Every year Albufeira attracts thousands of tourists and it is not hard to understand why, considering that the city itself is very nice and traditional. Its old town is characterised by a number of restaurants, bars and shops, and its modern area is full of hotels and houses for rent with all the best services and comforts.
Albufeira offers a very lively nightlife around the district of Sao Joao, while along the oceanfront there are a number of apartments overlooking the beach.
Albufeira is the ideal place for families as well as for couples and solo travelers of all ages. Its position is great to reach other touristic attractions in the Algarve region.
During the Roman Empire, Albufeira was known as Baltum and it was then renamed Al-Buhera during the Moorish domination. There are still some historical traces of the Castle, even if it was reconstructed after the severe damages suffered during the earthquake of 1755.
Until 1960, Albufeira was just a small fishing village, but with the booming of tourism it has become a holiday destination that has undergone a strong structural development, turning into a very popular destination among travelers from all over Europe.
Despite the many modern buildings scattered around the city, the historical center of Albufeira remained the same, and it still keeps the same essence of its past. Get lost among the narrow streets on the hill and you will find several colorful houses along the street.
The most visible remains of the castle of Albufeira are by far the ones of the Tower Clock, which was restored after 1755 based on the original projects of one of the old towers of the castle. The clock marks the passing of the time and it represents a symbol of the city itself.
If you love live music, you will be amused by the random improvisation of jam sessions and concerts at the several bars scattered along the center. Jardim Square at night time is populated by street artists who entertain tourists with their exhibitions.
The area of the port of Albufeira is very picturesque thanks to its green, pink, blue, yellow, and orange buildings. The promenade is the starting point of many popular activities, such as boat tours, immersions or fishing lessons.
Beach lovers will be happy to know that Albufeira offers some excellent landscapes characterized by majestic cliffs and golden beaches.
There are two main beaches, that is to say Praia dos Pescadores and Praia do Tunel. Both are very clean, with crystalline waters and offering services like beachfront bars and restaurants.
One can access to Praia do Tunel by passing through a tunnel excavated through the cliff itself – the beach was named after the tunnel. Otherwise you can access to Praia dos Pescadores by following the indicated path.
If you arrive to Algarve by landing to Faro airport, you can reach Albufeira by renting a car of by taking the train or one of the many available buses. If you are traveling from Lisbon, the easiest solution is to take an Intercity train that stops at Albufeira.
If you are not thinking about going on a tour around the Algarve, you don’t need a car to visit the city. There is a tourist train connecting the promenade to the old town, as well as a very efficient mini bus service called “Giro”, connecting the main areas of the city.
In addiction, there are several public agencies providing transportation services to some of the main attractions around the area.
If you are looking for nightclubs opened 24/24, then you can find them in Albufeira. Besides the Sao Joao district, do not miss a visit to Avenida Dr Francisco Sa Carneiro; at night it gets very crowded by young people moving from club to club.
Another popular area featuring clubs and hotels is Montechoro, located about 2km from the old town.
What's the weather at Albufeira? Below are the temperatures and the weather forecast at Albufeira for the next few days.
To see all the facilities and book accommodation in Albufeira use the form below, entering the dates of your stay.
We offer a selection of hotels at Albufeira to suit all categories of travellers. The most booked by tourists are the sea-facing hotels, often right on the beach. If you want to play it safe, choose one of the following: they are among the most booked hotels in Albufeira, sorted by number of reviews.
If you prefer space, privacy and the ability to prepare your own meals to a hotel holiday, book a holiday home at Albufeira. We recommend a few below, but in this case we advise you to book early because houses and apartments for rent at Albufeira are in high demand.