Albufeira is a town on the southern coast of Portugal, in the Algarve. It began as a traditional fishing village, and that origin still shows in its old town, where whitewashed buildings line cobblestone streets. Over the years it has grown into one of the region's best-known resort towns, and today it blends its older character with modern marina developments along the waterfront.
The beaches
The coast around Albufeira is the main reason many visitors come. Golden beaches sit beneath cliffs, and Praia da Falésia is one of the best-known, stretching for a long way along the shore. Depending on what you want from a day, the sands work equally well for slow, unhurried hours and for more active time on the water, where water sports are available.
The old town and the evenings
Walking the old town is a pleasant way to spend an afternoon, with its narrow lanes and white walls offering a change of pace from the beach. Albufeira is also known for its lively nightlife, so the town tends to stay busy into the evening. If you prefer quieter surroundings, the older streets and the marina side can feel calmer than the centre of the action.
Who it suits
- Beach visitors who want long stretches of sand backed by cliffs
- Travellers who enjoy water sports and time on the sea
- Those who like a lively town with restaurants and nightlife
- Visitors interested in seeing how a former fishing village has developed into a resort
Albufeira makes a straightforward base for a seaside stay in the Algarve, with its beaches close at hand and its old town and marina to explore between swims.