A Trip to Algarve, Portugal Would Not Be Complete Without Visiting Albufeira

The Algarve is a popular Summer holiday destination amongst tourists from nearby countries especially the Brits, and its easy to see why. The year round sun, the white sand beaches, crystal clear waters, exquisite cuisine and friendly locals all make the Algarve the ideal holiday destination. Yet, possibly the most picturesque place in the Algarve is the historic town of Albufeira, where sandy beaches are a plenty, and the nightlife is second to none. However, there is so much more to this little coastal town, that so many visitors are unaware of and missing out on. Here are the top 5(less well known) things to do in Albufeira.

1. The Old Town

Albufeira Old Town is a throwback to the old Mediterranean markets of the 16th and 17th Centuries. The cobbled streets are lined with rows of local shops, restaurants and pubs, all offering amazing prices. The Old Town also lays host to several ancient buildings which are inspired by Arabic architecture, including the Capela da Misericordia mosque which dates back to the late 15th century and the Torre de Relogio clock tower, which is the town’s landmark.

fall scents for your home

Hotspot: Dine at Zuca’s. This small english pub is a favourite with the locals and serves traditional fish dishes at an outstanding price.

2. The Cathedral Cave

This is undeniably the net best thing to your own private beach. The Cathedral Cave is an exclusive cave, which is only accessible by a short boat ride that only costs 40 euros per person. The cave has its own beach and is surrounded by clear blue water, however what makes the cave truly unmissable, is that the roof is open, thereby allowing sunlight to flood into the exclusive beach. Snorkelling here is an absolute must.

3. The Zoomarine Algarve

The Zoomarine Algarve is a fantastic day out for adults and kids alike. The aqua park has a whole host activities and things to do and see, that you can only just do it all in a day. By far the two most heartwarming and entertaining things to see at the Zoomarine are dolphin and sea lion shows, which are so cute, that even Jason Statham has been seen to melt during them. Visitors can also pre-book a ‘Dolphin Emotions’ experience, which gives you an exclusive half hour slot where you can get up close and personal with dolphins, under the supervision of a park conservationist. There’s something for everyone at the park, as there is also an extensive shark centre, waterslides and a roller coaster.

4. Falesia Beach

Falesia Beach is the most breathtaking beach in Portugal, and amongst the best in the world. The beach stretches for miles, making it ideal for romantic beach walks, and is set against an awe-inspiring backdrop of cliffs and rock formations. There are several beach bars along the shoreline, which all offer a variety of drinks at very good prices, if you ever do tire of the beauty of your surroundings. There is also a bar on top of one of the cliffs that overhangs above the beach which provides spectacular view in every direction.

5. San Vicente de Alburfeira Statue

Possibly the best located statue in the world. This ancient stone statue of a former fisherman from the town (whose actual name was Sao Vicente), is located at what many visitors call ‘the edge of the world’. The location has absolutely nothing to do with the rapture (you’ll be pleased to know), but rather it has become its nickname because of how it overlooks the meeting point of the Atlantic Ocean and the Iberian Peninsula, providing superb contrast between the bodies of water and is also surrounded by miles of outstretching cliffs.

Albufeira is an absolute must for anyone planning their holidays in Algarve this year. The picturesque town has a little something for everyone and truly provides a mix of modern and the traditional.

The more modern aspects of the town such as the bars, shops and Zoomarine, have been developed in such a way that the town still retains the very history and unspoilt landscapes, which made it an ideal location when it was first founded by the Romans.

4 thoughts on “A Trip to Algarve, Portugal Would Not Be Complete Without Visiting Albufeira”

  1. Very nice blog post.
    Portugal in definitely a perfect destinations for any kind of holiday. There are many things to do for every age.
    If you want some tips to do, check out SeaBookings.com

  2. Great post and beautiful photos. I arrived at Faro airport and travel to Cascade Resort Hotel in Lagos. I Love Algarve.

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A Trip to Algarve, Portugal Would Not Be Complete Without Visiting Albufeira
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