The Algarve Region
Albufeira is in the golden triangle of the Algarve, Portugal's southernmost
region. It has established itself as a firm family favourite. Its tropical
climate boasts over 3000 hours of annual sunshine. Numerous golf courses are
located within 20 minutes and many fantastic golden coves lie within a stones
throw of your holiday location. Experience a holiday with something for every
taste - great scenery to watersports, shopping to karting or just pure total relaxation.
Albufeira / Quinta dos Brejos area
Albufeira Old Town
The resort began to develop about 30 years ago around the picture postcard bay
which is Fisherman's Beach. A sandy cove, flanked by limestone cliffs, where
colorful fishing boats mingle with sun beds and parasols. You can watch fishermen
mending their nets whilst you soak up the sun and maybe even enjoy the catch of
the day from one of the many traditional restaurants skirting the beach. The
main entrance to the Fisherman's beach area is via a tunnel which lies underneath
Hotel Sol e Mar. Steps lead down from a paved promenade where you can enjoy a
delicious ice cream before catching the rays.
To get to the tunnel you must wind your way through narrow cobbled streets
flanked by a multitude of different shops, bars and restaurants. The little
cobbled streets span out in different directions from the Main Square. At the
heart of the resort, the Main Square is home to many a colorful street artist
and live music playing through the day and into the night give this area a
marvelous atmosphere, whatever the hour. Small market stalls occupy the streets
around the square and you can easily find the ideal gift to take home with you.
Its a bustling but yet traditional side of the resort and should not be missed
on a visit to the region.
Montechoro, Areias de São Joao, Praia da Oura
As the resort has grown alot of the development has taken place to the east of
the Old Town area and many of the now popular holiday accommodations are located
in the above areas of the resort. Montechoro to the north, Areias de São Joao in
the middle and finishing at the beach of Praia da Oura. All three areas are
linked by the infamous "Strip". This long street runs north/south through the
resort and contains everything you could possibly want during your stay. It is
lined by many bars, restaurants, bureau de exchange points, supermarkets, souvenir
shops, boutiques, ice cream parlous, information points, bike & car hire. You
name it, you will find it somewhere on the Strip.
The Strip culminates at a steep hill that finishes at Praia da Oura or Golden
Beach. As the name suggests this is a golden sandy cove, shelving gently into
the cool Atlantic ocean. There are sun beds and parasols for hire here and the
water sports school will keep the more active occupied.
Whatever type of holiday you are enjoying you are well catered for in Albuferia.
All eating tastes are accounted for with hundreds of restaurants to chose from.
You can sample the local cuisine or enjoy dishes from all corners of the world.
Albufeira even offers those fast food establishments that we know well from home.
If you are cooking yourself there are a multitude of different supermarkets to
choose from. From the small specialist to large hypermarkets that sell simply everything.
If you are looking for an active nightlife, then you'll be spoilt for choice with
many different bars to sample and nightclubs that pulsate into the early hours
every night and attract some of Europe's top DJs.
Albufeira During Winter
The whole resort area has a distinctly more relaxed atmosphere during the winter
months, but as the favorable climate continues, you will find there is still
plenty to keep you occupied.
Walkers will enjoy taking the coastal route which joins the two areas of the
resort. The small rocky coves are certainly more spacious during winter and real
beach lovers should head west, past the new Marina site to the long stretches of
powder white sand at Gale.
On the first and third Tuesday in each month, year round, the traveling Gypsy
market visits the site next to the bus depot to the north of Albufeira Old Town.
Here you can barter for bargains in Shoes, leather goods, ceramics, clothes and
other local handicrafts. For serious shoppers there is a courtesy bus out to the
newest addition to Algarve's shopping - "Algarve Shopping" !! This two storey
shopping mall has many different shops to browse around, as well as six cinemas,
a bowling alley and a huge food court.
Sports enthusiasts can take advantage of the many activities available during
winter. Golfers will be in paradise with some of the best courses in the world
available throughout the Algarve. Don't forget your handicap card. Tennis can be
played at most of the accommodations. Lawn bowling and cycling are very popular too.
Albufeira boasts beaches where the sand is fine and the sea a turquoise blue
sheltered by cliffs which are canvasses painted with a whimsical palette of natural
hues. It is for its beaches that Albufeira is internationally renowned, because
all of them are different... and they are all equally enchanting.
Gale - An expanse of sand that stretches for miles, between cliffs. It is
equipped with a wide variety of tourist facilities. In the direction of Albufeira
there are two small beaches that are quiet and little visited.
Castelo - A cove protected by the rock formations. Great natural beauty.
Coelha - A small beach between colourful cliffs.
São Rafael and Vigia - Beaches of great beauty separated be rocks. Tourist
facilities. Nearby Ponte Pequena and Ninho das Andorinhas are fascinating rock formations
Baleeira - A broad crescent of sand opposite Albufeira
Albufeira- A long strip of sand with the city surrounding it like an amphitheatre,
it is made up of three beaches: Peneco, Pescadores and Inatel.
Oura, Balaia, Maria Luísa and Olhos de Agua - A series of beaches each sheltered
BY colourful cliffs. Tourist and sports facilities
Falesia - Endless miles of beaches fringed by the green pines and the many reddish
colours Of the surrounding cliffs. Tourist and sports facilities available.
