Overview

Albufeira was a busy trading port in ancient times but declined into a poor fishing village in the 18th century, having been swamped with tidal waves and burnt out by civil war.  Since the 1960s, however the tide has turned again and this central Algarve enclave is once more awash with prosperity.
Albufeira is Portugal’s most popular resort, spreading from the old town both east and west along the coast, with its magnificent sandy coves and golden beaches. The narrow cobbled streets of the old town are paved with black & white mosaics, a traditional form of paving which was invented as a way of using up the rubble from houses demolished by the 1755 earthquake. These streets now play host to boutiques, bars & restaurants. The beach area is reached by a tunnel, where you can still see craggy fishermen mending their nets unperturbed by the sunbathers surrounding them.
Towards the east the new hip and happening “Strip” has emerged. The Strip runs from the Montechoro Hotel down to the Praia da Oura and is lined with dozens of cafes, restaurants and bars that keep pumping from breakfast until the early hours.
While the main attraction in Albufeira is the 23 or so enchanting beaches, most protected by ochre-tinted cliffs, there are some interesting sight seeing possibilities too, like the new Virtual Archaeological Museum & the Municipal Art Gallery.
For those of you that venture inland you will find a tranquil green countryside to explore, redolent with almond, fig, orange & pine trees, where little villages stand timelessly in the sun.

Shopping

There is a vast selection of shops in town which will satisfy all tastes and budgets. Those who are looking for genuine local souvenirs will be able to find cork goods, wood carvings, woven baskets and glazed terracotta ceramics in numerous independent shops in town as well as local markets.

Restaurants

There is an infinite variety of restaurants serving cuisine from all over the world. Many restaurants have charcoal grills, and will serve your fresh fish or meat straight off the barbeque.  A local speciality is Caldeirada, a fish stew cooked with potatoes, peppers and parsley. The local wine is inexpensive and a worthy accompaniment to any meal. My families favourite restaurants are Dom Carlos & A Ruina, both situated in the old town.

Nightlife

There are many outdoor cafes to enjoy a drink and watch the world go by, before adjourning to one of the lively bars around the main square or along the strip. Bars are open until three or four in the morning, however if you want to dance through till sunrise, Kiss is one of the most popular clubs in town.

Activities

There is so much on offer including golfing, horse riding, water parks, theme parks, karting and jeep safaris. Water sports such as snorkelling, surfing, parasailing and windsurfing are all popular along the Algarve coast.

Weather