11 Best Things to Do and See in Albufeira, Portugal

Albufeira is a littoral town in Portugal‘s southern Algarve region. It is a former fishing village with sandy beaches and a popular nightlife strip. It has become a big holiday destination. The new marina is mostly used by local fishermen and is still a venue for fishing, dolphin-watching and boat trips. It is surrounded by candy-coloured houses, with a promenade along the coastline.

Here are Pickyourtrail’s top experiences to have in Albufeira.

Also read: These best Things to Do in Corfu attracts tourists from around the globe

Top things to see and do in Albufeira

1. Coastal Exploration in Albufeira

Albufeira is close to sandy beaches, coastal caves, and cliffs near the seaside. From sunbathing to kayaking, and other water sports like stand-up paddleboarding, there are endless options. You can also book boating, kayaking, and even paddling surfing trips to discover the coast in a special way. But beach-hopping and walking along the shore on foot won’t fail. The Praia dos Pescadores, Praia da Falésia and Praia da Marinha are only a few of the most popular beaches.

2. Social exploration in Albufeira

The coast isn’t the only excuse to explore Albufeira, and the city’s diverse social scene and nightlife are well established. There are tons of bars and coastal cafes. Here locals and visitors want to sit back when listening to music with a beer or two (or three) respectively. Piccadilly Cocktail Bar and NoSoloAgua Albufeira are two of the most famous locations in all of the Algarve. There is also the main street, known as “The New Place”. It is an area lined with more places for drinking day and night, and a range of inexpensive foods.

3. English-language bookstores in Albufeira

Most of the Algarve has been extremely accommodating to the English-speaking / ex-pat culture. The best illustration is the English-speaking bookstores. If you are into reading stuff, or just want to search the stocks, visit Julie’s Bookshop and Bookworms. These are two excellent sites to purchase books in English from second hand.

4. Water-themed parks

Albufeira is situated near two water-themed parks suitable for families. Visitors will enjoy an aquarium at Zoomarine Algarve. It features some live shows and even water slides. While nearby Aqualand Algarve is purely an action-based waterslide and pool-filled park. These alternatives are perfect outdoor daytime experiences without sitting on the sand. The adult/child tickets cost between €29/€19 and €27/€19, respectively.

5. Cerro da Vila

Situated in Quarteira, Cerro da Vila ‘s Roman ruins are just a fast drive from Albufeira. It is a must-visit and should not be overlooked. The area was formerly an immense estate occupied by Romans, the Visigoth tribes and the Moors. It is now a living memory of a long-ago era. Wander around the ruins to see how the homes were delineated with bath stations, salt-fish and the key residential houses.

6. Castle of Paderne

One item of local history to visit is the remains of Paderne Castle. It was constructed in the 12th century, a Moorish-built fortification. It is situated 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) inland from the coast of Albufeira. Visiting this ancient landmark is a lovely way to do something that doesn’t involve beaches and bars. It has a fascinating history to boot as one of the country’s oldest castles. It is free to visit.

7. Dolphin-watching boat ride in Albufeira

Dolphin-watching will still be on the menu, no matter when you visit the Algarve. Morning hours are the perfect time to seek to see these magnificent animals in their natural environment. The Algarve is home to many diverse animals like the famous dolphins and the bottlenose. You can book tours by boat from the marina of Albufeira.

8. Gastronomy

In Albufeira, there are possibly hundreds of restaurants to choose from, covering anything from conventional Portuguese cooking to Asian and vegetarian cuisine. If you’re not on a budget, take a peek at the Michelin-starred restaurant Vila Joya, situated at the five-star Vila Joya. On the contrary, budget travellers may love Piri-Piri chicken, which is otherwise known as assado frango. Recognized as one of the best “fast food” meals in Portugal, it’s still a nice idea and Albufeira is a wonderful place with excellent barbecue chicken shacks and restaurants.

9. Shopping in Albufeira

Catch up with the new fashion trends by visiting the chic boutiques or on the nearest flea/gipsy market searching for ethnic souvenirs. There is also a network of shopping streets in the Old Town of Albufeira, which has lots of small shops with a range of products, from ceramics to clothes and even art supplies. One may make a day of it, interrupted periodically by a bite or two from one of the many restaurants in the area.

10. Golf course in Albufeira

Golfing is another common sport in the Algarve, and Albufeira is near to spectacular greens like the Pine Hills nine-hole course.

11. Day Trip to Loule from Albufeira

Loulé is a primary goal for a day trip. Guests are drawn to Loule by the vibrant business and certifiable Portuguese climate, for its distinctive unforgettable emphasis. You’ll be able to find several shopping boulevards, tree-lined squares and a warren of back streets as you stroll down the road, which has barely changed since the medieval era. In the centre of this area, the Gothic Igreja Matriz Church stands proudly. 

If one decides to visit Loule, they’ll have the ability to take a peek at the Portuguese gipsy market, where all sorts of bargains are sold. You will purchase local souvenirs there, and enjoy several typical objects there. Ab Loule is also the Moorish-inspired town, a spot worth exploring.

There are many reasons to visit Albufeira in the Algarve, from beautiful beaches to nature and adventure parks to buzzing nightlife and a large community of English speaking people. And there’s the typical Portuguese hand to learn and its special history. It can pay off doing some preparations in advance. This is where taking the help of a reputed travel agency will help. Log on to Pickyourtrail and with the help of your expert guides start planning your Portugal tour packages or check out the preset International tour packages.