Albufeira, surrounded by 20 very different beaches to choose from, hugs the coast in Portugal’s southern Algarve region. It’s definitely one of the most popular tourist destinations in Portugal, for many reasons: great weather, all your round, stunning beaches, delicious cuisine and wild nightlife. Are you coming to Albufeira soon? After having booked your flights and stay, we are happy to give you some inside information about one of our favourite cities in the Algarve.
Beaches in Albufeira
Albufeira is very rich in a broad variety of beaches. Our favourite four are Praia da Falésia, Praia de São Rafael, Praia da Galé and Praia Olhos de Água. Praia da Falésa – is a fantastic 6-7km long sandy beach with plenty of beach bars and sun-loungers. From this beach, you can do some watersports as there are motorised watersports available. The crystal clear water is very clean and good for safe-bathing. We recommend a walk along the beach to Vilamoura with beautiful views. It’s a beautiful walk where the beach bars provide ideal pit-stops. If you do not want to walk back and get a taxi, you can do so, but only from the Vilamoura Marina because taxis don’t go on the dirt tracks of the beach.
A bit smaller, Praia de São Rafael is absolutely stunning too and a must-see for another in the area! This beach is also sandy but surrounded by cliff face, caves and fascinating rock formations, which makes it popular on windy days. São Rafael has got one reasonably priced snack bar/restaurant. Things to do in Albufeira Portugal
Praia da Galé is massive and is known for its beautiful white sand. Another beach where the sea is very clear and ideal to swim in. The local beach bar is a nice place to have lunch since it serves fresh fish every day. Spoil yourself with a nice massage on the beach (10 euros for 15 minutes) and get a really relaxed holiday feeling!
Praia Olhos de Água is an old favourite since it’s close enough to Albufeira to go back and forth. It’s a rather busy and touristy beach but nice to alternate between the quieter one. There are many little Portuguese restaurants and bars.
Things to do in Albufeira
For the ones who love the ocean, Albufeira is a real paradise. You can just go for a refreshing dive in the Atlantic or choose one of the many ocean-related activities provided. The dolphin watching tours are definitely the most popular ones. Just pick the kind of boat you like most, from speedy rigid inflatable boats to comfortable catamarans, and get a board on this adventure. The BBQ tours, as well as the Pirate cruise, are very popular too, in particular for families. For the most audacious and looking for more intimate contact with the Atlantic, why not go for a scuba diving experience. All experiences related to the ocean are available to book online and we recommend booking in advance in order to avoid disappointments of fully booked tours.
Let’s make some dust! The off-road tours are the ideal option exciting afternoon with the whole family. Quad Ventura will take you into the hills around the Albufeira region for some adrenaline! We ensure you, from the beginning to the end, a well organised, friendly and safe trip. The quad bikes are suitable for kids over 8 years and the guides will take their time to adapt the route to all levels of experience. The Algarve quad bike tours are not about speed; they are about funIt’s about allowing you to take in the beauty of the Algarve, where you will discover beautiful old villages, plunging valleys, and so much unspoilt terrain. We would recommend this trip to anyone visiting Albufeira!
Restaurants and nightlife in Albufeira
Our favorite restuarant in Albufeira is Restaurant – Albufeira Gourmet . Traditional Portuguese dishes like the spare ribs and chicken are amazing, amongst the best we’ve ever had! It’s not fancy but combined with the low prices (Only €6 for chicken, chips and a soft drink!) and super friendly staff, this is the best choice in town if you want to grab a quick bite. Albufeira Gourmet is very easy to find; from the main road, just across the carpark to the left of Mc Donalds and the restaurants is in the street straight in front of you. You can have your meal (lunch or dinner) inside, on the few little tables outside or take it home with you.
One of our must-bars in Albufeira is Sherrys Bar. The extremely friendly and welcoming owners, Judith and Kevin, will do everything they can to make you feel welcome the moment you step into this cracking wee pub. At Sherry’s, all the drinks are low in price and big in measure and they serve the best pint of Guinness in Albufeira! In sum, it’s a great nightly entertainment where you’ll feel home.
If you’re looking for any further tips or recommendations about Albufeira, please don’t hesitate to contact us!
