Family Holiday in Albufeira: Trip, Tips and the Strip
Albufeira is the liveliest resort town in Algarve, Portugal. It offers everything you need for a holiday: beautiful beaches, various activities and a Mediterranean climate.
It is an ideal holiday choice for families, party-goers and solo travelers alike.
Our family made a four-day trip to Albufeira in early March. The spring weather was pleasant, and feeling the sun on our skins was the most glorious sensation after a long winter in Germany. The Atlantic Ocean was too cold for me to swim in, but my kids didn’t mind the temperature as they splashed in the water all day.
Getting to Albufeira
Albufeira is a city in the district of Faro, in the southernmost Portuguese region of Algarve. It is 250 kilometers (160 mi) from Lisbon.
The airport of Faro is 40 kilometers (25 miles) away. Low-cost as well as major airlines can take you there.
I advise renting a car to get to Albufeira from the airport and to get around in the Algarve region.
We used the company Firefly. On the one hand, the cost was extremely cheap, and the car was just fine. On the other hand, it took us an hour to find the counter outside Faro airport, on the other side of the main road. It is beyond and opposite the other rental companies, and the building of Firefly company didn’t have the lights on, so it was difficult to locate it in the dark. When we finally did, we found a note on the gate that after office hours (after 5 pm) they operate from the counter of Hertz company. After an hour of desperate running in circles, we had to go back to the starting point and be the last customers of the day. So, if you decide to rent from Firefly, start inquiring at the Hertz counter at once.
How to spend 3 days in Albufeira?
The beaches of Albufeira
Praia dos Olhos de Agua
Praia dos Olhos de Agua is an awesome place to catch a sight of real fishermen going about their daily lives.
The landscape with unique rock formations and golden sand is stunning.
Praia dos Pescadores
Fisherman’s Beach is the closest to the Old Town. At the south end of the Town, you’ll find a 200-meter stretch of gold sand rippled by the ocean.
There are sunbeds for rent, surrounded by paint-peeling fishing boats and cliffside beach bars offering the catch of the day.
Praia de Santa Eulália
The gorgeous Santa Eulália beach is clean, with simple amenities nearby. At low tide, it becomes wide, allowing children to safely run around. The water temperature was comfortable for my young children in March.
The old town of Albufeira
The old town is a great place to wander around. Charming cobblestone and mosaic patterns adorn the quiet alleys and crowded squares. Boutiques, restaurants and bars enliven the area.
The main square, Largo Duarte Pacheco, is the central point of the evening scene.
You can find the beautiful 18th-century church of Igreja Matriz here, which replaced an earlier church that was destroyed in the earthquake of 1755.
The marina
Albufeira has a relatively new marina west of the old town. The boats of the marina are surrounded by colorful buildings.
Montechoro Strip of Albufeira
The Strip or Monte Choro Strip is the colloquial name given to the long road, Avenida Sá Carneiro. It is (in)famous for Portugal’s liveliest nightlife.
The plethora of clubs and bars cater mainly for stag parties for people from the UK. Its athmosphere is vibrant, and the drinks are reasonably priced.
Daytrips from Albufeira
After exploring the beaches in Albufeira, it was time to discover the surroundings. There are so many possible day trips from Albufeira that it can be hard to choose. A trip to the end of the world and back sounded interesting enough so we headed West.
As we covered so many places within one day, driving by car was absolutely essential.
To the End of the World
From Albufeira to the southwestern tip of Portugal. Then, up north on the Atlantic coast, inwards to the mountains, and down to the south coast again. It is quite a drive – 240 kilometers – but the trip has 5 stops, so you can break up the long stretches of driving.
The rock formations of Lagos
The first stop during our drive was Lagos. If you ask anyone to mention one thing about the Algarve, they will probably bring up the characteristic rock formations. The limestone cliffs, grottoes and sea arches abound in Lagos. Besides the rock formations, the charming city of Lagos provides a blend of historic sites and excellent tourist attractions. Thinking about it, it would have been a day trip from Albuferia in its own right. It also provides enough to spend your whole holiday here.
The end of the world at Sagres
Our second stop was Sagres, the “end of the world”. After visiting the southernmost tip of the EU, now we arrived at the southwesternmost end of continental Europe. Roto Vincentina or Cape Vincent is a unique place to see. It is good to visit the lighthouse, and if you are lucky, you will get to see some fishermen hanging off the cliff face trying to catch some fish. But the most magnificent views are on the cliffs.
The point juts out into the Atlantic, and being there gives one a unique feeling. As you are standing on the corner of Europe, you have a 270-degree view of the vast Atlantic Ocean, and you can see the curvature of our planet. The waves of the rough sea crashing on th erocks beneath the lighthouse are spectacular. It is better not to wear flip-flops as the area is quite rocky. The weather is windy all the time, so protect your hats.
Hang loose in Aljezur
Our next stop during our day trip from Albufeira was Aljezur, the small market town of cobbled streets and a dynamic surfing scene.
The ancient Moorish quarter of Aljezur boasts pretty, whitewashed buildings, narrow alleys and a medieval castle.
Aljezur is located around 10 kilometers from the coast, but the beaches with gnarly and totally tubular waves are easily accessible. The righteous surf scene is Aljezur’s main claim to fame. Because of its popularity as a hangout for surfer dudes, the Aljezur new town features some rad hostels and bars. Duuuude. Awesome.
Monchique, the idillyc little town
Monchique, in the northern Algarve, is located in the mountain range of Serra de Monchique. Due to its location, it has remarkable views. It lies in pristine nature, surrounded by mountain peaks, eucalyptus and cork forests.
The craft shops of Monchique offer unique handmade items such as pottery, soaps, cork handbags, and wicker baskets.
The main square of Monchique is very inviting with the cafe Velochique. The name is a play with words, referring to both the name of the town and chique velos, exclusive road bikes that you can salivate at and then quench your thirst and hunger with some coffee and desserts. I tried their deconstructed banoffee.
Just outside of town, you can find Caldas de Monchique, the only thermal spa in the Algarve. It is known for having the cleanest and the best water in the whole Algarve that is said to have healing qualities for the human body.
At 902 m above sea level, Mountain Fóia is the highest mountain of the Algarve that shouldn’t be missed. The panoramic view from Fóia is breathtaking.
Tips for a good Albuferia trip
Where we stayed
Traveling with 2 young children, we opt for a quiet property with a kitchen whenever we can. The Apartamentos Carruna was a great find. Located in the Santa Eulália area of Albufeira, the apartment is a short walk from the beach. Apartamentos Carruna offer an outdoor pool, a TV, A/C and a balcony. There is a full kitchen with a microwave and a fridge. The bathroom comes with a bathtub. (Also important for young kids).
Within walking distance, you can find public transport and an array of international restaurants.
Where we shopped
Opposite Apartamentos Carruna, there is a supermarket, called Intermarché. With its reasonable prices and local and international food, it’s a great place to buy food and thus save some money.
Where we ate
3 doors down from the apartment, we found Pasteleria Martinique Velha. As the name suggests, it is a pastry shop serving cakes, ice cream and coffee. To our kids’ greatest joy, they also have English breakfast, pizzas, squid rings, and other favorites on the menu. To my and my husband’s greatest joy, a pint of beer or a glass of local rosé cost 2 euros (2022).
Culture shock during a trip to Albufeira
The biggest shock about Portugal is that I wasn’t shocked at all.
When we arrived in Albufeira, I was surprised at how quickly I fell in love with it.
Everything about Albufeira appealed instantly – the ocean and the hills, the maritime air, the pleasant climate, the food, and the laid-back friendliness of the people.
I was surprised by how affordable Portugal is. Food and travel are very cheap here.
It appeared strange that people smoke in restaurants, as most tourists have already forgotten that this is possible.
