Praia da Oura – popular with families and young people and awarded a Blue Flag by the EU for cleanliness and safety. It is quite close to The Strip so it can get lively in the summer!  There is a long stretch of golden sand and lots of restaurants, bars and snack shops to enjoy.

Praia dos Pescadores – also known as ‘Fisherman’s Beach’, is the main beach in Albufeira, situated immediately in front of the Old Town.  Easily accessible with a lift and a tunnel, it can get busy in the summer due to its central location.  There are water sports available here and an inflatable water park in the summer for children.

Praia da Falesia – translated to ‘beach of cliffs’, is a lovely long stretch of sand, to the west of Albufeira, with imposing red cliffs.  Often praised as one of the best beaches in the world, it is popular all year round but as it is such a long beach – up to 6km – there is room for everyone so it is often easy to find a quiet spot.

Praia de Sao Rafael – an iconic beach where you can rent paddle boards and kayaks or simply relax on the golden sand and admire the unusual rock formations.  The water is particularly clear here making it a good beach for snorkelling.

Praia da Gale – a seemingly endless stretch of sand, popular with families due to its calm waters and some lovely restaurants.  It is not as built up as some of the town beaches and is very accessible and considered one of the safer beaches for children.

Read more in our dedicated blog about the Beaches Near Albufeira

There is lots of history to explore here, including the 18th-century church of Sao Sebastiao.  This pretty white washed chapel is a mix of architectural styles including Baroque and Manueline and houses the Sacred Art Museum, with an array of relics, traditional tiles, paintings and statues.  The Bell Tower is also situated here and is a landmark building, illuminated at night, and an iconic sight in Albufeira, poking above the surrounding buildings, it can be seen throughout the town.  There is an abundance of restaurants in the Old Town from authentic Portuguese cuisine to fast food chains and snack bars.  Restaurant Os Arcos is in the heart of the Old Town and has been serving traditional Portuguese food since 1978.  Specialising in fish and seafood, this charming restaurant is a welcome retreat from the hustle and bustle.  If you want to try the famous Piri-Piri chicken, Restaurant Ti Gracinda is a must.  Also serving traditional Cataplanas and meat ‘Portuguese style’, there is an array of dishes to suit all tastes and the restaurant is also wheelchair accessible.

The Strip is perhaps the liveliest part of Albufeira, situated in the Montechoro part of town. There are numerous bars and restaurants open all day and, when the sun goes down, it really comes to life with pumping music, neon lights and night clubs open until the early hours. It is popular with hen and stag parties and predominantly filled with young people after sunset.

The Old Town is between the fisherman’s village and the marina and, whilst it is the perfect place to mooch around the shops and purchase souvenirs during the day, it has a vibrant atmosphere in the evening. It has a more relaxed vibe than The Strip, with live music, jazz cafes, alfresco dining and wine bars. It is the perfect place to people watch with a glass of Vinho Verde as music drifts through the streets.

Albufeira Marina is about a 30 minute walk from Praia dos Pescadores (fisherman’s beach) and is a lovely spot to enjoy a relaxed evening. Activities here include bowling, go-karting and even segways to hire. There are a range of restaurants ranging from Japanese sushi to Italian pizzerias, followed by a drink in an Irish pub or a fancy cocktail bar, depending on your preference. There is plenty to suit all tastes and it is worth a visit just to witness the unusual and eye-catching, brightly coloured buildings!