Want to get away from your routine for a weekend and get some sunshine? The beautiful city of Albufeira in southern Portugal is waiting for you. As the largest holiday resort in Portugal, it is compared to Saint-Tropez in France. Whether you want to spend a relaxing time with your family or a festive stay with your friends, you won't be disappointed by this jewel located between Faro and Lagos.
Before being a renowned seaside resort, Albufeira was for a long time a small fishing port enjoying a privileged position. Tourism in the town only developed from the 1960s onwards and today it is a must-see tourist destination. Having also long been occupied by the Arabs, Albufeira has a very special cultural heritage whose Arab inspiration can be found in the architecture of the city but also in the language where the name of the city would mean "near the sea". You will have the opportunity to walk through the narrow cobbled streets and discover the white houses with beautiful facades of the city. At the turn of a walk you can also see the ruins of the Albufeira castle, a true historical vestige, and the baroque church of Sao Sebastiao built at the beginning of the 18th century. If you want to immerse yourself with the locals and discover Portuguese cuisine, a trip to the markets will be a great idea. In particular, the municipal Mercado Dos Caliços is open every morning of the week except Sundays. Albufeira's gastronomy includes many fish-based dishes such as estouffade, which is a roasted fish, or cataplana with clams, which is served in several of the speciality restaurants in the city.
Once night falls, the city comes alive to welcome night owls of all ages. Whether it is to enjoy a delicious meal in a restaurant or to party until the end of the night, there is something for everyone. There are many bars in the pedestrian streets of the centre where you can party until 4am and choose the atmosphere you like best. Cocktail bars are also very present in Albufeira and will promise you successful evenings as a couple or with friends. If you wish to continue the festivities until the early hours of the morning then go to one of Albufeira's nightclubs such as the Kadok, only 15 minutes walk from the centre, which offers different atmospheres, theme nights and outdoor rooms. The MonteChoro Strip is also the most famous street for party goers as it consists only of restaurants, bars and discos.
Albufeira is surrounded by sumptuous beaches with different charm and varying frequentation, so there are beaches for all tastes and you won't be disappointed by the few moments you will spend there. Only 10 minutes from the town centre, you will find Dos Pescadores beach, which is an atypical beach where the colourful boats of the fishermen reside. The water is transparent and the landscape is magnificent. You will also appreciate the Praia da Oura, which is very lively, especially in the summer period, or Praia de Falesia surrounded by ochre-coloured cliffs, ideal for spending the afternoon and evening there to admire a sunset. If you are looking for a little more peace and quiet for your idleness, we recommend the beach of Saint Raphael, which is just as beautiful, but you will need to go there by car as the beach is located west of Albufeira.
10
5
5
