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Albufeira Guide Algarve

Albufeira, The Algarve

Albufeira is the most popular resort town in the Algarve, with fine sandy beaches, water sports and a sailing center, and a lively night scene of bars and discos. The old center of this small settlement of about 30,000 people retains its historical look from centuries ago. The pedestrianized streets are full of stalls and entertainers, giving Albufeira a fun, friendly buzz.

Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal.
Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal

Albufeira is without doubt the Algarve's largest and liveliest resort, packed with bars, restaurants, shops and tourist facilities for all the family.

Albufeira (from the Arabic al-buhera meaning "Castle on the Sea") is a fun resort, popular with people from the UK and the rest of Europe of all ages, with plentiful nightlife and things to do for children during the day. Enjoy a stroll on the pedestrianized seafront, a drink in one of the town's many fine bars and a sample a variety of food that takes in British fish and chips as well as Indian and Thai curries, Chinese and Japanese cuisine.

The Algarve continues to thrive as Portugal's most popular destination and Albufeira holidays set the scene for the perfect getaway, with stunning beaches, a beautiful climate with sunny days, cool evenings and low humidity, as well as a huge variety of bars and restaurants to relax after a hard day's sun worship.

Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal.
Praia do Peneco Beach at Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal
Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal.
Looking down at the beach and sea at Albufeira

The beach in town is the Praia do Penico (Praia do Túnel) but there are other fine beaches in and around Albufeira within easy reach: to the east of the town centre is Praia dos Pescadores (Fishermen's Beach) about half a kilometer distant, Praia da Oura about 3 km, Praia da Falésia 10 km and Balaia and Olhos de Água slightly nearer to town. All of these beaches can be easily reached by local bus. To the west of Albufeira are some beaches located in coves such as the jet-ski and water-skiing center of Praia da Galé. Easily reached by car, there is no direct bus - its a 2 km walk from the main road to Portimão.

Back in Albufeira town the main square is the pretty Largo Engenheiro Duarte Pacheco. Albufeira is all about sand, sea and fun but for sightseeing there's a worthwhile Archeological Museum (Museu Municipal de Arqueologia de Albufeira) in the old town hall, the Ermida de São Sebastião better known as the Museum of Sacred Art (Museu de Arte Sacra) and the Igreja de Santana - two historic churches set in the old town.

Albufeira's main festival is the Festa da Ourada held on August 14 which celebrates the patron saint of fishermen with a procession and giant fireworks display.

Other things to do besides soaking up the sun on the beach include a visit to Zoomarine (Tel: 289 560 300) 8 km northwest in Guia with a host of swimming pools, water slides as well as an aquarium and dolphin shows.

Aqualand Algarve - formerly the The Big One (Tel: 282 320 230) claims to be Portugal's biggest water-theme park with a variety of huge water slides and pools. Aqualand is 15 km from Albufeira in Alcantarilha. There are buses from town and other places on the coast.

Aqua Show (Tel: 289 389 396) claims Europe's largest wave pool and also has exotic wildlife, bungee jumping, mini-golf and various water rides. Aqua Show is in Vilamoura, 10 km east of Albufeira.

There are numerous golf courses in the Algarve, riding facilities and tennis courts within easy reach.

Beach homes, Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal.
Beach homes in Albufeira, Algarve
Fishing boat, Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal.
Fishing boat, Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal

Albufeira Tourist Office

Rua 5 de Outubro (tel. 289 585 279)

The main tourist office is near a set of stairs at Rua 5 de Outubro just before the tunnel to the town's beaches. There is another tourist office out near the beach at Praia da Oura to the east of the city centre. This modern, tent-like building is on Estr. de Santa Eulália not far from The Strip and close to a number of large resort hotels, bars and restaurants.

Tourist Offices in Portugal

Getting to Albufeira

Bus Travel in Portugal

Albufeira bus station (tel: 289 589 755) is 2 km north of town reached by a Giro shuttle bus from outside the bus stop on Avenida da Liberdade. There are buses to Faro, Lagos and to Lisbon as well as to Huelva in Spain for Sevilla.

The local bus network in Albufeira is called Giro. There are 5 colour-coded routes, which depart and return to the Caliços Bus Terminal about 2 km outside town. You can purchase either a single ticket or a day pass, which gives unlimited travel on the buses for a day. There is also a rechargeable EVA bus card which can be purchased at the EVA bus stations at Avenida da Liberdade and Caliços.

Train Travel in Portugal

Albufeira Station has daily trains to Faro, Lagos and to Lisbon - change at Tunes. Albufeira Station is 5 km out of the center of town.

Car Travel in Portugal

Albufeira easily connects with the east-west IP1/EO1 (for the Algarve and Spain) and north-south A2/E1 (for Setubal and Lisbon) motorways. From the west, take Route 125. From Spain, get onto N125 going west or the IP1/EO1 motorway.

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From the Airport

The nearest airport is Faro 40 minutes by bus to the east. You will need to change buses in Faro town. First take a #16 bus from Faro Airport to Faro bus station and change to the bus to Albufeira. A taxi from Faro Airport to Albufeira costs 25-30 Euros and takes about 30 minutes.

Portugal Hotel & Hostel Accommodation

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Baia Grande Hotel - 4 Star, 131 rooms, Sesmarias - 8200.
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Between diving, dolphin-watching, boat trips and lots of great eating and drinking in the attractive little tourist town of Albufeira, make sure you stay somewhere wonderful. Here's a selection to get you started from the huge range of accommodation available: listed from high-end, to mid-range, to budget.

The Pine Cliffs Residence, a Luxury Collection Resort, Algarve, is a luxury resort with every facility imaginable on its more than 70 hectare (170 acre) landscaped site - a virtual town unto itself, dedicated to vacational rest and recreation. Just a 10-or-so minutes' stroll along a boardwalk to beautiful Falesia Beach, this holiday compound has several restaurants, a wellness center that includes a full gym and massage service, floodlit tennis courts, outdoor and indoor swimming pools, a 9-hole golf course, onsite minimart, and fun playgrounds and games galore to keep kids happily occupied. The beautifully decorated, spacious rooms have a kitchen and a large deck with a view. Service is attentive, friendly and professional. A true pleasure ground amid nature. 7 km east of central Albufeira and 30 km west of Faro, with airport shuttle bus available. The best Albufeira has to offer.

The Vila Gale Collection Praia is right in front of the scenic Praia Da Gale beach, just a minute's walk away, and is open all seasons but winter. This hotel with its palm trees and broad green lawns is centered on a large outdoor pool surrounded by deck chairs. There is a spa facility with a big jacuzzi pool, sauna and Turkish bath, yoga lessons and body treatments. Plus there's a gym, library and billiards room. The tranquil atmosphere makes for a very relaxing stay, enhanced by friendy, attentive staff. Stylish rooms with full amenities and a highly rated breakfast help ensure an unforgettable sojourn. Free parking. Great value for money if you want to feel pampered.

The Alfagar Aparthotel is a contemporary apartment-style hotel, located in the east part of Albufeira, and with private access to the beautiful Santa Eulália Beach. With no less than three pools - one just for the kids, with waterslides, plus an indoor pool - and a broad, relaxing poolside area with deckchairs, there is fun and sun to be had just a minute from your room. The spacious one- or two-bedroom apartments have a kitchen for independent living, are decorated warmly and simply, and with deckchairs and a table on the balcony. Great restaurants, and entertainment for the children. Balaia Golf Course is 12 minutes walk away. As close as you'll get to luxury for the reasonable mid-range price.

The Orange Terrace Hostel is tucked down an alley in a buzzing area of Albufeira town, in a neighborhood of stores, bars, and restaurants, and only five minutes' walk to lovely Praia do Peneco beach. What this budget dormitory with comfortable bunk-bed sleeping facilities lacks in luxury, it more than makes up for in jazzy, upbeat colorfulness, sociability and - of course - unbeatable price. Bathroom and toilet facilities, kept spotlessly clean, are shared by all occupants of the dormitory, and there are small lockers for guests' possessions. Communal kitchen and chill-out terrace. Good breakfast served. Guests also love how helpful and friendly the staff are.

See a range of other hotels in Albufeira.

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Lisbon Hop-On Hop-Off Bus, Tramcars, and Yellow Boat River Tour

Eating

Albufeira has some of the most varied cuisine outside of Lisbon from traditional Portuguese through Indian, Chinese and British-style breakfasts and fish and chips.

Drinking

Rua Candido dos Reis is the centre of the bar and disco scene as rival establishments compete for your Euro.

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Falésia Beach, Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal.
Falésia Beach, Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal

Internet Cafe

The GOLDSPOT internet cafe in front of Hotel Paraiso de Albufeira, 2 mins from Modelo Supermarket on Rua Alves Corriera 81 8200-090 Albufeira is now closed.

The average high June temperatures for Portugal is between 22 degrees Centigrade and 26 degrees Centigrade.
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Map of Albufeira & the Algarve

Algarve Resorts

Other places to visit in the Algarve region of Portugal include Albufeira, Alcoutim, Aljezur, Alvor, Cabanas, Cacela Velha, Faro, Ferragudo, Fuseta, Lagos, Loulé, Monchique, Olhão, Portimão, Praia da Rocha, Sagres, Silves, Vilamoura and Vila Real de Santo Antonio.

Map of Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal.
Map of Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal


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