Albufeira (Algarve, Portugal)

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A busy trading port in ancient times, Albufeira declined into a poor fishing town in the 18th Century, having been swamped by tidal waves and burnt out by civil war. But since the 1960s the tide has turned again and this central Algarve enclave is once more awash with prosperity, thanks to a tourist boom.

Albufeira, undeniably Portugal's most popular resort, has been described as a stretch of 'holiday-land suburbia', 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 wild teens, and plenty of families with young children. Satellite resort developments provide every imaginable type and grade of accommodation. Everyone finds something to enjoy in this sprawling, low-rise holiday mecca, which retains its old world charm in narrow alleyways, close beside 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 keep pumping from breakfast time to the small hours. On the long stretch of beach below the central square, accessed through a tunnel, craggy fishermen mend their nets unperturbed by the languishing topless sun-bathers around them. While the chief attraction of Albufeira is its 23 or so enchanting beaches, most protected by ochre-tinted cliffs, there are some interesting sightseeing possibilities too, like the Virtual Archaelogical Museum, the Municipal Art Gallery and a small museum showcasing Ming ceramics.

Those who venture inland will find a tranquil green countryside to explore, redolent with almond, fig, orange and pine trees, where little villages stand timelessly in the sun.

Locality:

Albufeira, set among low-lying hills and facing a succession of beaches, divided by cliffs is located midway along the S coast, 190 mls S of Lisbon, 19 mls E of Portimao, 25 mls W of Faro and the airport.

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Sun and sea bathing provides the central activity on the golden beaches and in the warm, clear water is enough to content most holiday-makers, with about 23 beaches (some with Blue Flag status) in the area along a 30km stretch of coastline.

Watersports of all sorts are on offer at the main beaches, from sailing and windsurfing to jet-skiing. Golfers can try out the neat nine-hole Pine Cliffs course about three miles (5km) east of Albufeira at the Sheraton Algarve.

Those with children will spend fun times at Zoo Marine in Guia, just a few miles away, with water slides, swimming pools, dolphin shows and an aquarium. Just wandering around the intriguing old town centre 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 which 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 ancient times. There is also an archaeological museum and several art galleries. Albufeira can certainly keep most shoppers reaching for their wallets with a tantalising array of merchandise.

The town's main shopping plaza is the Modelo Centre in Rua de Municipio, north of downtown. 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, a 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.

Those after nice restaurants will love the wide variety of high quality and varied places to eat out. Seafood is the speciality of the house in most of the dozens of restaurants in and around Albufeira. The catch of the day is guaranteed fresh in this traditional fishing town, particularly in the eateries clustered at Fisherman's Beach, below the main town square. Specialities to seek out are sardines, flounder and bass, lobster and prawns.

After a day in the sun most holidaymakers enjoy sipping a drink at one of the many outdoor cafes, watching the world go by, before adjourning to one of the lively bars that surround the town square or line The Strip. Bars keep hopping 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 discotheques which are ten a penny in the town. Most popular and energetic club is Kiss at Montechoro, with Libertos as a close runner up.

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Population: 10.566.200
Languages: Portuguese (official), Mirandese (official, but lo
Currency: euro
Currency code: EUR
Local Times:
Portugal - Lisbon

Country Dialling Code: +361
Voltage: 220V 50Hz
Electrical plugs:
2 Parallel circular prongs

'Schuko' type with two earth connectors on the sides

Portugal, by virtue of its position on Europe's Western edge, gets fewer travelers than other Mediterranean places. But visitors are rewarded with uncrowded cities and moderate tarifs for food, hotels and private villas and apartments. Portugal has a rich culture, a landscape wreathed in olive groves, superb beach resorts, wistful towns, vineyards and wheat fields.

Portugal occupies the western part of the Iberian Peninsula and is 35,655 sq miles. The country is crossed by three large rivers that rise in Spain, flow into the Atlantic, and divide the country into three geographic areas. The Minho River, part of the northern boundary, cuts through a mountainous area that extends south to the vicinity of the Douro River. South of the Douro, the mountains slope to the plains around the Tejo River.

The Portuguese have a close affinity to the sea; for centuries their famed mariners led the way in the exploration of Africa and the Americas, and opened trade routes to the East. The country became a strong colonial power, and remained so until the mid-20th century, resulting in distinctive foreign influences on the local culture and architecture. From Africa, for example, was imported the now traditional, sentimental fado music, which is one of the country's unique experiences for visitors, particularly in the cafés of Lisbon.

In recent years Portugal, long overlooked on the list of the world's top vacation stations, has been investing time, money and effort into ensuring it is discovered by the world's travellers, just as once it was the Portuguese who discovered the world. This new age of discovery is paying off, as increasing numbers of visitors arrive each year and hotel and resort construction has exploded. From the visitor's point of view the compactness of the country makes it easy to take in all the best elements: sandy beaches, scenery, history, wonderful cuisine, lively entertainment, charming handcrafts, thrilling nightlife, country fairs, excellent sporting facilities and warm, friendly people.

From the cobbled winding streets of Lisbon's medieval citadel to the cork forests in Alentejo, and from fishermen mending their nets on remote beaches to the shopping malls and sophisticated glitzy resorts, Portugal is a country well worth discovering.