Albufeira is a more than notorious seaside destination of Portugal,definitely the water sports hub and Algarve´s largest holiday spot,a resort which was transformed in the last decades in a relevant landmark of the incoming tourism industry of the country.
Considered the nost vibrant place of that Portuguese coastline in particular in summer season,Albufeira was once a small and humble fishing village and the change of that small centre was highly impressive and nowadays it is one of the most famed and major tourist centres on the Southern European coasts.
Thanks to the booming tourism industry mainly developed in the course of the last 20 years that famed resort is currently packed by luxury and comfortable Hotels,a wide network of other extra Hotelliere structures and accommodations and the most diverse services and facilities in terms of Hospitality.
Albufeira is a place which is also rich in leisure proposals and fun,attracting for all those features highly attractive an international tourism.
In addition to that “Empire”that stunning resort developed there is much more which makes so magnetic that place as its wonderful beaches and a mild climate all year.Its approximately 280/290 days of sunshine a year is another relevant quality which makes Albufeira an ideal destination to enjoy pleasant holidays in which every tourist is delighted by extraordinary sandy coastal stretches flanking high scenic cliffs which are a masterpiece of nature bordering a wonderful coastline.
That captivating coastal town of Algarve has warm temperatures but never too hot,the Atlantic is a sort of allied of that that beautiful land with that soft breeze which delights the sunny days and without going to extremes,during the summer season when the maximum daytime temperature does not exceed of 30º.
All those incentives are also combined to many other positive aspects such as,friendly local people,an excellent local cuisine and much more the great opportunity to enjoy a vast range of outdoor activities.All that fan of great things is the result of a place to choose as destination without hesitations.
Some years ago the resort has been considered one of the Portuguese resorts with the best quality of life next to Cascais and Estoril (I wrote posts about those other beautiful resort).That award undoubtedly increased the fame of the resort and it has placed Albufeira in the podium of the most demanded Portuguese destinations.
With its wonderful long sandy golden beaches and crystalline waters,that famed resort belonging to the District of Faro with its approximately 21.000 inhabitants living in the town centre and reaching a total of 42,000 residents including the extra radius agglomerations in the boundaries of its municipality and also Albufeiras has a long history to narrate.
The current name (Albufeira) derives from the Arabic name Al Buhera which means castle or fortress in proximity of waters.Originally it was a peaceful fishing village developed in the typical Portuguese architectonic style with traditional white houses,alleys and narrow streets in its historic centre.
The resort is steeped in history since it was occupied by the Romans in a period in which it was known as Baltum,a name given during the colonisation of the Imperial Rome who started to develop relevant trade and commerce activities along that Atlantic coast.
In that period were built major infrastructures such as aqueducts,roads and bridges and it is still possible to see some traces of them nowadays.In the 8th century just like the major part of the Iberian Peninsula also the current Albufeira was occupied by the Moorish.
Those new rulers gave the town a new aspect continuing to enlarge the commerce establishing a market and also notable reforms in terms of architecture and agriculture.
The Moorish Albufeira was originally developed as a walled town with a fortress erected on a rocky hill.All around that stronghold was erected a large defencive infrastructure and from there it was named Al -Buhera.
The rule of that civilisation ended in the year 1250 when King Alfonso III of Portugal conquered the town with 200 knights of the Order of Avis and that land was annexed to the Kingdom of Portugal.
Today that seaside resort still retains relevant traces of Moorish art visible in its streets,the old Cerro da Vila still keeps the quaintness of its Arab past with its whitewashed constructions and the smell of jasmine around its boundaries continues to be alive as in that ancient time.
Praça Jacinto D´Ayet is one of the most important central squares of the town and it is definitely a great start point for the visit of the town.In that concrete place was erected the Monumento de Sao Vicente de Albufeira dedicated St.Vincent which symbolises the memory of the iconic figure of Friar Vicente.
That holy man after the death of his fathers strongly embraced the Catholic religion and some years later he entered in the Order De Santo Agostinho (St.Augustin Order).
He left Albufeira to continue his studies in Lisbon dedicating his life to preach the Catholicism in Portugal before to leave his motherland to go to Japan as missionary.In that Oriental country he suffered a persecution by non-Christians and he was sentenced to death in in the city of Nagasaki.
The Saint is honoured every year on 3rd September in an event with a massive participation of locals remembering that important character.
In the square you can admire the Igreja de Sant 'Ana,the Church dedicated in honour of St.Ann,a beautiful Baroque Religious building erected in the 18th century.Relevant are several decorations and details on the white facade with sinuous undulated lines on the top and an iron cross placed over a rectangular window over the main portal.
Very charming is also its dome developed in correspondence of the apse and the beautiful central nave opened to the central altarpiece while other notable highlights are other altars built by Francis Xavier Guedelha.
That Sacred construction is one of the several great works of the traditional Portuguese school showing a rich architectonic creativity according a talented generation of masters working in that period in all the country who started all along the territory to develop authentic masterpieces.
It was a new cycle which had not sophisticated lines or pompous exterior decorations but highlighted by sinuous curves well integrated in the architectonic shapes of the building.
In Praça Miguel Bombarda an emblematic square which since medieval time was one of the most busy and important local arteries you can admire the charming Igreja de São Sebastião a Church dedicated to St. Sebastian built in a fine Baroque style in the 18th century.
That white religious buiding has a very charming facade with a decorated rectangular portal,developed on a rectangular plan with a nave.The upper section of the central body is much more higher of than the two lateral sides and rounded on the top.
Notable is its dome and some relevant highlights is in its interior consist in a beautiful wooden altarpiece dated the 18th century and images depicting the venerated Virgin of Fatima and other Saints.
The former Chapel of Sao Sebastiao being home to the brotherhood of the Martyr and today it contains a Museum of Sacred Art which retains a relevant painting by Samora Barros depicting the King Alfonso III and several books among them an old Roman missal preserved in that exhibition with several historic documents.
A short distance from that Church is situated another notable Sacred Temple the Igreia Nossa Senhora da Conceição dedicated to Our Lady of Conception which is the main Religious Building in Albufeira and it is also called Igreia Matriz,the Mother Church.
That splendid architectonic masterpiece was erected in the year 1792 replacing the formerly which was destroyed by the terrible earthquake in 1755 which devastated Portugal.
It was blessed in the year 1880 by the Bishop of Algarve Francisco Gomez de Avelar and despite its small size it has splendid lines and details and you will notice above the facade the Cross of the Order of Aviz.
The architectonic complex consists in a single nave,four side chapels,a baptistery,a choir and two pulpits.In addition you can admire a complex of statues and standing on the high altar a painting attributed to the local artist Samora Barros with in the background the image of Nossa Senhora da Conceiçao Patroness of Albufeira.
The Torre Sineira is the bell tower of the Church and it was added in the year 1869. That beautiful and stylish construction is approximately 28,0 metres high with an access by a staircase which offer the chance to reach the belfry enjoying a splendid panoramic view of the town.
Arco da Igreja Velha Travessa is a pretty clear reference to the Moorish civilisation.That arch is a historic piece reminiscent the architecture of the former Arab rulers and it reveals the existence in the street of an old former Mosque which was replaced by a Church erected before the earthquake of the 1755.
Capela da Misericordia (the Chapel of the Mercy) is another construction patrimony of the old history of Albufeira.Situated ,in Rua Henrique Calado originally it was a Moorish building and in the year 1499 it was transformed in a Christian Chapel.After the earthquake of 1755 it was forced a new reconstruction but it still preserves some interesting Gothic features.
In the same street you can see a building called Albergaria da Antiga.It is the oldest local construction used primarily for travellers and merchants to spend overnights and also to help the beggars who needed help and they had not a house.
Miraculously it is one of the buildings which managed to resist to the earthquake and it is considered a sort of pioneer of the tourism in the resort because it was the first Institution established as official accommodation.
The few vestiges about the former Moorish fortress can be see in the street Rua Joaquim Pedro Samora.Currently there are only the ruins of a tower,part of the bastion called Santa Ana and another defencive section called Porta do Norte,the Northern Gate.Unfortunately the rest of that construction was destroyed by the terrible earthquake of the 18th century.
Porta de Santa Ana is one of the former gates of the fortress simultaneously allowed the passage to the chapel of St,Anne.After the 18th century the cult devoted to the Saint was performed in the present Church and in that point there was originally one of the doors of the fortress giving access to a Chapel with the same name.
Of medieval origin it retains the Coat of Arms of the Azevedo Family Lord Mayors of the Castle of Albufeira but unfortunately also that gate was partially destroyed by the infamous and sad earthquake and it is visible only a part of the former work.
Praça Republica (Republic Square) is the former Plaza de Armas (Square of the Arms) a wide square surrounded by white houses and charming buildings.In that place is situated the Museo Archeologico (the Museum of Archaeology) considered a mandatory visiting Albufeira.That exhibition is considered among the most important in Portugal in its kind for the rich patrimony it contains.
That relevant exhibition displays the most important historical records of the region arranged in several rooms dedicated to the permanentRoman Villa of Retorta.
Another attraction located in proximity of the that square and the museum is the Torre do Relógio (the Clock Tower) located in the street Rua Bernardino de Sousa.That splendid white baroque tower characterised by an iron crown dated the 19th century which supports the belfry and on bright days on the top it is possible to enjoy an amazing panoramic view overlooking the entire resort.
The Vielha Bateria Militar is the Old Military Battery and it is an example of military architecture in a sort of Mannerist style stylistically uncharacteristic today.It was formerly a defencive battery placed on a triangular space on an irregular trapezoid plan facing the sea.
The construction included freestanding walls,plastered masonry and tiles.It is considered an extra-urban construction on an isolated cliff on the top castle approximately 40,0 metres above the sea level.Part of the old fortress next to the coast in the former architectonic plan of the fortress,it had a sort of passage linking the main body of the fort to the hill running next to the old core of the former town.
If you are fond about art worth a visit the Galeria Ramos do Pintor Samora an exhibition situated in Largo Eduardo Pacheco.The building initially was a Power Plant since the year 1926 but with some work and transformations it was converted in the year 1988 in a Museum
In that exhibition you can admire some interesting paintings by Portuguese school and in particular by the famous local painter Samora of which that museum took the name.
Not far you can see Camara Municipal (Municipality Hall) located in the street Rua Municipal.It is a white modern building erected in the year 1997 consisting in a contemporary construction arranged on four floors which houses various departments of the Municipality and it also hosts a gallery opened in the same period.
Worth a visit also the charming Ermida of Nossa Senhora da Orada.That Chapel was built in the 18th century on a previous dating back the 16th century.
Very captivating is the the interior which is characterised by a wooden altar and outside the tomb of Francisco da Silva and Francisco Correia Cabrita Ataide a priest of the order the Avis who was famous because he fought against the Remexio´s Guerrilla in the late 19th century.
Avenida 25 do Abril (25th April Avenue),is a splendid central avenue paved in large white and gray squares and it is considered the main hallway of Albufeira leading to the most beautiful beaches of the resort such as Praia Peneco, Praia do Pescadores and others.
That relevant artery is characterised by its lively atmosphere packed by locals and tourists a great place to enjoy several restaurants,bars,cafes and shops and also a site to have a relaxing walk and a coffee offering after a day on the beach a wide selection of options for dinner.
Albufeira is very famous for its over 30,0 kilometres of stunning beaches and all them boasting the blue flag.The wide variety of Hotels located very close to them providing all the comforts and several facilities are the great result in terms of incoming flows the resort receives.According statistics reported some years ago,the city receives over 2 million tourists annually.
Praia do Pescadores (The Fisherman's Beach) is one of
the best known of Algarve characterised by its calm waves and soft white
sands becoming year by year one of the favourite for families with children.The fine sand is undoubtedly one of its most great features and
the water temperature is quite warm during all the summer.Flanked by rocks and
cliffs which give the environment a wild aspect it is since long time ago one
of the most loved by locals.Praia da Falesia (Falesia beach) is one of the emblematic symbol of the resort and Algarve.Often promoted as one of the best beaches (although there are others not less as beauty) and frequently immortalised and published in panoramic pictures on Tourist Brochures and Travel Magazines covers giving Portugal and Algarve popularity and fame all around the world,making that spectacular sandy stretch definitely a notable holiday spot.
The beach is bordered by a large number of malls,it is very long with golden sands particularly chosen to enjoy water sports and also very wide and spacious.Despite being one of the largest and busiest every tourist wants to enjoy it.Its waters are very clean awarded with the blue flag the media temperature of its waters is pretty constant reaching 23º/24º in summer season.
Praia Santa Eulalia is another one very well known and with an excellent reputation for its several services it offers.The sand has a clear golden colour and the water temperature is always pretty warm.The quality of that beach permits to keep safe since many years ago the blue flag award and it is very appreciated by foreign tourists for the facilities it provides and also by locals in low season.
The most exclusive beach of the resort is probably Praia do Salgado (Salted Beach).Next to it you can find modern Hotel complexes and all kinds of shops furthermore golf courses and one of the major sporting club in Algarve.
Constantly awarded with the Blue Flag,pretty spacious with an excellent maintenance and beautiful golden sands it is situated in a strategic position and for who loves nature and especially fauna at a very short distance from it there is a unique watch birds point.
Praia do Peneco (Peneco Beach) is also very famous with its Blue Flag.It is also well known as Tunnel Beach,wide and generally very busy it has beautiful golden sands and it is pretty appreciated for the proximity of different kind of services such as bars,restaurants and shops.
Praia Coelha is not considered among the most famous local beaches.That feature can make it the ideal place for travellers who prefer sunbaths and relax without being surrounded by a lot of people and it is pretty loved by locals.It is known for its clean waters for its Blue Flag and not far there are some restaurants and accommodations.
Praia Inatel (Inatel Beach) despite has not many services or accommodations so close is one of the busiest. That is because many tourists prefer comfort and a peaceful place what that beach offers.The constant Blue Flag is a yearly feature and it considered the ideal place to enjoy long walks and excursions.A highlight it is that in the surrounding area there are many beautiful caves.
Praia Oura (Oura beach) is undoubtedly one of the busiest,frequented by a multitude of young people who enjoy the proximity of several bars and shops and all the facilities designed to attract young tourists.It has splendid golden sands and the water temperature is pretty warm.Despite to be busy is well maintained and it has since many years ago Blue Flag.
Praia Rocha Baixinha Leste is another one suggested.Characterised by gentle waves with services and several facilities pretty close.That beach is one of the cleanest and safest of the entire seaside resort so it is very appreciated by families with children.
The resort is considered the water sports hub which makes Albufiera also thanks that the largest holiday spot for all people fond about those activities in the Algarve.Windsurfing and Kite surfing are very popular and in Albufeira the visitor can find a relevant amount of Centres offering the chance to perform practically everything.
The local Nautical Clubs provides all the windsurfers and kit surfers needs including the equipment necessary to practise those sports.Sailing and diving are also other activities which find in the resort notable chances to be practised at a very high level.
Apart beaches and that great highlight consisting in water sports in a stay in that resort there are also a wide variety of different activities such as hiking and horse riding and for who love beach volley and football beach the resort organises tournaments and leagues.
On the local beaches take place the National Football Beach League and The Friendship Cup which is celebrated between the months of June and July.Other competitions are The Counselling Football Cup which takes place from October to November and the Grand Prix of the City of Albufeira which is in calendar in December.
Golf is another superb attraction with several great Clubs offering the opportunity to enjoy prestigious Golf Courses in a splendid natural environment while the nearest interior offers excellent chances to practise mountain bike,trekking which are among the activities a visitor can practise all year.
That Algarve seaside resort has a very privileged location and it is considered one of the best starting point for excursions and visits other towns of the Region,that is because Albufeira is located in the centre of the region.
From there you can reach in a very short time many beautiful places.such as Sagres and Cabo de Sao Vicente, or also Portimao,Praia Da Rocha,Lagos,Lagoa,many other coastal towns and interesting villages in the picturesque interior which offer as the coastline magnificent and scenic landscapes.
Castilla de Mar is one of the most representative villages in the area and in the surroundings and during a pleasant excursion you can find there some constructions and rests remembering the Moorish occupation in the Algarve.
That place is also known with the name Cidade Velha which means Old Town,some even say that today the inhabitants still strive for spraying essence of jasmine in the streets as in that past when the former Arab rulers developed that.
The famous Zoo Marine theme park is another recommended place to visit.If you want a different day,you can enjoy there the shows performed by dolphins and observing in action crocodiles or seals.That complex also houses different types of animals from sharks to colourful birds.
Another attraction is Zebra Safari which is committed to carrying through the most interesting and most beautiful landscapes of the entire region.
Nifghlife in Albufeira is very lively and vibrant many are the popular disco-bars and clubs such as Mickey Boons, Matt's Bar, Patcha,, Café del Mar, Café Mambo, Savannah Bar, Rick's Place Bar, Zoo, BJ's, Garage, Reno's, Jazz Gaggs,La Bamba and Blue Star Café.
Local cuisine is characterised mainly by typical plates made by fish and seafood absolutely delicious and always fresh in particular very recommended are cod,shellfish,squid and sardines..Do not miss to taste the delectable Caldeirada de Peixe an exquisite fish stew.
The tastefully Arroz à marinheira is a very appreciated seafood rice and another gastronomic highlight is Amêijoas Cataplana,clams prepared and served in a big cookware.Other distinguished specialities are the famed Sardinhas Assadas (Grilled sardines) and the excellent Bacalhau (cod) cooked in several styles.
Notable are the fine wines of a very high quality such as Tavira DOC,Lagos DOC and Portimao DOC which are among the most famous in the area.
There is a prestigious tradition of viticulture in that Southern region of Portugal.The grapes Tinta Amarela, Abaga,Fernao Pires,Arinto,Rabo de Ovelha, Periquita produce very smooth and robust wines,the taste is refined and at the same time very aromatic and they are also very eclectic wines also drinkable outside meals.
The mild climate and the right altitude are undoubtedly the key of those superb wines which are very appreciated for their stunning versatility.
Faro International Airport is located at approximately 45,0 kilometres west of the resort and in about 40/45 minutes driving you will be at destination.
At Faro Airport there are many Tour Operators and local Companies offering the opportunity to book your transfer (also on line) and the minivans or buses stop at several Hotels along the coast in several seaside resorts.
Albufeira is an ideal place to enjoy sun,wonderful beaches absolutely unique and that water sports hub offers a wide selection of activities with very trendy centres.In addition leisure,shopping and a vibrant nightlife make that resort the Algarve´s largest holiday spot with an endless list of things to do.
The enjoyable atmosphere of Algarve is the ideal place to plan your holidays all year in that southern region of Portugal,a country so special as are special many of its towns and cities along that unforgettable coastline including the lively and sunny Albufeira.
Francesco Mari
Recommended Hotels in Albufeira
Hotel Riu Palace Algarve
Hotel Velamar
Hotel Vila Gale Praia
Hotel Porto Bay Falesia
Hotel Aqua Pedra Dos Bicos
Hotel Sheraton Algarve
Hotel Vila Joya
Hotel Baia Grande
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