Albufeira

Albufeira is a city (cidade) and municipality (concelho) in the district of Faro (Algarve). Albufeira is one of the most popular and internationally famous holiday destinations in the Algarve, the most southern and sunniest region of continental Portugal. The resorts and hotels extend from Olhos d'Agua to Galé along the beautiful rocky coastline of the area. Many holiday makers return year after year because of the lovely beaches, very good climate, proximity of many restaurants, bars and pubs.

Understand




Once a small fishing village, Albufeira (ahl-boo-FAY-ruh, /aɫ.bu.ˈfɐj.ɾɐ/) has developed to be a very touristy area. It's not a place to experience any level of authentic Portugal, as any local culture is overwhelmed by foreign-themed businesses.

The origins of Albufeira date back to the prehistoric period. Later it was settled by the Romans, who called it "Baltum". The name of Albufeira goes back to the time of the Moors "Al-Buhera", as the town in the 8th century was an important trading centre. There are hardly any remains from this period, only a plaque to commemorate the former Moorish castle on the upper town. Mid-13th century, Albufeira was recaptured by the Order of Knights of Santiago under Afonso III of the Moors. After that, it was for many centuries an insignificant fishing village. The huge Lisbon earthquake in 1755, devastated large parts of the country, and Albufeira was particularly affected. The subsequent tsunami flooded the lower part of the village. This destroyed any significant monuments.

In the last quarter of the 20th century, Albufeira's fortunes were revived. Its discovery as the main tourist destination of the Algarve marked a huge expansion from fishing village, to town, to city. Today, the hotels and resorts extend almost seamlessly along the beautiful Albufeira coastline. In the summer months up to 300,000 holidaymakers join the usual 22,000 residents.

By train


Trains from Lagos and Faro take about 1 hr each (for €2-3). The train from Lisbon takes 3–4 hr. There is now a rapid train that takes 2½ hr, but with more limited runs.

By bus


For buses from and to local nearby towns and cities, checkout the timetables of the local transport company Eva Bus.

By plane
Faro Airport is also the main entrance to get in the Algarve through many low cost airline companies, and there is a large choice of airport transfers carrier companies that can provide private, shared or public ground transportation to Albufeira or any major place in the Algarve.

Get around
There are local buses that run throughout town&mdash;ask your ho(s)tel for a timetable.

Taxis are available and can usually be found in the city centre.

By car
Car rental facilities are found in the city centre and include major international chains (Hertz, Europcar) and local ones. Even for the expert driver, getting around can be quite challenging in Albufeira as there are no street signs to navigate you through the maze-like structure of the endless roundabouts, making maps similarly difficult to interpret. Coupled with the high cost of car rentals, taxis or buses may be simpler modes of transportation.

Do
More than 25 superb beaches, many of them recognised for their quality with the distinguished Blue Flag by FEE, entice holidaymakers to swim and walk. The long sandy beaches Praia dos Pescadores, Praia do Tunel and Praia do Inatel stretching for miles in front of the old town offer a variety of water sports including parasailing, jet-skiing, and kayaking.Smaller sandy beaches sheltered by rocky bays with bizarre sandstone cliffs extend to both sides.

The marina was opened in 2003 in an artificial basin on the western edge of the city, with a capacity to moor nearly 500 boats.

Alufeira can offer many varieties of culture, entertainment and family fun.

Buy





 * The narrow streets of the lower old town are filled with shops and street vendors that offer souvenirs and beach accessories. In the summer months, it is worth taking a stroll through the pedestrian zone with its pubs, bars and restaurants to drink into the special atmosphere of this bustling city.

Eat
There are many restaurants to choose from, with many of them offering traditional Portuguese fare as well as a wide variety of fresh seafood. Dishes involving different preparations of codfish are plentiful, and the Cataplana styled dishes are well known in this region. Shellfish such as prawns, lobster, and crab tend to be very expensive, while fish is much more affordable. For a break from seafood, try the chicken piri-piri (roasted chicken with a sort of spicey sauce).

Drink
Nightclubs, cafes and snack bars are abundant in the Old Town and on the Avenida Sa Caneiro, called The Strip, the best known nightlife destination in the entire Algarve, especially popular with tourists from UK and Ireland. If you are looking for drunk people, loud music and cheap drinks, this is where you have to head. Everything is a bit more expensive in the discos at night, so many holiday makers will drink in the bars and go to the disco after 01:00&mdash;they are open until 06:00 in the summer!

Sleep
Holidaymakers have the choice of more than 500 different accommodations in Albufeira and the surrounding area. Many of these hotels and resorts stretch along the coast between Vilamoura and Albufeira on the beaches of Inatel, Praia da Oura, Santa Eulalia, Olhos de Água and Falésia. West of Albufeira, between the marina of Albufeira and the tourist centre of Armação de Pêra many more hotels and resorts sit on top of the cliffs, overlooking small rocky bays and the beautiful sandy beaches of São Rafael, Castelo and Galé. If you prefer to stay closer to the picturesque old town of Albufeira to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere in the narrow lanes or to experience the night life on the famous “Strip”, you will find many hotels and apartments along the ring road Av. dos Descobrimentos, encircling the city centre, offering beautiful panoramic views towards the marvellous bay of Albufeira.

Go next
Lagos, Silves, Lagoa, Tavira, Evora, Milfontes, Troia, Lisbon.