To visit Albufeira
Guided tours and activities in Albufeira, Portugal
First of all for those who want to focus on visiting Albufeira without wasting time planning everything, I have made for you a selection of the best activities and guided tours in Albufeira in the Algarve. You can book these activities and tours of the Algarve in 3 clicks below and cancel for free in case of unforeseen events.I have chosen some of the best rated tours and activities in Albufeira with a English speaking guide to avoid any language problem that might bother some of you. All you have to do is choose what you want to do and what you want to see during your vacation in Albufeira!Best hotels in Albufeira in the Algarve
There is a multitude of accommodation to rent in Albufeira and in the Algarve in general but we always want to find the best for our vacations and it is perfectly normal. To make it easier for you, I have prepared below a selection of the best hotels in Albufeira, so all you have to do is click on the button and let yourself be guided between 5 star hotels, charming hotels, hotels with swimming pools or hotels rated “Fabulous” by those who have stayed there before you.For those who wish to book a luxury villa in the Algarve, I invite you to click in the column on the image or the corresponding link. This link will take you to a website that specializes in luxury villas throughout Europe. These are luxury villas in the Algarve with the possibility of heated pools, cooks, staff and other exceptional services, so you should expect prices accordingly but some will prefer this option, it is available on Essencial Portugal. How to get to Albufeira?
There is no airport in Albufeira itself, but you can fly to one of the nearest airports – Lisbon or Faro, and then get to Albufeira by bus, train or with a transfer service from the airport (You will find 5 star services in the right column).
The distance from Lisbon to Albufeira is 250 kilometers, but some may want to take the time to visit Portugal between Lisbon and the Algarve. For those, the most convenient option is the train from the central station of Lisboa Oriente. The trip will take 3 hours, the fare starts at 20.6 euros, depending on the train and the type of car. But if you buy a ticket in advance, you may be able to get it for only 9 euros. There are also buses that leave from both bus stations in Lisbon. The trip will take about 3 hours and the ticket price is 18.5 euros.
The distance from Faro to Albufeira is 40 kilometers.
The most convenient way to get there is by bus directly from the airport or from the city’s bus station. The journey takes about an hour and the fare is 5 euros. You can rent a car directly from Faro airport. The cost of a car rental in Faro is about 50 euros per day, again you will find a price comparison in the right column. You can also take a cab from Faro to Albufeira in half an hour for about 40€.
Restaurants in Albufeira in Algarve
Once you’ve enjoyed the beaches of the Algarve, you’ll probably want to have lunch at one of Albufeira’s many restaurants located on or near the beach.
The resort of Albufeira is famous for its cuisine. As in all of coastal Portugal, fresh fish and lobster are the most popular ingredients in local restaurants. The city offers many seafood specialties, such as sardines with corn, horse mackerel cooked with tomato and oregano, cockle soup and many others. Traditional Portuguese cataplana dishes are served, as well as dishes from other countries.
Olympic Restaurant in Albufeira
This contemporary restaurant is popular for its delicious tapas and beautiful rooftop terrace overlooking the main square of Albufeira’s old town. Enjoy house favorites like veal carpaccio, truffle-infused mushroom risotto and Portuguese cheeses. This restaurant also offers gluten-free and vegan dishes.
Restaurant Cais ao Mar in Albufeira
This quiet restaurant located off the main street of Albufeira serves some of the best seafood in town. There are many choices of both meat and seafood dishes.
The Market Restaurant in Albufeira
In this trendy café located on Albufeira’s bustling main street, you can enjoy ocean views, delicious local products and fine wines. The house specialties are suckling pig croquettes and fish filet with lime risotto. Enjoy your meal with a cocktail or a glass of wine, the choice and quality are there.
Restaurant Staar in Albufeira
This restaurant, tucked away on a small street in the old town, is worth discovering. This Albufeira restaurant has a clean, minimalist style that gives it an art gallery feel, with the well-presented dishes acting as an exhibition. The delicious steaks, as well as the beautifully prepared scallops, are popular with tourists and locals alike.
Restaurant Windmill in Albufeira
A dinner at this unique restaurant, located in a classic 1938 windmill, will help you set sail and enjoy the authentic charm of the Algarve. As there are only 12 tables available, you will need to book in advance. In terms of cuisine, there is a fixed menu of three courses with fresh products: less choice but the dishes are very well executed.
The beaches of Albufeira
The beaches of Albufeira are a source of pride for the inhabitants of this region. They are numerous, varied and all have something special to offer. There are 3 sandy beaches in the city – Penecou, Pescadores and Inatel.
Peneco beach in Albufeira is the most popular beach as it is located in the historical district. It is also called “tunnel beach” because of the tunnel between the rocks. It is a large beach with developed infrastructures if you want to spend the day there and fine sand.
Adjacent to Penecou is Pescadores Beach (fishermen’s beach). Here, in addition to the facilities, there are a large number of fishing boats and boats. Take one of them for a boat tour of the Algarve coast.
The third beach of Albufeira, located in a small cove between the rocks. It will be perfect for those who appreciate the absence of crowds and small spaces.
You can also rent a car to visit the many beaches outside of town throughout the Algarve. One of these beaches is Praia dos Arrifes. Over the centuries, wind and waves have given the cliffs the most bizarre shapes and carved shallow pools into their crevices – it’s a beautiful sight and well worth a day’s visit. Praia do Evaristo, another beach outside Albufeira, offers divers the perfect opportunity to observe marine life close to shore.
Weather in Albufeira
Like the rest of the southern coast of Portugal, Albufeira is fed by the Gulf Stream, offering a warm climate in summer and moderately cool in winter. July and August are the hottest months, reaching temperatures of +30°C, while the average summer temperature is +23°C. On the other hand, the water temperature can reach +22ºC, which allows you to swim comfortably and enjoy the visits without sweating. In winter, daytime temperatures rarely drop below +20ºC in Albufeira and the water temperature rarely drops below +16ºC.
Things to see in Albufeira
Of course, most people come to visit Albifeira for a beach vacation. Albufeira’s coastline consists of about 20 beautiful sandy beaches and many of them have been awarded the blue flag for their cleanliness.
But there are also plenty of places to visit. First of all, the city of Albufeira itself, especially the historical part, has a unique Moorish style. Another reminder of the Arab influence is the Moorish arch of the Travessa da Igreja Velha, which is all that remains of a former mosque. Other attractions in the town include a small museum and art gallery that holds regular exhibitions throughout the season, a new virtual archaeological museum and a new marina where vacationers can easily find entertainment and activities.
The village of Paderne, famous for its 12th century fortress, is 15 km from Albufeira. Entrance to the Castelo de Almoada is free. On the outskirts of Albufeira is the Marine Zoological Park, with its mini zoo and attractions including dolphin, seal and wild bird shows.
You can also shop in Albufeira with a variety of stores for all tastes, from modern shopping malls to small stores in the historic district for souvenirs. There is a huge shopping complex on the outskirts of Albufeira with dozens of stores, a cinema, restaurants and a supermarket.
Zoomarine
Families with children should visit the Zoomarine Algarve theme park, located 7 kilometers northwest of Albufeira. You can get there by a special bus.
Shows with seals, dolphins and birds captivate young and old. The park’s aquarium familiarizes visitors with the underwater fauna: you can observe the life of marine animals, for example, several species of sharks live there. In the park you will also find a variety of entertainment:
- 4D Cinema, where you can take a virtual trip across the ocean
- Trip on a pirate ship
- Ferris wheel
- Water slides, swimming pools.
Krazi’s world
Krazi World is another theme park with a mini-zoo housing pets, reptiles and several species of exotic animals. Kids can ride ponies, mountain bikes or enjoy the golf course. You can save yourself from the heat by taking a dip in the pool.
Krazi World is located 13 kilometers north of Albufeira in Lagoa de Viseu.
The beaches of Albufeira
There are three beaches in the city:
- The most popular is the Praia dos Pescadores (“fishermen’s beach”). It occupies a large area on the outskirts of the old town; even in high season, it is easy to find a free space. An elevator and escalators are available for getting on and off.
- The quietest beach, Inatel, occupies a cove between the rocks. It is popular with tourists who prefer to be quiet and secluded.
- Peneku beach, whose name translates as “tunnel”, is accessible by a road from the old town through a tunnel. Generally, it is noisy and there are many tourists.
Several dozens of beaches are located near Albufeira, here are some of the most famous:
- Sao Rafael is one of the most picturesque beaches in Portugal, surrounded by sculpted limestone cliffs. The beach is small, almost always crowded. It is 5km from Albufeira, you can walk or take a cab.
- One of the most beautiful beaches in Europe is Falésia, which stretches for 6 kilometers along the coast. It is great for families with children: there is fine sand and a shallow sea, so it is warmer. The beach is surrounded by orange rocks that contrast beautifully with the sky and the lush vegetation. From Albufeira, you can get there by bus from the Aldeia das Acoteias stop for 2 euros or by foot.
- Galé is divided into two parts by a rock. The name means “shipwreck”, symbolizing the Middle Ages. It is the longest beach in Albufeira. You can get there from the city for 1 euro by bus or from the bus station. The trip will take 20 minutes.
- Praia da Oura is particularly popular with the locals. The sand is fine and golden, hence the name, and a gentle slope leads down to the sea.
Albufeira Marina
The luxurious Marina de Albufeira is located 4 kilometers west of the city. From here you can take a boat trip or a sightseeing tour along the coast, admiring the views from the sea.
Adventure Park Albufeira
In the forest next to Golden Beach is the Parque Aventura amusement park, which will certainly appeal to lovers of outdoor activities. Here you can test your strength and stamina on obstacle courses of various levels of difficulty, consisting of several attractions: a cable car, a monkey bridge, mazes resembling a huge spider web, slides and other activities. The safety of the participants is supervised by park employees.
Largo Engenheiro Duarte Pacheco
This shopping area in Albufeira is named after a Portuguese statesman and famous engineer. Along the pedestrian streets there are restaurants, cafes, stores and stalls where you can buy clothes from famous brands as well as local manufacturers and souvenirs.
Archaeological Museum of Albufeira
The Albufeira Archaeological Museum has a collection of exhibits from different eras. There are artifacts from the Roman, Arab, Visigothic periods, for example, ancient mosaics, tools from the Stone Age, a collection of keys from the 16th century.
Igreja de São Sebastião
The small 18th century church of San Sebastian was built in the Baroque style. It is remarkable for its gilded wooden altar and its carved entrance. On the facade there is a commemorative plaque in memory of San Vicente, the patron saint of the city. The interior of the church is decorated with several cherubs. Exhibitions of religious objects are regularly held here.
