Overview

Albufeira’s sightseeing attractions consist largely of historic churches and medieval blocks of pastel houses. Many of the truly historic buildings were badly damaged by an earthquake in 1755, with much of what’s on display today rebuilt in the following centuries. Igreja Matriz, Sant’Ana Church and São Sebastião are the three finest churches in town. The ancient settlement of Paderne is nearby, headlined by the ruins of a Moorish fortress.

Igreja Matriz

An 18th century church, Igreja Matriz is guarded by the Cross of Aviz, an icon that represents the old religious order that once ruled this area. The church boasts a single nave and a large wall painting by Samora Barros, which backs an effigy of Our Lady of the Conception. Other statues and works of art within Igreja Matriz predate the building itself as the church was built over the site of an older religious structure that was levelled by the 1755 earthquake. 

Sant’Ana Church

Another 18th century church, Sant’Ana Church is situated on Largo Jacinto d’Avet Plaza and receives more tourists than Igreja Matriz. The church’s most prominent feature is a cupola fringed by a circle of points. The interior design is spectacular, with a high and ornate ceiling that adds an expansive hint to what otherwise seems a small space. Large wooden carvings including one of the crucifixion are the artistic highlight. 

São Sebastião Church

São Sebastião also dates to the 1700s and hosts another impressive collection of wooden carvings and stone sculptures. Among these is Our Lady of Piety, a partially damaged sculpture from the 1500s that still commands a following. Most of the wooden carvings adorn the central altarpiece. São Sebastião’s façade mixes Manueline and Baroque styles. 

Paderne Castle

Five miles outside of the city, the ruins of this Moorish castle date to the 1100s. While most of the castle has succumbed to the elements, visitors will still find plenty to see. Standing high over the site is the castle’s only remaining defensive tower, built from a mixture of chalk, mud and lime. Portions of the ramparts also remain though some of what’s seen today is the product of partial restoration. Recent excavations have revealed a great deal about the character of the castle including a sophisticated system of water supply and waste disposal. 

Miscericordia Chapel

This is one of Albufeira’s most interesting religious buildings, predating its peers by several centuries. Its foray into Christendom began late in the 1400s, following the building’s tenure as a mosque which was set up by invading Moors. The earthquake of the 1700s took its toll though the chapel quickly regained its splendour (with a distinctly Gothic air) following a rebuilding campaign. The interior follows suit with the city’s other churches, displaying fine collections of sculptures and carvings, including an impressive image of Our Lady of the Visitation on the altarpiece.

Zoo Marine Theme Park

Families with children will appreciate the Zoo Marine Park as it can provide a much-needed escape from days of historical and architectural sightseeing. The park has everything from swimming pools and waterslides to aquariums that hold alligators, sharks and tropical fish. The facility boasts a roster of seals, sea lions and dolphins that perform in daily exhibitions.

Albufeira’s greatest asset is its string of nearly two dozen beaches boasting golden sand and an outstanding variety of water sports. There’s also fun to be had off the beach at the Slide and Splash water park. Golfers are in good hands, with many of the best courses on the Iberian Peninsula found here. Cultural activities are available during the summertime festivals, when visitors can also take in weekly bullfights at the local ring. 

Bull fighting

Portugal’s brand of bullfighting is tamer than Spain’s, and the bulls are not killed in the ring. Players engage the bulls from horseback in Albufeira’s bullring, and a typical event features a total of four to six bulls. Another popular event is pega, in which a line of men take on the bull hand-to-hand and try to subdue it. The official bullfighting season lasts from May to October.

Water Sports

The entire gamut of water sports is available in Albufeira. The busiest beaches are outfitted with a range of facilities including manmade reefs fostering a diverse tropical ecosystem that scuba divers can appreciate. Boating, from sea kayaking to sightseeing cruises, is also popular. The Algarve also has a strong reputation in the surfing community, and while the best breaks are found nearby on Costa Vicentina, there are also a few nice spots in Albufeira.

Slide and Splash

This is the city’s second theme park and can be reached in 30 minutes by car from the city centre. It’s a great place to escape the beach scene, with landscaped gardens and picnic facilities. The main attraction is the park’s collection of waterslides, ranging from tame, child-friendly rides to high-octane slides that send riders rocketing into the water. 

Festivals

Timing your visit with one of Albufeira’s festivals is a great way to add colour to your holiday. The summertime celebration of Feira de Nossa Senhora da Guia is the most popular annual event late in August and there are two other festivals held in August. Another interesting event is the July handicraft festival known as Feira de Artesanato.

Golf

As expected with any resort-oriented community, there are a number of world-class golf facilities available in the area. In fact, the Algarve region is considered one of the best golfing destinations in the world. Large resorts like the Sheraton have golfing facilities, but the best offerings are at resorts that specialise in the sport. The Balaia Golf Village and the São Rafael Suite Hotel both operate 18-hole courses.

Beaches

Albufeira’s best-loved attractions are its beaches. With more than 20 stretches of golden sand along its 19-mile coastline, this historic city is overflowing with waterfront activities. Fisherman’s Beach in the city centre is the most popular destination, with ample space to accommodate the crowds that flock here. Other central beaches include Praia dos Alamães, Praia dos Aveiros and Praia das Areias de São João. Otherwise, look for beaches with green flags, indicating the waters are open to swimmers.

Dining & Shopping

Shoppers and diners will have plenty of top eateries and stores to keep themselves busy with in Albufeira, one of the busiest resorts in the Algarve. As with Spain, the local dining and party scene takes its time and builds momentum over the course of the evening. Shops are typically open from 10:00 to 22:00. 

Albufeira offers visitors an assortment of al fresco restaurants and cafés serving international fare. The greatest concentration of restaurants is found along the waterfront strip and on the old city square. While upscale establishments can be found within the resorts, most restaurants in the area are seafood grills and economically priced cafeterias.

Seafood is ubiquitous and usually served grilled. Preparations are straightforward and fish is seldom served with a sauce. Caldeirada, a stew of fish, crustaceans, potatoes, tomatoes and onions, is one of the most popular local dishes. The region is also well known for cataplana, a mixture of shellfish and pork or chicken prepared in a pressure cooker. Sardines and mackerel are often served as starters.    

International cuisine is also well represented. Diners can choose from restaurants serving regional fare and cuisine from across the continent. There’s a particularly strong showing of Indian restaurants along the Albufeira strip. Chinese restaurants and American-style fast-food restaurants are also onsite. 

Albufeira’s nightlife delivers high-octane parties as well as laid-back bars and pubs. There’s no shortage of venues along the strip though many of the largest dance clubs are operated alongside prominent hotels and resorts. The scene lights up well after sundown, and many of the dance clubs don’t even start drawing crowds until shortly before midnight.  

Albufeira also stands out as one of the Algarve’s best shopping centres. Tourists can join regional shoppers in large scale department stores like Modelo Shopping Centre, which deals in everything from high fashion and accessories to electronics and home furnishings. Many visitors stick to the strip and old city, however, where a range of boutiques and gift shops operate.  

Tourists can also enjoy outdoor marketplaces along the waterfront and in the historic quarter. The beach is lined with kiosks dealing in souvenirs, beachwear and handmade goods. Calicos Market deals in myriad food products, ranging from fresh fruits and vegetables (particularly oranges and olives) to baked goods, wine and honey. 

The most vibrant shopping experience is found at the bi-monthly gypsy markets. Shoppers can spend hours browsing these eclectic venues, where the chance to simply experience the atmosphere is cause enough for coming. Wooden carvings and wickerwork are sold alongside home furnishings and everyday essentials.  

Portugal as a whole is well known for its ceramics trade, and the Algarve is no exception. Traditionally, buildings in the area were sheltered from the salt air with a layer of hand-painted tiles. Pottery is found in every price range, sold from upscale boutiques and beachside kiosks alike.  

Faro Airport serves as the gateway to the Algarve, ushering millions of visitors into the region every year. Discount flights travel to cities across Europe, while trains and long-haul coaches dominate ground transport. Within the city, visitors can make use of the tourist train or simply walk from their hotel to the city’s main attractions. Taxis are quick and convenient for local connections, while a hire car is invaluable for daytrips and regional excursions.

Airports

Visitors travelling to Albufeira by air will land nearby at Faro Airport. This is the gateway to the Algarve region and serves four million passengers per year. Most of the traffic into Faro is split between discount airlines and charters from neighbouring countries (especially the UK). Airlines that serve the airport include easyJet, Lufthansa, Virgin Express, Flybe, Ryanair and Aer Lingus.

The airport boasts a single terminal with comprehensive facilities including numerous ATMs, conference facilities, a post office and currency exchange counters. Shopping options range from duty-free to boutique, and onsite restaurants include several cafés, a rooftop eatery, two bars and a buffet.  

The check-in desks are located on the ground floor next to the Arrivals hall, with the Departures area situated above. Three car parks are situated in front of the terminal, one of which (P2) is set aside for long-term use. P1 and P3 are much closer to the terminal.

Faro serves passengers bound for every major resort on the Algarve coast so there are tourists heading in every direction. Taxis and public buses both connect to Albufeira though the latter are particularly slow. Practically every major hotel in Albufeira can arrange transport to the city for guests who have booked in advance. It’s worth calling your hotel before departing to see if this service is available.

Public Transportation

Albufeira is connected to the rest of Portugal and the greater surrounding area by buses and trains. Eva Bus is the most reliable coach provider with service to Lisbon (3 hours). There are six daily departures, giving passengers plenty of options. Buses also connect to other parts of Algarve, but these can be slow moving due to frequent stops. By bus, it can take as long as an hour to reach Faro, which is only 25 miles away.  

Trains cost more than buses but are much more comfortable. Travel to Lisbon takes about 3 hours and passengers can enjoy more mobility than on a bus along the way. Regular daily service is also available to Oporto. Trains to Faro travel non-stop and can reach the city in less than 30 minutes.  

Albufeira itself is compact, and getting around the city is easiest on foot. Hotels are invariably situated within walking distance to the beach and most are also close to the old city. A tourist train runs from the historic centre to the strip three times per hour. Tickets can be purchased one-way or at discounted round-trip rates. 

Taxis are preferable to the local network of city buses. They queue at ranks around town and cannot be hailed at the curb. Many tourists choose to hire a car during their visit, making it much more convenient to explore the Algarve coastline.