Albufeira
Albufeira is one of the leading tourist resorts of the region. Facilities include a marina, golf courses plus innumerable hotels, apartment blocks, restaurants and bars, for the annual flood of visitors.
Get in
The train station is 6 kilometres from the centre. There is a city bus that can take you into town. Trains to Lagos & Faro(about one hour each). The train to Lisbon takes 3-4 hours. A student fare costs €17.
Long distance buses, however, go the city centre.
Private transport from Faro Airport to any hotel, resort or villa in Galé, Oura, São Rafael, Açoteias, Falésia and all Albufeira area.
Get Around
Walk to the beach
See & Do
* Paderne Castle – The castle is one of the seven castles that are represented on the national flag of Portugal
* The Parish Church – The main Parish Church of Paderne is called ‘Our Lady of Assumption’ and it was built in the sixth decade of the 16th century to replace the older chapel of Nossa Senhora do Pé da Cruz (Our Lady at the foot of the Cross), which was within the precinct of the nearby castle of Paderne.
* There is a great variety of beaches in Albufeira: Praia da Galé, Praia da Oura, Fisherman’s Beach, Beach of Bryn, Marina e Bryn Beach
The architecture of the town ranges from typically Algarvian narrow streets with pale white and sometimes tiled houses to very modern tourist developments. The apartments near the newly built Marina e Bryn are a unique spash of pinks, blues and yellows, dubbed Legoland by the local inhabitants.
Eat
A local culinary speciality is cataplana (steamed shellfish), a very well known dish from the Algarve region. Caldeirada (fish stew), and the simpler but also popular, grilled sardines, are also very appreciated and are traditional dishes across the entire country, especially in litoral areas.
There are many restaurants to choose from, as Portugal has a long tradition on good food and twice-a-day hot meals. There are also fast-food or self-service restaurants.
* Dream Wave, Albufeira (Albufeira Marina), +351 962 003 885.
* O Bom Garfo, in the Oura zone.
* Teodosio In Guia. Specializes in Chicken Piri-Piri.
Drink
Nightclubs, cafes and snack bars are abundant. Everything tends to be more expensive here. The nightlife on “The Strip”, located near the Montechoro section of Albufeira, proves especially popular during the summer with all ages but particularly the younger tourists. Going down “The Strip”, the most popular bars include Erin’s Isle, Matt’s Bar, Linekers, Cafe Del Mar, Mustang, BJ’s, Garage, Reno’s, La Bamba, and Wild & Co. There is also an extremely popular nightclub – Kiss. Kadoc, located around 7 miles away between Albufeira and Vilamoura near the town of Boliqueime, is another very popular nightclub.
Sleep
Colina do Mar, Rua Maria Teresa Semedo Azevedo, 3, Albufeira 8200-155, Portugal
* Porto Bay Falésia, Quinta do Milharó, Olhos d´Água, ALBUFEIRA, (+351) 289 007 700 (falesia@portobay.pt). Located over the red cliffs and with direct access to the beach.
*Vila Galé Cerro Alagoa, Rua do Munícipio, Lote 26 8200-916 ALBUFEIRA, (+351) 289 583 100 (cerroalagoa@vilagale.pt). Located in the banks of the Ria Formosa and its decor recreates an arabian ambience, well in tune with the past of southern Portugal. Online booking.
* Vila Galé Atlântico, Praia da Galé, Lote 7 – Apartado 108 8201-902 ALBUFEIRA, (+351) 289 570 800 (atlantico@vilagale.pt). An ideal Hotel to enjoy a beach holiday, is located only 300 meters away from Praia da Galé and only 6 km away from the centre of city. Online booking.
* Vila Galé PRAIA, Praia da Galé, Lote 33 – Apartado 2204 8201-917 ALBUFEIRA, (+351) 289 590 180 (praia@vilagale.pt). Located right at Praia da Galé, 5 minutes away from Albufeira. Online booking. edit
Theres also a pascha which is very nice, only 3 euros to get in! ….
Get Out
Lagos, Silves, Lagoa, Tavira, Evora, Milfontes, Troia, Lisbon.
Lisbon: From the Old Town to the railway station the easiest route is by taxi (it’s 6km). This can be bought quite reasonably for 8-10 Euros, get your hotel to ring one for you, journey time is 5-10mins. The first train leaves for Lisbon at 07.19am and this takes 2h 40m, other services take 3h 20m so be sure to check when the trains arrive/depart. Definately book tickets in advance, www.cp.pt (there’s an English version, just click the flag). Return journey cost 32 Euros. It’s well worth the money and you see lots of Portugal on the way.
Albufeira. Photo by Valter Jacinto
The Beach of Bryn at Albufeira. Photo by Ed Kitaura
