Albufeira
- Written by Come to Portugal
Albufeira is a main distirct in Central Algarve and is one of the most popular places to visit for young families and single youngsters due to its night life with its many bars and restaurants, but it also holds many places of interest to visit for those who are looking beyond nightclubs, with museums and churches, galleries and flea markets.
It is a main tourist destination, due its coastal location. Albufeira is a 35 minute drive from the main airport of Faro. Within its parishes are also Guia, a very quaint village that has become well known for it celebrated medal and award winning wines - the winery owned by Sir Cliff Richard (Adega do Cantor). Also nearby is Ferreiras, Olhos de Aqua and Paderne with its castle.
The architecture of Albufeira 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 can be seen from many views due to the bright vivid colours of pinks, blues, and yellows, dubbed "Legoland" by the locals.
Since 2010 the prices have been reduced considerably due to the European recession. Everything is a bit more expensive with a Galão (Latte style coffee always served in a glass) being in the region of €2.50, where as inland it would normally be 90 cents. Meals are often very cheap from as little as €4.50 for mixed grill or omelette and chips in the many snack bars, but expect to pay around €15 per head for a restaurant meal off the menu.
Albufeira has everything you could want for a holiday without the need for car hire, but those wanting to see the real Algarve have a good choice of excursions and buses covering the whole of the Algarve.
Albufeira old town has a more relaxed feel and has a pretty central square decorated with trees and colourful shrubs, with many street cafés and restaurants for a quiet meal or a cool drink. The streets leading off the square offer all sorts with clothes shops, leather goods gift shops, street stalls and many mini supermarkets for daily necessities.
Town Tourist Information Office - Albufeira 289 585 279
NOTES: If parking make sure you park in a legal area, often in the summer months you will find beggars try to give you a parking space in return for a euro. The main square has been known in the past for the selling of drugs, as well a type of time share scratch card - these are illegal and should be avoided. Albufeira council has employed many security guards to patrol the areas as well as a good police presence and figures show that in 2010 street crime had fallen dramatically making Albufeira a safer place.
