Things to do in Albufeira: old town, beaches, and nightlife

Albufeira is a coastal city in the Algarve, southern Portugal, that has grown from a quiet fishing village into one of the area's most popular resorts. The variety of things to do in Albufeira stems from its dual identity, with golden, cliff-backed beaches and a nightlife scene that contrasts the historic Old Town with the energetic New Town strip.

Explore Albufeira Old Town

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You can spend a good while navigating Albufeira Old Town's maze of narrow, cobbled lanes lined with traditional whitewashed houses. Most paths eventually lead to the main square, Largo Engenheiro Duarte Pacheco, which is the centre of activity. 

Here are a few things you shouldn't miss:

• Relax in the main square: it's a great spot to grab a seat at an outdoor café and watch the street performers.
• Discover the local history: look for the 18th-century Sant'Ana Church and the Clock Tower. The tower was rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake and stands on the site of an ancient defensive wall.
• Tuck into some traditional food: This part of town is brilliant for fresh seafood straight from the fishermen's boats. You'll also find plenty of places serving up classic Portuguese dishes like smoky piri-piri chicken.

Experience the buzz of Albufeira New Town and The Strip

The New Town is its energetic pulse is a complete change of pace, and the place to be for a full-on night out. The main drag, officially named Avenida Dr. Francisco Sá Carneiro but known to everyone as 'The Strip', is where most of the action is.

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• Albufeira nightlife on The Strip: after sunset, the one-kilometre stretch comes alive with neon lights and music spilling out from countless bars and clubs. It’s loud, boisterous and unapologetically aimed at having a good time.
• Explore the side streets for a quieter drink: if you dip into the smaller streets running off it, you can sometimes find slightly more low-key bars. These are good spots to start your evening with a proper cocktail before heading into the main fray.
• See it by day: It’s worth remembering that during the daytime, The Strip is a different beast altogether. It’s much calmer, and you can wander around the souvenir shops or grab a simple lunch at one of the many international restaurants.

Discover the best beaches in Albufeira

You can’t talk about the Algarve without mentioning the beaches. There’s a brilliant mix of beaches near Albufeira, from wide-open stretches of sand perfect for a long walk to smaller coves tucked beneath the golden cliffs.

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• Praia dos Pescadores (Fisherman’s Beach): this is the main city beach, right at the foot of the Old Town. It’s incredibly convenient, and because it’s so sheltered, the water is usually calm. For a more local experience, head down in the morning to see the fishermen tending to their boats and nets.
• Praia da Falésia: this is a top Blue Flag beach in the Algarve, famous for its long stretch of perfect sand backed by incredible, deep-red cliffs. Take the clifftop path that runs along the top for some of the best coastal views in the region.
• Praia de São Rafael: if you’re looking for something a bit more dramatic and a little less crowded, this is a fantastic choice. It’s known for its striking limestone rock formations that jut out of the clear water, making it a favourite for snorkelers and photographers.

Unwind at the colourful Albufeira Marina

The first thing that strikes you is the architecture – it’s a real contrast to the Old Town, and all the apartment blocks are painted in these bold, almost Lego-like block colours.

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• Go boat spotting or book a trip: this is the main departure point for all sorts of sea adventures. You can find everything from dolphin-watching tours and trips to explore the famous Benagil Cave, to fun pirate ship excursions for kids.
• Have a drink by the water: the marina is lined with a good selection of bars and restaurants. They can be a bit pricier than in town, but it's a great spot to sit with a cold drink and watch the boats come and go.
• Try a bit of ten-pin bowling: It might seem like an unusual thing to do on a sunny holiday, but there’s a bowling alley right at the marina. It’s a good option if you get a rare rainy day or you're looking for something to do with the family in the evening.

Top things to do in Albufeira at night

Albufeira's nightlife is divided between two distinct areas. You can have a relaxed evening with some live music in the Old Town, or you can head to the New Town for a full-on party experience that goes on until sunrise.

Albufeira nightlife in the Old Town

The atmosphere in the Old Town is much more laid-back. It's a great choice if you fancy a few drinks and some good conversation.

• Find a bar with live music: lots of the pubs around the main square and down the side streets have musicians playing, often acoustic sets or rock cover bands.
• Seek out a rooftop terrace: find one of the bars with a rooftop area. You can enjoy a cocktail with a great view over Fisherman's Beach and the twinkling lights of the town below.
• Enjoy a quiet glass of local wine: duck into the smaller backstreets, and you can find little Portuguese bars that are perfect for a glass of vinho verde.

Over in the New Town, it's a different story entirely. The Strip is loud, energetic and designed for one thing: partying.

• Join the bar crawl: The Strip is famous for its themed bars, shot promotions, and organised bar crawls.
• Dance until dawn in a superclub: after the bars start to wind down, the big nightclubs at the end of The Strip take over, with DJs playing until the early hours of the morning.
• Pace yourself: the night starts late and ends late here. Don’t feel you have to rush as the main clubs, often don't get busy until after midnight, so it’s definitely a marathon, not a sprint.

Fun things to do in Albufeira with kids

Albufeira is a fantastic spot for a family holiday, with loads to do beyond just building sandcastles. While the big water parks like Slide & Splash and Aqualand are a short drive away and always a huge hit, there are other fun options closer to town.

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• Visit Zoomarine Algarve: this is a marine theme park with dolphin shows, an aquarium, and even a few fairground rides.
• Climb through the treetops: for something a bit more active, head to Parque Aventura. It's a high-ropes adventure park with courses of varying difficulty set amongst the trees.
• Marvel at the sand sculptures: a little way out of town in Lagoa, you'll find Sand City. It’s the largest sand sculpture festival in the world. Each year has a different theme, with giant, intricate sculptures of celebrities, historical figures and famous scenes.

Best free things to do in Albufeira

Enjoying Albufeira doesn't have to cost a fortune. Once you've had your fill of relaxing on the beach, there are plenty of other ways to soak up the atmosphere without opening your wallet.

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• Find the best viewpoint: for a fantastic free photo opportunity, walk up to the Miradouro do Pau da Bandeira. From the top, you get a sweeping panoramic view across the Old Town, the beach, and the coastline.
• Hike the Falésia cliff path: you can follow the dusty red path through the pine trees, with stunning views of the beach and ocean below.
• Walk through the beach tunnel to a hidden cove: at low tide, head to the main town beach, Praia do Peneco. On the western end, you'll find a tunnel carved through the rock that leads you directly to the secluded Praia do Túnel.

Shop at Albufeira's local markets

To see a more authentic side of Albufeira, a trip to one of the local markets is a must. 

• Mercado Municipal dos Caliços:  head to the main indoor food market where locals go to shop in the morning to see it at its liveliest. The stalls are piled high with fresh fruit and vegetables, local cheeses, honey, and a fantastic fish hall where you can see the catch of the day.
• Albufeira Flea Market: this takes place on the first and third Tuesday of every month near the main bus station. You can find all sorts here, from clothes and leather goods to household items and souvenirs.

Take a day trip to explore the wider Algarve

While there's plenty to keep you busy in Albufeira, its central location makes it the perfect launchpad for exploring the rest of the Algarve. 

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• Visit historic Tavira: a trip to the eastern Algarve to see Tavira is well worth the effort. Arguably one of the most beautiful fishing villages in the Algarve, it has an old Roman bridge, castle ruins, and great places to eat by the Gilão River.
• Hike the Seven Hanging Valleys trail: one of the best hikes in Portugal, the coastal trail runs for about 6km between Praia da Marinha and Praia de Vale Centeanes. It boasts incredible views of sea arches and hidden coves the entire way.

Considering a move? Living in Albufeira

If you're starting to think that Albufeira could be more than just a holiday spot, you wouldn't be the first. It has a completely different feel outside the main tourist season, with a large and active expat community that makes it feel like home year-round. The excellent climate and its position in the central Algarve mean you have easy access to everything the region has to offer. It’s this combination of lifestyle and location that makes the reality of living in Albufeira so appealing, and feeds into the broader trend of why so many people choose to move to the Algarve.

• Property for sale in Albufeira
• Long-term rentals in Albufeira
• Holiday rentals in Albufeira

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