Albufeira is situated in The Algarve, in Southern Portugal. The region of Algarve has a population in excess of 400,000, and boasts over 200 kilometres of coastline.
Albufeira is home to over 35,000 inhabitants. Because Albufeira caters to tourist activities, the population reaches nearly 300,000 in the summer. New Year’s is also another popular time of year. The main attractions of the area are golf, the marina, fantastic beaches, restaurants, bars and nightlife, and shopping.

Getting to Albufeira is very easy. Of course, the vast majority of visitors will arrive at Faro Airport. This airport does get busy in summer, so always allow plenty of time.

After landing in Faro Airport, you can get to Albufeira by car (taxi, transfer bus or rent-a-car), driving West by the EN 125 main road or the A22 freeway ("via do Infante") for about 35 Km, the road is well sign-posted making it quite easy to get there. The journey time is around 40 minutes. There are several very reputable companies providing transfers from Faro Airport to Albufeira. A large number of Algarve Holidaymakers prefer the freedom of car hire. Cars can be picked up at Faro Airport, or delivered direct to your Albufeira Hotel.

If travelling by car from another country, coming down to the Algarve, by motorway (A2), main road (IO1) or train, you will enter straight into Albufeira, as it is the main access to the region.

Located just 35 kilometres from Faro airport, Albufeira receives a considerable percentage of the 5 million tourists who visit the Algarve annually. The frenetic summer season now extends into the rest of the year,attracting  visitors of all ages and from all over the world. There are plenty of accomodation choices for visitors to Albufeira. For those who are interested in self catering Albufeira holidays, there a plethora of cottages, apartments, suite hotels and other accommodations to select from. Many of the accommodations have pools, spas, Jacuzzis, kitchens, dining rooms, family rooms, and multiple bedrooms for the holiday traveller.

Guests, who desire an action packed vacation, may want to secure their accommodations near “The Strip.” The nightlife in this area called “The Strip” is enjoyed by tourists of all ages. Younger tourists especially enjoy the nightlife of Albufeira. The restaurants vary to suit the tastes of all types of tourists. Guests may immerse themselves in authentic Portuguese cuisine or partake in a taste of Ireland at a traditional Irish Pub.Just about every cuisine you can think of is on offer,including Portuguese, French, Italian,Thai, Chinese, Indian, asnd, of course, the fast food outlets.

The most popular authentic Portuguese dish goes by the name of cataplana. The dishes consist of steamed shellfish that are indicative of the area. Caldeirada is also another popular cuisine, comprised of Sardines, a Portuguese speciality. Holidaymakers really should make an effort to sample the local food.

The buildings in Albufeira are designed in both traditional and modern architectural styles. The houses are often tiled and possess an array of spring colors that are a delightful juxtaposition to this wonderful town. The colors range from pinks to yellows to pale blues. The locals often refer to the style and colors as “Legoland.” Guests may find that their apartment style, cottage, or suite style accommodations are similar to this style.

If you enjoy sports, visit Albufeira during the football season and reserve your accommodations near the stadium. The city is known for its annual football tournaments. The Algarve Cup is one of the most notable events of the season, with the English Premiership often featuring. In 2010, Sunderland were the early summer  visitors. British teams often travel to the area during the summers for pre-season training. The Almond Blossom Cross Country competition is also held each year. Runners travel from all over the world to compete in this particular event that has been hosted in Albufeira since 1977.

There are over 20 beaches from which to choose during Albufeira holidays. Waking up to the beautiful sand beaches and the sound of rolling waves will prove delightful for any holiday traveler. Water sports are also available for the more adventurous and active traveller as well.

Many Holidaymakers prefer deluxe self catering holiday accommodation, which is becoming more popular. The best are Albufeira Villas or top quality Albufeira Apartments.  Many Albufeira Villas are within a short drive to the beach, or just a pleasant walk. The vast majority of the Albufeira Villas we have here at hotels-in-albufeira.co.uk come with that all important private pool.

The quality of self catering Albufeira Apartments is generally very good. There are  apartments in Albufeira  akin to 5 star Hotel accommodations. Some of the Apartment complexes feature as many as 7 pools. Restaurants and bars are often on premises at apartment and townhome style accommodations. Most properties are also within close proximity to beaches The landscaping around many of these Apartment and Resort complexes is delightful. Most are complete with the olive trees and palms that flourish in the Algarve climate.


The accommodations choices for visitors to Albufeira are plentiful, from 5 star Villas to budget guesthouses. The town caters to tourists of all types and  goes to great lengths to make certain their guests feel at home and relaxed while on holiday. Visit Albufeira, Portugal for a memorable holiday holiday in the glorious Algarve sunshine.
 

Getting Around Albufeira is easier than it used to be with the new bus service.

There are three routes provided, with passengers being able to hop on and off wherever they like. The service is free in the peak holiday season.

 Of course, the Albufeira Tourist Train continues to rattle around town.

Those holidaymakers who wish to see more of the area surrounding Albufeira and other resorts and town in the Algarve are best advised to hire a car. There are bus and train services available. The main train station is 6 kilometres from Albufeira city centre.

Train journeys are not that fast,and a trip to Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal takes 3 - 4 hours. Long distance buses are often faster than trains. Bus fares are very cheap, a book of 10 city bus tickets are around 50 euro cents each. Long distance buses are also comparatively cheap. For example, a bus from Albufeira to Lisbon will cost around 15 Euros with a journey time of around three hours. These long distance buses depart from the main bus station in the city centre. Taxis are plentiful, cheap and safe.

There are a number of places of interest to visit by car, as well as enjoying the spectacular scenery. There are organised day trips accross the border to Seville in Spain, well worth consideration.

You are sure to enjoy your Holiday In Albufeira. Please take a look at our recommended Albufeira Villas, Albufeira Hotels and Albufeira Apartments for the holiday accomodatioin that suits you.