Situated on the stunning Algarve coast of southern Portugal, the pretty town of Albufeira is a popular travel destination. Here you will find some of Portugal’s most stunning beaches awarded Blue-Flag status along with excellent seafood restaurants, lively nightlife, and picturesque cliff-top views.
Couples looking for a relaxing break will enjoy Albufeira’s historic cobbled Old Town filled with pretty boutique stores and tapas bars in the sun, whereas families will enjoy the glorious award-winning golden beaches and relaxed laid-back atmosphere of the Algarve. There is plenty to do here in Albufeira for everyone from the buzzy marina where you can take a boat to go dolphin watching to the hedonistic bars and clubs of the New Town, you will find more than enough things to do on your holiday to Albufeira.
I spent a week in Albufeira with my family in May. In this informative guide, I share everything you need to know, from the best beaches in Albufeira to the most exciting things you can do in this picturesque area of the Algarve.
Good things to know about Albufeira
- Faro International Airport is the main airport that serves the Algarve.
- The local currency in Albufeira is the Euro (€).
- The official language spoken in Albufeira is Portuguese. English is well understood however learning a few phrases will be appreciated by locals.
- ‘Olá’ is a simple hello greeting you can use daily, ‘Bom Dia’ means Good Morning, and ‘Obrigado/a’ means Thank you.
When is the best time to visit Albufeira?
- If you are looking for a sunny break the best time to visit Albufeira is between May and September. My tip would be to visit in late spring (May or early June), as there are fewer crowds yet the weather is hot with temperatures reaching 25°C (77°F).
- The months of June, July, and August are the hottest and the most popular so expect the beaches, towns, and bars to be more crowded.
- Late autumn and winter are the off-season. It is cheaper to visit the Algarve during the off-season however the weather can be cold with rain and wind. Some shops and attractions will also be shut during the off-season.
Things to do in Albufeira
- Albufeira Marina is located to the west of the Old Town the Marina is a bustling area with plenty of bars and shops. People mainly come here to take day trips from Albufeira via boat around the Algarve coast.
- Boat Tours in Albufeira:
We joined a dolphin-watching boat excursion with AlgarExperience, which took us out to sea where we saw several pods of wild dolphins. We then toured the stunning Algarve coastline which took us close to the dramatic orange-tinted cliffs and hidden caves.
- Beaches: Albufeira has some of the best beaches in the Algarve with golden sand, Blue-flag status, and picturesque rock formations.
- São Rafael Beach is a pretty blue-flag beach in Portugal, which makes for an ideal family day at the beach with its turquoise waters.
- Praia da Coelha is another award-winning beach, surrounded by oche-tinted cliffs, is a pretty yet small beach with hidden coves and gold sands.
- Santa Eulália Beach is a stunning beach with lifeguards available during the day, and golden sands an ideal beach for the family.
- Albufeira New Town
If you are looking to party then Albufeira New Town, also known as The Strip, is the place to go. This single street has the best Albufeira nightlife and is packed with bars, clubs, and restaurants, attracting a young fun-loving crowd, especially in the summer months.
- Waterparks in the Algarve. Looking for family-friendly activities in Albufeira? Then check out one of these popular waterparks which are close to Albufeira:
Visiting the Old Town
A visit to the historic Albufeira Old Town is a must while you are staying in the Algarve. Here you will find a hub of activity in the beautiful Old Town Square where market stalls line the edges and boutique shops lead you down cobbled streets. We spent an afternoon exploring Old Town Albufeira, admiring the mosaic-patterned streets, shopping for locally-made souvenirs, and enjoying delicious gelato while we wandered.
The Old Town is a great place to stop for a spot of alfresco dining with many amazing traditional restaurants peppered throughout the town. Make sure to seek out the specialty dish of grilled sardines in the Algarve as Portugal is known for them. Finally, finish your day with a walk on the beautiful Praia do Pescadores beach accessed via a tunnel that leads from the main town.
Getting around Albufeira
It is very easy to get around Albufeira, even in the quieter resort areas which is where we stayed. If you stay in one of the more busy town areas it is easy to get around on foot however this is what we discovered in terms of transport.
- Car rental in Portugal is very common and is a great way to get around especially if you plan to explore other towns along the Algarve such as Vilamoura or Lagos.
*Tip: Look up car rental companies based in Faro Airport and book your car in advance.
- Albufeira has a local bus that serves the entire Algarve area and costs 1.40 euros per person, per ride. Tourists can buy a one-day bus pass for 4 euros which lasts the entire day. Buses run daily, with timings available online, however it is good to know buses do not run after 8 pm.
- Albufeira also has lots of tuk-tuk style taxis, which are open-sided brightly coloured vehicles that you can flag from the roadside. They are quick and easy to use and can cover areas where larger cars can not reach.
- Uber is a great way to get around if you don’t have a car. We used Uber several times and were impressed at how cheap it was. A trip from Santa Eulália to Albufeira Old Town costs approx 8 Euros for three people.
(all prices stated are correct as of 2025)
Final tips on visiting Albufeira and the Algarve
- The beaches in the Algarve are stunning, with pristine golden sands and turquoise waters. However, they are also often surrounded by tall cliffs. Steep steps often lead down to the beach, so look out for beaches with easy access if needed.
- The Algarve is beautiful all year around however during the off season some areas are quieter. We travelled to the Algarve in February one year and noticed that some restaurants were not open daily, and attractions such as the waterparks were shut.
- Faro Airport gets very busy during peak season with crowds during the summer months, so bear this in mind and travel outside of peak season.
Becki Chu
Freelance Travel Writer
Becki currently lives in London, UK with her family, and has traveled across the world, including Japan, Hong Kong and throughout Europe.