Once a small and quiet fishing village, Albufeira has transformed since the 1960s into a major holiday resort awash with stunning beaches, captivating sunsets and a social scene that seems to explode as the sun goes down and spill onto the towns once quiet streets. Great for families or young travelers wanting to let their hair down and soak up the sun.
Albufeira beach, photo by José Manuel
Once a major port town, many of its infrastructure was destroyed in the earthquake and tsunami of 1755. Yet the old town, the Cerro da Vila, maintains its medieval atmosphere with narrow cobbled alleyways and whitewashed houses meaning it is a beautiful town to talk a stroll in. There is also the Travessa da Igreja Velha which pays testament to the towns Moorish influences.
Many visitors to Albufeira come for the beaches, which offer long stretches of sand for visitors hoping to soak up the sun, and blue waters for those that need cooling off. Though no longer the thriving port town it once was, it is still a popular place for local fishermen to carry on their trade and they do so oblivious to the holiday makers that surround them.
More information: visitportugal.com
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