The Area
Albufeira is spread out rather than high-rise. The town itself consists of "old" and "new" spreading off back east along the coast to Balaia, Olhos d'Agua and Falesia, and west to São Rafael, Galé and the links golf course at Salgados. The whole area, greater Albufeira you could call it, is the most tourist-intensive place in Portugal.
Albufeira started out at least 2,000 years ago as a small, fortified town. In 1833 it was first besieged then burnt to the ground during a Portuguese civil war. Prosperity only returned to Albufeira with the tourist boom that started in the late 1970's and gathered momentum in the 1980's.
Some of the old charm is still there, and it is to be found in the labyrinth of narrow streets, lined with whitewashed houses, apartments, cafes and shops, which lead down the hillside to a central square, Largo Eng. Duarte Pacheco. The square is a good place to sit and watch the world go by. Nearby, next to the tourist information office, a tunnel at the end of a pedestrian-only mall leads on to the town's main beach.
Another section of this long beach is equally easily accessible from the streets leading off the other end of the square. There the beach is known as Fisherman's Beach.
"New" Albufeira, centred on Areias de São João, is on the east side. Its most famous thoroughfare is affectionately known as The Strip. It stretches from the looming edifice of the Montechoro Hotel, past scores of cafes, restaurants and bars, all the way down to a big busy beach called Praia da Oura. The Strip and nearby streets are a hive of activity from mid-morning to the early hours of the morning!!
 The Algarve coastline offers some of the most stunning beaches in Europe for the fanatic sunbathers and with a sunshine record of 300 hours a year it's a perfect all round destination.
There is plenty to do for everyone. Here are some ideas of which you can book at the 24 hour reception: Krazyworld - Zoomarine - Aqualand - Slide & Splash - Atlantic Park - Bellavista Leisure Park - Marina of Albufeira - Bowling plus many more!!!
Other places of interest near to Albufeira are, Armação de Pera, Boliqueime, Guia and Paderne with its ruined castle perched on an isolated hill some distance from the village. At Ponte Grande there are impressive caverns with large arches and the underwater caverns of Grutas do Xorino.
| 
