Located in the heart of the Algarve region on the southern coast of Portugal, Albufeira is a beautiful city with amazing beaches and spectacular cliffs coupled with an abundance of interesting history, modern attractions and a wide choice of restaurants. The popular seaside town attracts tourists all year round with summertime the busiest, seeing thousands of local and international holidaymakers enjoying the beaches.

One of the main draw cards for Albufeira is the fantastic beaches, which offer a host of activities to enjoy including jet skiing, parasailing, swimming, snorkelling or just relaxing in the sun with a tropical cocktail. Oura Beach is particularly renowned for its array of water sports to enjoy.

The Zoomarine Park in Albufeira is one of two in the world and is dedicated to marine animal conservation and education. There are great displays of dolphins, sea turtles and seals, which also teach important facts about the animals and what needs to be done to help their survival. Kids will love a day at Zoomarine as will adults; it’s a perfect day for the family.

Fisherman’s Beach, which is also known locally as Praia dos Pescadores is one of the more popular in Albufeira. The beach is home to a wide range of restaurants, trendy bars, cafés and outdoor eateries. During the evening, stalls are set up to sell local handicrafts and souvenirs. The beach is particularly crowded in summer, when the atmosphere is electric.

There is a huge choice of accommodation in Albufeira from budget friendly hostels and guesthouse to luxury beachside villas and international resorts. The Old Town of the city is filled with whitewashed buildings with a distinct Moorish architecture. Some bargains can be had by booking your accommodation outside of the peak summer season.

Getting to Albufeira is painless with great connections by road, rail, air and sea. Faro International Airport is a 40 minutes’ drive from the city with buses and trains arriving daily from all over Portugal. Once in the Albufeira, there are numerous modes of transport including taxis and private buses. Hiring a car and self-driving is a convenient option that allows you the freedom to see the hundreds of attractions in your own time.

The weather throughout the Algarve region and Albufeira is warm and mild year round with plenty of sun and minimal rain. The summer months from June until September have an average temperature of 30°C and are the most popular time for tourists to visit.

July and August are the hottest months and can sometimes be uncomfortable. The wintertime in Albufeira is relatively mild, with comfortable daytime temperatures but cool nights. Spring and autumn are great times to visit, with nice weather and smaller crowds.