The Algarve is a popular destination for everyone, offering beautiful beaches
- some of the best beaches in the world are to be found there, as well as quaint cobbled streets and tiny white washed houses.
With over 3000 hours of sunshine each year, the Algarve has a certain charm that attracts people year after year.
It has a varied nightlife and an excellent range of restaurants, with cuisine combining Spanish and African influences.
It is also one of Europe’s top golfing destinations.
The area is a rambler’s paradise, with stunning coastal walks and beautiful inland routes,
especially in Spring when the abundance of wild flowers are in bloom.
Sun, sand, sea, fantastic sporting facilities, superb eating out and lovely friendly people - what more could one ask!
There is something for everyone – families, couples, golfers, walkers, fishermen, or people just wanting to relax and chill.
Albufeira is famed for its beautiful beaches where the sand is fine and the sea is turquoise blue,
and for the countless shades and tones of its rocks and cliffs.
These high sandstone cliffs, providing shade in summer and protection against the wind in
winter, surround the small sandy coves that are so characteristic of this area.
A section of the town's long beach, known as Fisherman's Beach, can be easily accessed from the streets
leading off the main square, and a selection of pretty beaches extend both east and west from the town.
Just a few miles inland and the landscape switches to
lush green countryside, dotted with almond, fig, orange and pine trees.
The town itself consist of both "old and new" sections which merge effortlessly into the surrounding towns and villages, extending to the
east along the coast to Balaia, Olhos d'Agua and Falesia, and west to Sao Rafael, Gale and the links golf course at Salgados.
Albufeira's development is spread out rather than high rise, and this allows the town to retain it's original charm as a
sleepy fishing village, while keeping pace with today's tourism industry.
Pleasant for lunch, with beautiful views over beach.
Faro
Faro lies at the heart of the Formosa Estuary.
A fishing village in prehistoric times, it has been capital of the Algarve since 1756.
The international airport on the outskirts of the city was built in 1965 and made Faro a hub for tourist traffic across the region.
It is easy to travel straight from the airport to your holiday destination and never appreciate this historic town.
There is a smart marina, and a picturesque old town of narrow streets that lead to the cobbled cathedral square, which is lined with orange trees.
Lagos
Lagos, in the extreme south-west of the Algarve, was the regional capital before Faro.
A port at the mouth of the River Bensafrim, Lagos played an important part during Portugal's Age of Discovery.
It was from here that Prince Henry the Navigator sponsored voyages of exploration along the west coast of Africa.
The old town is not only brimming with historical buildings that are well worth seeing,
but there are plenty of shopping opportunities too.
Lagos town centre is also the place for night owls, with cosy cafes and lively
bars in which you can while away the hours people watching and taking in the atmosphere
of this typical provincial, Portuguese town.
Tavira
Tavira is very different: an elegant riverside town that seems to have resisted the wave of tourists.
It is considered the most beautiful town on the Algarve's eastern coast and is close to some of the best beaches.
Just offshore, easily reached by ferry boat, a long sand-spit island called Ilha de Tavira is great for peaceful bathing.
A seven-arched bridge across the River Gilao links one side of the town with the other,
and grand houses with wrought-iron balconies and latticework doors line the waterfront.
Tuna fishing was its major industry until the harbour silted up after an earthquake in 1755.
Today the town enjoys life as a quiet, low-rise resort.
Silves
Silves, the Moorish capital of Al-Gharb, is picturesquely set above the River Arade.
This quiet market town is dominated by its fine 13th Century red sandstone castle.
You can stroll around the restored castle walls and visit the interior and an archaeological museum.
Silves is the centre of the Algarve's main citrus-growing area and the town hosts two annual festivals,
one celebrating oranges and the other beer.
One the third Monday of each month there is a particularly good open air market.
Loule
Loule, the Algarve's second city, is a market town with a thriving crafts centre.
The traditional houses around the walls of its castle have been restored and are now
the municipal museum and an arts centre.
In the streets beneath the castle, you will see craftspeople at work, carving wood, making lace,
beating copper and weaving baskets in tiny workshops.
There is a gypsy market there each Saturday.
Monchinque
Inland, the green hills of the volcanic Monchique mountain range offer a cool alternative to the heat of the coast.
It is these mountains, with their hillsides covered in eucalyptus, chestnut and cork-oak trees,
that ensure the Algarve retains its famous mild climate.
The delightful spa village of Caldas de Monchique has genuinely retained much of the old Algarvian charm.
At the top end of the village is a tree shaded walk and picnic area, a square and cafes with
outside tables, and a pavilion where you can sample the natural spring water straight from the ground.
Unfortunately, it does not taste too good!
Monchique is a market town for the products grown or handmade in the surrounding hills,
especially timber, cork, smoked ham, honey, basketwork, leather goods and woollen sweaters.
The town is also well known for 'brandymel', a honey-tasting brandy liqueur.
Historic Lisbon
The capital city of Portugal is about 100Km away (2 hours drive), see:
- The big popular beach right in front of the old part of Albufeira is reached
through a tunnel next to the Tourist Information Office.
From here the sand stretches a long way to the east.
The name of the beach changes from Albufeira to Fishermans' where
the local boats are hauled up and here you can walk straight off the street and on to the sand.
Santa Eulalia
- A big beach with a big following in summer and a big car park too.
It is reached by a signposted slip road off the Areias de S. Joao to Olhos de Agua road.
Praia do Castelo
- From a short stretch of track ending in a parking area some step, nothing too arduous, lead down to this
well sheltered breach, flanked by rocks and low cliffs. It is signposted from the Alubfeira - Pera road.
Praia da Coelha
- Approached off the Albufeira - Pera road. Small and sheltered.
Praia da Sao Rafael
- This is a big sheltered beach. A turning off the Albufeira - Pera road leads through
the development to a parking area. A few steps and you are on the sand.
Amacao de Pera
- is the most famous beach in the Algarve with sand stacks and flat sands.
Praia de Dona ana
- is a perfect cove just outside Lagos.
Take a boat trip from here to see the grottoes and caves of Pont da Peidade.
Praia da Marinha
Praia da Marinha is one of the most picturesque and photographed beaches on the whole of the Algarve.
Embedded in the typical rocks of the Western Algarve it offers breathtaking scenery for visiting bathers and walkers alike
(there are beautiful cliff top walks along the coast).
Distinguished with the "Golden Beach Award", this beach is not only famous for its high golden cliffs and rock formations,
but also for the high quality of the water.
Praia da Marinha is about 5 Km south east of Lagoa and 1 Km east of the small village of Benagil.
From Albufeira turn off the N125 in the direction of Benagil, looking out for the signpost to Marinha.
This beach is one of the few beaches which is also accessible by public bus.
Albufeira Tourist Office should be able to provide details of the bus schedule.
12 Clube Albufeira, Estrada de Ferreiras, 8200-397 Albufeira, Portugal
Alfarroba
Pictures of Albufeira beach and old town.
Shopping
Supermarkets
Continente
Cinema
Clubs
Restaurants
Restaurante A Cocheira - Caliços Albufeira 8200-089 - Tel: 289 588 960
Historic Lisbon
