Albufeira

Albufeira

  • About Albufeira

    The once small fishing village of Albufeira is now a thriving resort attracting tens of thousands of visitors every year. With a wide variety of beaches, hotels, bars, clubs and restaurants to choose from this Algarve package holiday resort is ideal for families.

  • Popular Beaches

    Praia do Peneco

    Pleasant sandy beach near the town centre and tourist office.

    Praia do Peneco

    The Fishermen Beach is 5 mins east of the centre. A reminder of the town's fishing heritage the beach is lined with boats and fishermen hauling in their catches. Also has some of the town's best bars and restaurants.

    Praia da Oura

    A short walk to the east includes a 2km beach and a lively area for bars and clubs.

    Balia

    Between Praia da Oura and Praia da Falesia is Balia, a less crowded beach. Olhos de Agua is also nearby.

    Praia de Gale

    9km away this is a centre for jet skiing and other water sports.

  • Things To Do

    Gypsy Market

    Selling clothes, shoes and other items this market is held the first and third Tuesday of the month.

    Bullfights

    Held from Easter onwards every Saturday at the Praia da Oura.

    Music and Dance

    Live shows every night in Largo Engenheiro Duarte Pacheco.

    Adventure Trips

    Mountain bike, jeep and canoe excursion available from local travel agents.

    Festa da Ourada

    Festival including beach procession held on August 15 honouring the fishermen's patron saint - Nossa Senhora da Ourda - Our Lady Of The Oracle.

  • Travel

    Not far from the Algarve's main airport at Faro. The bus station is at Avenida da Liberdade in the north of the town, about five minutes from the centre. There are regular weekday services to Faro, Vilamoura and Quarteria as well as Lagos, Portimao and other Algarve destinations. Long distant coaches go regularly to Lisbon, Evora and across the border into Spain. The train station is 6km out of town, reached by a shuttle bus from the bus station. Trains go frequently to Lagos and Faro and nearby Tunes. There are plenty of car and bike rental opportunities in Albufeira.

  • Food

    A wide choice of food is available in Albufeira from American and British fast food - chips, burgers and bacon and eggs - to spaghetti and pizzas through to standard Portuguese food, including seafood naturally. You will also find Chinese, Indian, Italian and other varieties. The Fishermen's Beach is a prime spot for good restaurants, especially seafood although in general prices and qualities do vary. Be prepared to venture off the beaten track and see where the locals are going. If you are self catering it is worth noting the town's fruit and vegetable market is on Rua dos Calicos, 15 minutes walk from the centre.

  • Accommodation

    A wide range of accommodation is available but it is advisable to book in advance of the peak season. The nearest camp site is the popular Parque de Campismo, a few km North of Albufeira, which provides good facilities. The tourist office has a list of private rooms and there are a wide variety of pensions and hotels, often the more central options being the more expensive. The Hotel California is one of these more upmarket and pricey alternatives.