What makes Portugal and Albufeira so popular?
Albufeira, in the south of Portugal, is a great place to relax and get away from it all. Fine sandy beaches and clean bathing waters make for a relaxed holiday, but it also caters well for active travellers, with well-maintained golf courses, a wide range of water sports and a lively nightlife.
Albufeira is a beautiful town with numerous narrow streets, whitewashed houses and a charming fishing harbour with brightly coloured boats. It’s easy to find a nice restaurant in town where you can sample a variety of seafood dishes at reasonable prices.
The city has also become known as a particularly good golf destination, with many lush greens competing for players’ attention. Golf courses are generally of a very high standard and, for those used to Finnish standards, the prices are usually quite reasonable.
Refreshing sea breezes provide great opportunities for surfers, while below the surface there is endless to see for snorkelers and divers. There is also a comprehensive range of water parks in the area, sure to appeal to the little ones in the family.
Albufeira
In the charming Old Town of Albufeira you can stroll through the pretty alleys lined with white houses, dine in restaurants and shop in little boutiques.
Faro
Faro is the largest city in southern Portugal and the centre of the Algarve region. In the old town centre, the Cidade Velha, you can wander through cosy alleys and admire colourful houses. Not to be missed are the beautiful cathedral, the city’s medieval walls and the Church of Carmo.
Cabo de Sao Vicente
Cabo de Sao Vicente in Sagres is the most south-westerly point in Europe. One of Europe’s largest lighthouses stands on the mighty cliffs.
Loulé
Loulé has a strong cultural and historical heritage. The town is characterised by cobbled streets with a unique mosaic pattern. The town is also famous for its annual carnival – Carnaval de Loulé.
Caves of the Algarve coast
There are several impressive caves along the beaches and coast, of which the Benagil cave is one of the most famous.
Silves
The medieval town of Silves, the former capital of the Algarve region, is a beautiful town with the historic Silves Castle. The castle rises high on a village hill, so you can admire it from a distance. The castle itself is also worth a climb for its beautiful views over the valley.
The Rio Formosa National Park, with its stunning waterways, is one of Portugal’s most beautiful natural attractions. There are various excursions to the beautiful lagoon of the national park, where you can spot unusual birds and take beautiful holiday photos.
In Albufeira, you can swim in the Atlantic waves from countless sandy beaches, where the sand is soft and many beaches are lined with various rock formations. The ocean water is not quite as warm as the Mediterranean, but it is much cleaner. There are stunning beaches to suit all tastes, from lively, full-service beaches to quieter sands offering more privacy.
Praia dos Pescadores, Fishermen’s Beach
Fishermen’s Beach- Praia dos Pescadores is located just outside the town of Albufeira. The wide, white sandy beach is very popular with tourists and there are many hotels nearby. The beach was once home to the colourful fishing boats from which it takes its name. The beach has good facilities.
Praia da Oura
Praia da Oura beach is Albufeira’s water sports centre, offering windsurfing, banana boat rides, gliding and much more. On the beach boulevard, there is a wide variety of restaurants, cafés and terraces, as well as good services.
Albufeira has both smaller shops and larger shopping centres, including cinemas and bowling alleys. The hotel areas outside the town are mainly mini-markets and souvenir shops.
There are countless restaurants throughout the Albufeira area. The city centre is full of bars, clubs and nightlife. The nightlife is at its busiest along Avenida Sá Carneiro. The street is also known as The Strip.
Local buses run regularly in Albufeira and cover the city relatively well. For help with routes and timetables, ask your hotel.
Taxis are often conveniently located in the city centre. Taxi fares are affordable compared to Finland. On request, the hotel reception will order a taxi directly to the hotel.
A mini-train runs through the centre of Albufeira.
A good and comfortable way to explore the Albufeira area is to rent a car. The roads are in good condition and well marked.
There are local buses and taxis in Albufeira. There are trains and buses to other towns on the Algarve coast.
Albufeira has many steep hills, differences in altitude and stairs. Pavements can be uneven and narrow.
Airlines: several different airlines fly from Finland to Portugal. At Aventours we fly to Portugal with Enter Air.
Airport.
Distance to resorts from Faro Airport: to destinations in the Albufeira area: about 40 km and about 1 hour’s drive. About 60 km to the Monte Gordo area.
Flight time: about 5 hours.
Language: the official language of the whole country is Portuguese. English is also spoken well by the local population.
Time difference: -2 hours less than in Finland. The time zone is UTC +0.
Population: Albufeira has around 41 000 inhabitants, compared to 10.7 million in the country as a whole.
Passport: Finnish citizens need a valid passport or a chip ID card to enter Portugal.
Currency: the Portuguese currency is the euro. Card payments are accepted in most shops, restaurants and hotels. Taxis generally only accept cash. There are ATMs and banks in many places.
Tipping: it is common in Portugal to leave a tip in restaurants, bars and taxis. The amount of the tip commonly used is around 10% of the total bill.
Tap water: tap water in Portugal is safe to drink. Bottled water is recommended for those with sensitive teeth. Tap water is safe for brushing your teeth and cooking.
1. Travel from Albufeira to enjoy the medieval castle of Silves, the most impressive castle in southern Portugal. The town of Silves was once the capital of the Algarve region, but today it is a quiet little town. While in Silves, explore the charming streets, shops and cafés of the Old Town and visit the Chapel of the Bones.
2. There are many quality golf courses in and around Albufeira. Even if you’ve never played real golf, a round of mini-golf is a great way to spend your holiday. Close to the centre of Albufeira is the MiniGolf Adventure Park. The park has a 20-hole miniature golf course where you can play a round in a pleasant environment.
3. Spend a varied and action-packed day on a jeep safari, enjoying the spectacular and changing scenery. Journeys take you through valleys and hills, through small villages and orange groves. During the day you will hear and experience stories about the region. Jeep safaris vary in route and length.
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