Albufeira

Albufeira is a Portuguese city in the Algarve. It has 19,500 inhabitants. The population expands significantly in the summer, as Albufeira is one of the leading tourist resorts of the region. New developments include a marina, golf courses plus innumerable hotels and apartment blocks for the annual flood of visitors.

Most tourists will arrive via nearby Faro airport a short 40 minute drive way. The architecture of the town ranges from typically Algarvian narrow streets with pale white and sometimes tiled houses though to the very modern tourist developments. The apartments near the newly built marina are a unique spash of pinks, blues and yellows, dubbed legoland by the local inhabitants.

Once the sun sets the centre of Albufeira comes alive with bars, restaurants and shops to suit most tastes from authentical Portuguese fare to Irish Pub and Sports Bar.Astronomy is a good option too,GOAAA the local Astronomy Group can provide an amazing dark sky full of bright stars over the local beach. Local culinary specialities are the cataplana (steamed shellfish) and the caldeirada (fish stew), and the simpler grilled sardines.

Albufeira is a good base to explore the region with many smaller and less well known beaches within a short drive.