Albufeira is a coastal hot-spot in an area packed with gorgeous places to stay, overlooking the deep blue ocean with just as many natural wonders to admire as there are parties to be had. Whether you’re here for the famously vibrant night life, the stunning world-class beaches, the food, the natural wonders or the ancient history, Albufeira ticks all the boxes.
Finding Albufeira
Albufeira is in the Faro District, less than 30 miles west of Faro itself, the regional capital. Facing the wild Atlantic ocean on Portugal’s beautiful south coast, it forms part of the Algarve’s Golden Triangle, the other points being Vilamoura and Quinta do Lago. If you fancy exploring further afield it’s good to know how well-connected Albufeira is, home to the A22 motorway which whizzes you away to explore the rest of the Algarve. You’ll fly into Faro Airport, just 25 miles away. Once you’re there the town offers its fair share of buses, taxis, and cars to rent.
A bit about the weather – it’s brilliant!
The gorgeous Mediterranean climate with its hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters attracts millions, with glorious summer temperatures averaging 28–30°C and rarely dipping below a mild 10°C on the chilliest winter days. More than 300 days of sunshine every year makes it reliable for sun, sea and sand holidays as well as a pleasure for nature lovers and sporty types.
A town where very old and brand new sit side by side
While this pretty city offers every modern amenity, Albufeira’s history dates back to Roman times when it was called ‘Baltum’. When the invading Moors occupied the area between the 700s and 1200s they changed the settlement’s name to ‘Al-Buhera’, which means ‘Castle of the Sea’, a short word-hop from the ‘Albufeira’ we know and love today.
In the year 1249 the Christians took over and the settlement began a peaceful life as a fishing village. It wasn’t until the 1960s that it became a popular place for holidaymakers: first colonised by the widely-travelled hippies who found their way here to enjoy its beautiful beaches and warm climate then, when the cost of flying plummeted, by package tourists.
The town itself features an historic Old Town or ‘Centro Histórico’ with lovely old cobbled roads, sweet whitewashed buildings and handsome old Portuguese architecture, all overlooked by the Torre do Relogio clock tower, which people use as a landmark. As long as you can see the tower you can find our way around! You might like to sit down, grab a drink and people-watch in lively Largo Engenheiro Duarte Pacheco and Praça da República squares.
OMG, the beaches!
Albufeira is famous for its breathtaking beaches, each with its own unique feel. Praia dos Pescadores, AKA
Fisherman’s Beach, sits right in the heart of the city surrounded with bars and eateries. Talk about handy! As you can imagine it gets incredibly busy, particularly popular with younger people. Praia da Oura is another lively stretch of sand, this time near the Strip where the tourists go drinking, the hub of Albufeira’s nightlife lined with endless with bars, clubs, and restaurants. Praia de São Rafael is wilder and woollier thanks to its dramatic rock formations, offering wonderfully clear water for swimmers and paddlers.
The dramatic red cliffs overlooking the long sandy beach at Praia da Falésia are a photographer’s dream and quieter, more mellow Praia da Galé comes with more of the region’s golden sand and calm seas. When you’ve had enough of the sand you can visit Marina de Albufeira, a posh marina stacked with luxury yachts, restaurants and shops. It’s also where you’ll pick up a boat tour or a dolphin-watching trip. Head for Zoomarine for family fun amongst the marine animal shows, thrilling water rides and exciting exhibits away from the sea.
World-class golfing at Albufeira
Love golf? Albufeira is surrounded by world-class golf courses. Think Salgados, Pine Cliffs and Balaia Golf for a start. Pine Cliffs offers a stunning cliff-top setting with a 9 hole, par-3 course that is as challenging as it is beautiful. Balaia Golf Course is another 9 hole, par-3 course attracting people of every skill level, and Salgados Golf Course is a lot more challenging with its 18 holes, par-72 course in amongst lovely wetlands and lakes, which offer great water hazards for players.
Pestana Vila Sol Golf Course was designed by Donald Steel with 27 holes spread across three loops of nine holes each. Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course was designed by golfing hero,Arnold Palmer, this time an 18 hole, par-72 championship course and one of the Algarve’s most prestigious. Pinhal Golf Course is another 18 hole, par-72 course set amongst pine trees with famously narrow fairways and small greens demanding precision play. Old Course Golf Club is one of the region’s oldest, an 18 hole, par-73 course designed by Frank Pennink. Last but not least there’s the Millennium Golf Course, designed by Martin Hawtree and offering more 18 hole, par-72 challenges within the Vilamoura Golf complex itself.
Boat tours and ocean food
This is where you book boat tours to die for, to explore the delightful Algarve coastline and see everything from a completely different angle. Giant sea caves meet snorkeling, fishing, canoeing, Kayaking and all sorts of other popular water sports to provide an experience to remember. Private boat tours and romantic boat trips at sunset are just as popular.
As you can imagine the seafood scene here is world-class, but you can always cook your own dishes using ingredients from the lively, colourful Albufeira Municipal Market, where you can also pick up local crafts as souvenirs. The town’s coastal location means the fresh seafood is a legend, everything from tasty cataplana seafood casserole to grilled sardines and octopus salad. Don’t miss Dom Rodrigo, a sweet egg-based dessert, and the local fig cakes, totally mouthwatering. Oh, and this is wine country, the perfect accompaniment to all this fabulous flavour.
Painting the town red
Albufeira’s nightlife centres on the Old Town and The Strip, with everything on the menu from romantic chilled-out bars with outdoor terraces to high-energy nightclubs where the fun carries on until dawn, something the locals enjoy just as much as holidaymakers.
Festival-wise there’s lot to discover including regulars like the Albufeira Summer Festival events and gigs, the Sardine Festival to celebrates the local fishing heritage complete with music, food, entertainment and good times. And the town’s Carnival, held February-March, offers vibrant parades and vivid costumes.
So what’s nearby? Near Albufeira you’ll find the luxury resort at Vilamoura with its smart marine, golf and casinos, and the natural wonder of the stunning Benagil Cave. There’s scenic Algar Seco near Carvoeiro, whose awesome rock formations and coastal views are simply breathtaking. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. What a perfect place to base your Algarve holidays, with Algarve tours of every imaginable kind available on the doorstep.
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