The Algarve region presents one of the premier Portuguese holiday destinations. With its breathtaking cliffs, natural bays and grottos, beautiful beaches, luxury resorts, and picturesque whitewashed towns, foreigners flock to the region when summer arrives.
Charming towns like Sagres and Carrapateira on the ragged west coast attract surfers. While Cliffside Albufeira, 18 mi (40 minute ride) from the regional capital of Faro and the International Airport, attracts a wider mix of travelers. Albufeira is located west of Portimao (12 mi), west of Faro, and south of Lisbon (122 mi) situated on the Gulf of Cadiz where the town experiences a mild coastal climate with cold winters and warm summers but without extremes in temperature and is bathed in daily sun for the majority of the year.
Under Roman rule, the town was known as Baltum, but during the Moors 8th Century occupation the name was changed to Al-Buhera and it became an important trading port and remained a thriving seaport with its own castle until it was destroyed in 1755 by a tragic earthquake
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In 1833, during a civil over the Portuguese ascension, the town was set afire and the nearly destroyed town suffered a long period of poverty. Only now has Albufeira recovered (Population about 17 K) and become a tourist resort graced by the old fisherman’s village and Albufeira’s historic center of narrow white streets and beautiful churches.
Leisure facilities abound near the center and along the coast. The Albufeira Marina area provides hotels, villas, apartments, and facilities for diving and other water sports. There are also boat trips along the Algarve coast to explore the caves and towering rock formations or to provide fishing excursions.
As the sun goes down, Albufeira takes on the rhythm of a tourist resort as the sun lovers meet at the many discos and bars or restaurants that offer everything from regional dishes (seafood dishes constitute a strong gastronomic presence) to International European cuisines.
Albufeira’s beaches are internationally renowned for their variety and enchantment. Beaches are sheltered with naturally painted cliffs that drop to fine-sanded beach and turquoise blue sea. A few minutes from the town center, Pescadores, Peneco, and Inatel beaches form a long strip of sand surrounded by Albufeira. Along the coast others include the Oura, Balaia, Maria Luísa, Olhos de Agua beaches and more. Many provide tourist and sports facilities available.
For golf, Salgados is an 18-hole golf course only 5 minutes from the town center and one of the symbols of Portuguese golf. Besides adjoining sea, the course is laid out around a variety of lakes that provide not only beauty but a challenge to any golfer.
Pine Cliffs is a nine-hole course laid out amidst pine forest and the edge of spectacular cliffs looking down over the beautiful beaches of the Algarve and the sea. Hotel Sheraton Balaia Golf Village includes a par 3 course ideal for families and beginners.
For accommodations, there are luxury resorts near the city center and marina or along the coast with beach front properties and large fresh water pools. Alternatively, choose hotels and villa accommodations occupying stunning cliff-top perches overlooking the beaches that are reached by winding paths.
