☰Albufeira

Albufeira has two distinct drinking scenes that rarely overlap. The old town has proper Portuguese café culture: espresso at a marble-topped counter, medronho brandy in a dimly lit bar, occasional live fado on weekend evenings. The Strip (Av. Francisco Sá Carneiro near Praia da Oura) is an unabashed British-Irish holiday resort — all-night bars, karaoke, sports screens, and frozen cocktails. Both are entirely valid depending on what kind of evening you want.

For a quiet drink with locals, the small bars around the old town squares charge under €2 for house wine and the snacks are generous. The beach bars at Praia dos Pescadores are worth an evening drink for the view alone.

Albufeira's coastline is its greatest asset. The main Praia dos Pescadores sits right below the old town, a wide crescent of sand where colourful fishing boats are still pulled up between swims. East of town, Praia da Oura is the liveliest beach, close to the Strip and its bars. Further east, Praia da Falesia stretches for six kilometres beneath striking ochre and red cliffs -- one of the most beautiful beaches in the Algarve and usually much quieter than the town beaches.

The beaches in Albufeira are fantastic and the resort amenities make the city very hospitable for sun-seeking guests. If you want to spend a day away from Albufeira though (perhaps to nurse a sunburn) there are plenty of nearby locales that warrant day trips.

Sagres

At the southwestern corner of Portugal is the town of Sagres. Although it was considered by many Early Modern Europeans to be the “end of the world,” Sagres is about a 90 minute drive from Albufeira on the A22. The town is famous for having been the launching point for many ships during the European “Age of Exploration” in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. The fort on the point (Fortaleza de Sagres) sits on a picturesque bluff above the ocean. In addition to wandering around the old fort constructions and meandering along the bluff pathways, it is great fun to watch the local fishermen cast off of the cliffs. The nearby point of Cabo de São Vicente offers more sea and bluff views and is a good choices for travelers interested in cycling or more leisurely bike rides.

Silves

West of Albufeira and about 10 kilometers (6 miles) inland is the town of Silves. Visitors to Silves will not want to miss the red sandstone Moorish Castle (Castelo dos Mouros) or the Cathedral. Arriving at both “hilltop” attractions will offer you the opportunity to meander up Silves’ narrow lanes. In a compact space, Silves attests to Portugal’s rich history. The Castle was the stronghold of the Islamic Moors between the eighth and twelfth centuries. The site on which the Cathedral now sits was originally a mosque. It was converted to a Catholic Church in the twelfth century and the building that stands today was built in the early eighteenth century.

Faro and Loulé

A third day trip within easy access of Albufeira is Faro, the capital of the Algarve region. The Capela d’Ossos or Chapel of Bones next to the Carmelite Church is an intriguing, if spooky, attraction. The chapel was built on the site of an earlier cemetery so the nuns used the unearthed bones for this atypical decorative scheme. The bones are arranged in neat rows and (creatively) some arm and leg bones have been used as frames for skulls. The cathedral or Sé offers more traditional Baroque décor. Those looking for a more ecumenical experience in Faro should visit the city’s major shopping streets, the Rua Santo Antonio and the Rua Francisco Gomes. 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) north of Faro is the old market town of Loulé. Loulé is best known for its decorative chimneys but also offers some attractive churches and ruins of a Moorish castle.

Albufeira has all the tourist staples — pizza, fish and chips, curry houses along the Strip — but the old town has genuinely good Portuguese restaurants at reasonable prices. Fresh seafood is the thing to eat: grilled sardines (sardinhas assadas), cataplana (a clam and fish stew cooked in a copper dome), and perceves (goose barnacles, an Algarve speciality worth trying once). The daily tourist menu (ementa turística), typically three courses with wine for €10–15, is better value in the old town than anywhere near the beach.

Dom Marcos (Rua Alves Correia 100) is one of the old town's most consistently praised local restaurants — Portuguese cooking, generous portions, fair prices, and tables spilling out onto a quiet lane. O Zé near the Largo Engenheiro Duarte Pacheco has been feeding locals for decades and does the best grilled fish in the immediate area. For fresh seafood at picnic prices, the fish market near Praia dos Pescadores sells the morning's catch through the early afternoon.

Albufeira Transportation Options You Can Use

Albufeira Transportation within the town comes in local buses, car rentals, taxis, trains, and boat cruises. Albufeira in Algarve Portugal is a town booming with tourism and businesses. The different transportation provides inexpensive local rides, while enjoying the impressive surrounding environment. ** Taxis Fixed Rate**

Taxis do not have a metered payment. There are set prices for specific destinations. You will have to haggle with the taxi driver first before agreeing to the bargain. The standard rate is $3 for the first three miles and 95 cents for the succeeding miles, but this can change depending on your agreement. You might want to ascertain the price before hiring the taxi.

Local Buses

There are several local buses, which are color coded and set for an assigned destination. Trains are the same as buses. However, they travel to destinations that are more distant. The bus rates are from $3. Trains are more expensive, with prices from $7 to $8. ** Car Rentals**

Choose a company that can provide you less expensive prices. The cash out may be more expensive than a bus and train, but in the long run, you can save a lot for the car rental option because with a car you can go anywhere in Albufeira, Algarve. It is very convenient, comfortable and a reasonable price for tourists.

Boat Cruises

These are explorations into the waterfront means of transportation in Algarve. They even provide delicious meals on board. These trips can cost from $3 to $50, depending on the destination of the cruise.

The resort town of Albufeira is among one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. The sandy beaches, local cuisine and scenic beauty of southern Portugal bring tourists in by the thousands. Transport to this small beach, resort town is quite simple so getting there is virtually stress free.

**Faro **

The nearest airport to Albufeira is in Faro. For visitors that are flying in from Spain or other European nations, this will be the most accessible destination. Albufeira is easily accessible from Faro for those that wish to rent a car or taxi. It is only about 35 kilometers away on either the A22 Freeway or the EN 125 main road. The journey is well marked and the road is of good quality.

**Lisbon **

For travelers coming from North America, their first port of call will likely be Lisbon. From here the passengers can either catch a connecting flight to Faro or travel by surface transport on to Albufeira. By train there are 5 trains daily from the main train station in Lisbon to Albufeira. The journey takes about 3 and 1/2 hours and costs between 18-20 euros. There are frequent buses from Lisbon to Albufeira as well. The journey time is about the same and there is little difference in price. However something you may wish to consider when choosing your method of transport is that the train station in Albufiera is about 4 miles out of town so an extra bus journey or taxi will likely be required. The bus station is quite centrally located.

Contributors January 19, 2010

January 10, 2010

Albufeira's shopping is some of the best in the Algarve region. It has an eclectic range of boutiques, market stalls and specialty shops that will tantalize the eye of any shopper. Some excellent advice when visiting Albufeira is to pack an extra suitcase for all the wonderful items that you will be bound to purchase.

Oceana Boutique

Located just off the strip on Galarias Nova Oura lies the Oceana Boutique. The shop is known for women's clothing that is both sophisticated and unique. Ladies' tops seem to be their specialty but they carry an excellent selection of dresses, skirts and various items of beach ware. The owner of the shop is available quite frequently to offer advice and assistance. The Oceana Boutique is an excellent shop to browse or to have a full shopping spree.

Calicos Market

For a truly local market specializing in food and drink, you can't go wrong with the Calicos Market. The Calicos Market is open daily and is located just off the Estrada de Vale de Pedras. Fine samplings of seafood, fresh fruits and vegetables and meats are beautifully displayed along the many stalls. Locally made wine, honey, cheese and bread are some of the favorites available for sample and purchase. The Calicos Market is located at the top of a rather steep hill but the visit will be well worth the effort it takes to get there.

The Algarve(Albufeira) Shopping Mall

Located on the EN125 just outside the city limits of Albufeira is a large shopping complex. Although technically located in Albufeira it is known as the Algarve Shopping Mall. The mall is rather large by any standard with over 80 stores in which to browse. The selection of shops ranges from upscale clothing, souvenirs and food stalls. Prices can be slightly higher than in some of the smaller shops inside Albufeira but some good bargains can be found for those that search.

The Strip

The strip in Albufeira is definitely not everyone's cup of tea. There are several shops and places to eat, mostly catering to the tourist trade. However, it is worth a trip to grab some gifts, souvenirs or necessary beach items you may have run out of or forgotten. The strip begins close to Praia Oura and might be worth a quick walk through even if the blaring music and endless supply of Irish pubs isn't for you.

Contributors January 14, 2010

January 19, 2010

The beaches are the main event, but Albufeira has enough beyond the sand to fill several days. The old town rewards an unhurried morning walk — narrow whitewashed lanes, azulejo-tiled doorways, and small squares that most resort visitors miss entirely. Sea cave boat trips operate from the dock below the old town and offer the best way to see the dramatic cliff coastline west of town. Dolphin-watching excursions run from the same point and are reliable year-round in these Atlantic waters.

With mild weather, nearly any time of the year is a good time to visit Albufeira. When to go largely depends on one's individual preferences. Those whot prefer a quiet and less crowded holiday may want to visit in the off-season while those who want to experience the town at its busiest and hottest will likely opt for summer.

Winter

Winter is actually a good time to visit Albufeira. Snow and bad weather do hit the northern regions of the country but with Albufeira being on the south coast, the temperatures stay quite mild. The water may not be quite warm enough to swim in but you may be lucky enough to catch a few days of sun bathing on the beach. The main advantages to visiting in the winter are the off season bargains. Hotels and restaurants slash their prices down sometimes up to 50 percent to attract what trade there is. Another advantage to visiting at this time is the peace and quiet. The crowds will have dissipated greatly compared to the summer months. Be prepared for rain. Have an umbrella and pack some warm clothing. Keep in mind the days are much shorter in the winter months as well.

Autumn and Spring

Many will argue that these 2 seasons are actually the best time to visit Albufeira. The weather starts to improve in the spring and in the autumn remains warm. Swimming is possible as you get into late spring and early fall. Albufiera isn't as peaceful and quiet as it is during the winter months but still is relativly quiet when compared to the summer months. Prices will also start to rise slightly when compared to the winter season but will still hover below the summer. Easter holiday times can get busy so if you're looking for peace and quiet it might be best to give these 2 weeks a try.

Summer

Although the prices, crowds and temperatures all rise at this time of year, Albufeira still attracts visitors of all ages. The beaches will be full of bathers and swimmers so get there early and book your spot. Be prepared for higher prices in restaurants and hotels. One advantage that summer brings is that all facilities will be open for business. Some places will close or limit their hours in the off season due to the drop in tourists. In fact, making reservations in some instances is a good idea. Summer time is when Albufeira is at its peak and those that want to experience it as full capacity should visit during the high season.

Contributors January 19, 2010