General information about Albufeira
Known for its golden beaches, crystal clear waters and atmospheric streets, Albufeira attracts tourists from all over the world. It’s a place where tradition meets modernity, offering both quiet corners for relaxation and a dynamic nightlife thanks to its numerous bars and nightclubs.
Albufeira is a great place for those who want to party. If you’re looking for peace and quiet, however, I suggest staying in another resort.
The name Albufeira comes from the Arabic “Al-buhera,” meaning “sea castle.” The name is associated with the proximity of the ocean or lagoon that formed in the low-lying part of the village.
Albufeira has a population of more than 40,000. It was originally a small fishing village, but has now developed into the Algarve’s largest tourist destination.
In this article, I’ll take you on a tour of Albufeira, discovering its most beautiful beaches, sights and local attractions. You’ll also learn where to rent a car or book accommodation or tours.
How to get to Albufeira?
Getting to Albufeira is easy and convenient, whether you are traveling from Portugal or abroad.
Here are the options for getting to Albufeira.
By Plane: The nearest airport is in Faro, about 40 km from Albufeira. Faro Airport handles many international flights, especially during the summer season. Upon arrival, you can rent a car, take a cab, train or bus to get to Albufeira. Search for flights to Portugal here >>.
By car: If you prefer to travel by car, the A22 highway(toll) runs throughout the Algarve and provides quick access to Albufeira. Alternatively, the scenic and toll-free N125 national road offers beautiful views, although the trip may be a bit longer due to traffic and slower speeds.
If you are looking to rent a car either at Faro airport or in Albufeira itself then check Rentalcars for the best deals here >>.
By train: Regional and interregional trains serve the route between Faro and Albufeira. Albufeira’s train station, Ferreiras, is about 6 km from the city center. From there, you can take a cab (Uber or Bolta) or a local bus to reach your accommodation. Check out connections here >>.
By bus: Numerous bus lines offer connections from Faro, Lisbon and other cities in the Algarve. Buses are often a cheaper option, and the bus terminal in Albufeira is conveniently located near the city center. Check out connections here >>.
You can read more about public transportation in the Algarve here >>.
Car rental in Albufeira
If you want to rent a car in Albufeira, Faro, Lisbon or any other major city of the Algarve, then be sure to check Rentalcars for best deals here >>.
What's worth seeing in Albufeira?
Albufeira is a white built city with a strong Arab influence. The Arabs built solid defensive fortifications, making Albufeira an almost impregnable fortress. This was not unfounded, as Albufeira was one of the places the Arabs kept under their rule the longest.
Start your adventure with a stroll through the old town, where narrow cobblestone streets lead to whitewashed houses and atmospheric cafes. There is also the historic São Sebastião Church with its beautiful azulejos – traditional Portuguese tiles.
In the old neighborhoods of Albufeira, you will find a bar or restaurant on every corner. Here you can enjoy seafood or fresh fish grilled or in cataplana, a regional specialty. Also highly regarded is roast chicken, with or without piripiri, which has gained fame in the town of Guia, some seven kilometers away.
Walking further, we will reach Túnel or Peneco Beach on the vast sandy coastline surrounding the city. Here you’ll find colorful fishing boats moored on the sand and fishermen unloading fish or repairing their nets after a day’s work.
Near the beach, across from the famous A Ruina restaurant, is the fish auction building.
To the west of the beach is the Xorino Cave, where the Moors took refuge in the 13th century after the Christian recapture of the city
Historical sites worth seeing like Paderne Castle with its thick walls built of taipa, characteristic of Arab constructions.
Another point on the map is Marina de Albufeira, a colorful harbor full of yachts and boats, where you can relax with a coffee or take advantage of the many offers of sea excursions including Benagil cave or dolphin watching.
To book tours, use the portal Getyourguide. See the full tour offerings from Abufeira here >>.
The main beaches in Albufeira
There are several wonderful beaches in the Albufeira area. They are surrounded by high sandstone cliffs that provide shade in summer and protection from the wind in winter.
Specifically, Albufeira’s coastline has 36 beaches, 26 of which are guarded with lifeguards during the swimming season and 10 wild beaches.
Below is a list of the most famous beaches near Albufeira.
Praia da Galé
This golden beach has an undeveloped character and is a great place to get away from crowded city beaches. It is located 4 kilometers west of Albufeira.
Praia da Falésia
This is one of the most amazing beaches in the Algarve. The beach is known for its stunning rock formations. It can be compared to the Grand Canyon on the beach.
São Rafael Beach
This spectacular beach is surrounded by beautiful rock formations. At the top of the cliffs you can enjoy a beautiful sunset.
Olhos de Água beach
On this beach at low tide, you can find natural freshwater springs in the sand that look like eyes.
Praia de Santa Eulália
This wonderful beach is surrounded by cliffs and beautiful pine gardens. A great beach to visit in the Albufeira region.
Praia da Oura
This beach is located near the Strip and is known for its crazy nightlife. It is the number 1 party beach in Albufeira.
Praia do Inatel
This city beach has beautiful sand and clear water. The beach was named after the Inatel Hotel, which was the first building built directly on the beach.
Praia do Túnel (also known as Praia do Peneco)
Along with Praia dos Pescadores, this is one of two beaches located just outside the old town of Albufeira. Due to its location, it can be quite crowded.
Praia dos Pescadores
Along with Praia do Túnel, this beach is located in front of the old town. It attracts a lot of people. If you’re looking for privacy, go elsewhere.
Accommodation in Albufeira
If you are looking for accommodation in Albufeira then be sure to read my article, in which I write about the main accommodation bases in the Algarve.
,Article about accommodation in the Algarve can be found here >> . To check the best accommodation offers, go to the link>>.
Nightlife in Albufeira
Albufeira is famous for its crazy nightlife. The best places to go out in the evening are the old town and the Strip. In both places you’ll find plenty of bars and clubs. The Strip is located nearPraia da Oura beach, which is popular primarily with young tourists. There are cocktail bars, bars with live music, karaoke bars and bars where you can dance. Most clubs don’t start bustling until 1am and don’t close until sunrise. Popular clubs include Kiss, Club Vida and Le Club. The nightlife in Albufeira is truly exceptional so it’s the perfect place if you want to go wild.
Tours from Albufeira
One of the most popular excursions in Albufeira is a boat trip to see dolphins. Although there’s no guarantee that you’ll see a dolphin, helmsmen from different companies are in contact with each other all the time to pass along information on where exactly you can find them. And even if you don’t manage to see a dolphin, at least you’ll have a pleasant boat trip with amazing views of Albufeira’s cliffs. Often dolphin tours are combined with a visit to Benagil cave.
The best way to book tours is at Getyourguide, where you will often find interesting promotions.Such a trip to Benagil cave with dolphins, for example, you can find here >>.
A cool option for those who like a more extreme experience is parasailing, which is flying over the water with a parachute pulled by a boat overlooking Albufeira. I took advantage of such a trip and it certainly provides an exciting experience. The price of such a trip is 35 euros per person and you can book it here >>.
Other interesting attractions and tours to buy in the Albufeira area:
- Lagoa: water park entrance ticket Slide & Splash here >>.
- Quarteira: Tickets to the water park Aquashow here >>.
- Albufeira: 30-minute ride on a jet ski here >>.
- Benagil: boat cruises and kayak tours to the Benagil cave here >>.
