest reviews to join the selection.
In my selection, the top-rated is Casa Alves - Villa with Private Heated Pool (Villa for rent · Airbnb), with 4.98/5 (61 reviews · Airbnb). Next come Villa MariVital: Luxury I Heated Pool I Old Town (4.94/5) and 3BR Villa w/Heated Pool Oura/Albufeira (4.56/5).
Yes at Hotel Indigo Albufeira: the pool is advertised as heated all year round. At 3BR Villa w/Heated Pool Oura/Albufeira and Grande Real Santa Eulália Resort & Hotel Spa, heating is seasonal (depends on the season). Vila Petra, PortoBay Falésia and The Westin Salgados Beach Resort (ex-NAU Salgados Dunas Suites) have an indoor pool, sheltered from the wind. Either way, ask for the heating dates before you book.
Advertised temperatures: 25 °C at Villa MariVital: Luxury I Heated Pool I Old Town. For the other places the temperature isn't published: ask the property.
Yes: Vila Petra, PortoBay Falésia and Hotel Indigo Albufeira also have a hot tub in addition to the heated pool.
Yes, 3 villas and holiday homes are selected: Casa Alves - Villa with Private Heated Pool, Villa MariVital: Luxury I Heated Pool I Old Town and 3BR Villa w/Heated Pool Oura/Albufeira. Heating is sometimes charged extra: check the listing.
The word "heated" on a booking page isn't enough. Every place must have a rating of at least 8/10 (or 4/5) and carries one of these four levels.
Guests mention the heated water in their reviews, with the season when they say so.
A journalist or guide who stayed there describes the heated pool.
The hotel or the platform says so, but I haven't yet found a review that confirms it.
Heating isn't specified, but the water is sheltered from the wind and cold air. Ask for the temperature before you book.
I left these out because guests report water colder than advertised, or because no heating or indoor pool is mentioned.
| Place | What the sources say | Rating | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Villa w/ heatable pool & BBQ, Albufeira (Santa Eulália) | Private pool with optional heating (€350), water 5 to 8 °C warmer once heated | 4,5/5 | Only 2 reviews: no rating established yet |
| Falésia Hotel - Adults Only | Indoor pool and jacuzzi; according to the Kayak review summary, some guests feel the indoor pool water could be warmer. | 8,9/10 | Indoor pool water not warm enough |
| Holiday Inn Algarve Albufeira (ex-Real Bellavista Hotel & Spa) | Indoor pool and jacuzzi, but several guests found it closed or out of service, like the Turkish bath. | 8,8/10 | Indoor pool reported closed or out of service |
| Grand Muthu Oura View Beach Club | Indoor pool, sometimes closed according to the review summary. | 7,5/10 | Rating below 8/10 |
| Kimpton Atlântico Algarve (ex-São Rafael Atlântico) | Three outdoor pools and one indoor pool, with no confirmed heating; one guest found the pools far too cold, and access to the pools and spa costs €40 per person per day according to Hotels.com. | 9,4/10 | Water found too cold, heating not confirmed |
Sources: Airbnb, Kayak, Kayak, Kayak, Hotels.com.
