La Portuguese city of Albufeira It is located in the tourist district of Faro in the Algarve. Its name comes from the name al-Buhera, which means castle of the sea. Its name comes from Arabic and therefore it is thought that its origin may come from the Arab occupation.
La Albufeira population It is very touristy and has undoubtedly become one of the most crowded during the summer season. Although you can enjoy the charm of the town during the low season, in summer the area is full of people who go in search of sun and beach tourism. If you are thinking of traveling to Albufeira, we will tell you everything you can see.
How to get to Albufeira
Albufeira is about half an hour from Faro, where the international airport is located. From the town of Faro it is possible to take buses, which travel with certain frequency to Albufeira. Normally the journey is long because the buses go around Vilamoura and Quarteira. In addition, the stop is usually a couple of kilometers from the historic center, so it can sometimes be impractical. However, the hotel zone is outside this historic center and where the vast majority of people go. You can also get to the Ferreiras station by train, which is six kilometers from the center.
Albufeira old town
One of the main attractions of this old fishing village is its historic center. In that older area it is possible to see the typical low houses in white So typical of the Algarve, with a certain Arabic touch. There is a central square where there are restaurants and shops. If we hope to find the typical fishing village, it is better to go in low season, because during the summer season the population is overcrowded. In the old area there are many restaurants with typical food, as well as souvenir shops and also some entertainment venues, so there is an atmosphere both day and night.
Mother Church
This church is one of the clearest examples of neoclassical architecture of this area. This XNUMXth century church stands out for its elegant façade with a triangular front and for its interior, with a nave in which there are four neoclassical altars. In the main chapel there is an image of the patron saint of Albufeira in a rococo style, Nuestra Señora de la Concepción, which stands out for having a height of more than two meters, something unusual in this type of religious image.
Clock tower
La Clock Tower It is on Rúa Bernardino de Sousa. This tower was decorated during the XNUMXth century with an ornate iron crown. This tower has a clock marking the hours and is located in the old jail of the city. It is an old building that stands out precisely for that beautiful tower in the historic area of the city.
Grottoes and caves
One of the most popular things to do in the Algarve area is to get on a tourist boat to enjoy the cliffs, caves and grottos. Tourist boats of different companies depart from the port of Albufeira that offer routes to Carvoeiro, being able to see these cliffs up close. One of the most famous is the Grutas de Xorino. Dolphins can sometimes be seen during these trips along the coast.
Water Smells
The Olhos de Agua area is located within the town of Albufeira and it is very popular for its beaches. It has two beaches, Falesia and Olhos de Agua, which are quite crowded, but not at the level of those closest to Albufeira. In this last beach with which the town shares its name, a phenomenon occurs that gives it its name, since when the tide goes down, holes are formed that bubble with the fresh water that emerges from the sand. In this small town there are also restaurants, shops and a good atmosphere, although it is less overwhelming than the center of Albufeira, which is why it is chosen by many as a better destination. It is a perfect place if we don't want to have to share the space with too many people.
Albufeira beaches
Albufeira is one of the areas with the most blue flags in its sandy areas. This means that they are beaches that meet certain standards, where there are all kinds of services and also have quality waters. This place is a beach destination, so it is possible to enjoy the sandy beaches throughout the day. Some of the beaches that can be chosen for a good swim are Praia do Castelo, Praia da Galé, Praia dos Salgados, Praia dos Arrifes or Praia dos Pescadores.