| Albufeira
is quite simply Portugal's version
of Spain's Benidorm, a town dedicated
to supplying the downmarket British
punter with everything he might
want, from eggs and bacon for
breakfast to big-screen football
with fish and chips for dinner.
Pile 'em high, sell 'em low, Albufeira
is a place to play hard at the
right price and live the lifestyle
the foreign way.
It is a mere three-hour flight
from the UK, with over 14 flights
a day to the main airport in Faro.
Add to this that it boasts almost
all-year sun, has great beaches
and low prices, then you can understand
why just over a million and a
half UK visitors made the journey
there last year. Over 14 flights
a day to Faro.
Albufeira was a busy trading port
in ancient times and declined
into a poor fishing town in the
18th century, after being swamped
by tidal waves and burnt out by
civil war. However, since the
early1960s the town has prospered,
thanks to a tourist boom. Albufeira
is undoubtedly Portugal’s most
popular resort,spreading from
the old town both east and west
along the coast, its sandy coves
and golden beaches drawing an
assorted crowd from retired couples
to young teens, and families with
young children.
Everyone finds something to enjoy
in this sprawling, low-rise holiday
town, which retains its old world
charm with narrow passageways
behind the new hip and happening
"Strip". The Strip,
to the east of town, runs from
the Montechoro Hotel down to the
Praia da Oura, lined with dozens
of cafes, restaurants and bars
that operate from breakfast time
to the small hours. All along
the stretch of beach below the
central square, craggy fishermen
mend their nets unperturbed by
the topless sunbathers lazying
around them.
While the chief attraction of
Albufeira is its several enchanting
beaches, most protected by ochre-tinted
cliffs, there are some interesting
sightseeing possibilities too,
like the new Virtual Archaeological
Museum, the Municipal Art Gallery
and a museum showcasing Ming ceramics.
Those who travel inland will find
a tranquil green countryside to
explore, prevalent with almond,
fig, orange and pine trees, where
little villages stand timelessly
in the sun.
Activities to do in Albufeira:
Sun and sea bathing on the golden
beaches and in the warm, clear
water is enough for most holiday
makers, with around an astonishing
twenty three beaches (some with
Blue Flag status) in the area
along a 19-mile (30km) stretch
of coastline. All sorts of watersports
are on offer at the main beaches,
from sailing and windsurfing to
jet-skiing. Golfers can attempt
the neat nine-hole Pine Cliffs
course about three miles (5km)
east of Albufeira at the Sheraton
Algarve.
For children, fun times can be
found at Zoo Marine in Guia, just
a few miles away, with water slides,
swimming pools, dolphin shows
and an aquarium. Exploring the
intriguing old town centre on
foot is a pleasant way to pass
a day.
Look out for interesting local
landmarks like 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.
Also fascinating is the Xorino
Cave, which served as shelter
for fugitive Moors during the
Christian conquest of the town
in olden times.
After a hot day in the sun most
holiday makers enjoy sipping a
drink at one of the many outdoor
cafes, watching the world go by,
before moving to one of the lively
bars that surround the town square
or line The Strip. Bars keep bopping
until three or four in the morning,
but those who want to dance the
night away can keep going until
sunrise at one of the nightclubs
or discos in the town.
Albufeira can keep most shoppers
reaching for their wallets with
a tantalising array of goodies.
The town’s main shopping plaza
is the Modelo Centre in Rua de
Municipio, north of the centre.
Not far away is the lively Algarve
Shopping Complex in Guia, where
brand name shoes and clothes are
on offer in a high street mall
type complex, along with restaurants,
an English-language cinema and
bowling alley.
Those seeking genuine local souvenirs
should look out for mats made
from rush or corn husks in the
villages of Almeijoafras and Monte
Novo, woven baskets, wood carvings
and some glazed terracotta ceramics.
These are to be found in numerous
independent shops in the town
centre as well as local markets
For eating out, Albufeira simply
has lots to offer, the Portuguese
love their fish and all fish is
caught locally. There are lots
of seafood restaurants clustered
down by Fisherman's Beach. If
it’s other food you are looking
for, Albufeira has it in abundance.
Travel by Taxis
Taxis in Albufeira are a useful
way to travel around the towns
and visit nearby sights and attractions.
The taxi meters starts at a basic
fare, but additional charges are
usually made for luggage, night
time driving and travel on public
holidays in Albufeira
Driving Tips
Citizens of EU member countries
require a national driving licence
to drive cars in Portugal. Citizens
from non-EU member countries need
an International Driving Permit,
as well as their national driving
licence You must be at least 18
years old to drive a car in Portugal
and have a valid driving licence
and car insurance.
It is compulsory for the driver
and all passengers to wear seat
belts and children under 12 years
old are not allowed to travel
in front seats. In Portugal, cars
drive on the right-hand side of
the road. Give way to traffic
coming from the right at junctions
and roundabouts
There is an extensive network
of major routes that connect Albufeira
to the nation's main cities. Beware
of what appear to be shortcuts
on maps - these often turn out
to be unpaved roads or mountain
passes.
Portuguese fuel stations supply
most internationally known brands
of unleaded petrol and diesel.
It is an offence not to carry
some form of identification, such
as passport or driving licence.
Travel by Car Hire/Rental
Driving in the centre of large
towns and popular resorts is best
avoided if possible, as many of
the streets and narrow, with one-way
traffic. Cars parked alongside
the pavements can also making
driving conditions difficult.
However, a car in Albufiera provides
a useful way to travel around
and a current map of Albufeira's
roads is very useful. There are
many winding roads around that
offer some truly spectacular views.
For information on car hire or
car rentals visit Every Car Hire
at Car Hire Albufeira Portugal.
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