Albufeira - municipality and city in Portugal

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.

Get in

By train

• Albufeira-Ferreiras railway station (Estação Ferroviária de Albufeira-Ferreiras), 37.128608°, -8.233056°. The train station is 6 km from the centre. There is a city bus that can take to the bus terminal and from there another bus to the centre or any nearby beach—same ticket from the train station to the centre including interchanging.<br/>Although no wifi is offered at the station, a small cafe nearby offers free wifi for its customers (and surprisingly delicious pastels de nata!) 2020-05-03

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

• Terminal Rodoviário de Albufeira, 37.099°, -8.24505°. Stop for local, regional and national buses. The Royal Express and Flixbus call at the Camping Palmeira car park across the street near the round about.
  Local buses to the center go from here, e.g. take the Azul line. Here also you will have to interchange coming by bus from the train station. 2020-11-01

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

By plane

Faro Airport (IATA: FAO) 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—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.

See

• Castelo de Paderne (Almoáda Castle), 37.1581432°, -8.2110308°. Moorish 12th-century castle. Free Entrance
• Museu Municipal de Arqueologia de Albufeira. A small local museum with archeological exhibits from prehistory to Roman and Muslim era. 2020-11-01

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.

• Zoomarine, Guia (a few kilometers from Albufeira on the N125 direction west near Guia), 37.12667°, -8.31369°, +351 289 560 300. Based on the theme "The Life of the Oceans", Zoomarine occupies over 8 hectares. With a single ticket, the visitor has access to an area of leisure, entertainment and education. Just a few kilometers from Albufeira you can watch presentations with dolphins, seals and sea lions, with tropical birds and birds of prey. Here you find also an amazing aquarium with sharks, various habitats, Cinema4D, attractions, amusements and swimming pools, making your visit to Zoomarine even more unforgettable.
  Zoomarine is very popular with families with kids, therefore there are longer queues during the high season. 2016-09-18

Buy

• Mercado Municipal de Albufeira, 37.09546°, -8.24644°. Great place to get fish, fresh fruits and veggies, and dried figs from local producers and farmers. 2020-11-01

• Algarve Shopping, 37.1275°, -8.28°. One of the largest of its kind in the Algarve is this commercial centre at Guia on the EN125. Over a hundred shops, a supermarket and numerous restaurants are spread over two floors. 2020-11-01

• 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).

Budget

In the Old Town

• Restaurante O David, R. João de Deus 24A, 37.0872379°, -8.2533600°. 2022-05-01
• O Zuca, Portugal, Tv. do Malpique 2, 37.0887680°, -8.2528359°. 2022-05-01
• O Veleiro, R. 5 de Outubro 81, 37.0888338°, -8.2538481°. 2022-05-01
• Pizza D'Italia, Av. da Liberdade 85, 37.0902123°, -8.2542602°. 2022-05-01
• Sal & Mel, Av. da Liberdade 136-138, 37.0916147°, -8.2547779°. 2022-05-01

Along The Strip Albufeira

• The Cottage, Praia D'Oura, The Strip, Av. Sá Carneiro, 37.0917616°, -8.2276138°. 2022-05-01
• Kami Doner Kebab(halal) Albufeira, Av. Sá Carneiro, 37.0916551°, -8.2275712°. 2022-05-01
• Ricks Café, Av. Sá Carneiro 36, 37.0907736°, -8.2274981°. 2022-05-01

In or at the Pingo Doce shopping centre near the Rotunda dos Relógios

• La em Casa, R. do Município 1, 37.0913168°, -8.2405531°. 2022-05-01
• O Jorge, Centro Comercial Pingo Doce, 37.0919022°, -8.2405896°. 2022-05-01

Mid-range

• São Domingos, Estrada Vale Rabelho, Galé-Guia, 37.0922°, -8.304°, +351 289 592 349, +351 289 591 169, info@restaurantesaodomingos.com. High quality restaurant serving fresh seafood and a wide range of meat dishes. Highly recommended is the Chef's Fillet Steak. 2019-02-19

Splurge

• Vila Joya Restaurant, Praia da Galé, 37.0795°, -8.3144°, +351 289 591 795. One of the top Michelin Restaurants in Portugal, Vila Joya resembles a small oriental palazzo and is nestled in a breathtaking garden setting on a cliff with stunning views facing the sea.

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—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.

Mid-range

• Varandas de Albufeira, Rua do Indico 14, 37.0908°, -8.2389°, +351 289 540 850. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 10:00. This hotel in Albufeira offers rooms equipped with cable TV, air conditioning and kitchenette. Some of its facilities and services are restaurant, bar, game room, billiards, outdoor swimming pool, safe deposit boxes and housekeeping. Rates start at €26
• Luna Miramar Club (formerly Perola do Algarve), Rua do Pacífico 24, 37.0897°, -8.2409°, +351 289 540 850. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 10:00. Offers rooms equipped with cable TV, air conditioning and kitchenette. Some of its facilities and services are bar, pool bar, restaurant, game room, outdoor swimming pool, air-conditioned public areas, billiards, 24-hour front desk and housekeeping.
• Vila Galé Cerro Alagoa, Rua do Município 26, 37.0906°, -8.2439°, +351 289 583 100, cerroalagoa@vilagale.pt. On the banks of the Ria Formosa, the interior is said to have an Arabian ambience of old southern Portugal. Online booking.
• Vila Galé Atlântico, Praia da Galé - Apt. 2436, 37.0844°, -8.3141°, +351 289 570 800, atlantico@vilagale.pt. Close to Praia da Galé and only 6 km away from the centre of city. Online booking.
• Vila Galé Collection Praia, Praia da Galé, Lote 33, Apt. 2204, 37.0812°, -8.3147°, +351 289 590 180, praia@vilagale.pt. Located right at Praia da Galé, 5 minutes away from Albufeira. Online booking.
• PortoBay Falésia, Quinta do Milharó, Olhos de Água, 37.0926°, -8.1846°, +351 289 007 700, falesia@portobay.pt. Located over the red cliffs and with direct access to the beach.

Splurge

• Eden Resort, Loteamento da Quinta da Bolota 2, 37.1019°, -8.2604°, +351 289 243 000, info@edenresort.pt. A condominium with luxury villas and apartments.
• Encosta da Orada, Rua Jose Ramos Pimenta, 37.0885°, -8.2608°, +351 289 381 551. Encosta da Orada offers rooms equipped with television, kitchenette, refrigerator and microwave and has a swimming pool, casino, garden, tennis court, golf course, room service, dry cleaning, parking, bicycle rental and airport shuttle. Rates start at €145.98
• Jardins de Santa Eulália, Estrada de Santa Eulália ( from Santa Eulália Beach), 37.0916°, -8.2183°, +351 289 381 551. Jardins de Santa Eulalia offers rooms equipped with in-room safe, kitchenette, refrigerator, fireplace, television and dining area, and has a bar/lounge, garden, outdoor swimming pool, airport shuttle, laundry service and car rental service. Rates start at €145.98

Go next

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