Holidays in Albufeira. Albufeira - all about the resort in the south of Portugal. Albufeira: the tranquility of an ancient fortress

Albufeira is the largest, busiest and most energetic of all the resort towns that line the southern Algarve coast in . This welcoming destination offers stunning beaches, a mild climate, a wide range of restaurants and a vibrant nightlife. All this has turned the once modest fishing village into the most popular place in the Algarve.

A little history of the city

In Roman times, Albufeira was known as Baltoum, then renamed Al Buhera by Moorish settlers in the 8th century. And finally, in the middle of the 13th century, the city was taken from the Moors by the Knights of the Order of Santiago. Albufeira was heavily damaged by an earthquake in 1755, when sea waves destroyed almost all the buildings along the coast.

Until the 1960s, Albufeira was a small fishing village. One of them, due to a decrease in catch volumes, had to be repurposed as a tourist destination, and today Albufeira, with a population of about 13 thousand people, is holiday season grows to approximately 300 thousand inhabitants. But Old city with narrow cobbled streets and typical one-story houses lining the road, it still retains the atmosphere of a cozy village.


Resort climate

The weather in Albufeira, located 250 km from Lisbon, is favorable for beach holidays from May to mid-October. Be warned that the sea water is surprisingly cold and barely reaches +18°C at the height of summer. Children should not swim in Albufeira in June. The high holiday season lasts from June to September, so you need to take care of accommodation and transport tickets in advance. Bright and sunny spring and fall days are a great time for travelers to explore the region. The winter months are mild but unpredictable in terms of weather, with equal amounts of sunny and rainy days.


Attractions and entertainment in Albufeira in Portugal

Although this city welcomes a wide range of visitors, it is primarily a family-friendly city, with amenities and facilities that are ideal for adults and children of all ages:



If neon signs and the adrenaline of late-night entertainment don't appeal to you, then it's best to stay close to the Old Town. There you will find many hotels in Albufeira, where all the amenities are created for families with children. And if you're looking for vibrant nightlife, you'll probably want to stay in the Arias de São João area or near Montejoro. Numerous are located 2 km from the Old Town and a few minutes from Oura Beach, some of them:

  • Pine Cliffs Village & Golf Suites 5*;
  • EPIC SANA Algarve Hotel 5*;
  • Salgados Vila das Lagoas 4*;
  • Cerro Mar Atlantico & Cerro Mar Garden 4*;
  • Alfagar I Village 3*.


Albufeira Restaurants

The city welcomes its guests wide choice restaurants, cafes and bars covering all cuisine styles, budget or dietary requirements. Food is quite cheap, but, as a rule, high level. Albufeira is the ideal place to try local and traditional dishes. Some of the restaurants:

  • Marinheiro;
  • Restaurante Palacete;
  • Dom Carlos Restaurante;
  • Alquimia;
  • Três Pammeiras.

The Strip is a street away from Old Town, filled with themed bars and late night clubs that are very tolerant of loud fun.


Shopping in Albufeira

The streets leading from the main square of the Old Town will delight lovers with clothing stores, leather goods, souvenir shops, street stalls and, of course, shops selling goods for everyday needs.

If you're staying in Albufeira, don't, as during the summer months the Algarve is so crowded with tourists that it's even difficult to park here. Works in the city tourist train, which runs between the beach strip and the Old Town, as well as the Giro minibus network. For those who wish to visit one of the water parks, there are several agencies in Albufeira offering reasonable prices on .


How to get from Lisbon to Albufeira?

There are several ways to get to Albufeira from the capital and, thanks to its central location on the map of southern Portugal, the routes are quite simple:

  • by car;
  • by train;
  • by bus.

By plane you can fly to, and then by car or bus get to Albufeira. The journey from Faro takes about 40 minutes.


- enough popular country for tourists. There are various ways of recreation available here, and almost any, even small, town is ready to welcome its tourist. Albufeira is a great place for beach holiday. If you see it today, it will be difficult to believe that not so long ago it was a small, quiet town, where local residents mostly did only fishing. We will tell you about what a holiday in Albufeira is like in 2019, its attractions, entertainment, beaches and prices in this article.

Today there is everything you need for a good rest. You can pamper yourself on one of the sandy beaches, go windsurfing, sailing, go shopping, see local attractions, go to cafes or restaurants that serve dishes only from fresh products. Portugal is famous for its delicious seafood dishes.

There is no airport in Albufeira itself; you need to fly either to or to Lisbon. The closest place to the resort is Faro, you can get there by taxi, train or public bus. If you wish, you can rent a car right at the airport; the cost per day will be on average 3,500 rubles. You can cover 35 kilometers by taxi in 30 minutes, and you will need to pay an average of 2500-2800 rubles. There are transfer companies that provide services for transporting groups of people.

The most budget option is public transport. There are two routes from the airport, No. 14 and 16. The cost of the trip is only 150 rubles. Buses start running from seven in the morning until 22:10.

Albufeira on the map:

Transport

Alfubeira unlike others resort towns Portugal boasts a well-established public transport system. Services are provided by local bus company GIRO. Buses go in five directions. This gives tourists the opportunity to visit all the attractions. Buses start operating at seven in the morning and run until 22:00. Cost of one trip to public transport is only 100 rubles.

Taxi trips are also popular among tourists. Getting into a taxi will cost 220 rubles. Each kilometer is paid at a cost of 35 rubles. The meter turns on after covering a distance of 1.8 km. There is an additional charge for baggage transportation in the amount of 115 rubles.

Trips on the Albufeira Tourist Train are very popular among tourists. This is a car to which small trailers are attached. Such cars drive every 20 minutes in summer time and after 40 minutes - in winter. The cost of a trip on the Albufeira Tourist Train will cost tourists 175 rubles. Children under six years old can ride for free.

Weather

Alfubeira is located in the southern part of Portugal. This is the sunniest and clearest place, there are about 300 sunny days. Perfect here weather for relax. The town is protected from cold winds by mountains, and a warm wind blows from the south, warmed by Atlantic currents.

In winter and summer, the temperature here is not much different. In winter, the thermometer very rarely drops below +16 degrees. In summer, the indicator stays at +26-27 degrees. Since the temperature in winter is above zero, instead of snowfalls, the rainy season begins here. From the end of October to March, once a week you should prepare for rain, and this is the minimum.

Attractions

Of course, most tourists come here to enjoy a beach holiday on one of Albufeira's sandy coasts. But besides this, you can also enjoy walking around the city itself. Everything here is done in Moorish style. Of course, the historical part of the city is of greatest interest. On Travesa da Igreja Velha there is a Moorish arch, this is a kind of reminder of the Arab influence. The arch is all that remains of the mosque that once stood here.

In addition, in Albufeira you can visit the museum, city art gallery. The gallery always hosts exhibitions throughout the season. Vacationers can also watch a virtual Archaeological Museum and a new marina. There is all the entertainment for any tourist.

To see the Castelo de Almoada, you need to go to a village near a town called Paderne. This fortress was built back in the 12th century. You can go inside and see the ancient building completely free of charge.

You can see shows of dolphins, fur seals and wild birds in the Marin Zoo Park. Travelers with children should go here.

Beaches

Most vacationers come here precisely because local beaches. And the residents of Albufeira really have something to be proud of. There are quite a few beaches within the city and on its outskirts, but there are three main ones, which are distinguished by their incredible beauty.

The most popular and most big beach city ​​is Peneco. Some people also call it “tunnel”. It received this name because the road to it passes through a small tunnel between the rocks. After the tunnel, the traveler finds himself on a terrace. Peneku has everything you need for a holiday. There are cafes, restaurants, everything for diving, windsurfing and much more.

Pescadores beach is located very close by. Its second name is “Fishermen’s Beach”. It differs from the first beach in that there are many fishing boats and ships near the shore. You can also order here sightseeing tour by boat along the coast of the city.

Well, the third beach is comfortably located between the rocks and the famous complex here. This is such a quiet place where not everyone comes to sunbathe and swim. Therefore, there are not as many people here as on other beaches. This beach is called Inatel.

All these beaches are located right in Albufeira. But there are others very nearby that can be reached by car. You don't have to order a taxi for this. Here you can rent a car and drive yourself to where you need to go.

So you can leave and spend the whole day on San Rafael Beach. The beach is surrounded by rocks, which over a long time, under the influence of waves, have taken on the most incredible shapes. There are also several small ponds here that have formed over time.

Those who want to go diving and see local sea life can be advised to go to Praia do Evaristo beach. It is also located far from the city.

Hotels

There are many places to stay in Alfubeira, from cheap hostels to high-end establishments. About half of them are located in the old part of the city and adjacent regions.

Among 4* hotels the most popular are Rocamar Exclusive Hotel&Spa and Hotel Sol E Mar. The cost of a room in such an establishment starts at 15,500 rubles.

Among 3* hotels, the Cheerfulway California Hotel and Colina do Mar occupy a special place; the rooms here are much cheaper, and the price range starts from 6,000 rubles per night

For those who want to save money or tourists on a limited budget, you should pay attention to Lost & Found Hostel and DU4ARTE hostel, where rooms will cost about 2,000 rubles.

Kitchen

The largest number of places to eat are located in the Old Town or along the embankment. It’s worth noting right away that the cost of a full meal in such establishments is much more expensive than in other places in the city.

The location on the ocean had a huge influence on the formation national cuisine. It's simple here great amount seafood-based dishes. Among the authentic dishes, a special place is occupied by fish espada cooked with fried bananas, octopus in wine or fish kebab, fried shrimp or lobster pate.

If you want to get a taste of this city, you should definitely try the cataplana. The dish was named after the vessel in which it is prepared. This dish is served with rice or potatoes. The average cost of one serving will be 1,500 rubles, the price also includes wine.

In addition to seafood, you can also try dishes prepared with meat, chicken, and corn flour.

There are many sweets. Most of them add almonds. The famous almond balls or almond flour, as well as cakes with the addition of this nut, are especially popular among tourists.

Eurasia, Atrium, and Casa da Fonte establishments are especially popular among tourists. In a restaurant called Granfinus Restaurant Bar & Terrace you can try the most delicious grilled octopus salad and sardines served with salad or potatoes.

Prices in mid-level restaurants and cafes are quite affordable. For dinner for two you will have to pay about 2,500 rubles, this price will already include wine. In establishments in the city center, such as Os Arcos Restaurante, you will have to pay 3500-4000 for the same dinner.

Dom Carlos establishments are very popular. There are only 10 tables here, so you will need to make a reservation in advance. Here, for dinner, one person is served five courses for 3,500 rubles.

Portions in all establishments are served quite large and everyone has the opportunity to order half a dish.

Budget establishments include Koala Garden and Monsoon. The second specializes in Thai and Indian cuisine and the prices here are much lower.

Shopping

A huge number of stores where you can buy branded products are located on Largo Eng Duarte Pacheco Square. This place attracts many tourists who want to please themselves with fashionable new things.

Five streets radiate from the square itself different directions, where there are many shops and souvenir shops. Here you can buy a variety of gifts for ladies. Each shop offers a variety of souvenirs and leather goods, as well as many Portuguese delicacies. Rua 5 de Outubro has many shops where you can buy high-end jewelry and watches from famous world manufacturers.

Small boutiques are open 6 days a week. Sunday is a day off. The working day begins at 9:00 and continues until 9:00 pm. The lunch break here lasts from one to three.

Large shopping centers are open without lunch from ten in the morning until ten in the evening. Alfubeira has two of the most popular shopping centers: Centro Comercial Modelo Albufeira and Algarve Shopping Mall. Here you can buy luxury perfumes, branded clothing and shoes, souvenirs and goods for children.

The Algarve Shopping Mall has many cafes and restaurants, a cinema and a huge amount of goods. In addition, there is a discount season. The first season officially begins on January 7 and continues until February 28. The second discount period in summer lasts from August 7 to September 30. This mall is located outside the city; you can get here by taxi for only 600 rubles. During discounts, you can buy great things here at a very affordable price. It is very crowded at this time, and it is best to come at the beginning of the discount period. This will give you the opportunity to choose the best products.

You can buy fruits, vegetables and other things at an affordable price at the market. This market operates only twice a month on the first and third Tuesday. From 9 am and 2 pm.

Video about the resort:

Alfubeira - perfect place not only for a beach holiday, but also a place where you can see many architectural monuments and enjoy the natural beauty of the region to the fullest. Well-established infrastructure makes it possible to relax in 2019 in complete comfort at the most suitable price.

Albufeira is one of the most dynamically developing resorts on the Algarve coast.

Once an old fishing village, it became a popular holiday destination in the 1960s thanks to its beach landscape and favorable climate.

The city of Albufeira is home to more than 40,000 people, and their number increases significantly during the summer months due to the influx of tourists. Just like other regions of the Algarve, Albufeira was occupied by the Arabs. In fact, the name Albufeira comes from the Arabic word "Al-Bukhara", which means castle by the sea and reflects the city's location on the Portuguese coast.

The city's most striking attractions are the Albufeira Marina, Old Town, the Strip District and, of course, the beaches.

Albufeira's marina, surrounded by colorful and attractive buildings, is the official meeting place for the organization sea ​​trips, dolphin watching excursions, and sea cave excursions. Opposite the marina lies the Old Town with its narrow streets, whitewashed buildings and traditional cobblestone streets. Here you will find many restaurants, cafes and shops selling souvenirs and beachwear. In the summer, when street performers perform here, the Old Town becomes an even more lively place.

The Strip is the center nightlife Albufeira. Stretching along Avenida Sá Carneiro, this 2 km strip is lined with bars and clubs that are busy throughout the holiday season.

Albufeira has more than a dozen beaches, each of which is attractive in its own way. Praia dos Pescadores and Praia do Túnel are beaches located very close to the city center and can be easily reached by the escalator that leads to the promenade. However, if you want to get away from the crowds, you can hop in the car and drive a little further to visit the more secluded beaches of Albufeira, Praia São Rafael, Praia da Falésia, or even Praia da Coelha.

Albufeira offers a varied family holiday. There are two large theme park, Parque Aventura and Zoomarine. Parque Aventura is a park extreme recreation with rope bridges and a high-speed abseil, and Zoomarine is a water park where you can enjoy dolphin shows, a swimming pool and an aquarium.

The town also has Algarve Shopping. This is big shopping mall, located near the town of Guia with more than 100 shops, a food area and a cinema.

Albufeira hosts various events throughout the year. There is always something going on in the city: be it summer festivals, carnival processions or New Year celebrations. The most popular holidays in Albufeira are the Festa da Nossa Senhora da Orada on August 14, in honor of the patron saint of fishermen and Fisherman's Day, the Festa do Pescador, which is celebrated on the first weekend of September with traditional street trading from stalls and entertainment.

On one of best resorts The Algarve, Albufeira, has beautiful beaches with turquoise waters and amazing rocky coastlines that create a special atmosphere in this Portuguese area.

Here everything revolves around sun, sand and sea. Albufeira's most popular beach is Fisherman's Beach, where you can still watch local residents, returning every morning with fishing boats - of course, if you get up early. You can get to Tunnel Beach through a cleft in the rock. Both beaches offer a variety of activities aquatic species sports.

Continuing along the coast you will reach Albufeira's harbor, where you can take boat excursions. To the east of the city is the 9-hole Balaya Golf Course. Along the road is the Arias de Sao Joao area, which has the Strip with the best bars and clubs, many of which are open until the early hours.

Albufeira's old town is quieter and calmer. Its cobbled streets are lined with Moorish-style buildings and excellent restaurants serving fresh fish. If you're looking to take a day trip from Albufeira, you can visit the ruins of the 12th-century Moorish castle of Almoada in Paderna for free.

The city is 45 minutes' drive from Faro Airport. The site has a fantastic selection of beach resort hotels, small bed and breakfasts and apartments.

Albufeira – one of the most famous resort towns in Portugal. It is located in the south of the country, on the coast Atlantic Ocean. The city has enough small sizes, but at the same time it is very popular tourist destination, where a huge number of people from all over the world come every year. It is rightfully considered the most crowded and noisy city on the southern coast of Portugal.

The city got its name thanks to the Moors who landed on this shore, attracted by the beautiful scenery. The Arabic word "Albufeira" means "castle by the sea."

Most often people come to Albufeira for the beautiful beaches, separated by high cliffs that stretch for many kilometers. One of the most famous beaches city ​​- Peneco, or, as it is also called, Tunnel Beach (Praia do Tunel). It is located in the old part of the city and to get there you need to go through a tunnel made right into the rocks. But the largest beach in the city - Central - is not so popular, since the ocean in that place is quite cold. Some even claim that you can swim there only in August, when the heat reaches its maximum.

If you drive a few kilometers from the center, you can get to San Rafael Beach. Moreover, to get to it, you need to drive past one of the most picturesque areas of the city, every house in which is painted in bright colors, which contrasts greatly with other areas of Albufeira, where almost all buildings are white.

Albufeira has a lot entertainment centers and nightclubs, so life is in full swing around the clock. A large number of boutiques and shops where you can buy almost everything - from clothing from world brands to small souvenirs made by local craftsmen.

It is quite developed here transport infrastructure, however, like many cities in Portugal, there is no airport. The most convenient way to get there is from

 

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