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Portugal - Algarve - Albufeira |
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Albufeira was a busy trading port in ancient times but by the 18th century it was a poor fishing village - swamped by tidal waves in 1755 and burnt out by Civil war.
Since the 1970s Albufeira has grown into one of the top package-tour destination
in the Algarve. Its golden beaches and pulsating night-life attract holidaymakers from all over Europe.
The town is spread out rather than high-rise and has " old " and " new " sections – the old being a pretty village with narrow twisting lanes, with whitewashed houses that criss cross the high cliffs above miles of beautiful beaches.
The " strip ", to the east of the town is the main tourist attraction with dozens of cafes, restaurants and bars.
The chief attraction of Albufeira is its 23 beaches, sheltered by ochre-tinted cliffs – with fine sand and turquoise water. From West going Eastwards you can choose from Praia de Baleerira or the old town's two beaches Praia do Peneco and Praia dos Pescadores ( Fishermen's Beach ). Then there's Praia do Inatel, Praia dos Alamães, Praia das Areias de São João, Praia dos Aveiros and Praia da Oura. A
few miles to the west are Praia da Gale and Praia do São Rafael.
The surrounding countryside is lush green dotted with almond, fig, orange and pine trees.
Activities include :
• 23 beaches (some with Blue Flag status) in the area along a 19-mile (30km)
stretch of coastline.
• Watersports of all sorts - from sailing and windsurfing to jet-skiing.
• Golfers can try out the neat nine-hole Pine Cliffs course about three miles (5km)
east of Albufeira at the Sheraton Algarve.
There is a Zoo Marine in Guia, just a few miles away, with water slides, swimming pools, dolphin shows and an aquarium.
Local landmarks include the Clock Tower at Rua Bernardino de Sousa, and the
18th-century Parish Church on the Rua da Igreja Nova built on the site of an
earlier one that collapsed in the earthquake of 1755. One of the few buildings that survived that quake is the Old Inn on Rua Henrique Calado.
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