Here's What You Didn't Know About Albufeira

Welcome To Albufeira!

 

Albufeira is the liveliest, most fascinating, and largest of all the resort towns located on southern Portugal’s Algarve coastline. It offers everything required for a fun-filled holiday, with pristine beaches, different activities, an inviting climate, and a buzzing holiday atmosphere with a fine dining restaurant choice and selection unmatched anywhere else in the Algarve.

Albufeira boasts a wide variety of activities and accommodation alongside its legendary nightlife. It’s a perfect holiday option whether you’re visiting as a couple, a family, or for a party holiday with buddies.

Albufeira has a rich history, which has made it attractive to traders and settlers. Let’s take a look.

Albufeira Tourism

Since the 1970s, the scenic fishing town of Albufeira has been the indisputable tourist capital of the Algarve, both in summer and winter. Its riotous nightlife and golden beaches attract holidaymakers throughout Europe. During the summer months, the holidaymakers arrive in their droves.

Albufeira Marina:

Albufeira History

In Roman times, the now-called Albufeira was named Baltum. You can always observe magnificent examples of Roman bridges in Guia and Paderne. The Moors, who were the major settlers of this town in the 8th century, changed its name to Al-Buhera, which translates to ‘The Castle on the Sea’. And this is how the city derived its name.

Under 500 years of Arabian leadership, Al-Buhera developed a rather busy trade with neighboring North Africa. Together with Faro, Al-Buhera was one of the last strongholds (Moorish) to be taken over by the Portuguese in 1250.

Albufeira Beaches

As of now, it’s delightful to visit the present Albufeira since there’s a lot more to enjoy apart from the long sandy beaches. The São Sebastião Church on Praça Miguel Bombarda has an attractive doorway built in the Manueline style.

From Praça Miguel Bombarda, consider taking Rua 5 de Outubro which will lead you through a tunnel to one of the city’s most admired beaches where restaurants and bars line the promenade.

When it comes to Praia dos Barcos, you’ll come across the most colorful fishing boats in Albufeira and hardened fishermen mending their nets or unloading fish. The small sandy coves around the town are covered by high sandstone cliffs that offer protection against the wind during winter and good shade in the hot summer months.

You can find more pulsating nightlife and restaurants in the satellite developments to the east of the town. These include places like Montechoro, Oura, and Areias de São João where a density of bars, restaurants, discotheques, and hotels caters to the summer crowds.

Some of the major highlights of Albufeira include:

- The Strip. Generally, this is Albufeira’s party street at the center of the New Town. Visit here for nightclubs, themed bars, and riotous nightlife that never stops until the sun rises.

- The Praia dos Pescadores Beach. The charming sandy beach stretches along the front of Albufeira.

- The Old Town. The stunning historic district of Albufeira houses 100+ restaurants and themed bars.

- Albufeira Holiday Fun. There are numerous fun activities you could do in Albufeira.

- Fine dining. Albufeira has many of the best fine dining restaurants in the Algarve.

There’s still much more to Albufeira that you might not know. Below is a list of some of the interesting facts about this town.

1. One of the main attractions in Albufeira are beaches. Praia dos Pescadores (which means“The Fishermen’s Beach”) is a popular example. It has a wide selection of cafes, restaurants, water sports, and numerous boutiques selling souvenirs. There’s a friendly atmosphere during the day and turns electric at night when the nightlife begins.

2. As aforementioned, Lisbon and a huge part of Portugal were severely affected by the powerful 1755 earthquake. Most of Albufeira was also destroyed. Only after the 19th century did the city reemerge industrially.

3. When it comes to tourism in Albufeira, it was officially introduced in 1960. That’s when Europeans started to view the little town with its charming town center as an actual littoral attraction. It’s currently one of the most attractive resorts in Portugal.

4. Albufeira was initially a small fishing village. But the Romans came and developed trade, infrastructure, and other economic activities. Afterward, the Greeks, Carthaginians, and Phoenicians continued to develop the town and brought in money - as well as salt.

5. There are several transport options in Albufeira. Besides rail and seafaring, you’ll have the more “down-to-earth” choices of hiring a car in the city. You can also go online to schedule an Albufeira airport transfer if you'd like. It will undoubtedly prove very useful and hassle-less, specifically if it’s your first time visiting this gorgeous town.

Simply put, Albufeira is indeed one of the most admired resorts in the country. It’s well-known for its long coast with dramatic cliffs that emerge from the azure waters and sandy beaches, for the developed infrastructure, and the golf facilities. 

 

Choose a fine dining restaurant in and round Albufeira and indulge in the gastronomy which is as mentioned, also popular for its captivating architecture and gastronomy, which is proof of its rich background that led to the clash of the Moorish and the European cultures.