If you are a fan of beach holidays, you should visit the popular resort of Albufeira (Portugal), which is located in the southern region of the country – Algarve. The town grew out of a once quiet fishing village and over time became a favorite place for tourists from around the world. The city itself is small – about 25 thousand people live in it, in the entire municipality – 37 thousand. But in the height of the season this number increases tenfold!
The resort is surrounded by beautiful beaches, orange trees and pine trees. All conditions are created for vacationers: comfortable accommodation in hotels, a rich nightlife, restaurants, clubs, boutiques, discos. Any entertainment is available on the beaches: from windsurfing and diving to water skiing and jet skis.
City transport
The city is spread out on steep hills, so walks consist of serious climbs and descents. Life for tourists is made easier by a special type of transport – a car with small trailers attached to it. This mini-train runs at intervals of 20 minutes (in summer) and 40 minutes (in winter). One trip costs 4 euros per person, a day pass – 6 €. Children under 6 years old do not need a ticket.
There are five bus routes in the city that will take you to all the main attractions of Albufeira, Portugal or to the outskirts. They operate from 7 am to 10 pm. The cost of the trip is 1.4 €, a day pass is 4 €.
For those who prefer to travel by taxi, the local company Taxis Albufeira has the following rates: pick-up fee €3.25 (includes travel up to 3 km), each subsequent kilometer costs €0.90, after 9 pm there is a 20% surcharge. Uber and Bolt also work.
Attractions
This place is famous not only for its beautiful beaches and ocean. Where to walk and what to see in Albufeira is also not a question. There are many interesting sights and all kinds of entertainment.
To help visitors, there are signs installed, thanks to which you will find all the sights of Albufeira. Let’s dwell on the most significant objects.
Old town
This is the most picturesque part of Albufeira and its main attraction. Tourists are attracted by the Moorish style of buildings – narrow streets, bordered on both sides by white stone houses. Arab domination is a thing of the distant past, reminding of itself by the only surviving arch – a fragment of an ancient mosque. Instead of it, the first Christian church in the city now rises.
Walking along the steep narrow streets leading down (up), you will feel the spirit of the ancient Moorish culture, which had a strong influence not only on the city, but on the whole of Portugal. Snow-white houses, built in the 18th century, were not damaged by earthquakes or wars.
After a stroll through the streets of the Old Town, you can stop at a cafe and have a snack of fried seafood. After you have had your fill, be sure to visit the main religious landmark of Albufeira – the Church of Santa Ana. From the inside, it amazes with its magnificence, ancient frescoes and exquisite decoration. Entrance to the temple is free.
Theme Park Zoomarine (Zoomarine Algarve)
The park is a great place to relax with children. It is located a few kilometers from Albufeira and covers an area of 8 hectares. The rich program is equally interesting for both children and adults. All shows and entertainment involve marine animals.
In the aquarium, you can observe the aquatic and terrestrial life of its inhabitants. There are several species of sharks here. Visiting the 4D cinema, you will go on an educational journey through the ocean. The territory of the Albufeira water park has many pools, attractions, recreation areas, shops and restaurants. Flights on a pirate ship, a Ferris wheel ride, water slides and much more interesting things await you. You can have a snack in any local restaurant or organize a picnic right on the green lawn of the park.
- The entrance ticket in low season costs 29 € at the box office and 26 when purchased online on the official website. The cost of a ticket for children (5-10 years) and pensioners (from 65 years) is 21 € (19 € online). In high season, the prices are 35 € (33 €) for adults and 25 € (23.5 €) for children and pensioners, respectively.
- The park is open from 10:00 to 18:00 (in summer 10:00 to 19:30). It opens in March and closes in November.
- You can get to the attraction from any resort by a special bus. You can buy a ticket at a kiosk or book it online, and you will be given a transport schedule.
- Official website: hwww.zoomarine.pt/pt.
Pau da Bandeira Viewpoint
The best place to start exploring Albufeira is from the observation deck. You can get there by bus or walk. From the heights, the resort is visible as if in the palm of your hand: wide beaches, endless ocean and snow-white Old Town. The best photos of Albufeira are taken from this platform.
After going down the open escalator, you will immediately find yourself on the embankment, from where you can go to the beach or to the center to see the local sights.
Paderne Fortress
This 12th century architectural monument is of great historical value to the residents of Albufeira. It is located 15 kilometers from the city in the village of Paderne. Currently, the buildings are in a dilapidated state. History buffs will find it interesting to wander through the ruins of the fortress. From here, a magnificent panorama of the valley opens up. Entrance to the territory of the attraction is free.
Beaches
The beaches of Albufeira are a kind of calling card of the town. There are more than 2 dozen of them: three city beaches, the rest are located in the suburbs. All the beaches of Albufeira attract tourists with clear water, fine sand and well-developed infrastructure. They are equipped with changing rooms and toilets, sun loungers and awnings, the rent of which is 10-30 euros.
Keep in mind that the waves in Albufeira are almost always big, so swimming with small children can be a bit problematic. The beach season starts in June, although the water at this time is still quite cool – +19 degrees.
One of the three city beaches of Albufeira, Inatel, occupies a small bay between the rocks. It awaits lovers of silence and limited space. It is always calm and uncrowded.
The second beach is Peneku (or tunnel). It is called so because the road to it leads from the Old Town through a tunnel among the rocks and comes out onto a terrace. There is good infrastructure, great sand, lots of people, noisy and fun.
The most popular is the central city beach Pescadores.
The central city beach Praia dos Pescadores
It occupies a huge area on the outskirts of the Old Town, so it is spacious even at the peak of the season. The beach is covered with sand, the entry into the water is quite gentle, but there are waves almost always.
Everything here is thought out for the comfort of vacationers. There is no need to walk up and down – there are escalators and an elevator for this. Those who love active recreation are invited (free of charge) to do zumba, play beach volleyball, and participate in dance programs. You can take a walk along the city coast on a fishing boat or a motorboat.
Gourmets will find something to do in cafes and restaurants tasting national fish dishes of Portugal . Fans of extreme sports can fly on a paraglider, and those who want to relax will get a soothing massage. On the famous shopping street located nearby there are many souvenir shops and shops of local craftsmen.
Falesia Beach
Situated a few kilometres from Albufeira, Falésia Beach stretches along the coast of Portugal for 6 km with a shoreline width of 20 metres. This is one of the most famous and beautiful beaches in Europe . You can relax here with children. The shore is covered with fine sand, the depth is small and increases gradually, so the water warms up quite quickly.
The beach is memorable for its unusual landscapes: orange rocks against the blue sky and green pines. Due to its large size, it is never crowded. It is equipped with everything necessary for a pleasant holiday – from changing rooms to lifeguard towers. Vacationers can rent sun loungers with umbrellas and any equipment for water entertainment.
How to get there: From central Albufeira you can walk or take a bus to the Aldeia das Açoteias stop.
San Rafael (Praia Sao Rafael)
One of the most beautiful and picturesque beaches in the Algarve and all of Portugal . It is surrounded by rocks of bizarre outlines. Formed from limestone rocks by the forces of wind and water, they create an unusual landscape. Many tourists come here to capture this beauty in photos.
San Rafael, covered with fine light sand, occupies a small area. It is always crowded and lively. Thanks to the many small bays hidden behind the rocks, you can find a secluded place to relax.
The beach is equipped with public showers, toilets, free parking, etc. It is located near Faro airport (20 minutes away), which makes it attractive to tourists. It is only five kilometers from Albufeira to Praia Sao Rafael. You can get there by taxi or rent a car. Some people like to walk, admiring the yachts and sailboats. The route is equipped with signs, so it is impossible to get lost.
Gale (Praia Gale)
Gale Beach is divided by a cliff into two parts: the western part, bordering Salgados, and the eastern part, which runs into huge cliffs. The name Gale translates as shipwreck and is associated with events in the Middle Ages. In terms of the length of the coastline covered with soft golden sand, Gale is considered the longest of all the beaches in Albufeira.
All conditions are created for vacationers: from free car parking to showers and rental of beach accessories. Those who like to conquer the waves can rent surfboards and use the services of an instructor.
You can get to Gale from Albufeira by bus number 74 or 75. They leave from the bus station every hour. The journey takes 20 minutes.
Praia dos Olhos de Agua
Compared to others, this beach in Portugal is small – its length is just over 300 meters. Excellent infrastructure, red soft sand, but swimming here is not very comfortable because of the cool water (this is due to the underwater current). But here is a paradise for surfers.
The daily ebb and flow of the tides magically changes the landscape. During low tide you can admire the exposed rocks and seaweed, mineral springs gushing from under the rocks (the water tastes good).
Salgados (Praia dos Salgados)
This beach is located further from the city than others, so the majority of vacationers are those staying in Salgados hotels. It is clean and well-maintained, with fine sand and a comfortable, smooth entry into the water, so you can relax here with children. Renting sun loungers and umbrellas costs 15 € for a set of 2 + 1. A variety of restaurants and cafes allow you to choose an establishment according to your budget. There is even a Thai massage hut.
You can get here by bus or rent a car. Parking is free.
Praia da Oura
It is also called the Golden Beach, thanks to its fine golden sand. The place is especially popular with locals. The entrance to the water is smooth, without stones, which is clearly visible during low tide. As in other places in the Algarve region of Portugal, there are many small bays surrounded by steep cliffs.
Praia da Oura is equipped with everything necessary for relaxation, beach and water activities. Locals and some tourists sunbathe directly on the sand, laying out a mat or beach towel, saving on the fee for renting a sunbed (15 €). Too steep a descent to the beach will be a problem for people with leg diseases.
Where is the best place to stay?
Although the resort is small, there are no problems with accommodation for tourists. Here you can find any accommodation: from a luxurious room in a fashionable hotel to a room in an inexpensive guest house. The most popular are three-four star hotels.
They are equipped with free Wi-Fi, cable TV, air conditioning. Some rooms have a kitchen where you can cook your own food. The hotel grounds are equipped with children’s and adult swimming pools, playgrounds, etc.
The further from the center, the lower the prices, and the service is no worse. For example, in the Velamar Sun&Beach Hotel, located in the suburbs, you can use a number of useful services: bicycle rental, free transfer to the historical center of Albufeira.
A double room in a 3-star hotel costs from €90 per night in high season. The price of a standard room in a luxury 5* hotel is €180–250. Hotels on the coast will cost more: €120 (in a three-star hotel) and €300 (in a five-star hotel).
The most affordable option is hostels. A bed costs at least 40 euros per night.
Weather
Albufeira is located in the south of Portugal and is the sunniest place. The mountains protect Albufeira from cold winds, and a warm wind blows from the south. The average air temperature in winter is +16 degrees, and in summer +27. It rains in the season October – March, so it is better to come here in the summer.
The hottest months are July and August. This period is the height of the season, when most tourists arrive. The temperature rises to +30 degrees. The highest water temperature in Albufeira is in August (up to +24 degrees).
In September the heat drops by a couple of degrees, but the sea manages to warm up. This is a good time to relax with children. The beach season in this part of Portugal ends closer to the end of October.
Nutrition
Albufeira has plenty of places where you can eat tasty and inexpensively. Of course, the most expensive establishments are in the Old Town and on the waterfront. The national cuisine consists mainly of dishes prepared from seafood and fish. Potatoes in various variations are usually served as a side dish.
Restaurants and cafes in the mid-price category have quite reasonable prices.
- Dinner for two (with wine) in a mid-range restaurant will cost around 40-50 euros.
- In a fast food establishment you can have a hearty meal for 7-8 euros. By our standards the portions are quite large, so you can order half a dish.
- Lunch for one in an inexpensive restaurant will cost 11-12 €. Often for this price you can get a 3-course “menu of the day” which includes a starter, main course and a salad or dessert of your choice.
How to get to Albufeira
Albufeira does not have its own airport, so it is best to fly to Lisbon or to the city of Faro, which also has an international airport. And from there, get to the Algarve resort.
By train from Lisbon
The distance from Lisbon to Albufeira is approximately 250 km. You can get there by any means: by bus, train or rent a car. The most common option is the Lisbon – Albufeira train.
Departure point: Lisboa Oriente central railway station.
You can get from Lisbon to Albufeira by train in three hours. The ticket costs from 21.1 to 29.4 euros. The price depends on the train and the class of carriage.
For the latest train schedules and ticket prices, please visit the Portuguese Railways website – www.cp.pt.
By bus from Lisbon
How to get from Lisbon to Albufeira by bus? This can be done by going to one of the two bus stations in the capital of Portugal.
From the Sete Rios bus station , buses depart from 6 am to 10:30 pm with a frequency of 30 minutes to 2 hours (early in the morning), there is one night bus at 1 am. There are 23 buses per day in the summer. The fare is €20.
From Lisboa Oriente bus station , transport departs 8-15 times a day from 5:45 am to 1:00 am. The ticket price is the same – 20 €. You can often buy a travel card with a significant discount and pay only 12, 8 or even 5 €.
You can view the current schedule and purchase tickets online at www.rede-expressos.pt
By bus from Faro
Faro is 45 km from Albufeira. The most convenient way to get there is by bus. They go both from the airport building and from the city bus station of Faro. Buses operate from 6:30 to 20:00.
Travel time is 55 minutes, ticket price is 5 euros.
When going on a trip to such a famous resort as Albufeira (Portugal), it is best to plan your trip in advance, buy tickets and book accommodation in advance. Then nothing will spoil your vacation.
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