Old Town, Albufeira

I'll kick off with the Old Town in Albufeira, which I love. Most of you will know that parts of it are undergoing massive works at present, but most of the places in the following photos are unaffected.

These are the two beaches at the Old Town, Praia do Peneco (Town Beach) and Praia dos Pescadores (Fishermen's Beach). These were taken in the first week of September.





And this is what it's like for most of the year!



This is Rua 5 Outubro which runs from the tunnel up to the main square (and beyond). It contains many excellent restaurants with differing prices, and is great for strolling along choosing where to eat or have a drink.



...... and after dark.



Much of the charm of the Old Town is in the old fishermen's cottages and alleyways running down to the sea. You can wander to your heart's content and never get lost!





There is much in the Old Town of cultural and historic interest. This is the Parish Church, but it's only one of many interesting buildings.



These last photos were all taken at the western end of the Old Town, between the Rocamar and the Sol e Mar.





There are lots of restaurants with fantastic sea views, at the western end up on the high ground, nearer the tunnel (as below) and along to Fishermen's Beach. From the higher ones, the views are magical at night, with the twinkling lights of the sardine boats out in the bay.



To get an idea of the layout of the Old Town and the rest of Albufeira, there's an excellent interactive map at http://www.albufeira.com/map/city/default.asp. Their Beach Guide is very good too, with lots of photos.

roseweb,
Re: your photo of the Rua 5 Outubro,- if that's your finger at the top right of the picture I'd just like to say that I don't like your nail varnish !!

Well, you can wear any colour you like, Sagres!

Beaches within easy reach of Albufeira (between Vilamoura and Armacao de Pera)

I believe the beaches in the Algarve are some of the best in Europe. Here are some of the ones near Albufeira, starting with Falesia to the east and going westwards all the way to Armacao de Pera. Apologies to anyone whose favourites I've missed!

Standing near Olhos d'Agua and looking east towards Falesia, with it's red cliffs - a very long beach stretching as far as Vilamoura.



Olhos d'Agua



Praia da Oura



Fishermen's Beach (taken in high Summer)



Praia do Peneco - Town Beach (taken in high Summer)



Beyond the Marina are many lovely coves, some small and secret and others, like Praia Grande at Sao Rafael, fairly large - all absolutely beautiful! They all have good beach bars and parking. We can never decide which one is our favourite - it keeps changing!

Arrifes



Sao Rafael





Coelha - a footpath leads down from the car park (about a 10 minute walk) but well worth the effort.



Castelo



Gale Beach - a very long stretch of beautiful sand all the way along to Armacao de Pera.





You'll find a very good guide to the beaches along this part of the coast at http://www.albufeira.com/beach/guide/default.asp.

Hi,

Having just arrived back from my first time in the West of the Algarve here are a few things I would definitely recommend doing while you're there:-

Historical Algarve:-
If you only want to do one excursion this is the one for you. It takes in the major sites around the West of the Algarve:-
Monchique Mountains - absolutely fantastic but bit chilly at Foia (the highest point) so take a jumper with you.
Silves - time to look around village and castle. Great views
Sagres and Cape St Vincent, otherwise known as the "End of World"

Jeep Safari:-
A definite must for those that are a bit more adventurous and don't mind going off-road.
We booked with Zebra Safari which is open top so everyone can see and you can stand up too and experience the thrill!!
Takes you off-road up the mountains, stopping often to show the sites and explain in more detail about things like the cork trees, the curry plant, eucalyptus, etc.
You get to look around a tradition hut making the local 'fire-water' liqueur and honey, which you get to taste. Lunch is provided too.

Beaches:-
Needless to say there are numerous beaches to choose from and the coastline is absolutely fantastic. Pick and choose which cove you would like or stick to the main beaches if you want facilities like toilets, cafe's, ice creams, etc.
We stayed around Praia da Rocha beach - stretches for miles.

Walk along the Coastline:-
If you enjoy walking then this is a must to appreciate the coastline to its fullest.
We walked from Praia da Rocha along the coast to Alvor and it is absolutely amazing. I'll see if I can post some photos.
We also walked from Lagos to Ponta de Piedade, where all the boat trips take you around the caves there. You can see some of the caves from the clifftops but if you want to experience them close up then I recommend the boat trip.

Slide & Splash Water Park:-
Fun for all ages. Some slides are a bit tame, but the Comet Run, Foam and Kamikaze will satisfy those who enjoy a wilder ride!!

One thing I would NOT recommend is the Portugese Evening. The food is terrible and the entertainment is OK. Not worth the money.

A friendly piece of advice:-
If booking any of these excursions do shop around with the local travel agents as you usually get better prices. Don't be pressured into accepting the trips with the reps. We booked all ours through Hurturismo in Praia da Rocha.
Also be wary of the equivalent of 'time-share' deals offering discounted prices or 2 for 1 offers if you attend a 2 hour meeting at a hotel.

Tennis: There is a club in Carvoeiro in Rochas Brava open to all players
pay on the door per session of club night tennis.
I believe there is one opening in 2007 at a brand new apart-
hotel between feragudo and carvoeiro (on the back road)
10 clay courts.
Walking Adverts in the resident for leisurely half day (or maybe a little
loner) walks. Just turn up as directed, trainers will suffice.
Vilamoura The best thing I found here was the Roman excavations right
in the middle of everything.

We have been going to the Algarve for years as I have a friend who lives out there, and it was only a couple of years ago that we discovered the dolphin watching trips from Praia da Rocha - great fun. Rigid inflatable boats, about 20 people on each. They took us really fast, all a bit hair raising, and we saw LOADS of dolphins. Highly recommended!

Loule market on a Sunday

A drive up to Monchique via the spa at Caladas Monchique. Try the sausages in bread at the spa as they are rustic food at it's best and the chocolates in Monchique.

I have read some really great reviews about Quad Ventura.
They have insurance to cover all clients too.

I think we'll be giving that a go this year!

Alvor is worth a visit, we usually go in the summer but fancied a quick winter escape. It was lovely I came away with a really heart warming christmasy feel. All the little streets are decorated with impressive festive lights and the bars are so cosy and traditional.
Also guia shopping centre! any shoppers dream! Such nice, quality and inexpensive clothes, I spent many a happy hour there!

Alte is a wonderful place to visit. Quiet, far form the busy beaches. You'll love it.

http://roosterquadtours.com/

i can highly recommend these guys if off road adventure is your thing then this is a must do

Not sure if this one has been mentioned anywhere else but its great for a day out for those with a car whilst on holiday.

take a drive (early) to Olhao and park up somewhere behind pingo doce (sp?) supermarket (east end of town) then a short walk to sea front (small daily tourist stall market along front next to a huge indoor food market and lots of restaurants and cafes etc) and take the ferry over to a little island called Culatra, the ferry runs daily several times and more in peak season, for around 3 euros return, a water taxi is? (was) aprox 28 euros but usually there are a few to share if you want to that so has always only been about 7/8 euros when we have used them), so you will never be stranded if you miss the last ferry.

The island is a hidden gem (all sand no soil) and fab for beautiful walks, wildlife etc, there are 2 restuarants (one has an icecream bar & serves fab ice cream both serve the freshest of fish and seafood), a cafe/bar (as you come off the jetty where most enjoy a drink whilst waiting for the ferry then walk down as it comes to berth) and shop selling loads of nicknacks and food/drink etc), no roads, beaches all over and if you take the boardwalk after walking through the main part of the little village it meanders aprox a mile? to the atlantic coast where there is a stunning beach and never crowded even in august (take own drinks nibbles etc)

Culatra is great for a day out and even the ferry ride is fun and relaxing as you go over to the island passing the sand banks, it does also stop at farol which has stunning scenery too.

Thanks for that Ozziebird sounds great

Sounds great! Can't believe I'd never even heard of Culatra. Will definitely try it sometime. Thanks for posting about it, Ozziebird.

Hi, can anyone recommend a good water park near Albufeira (due to travel next week - 26/5).

Are there any deals to be had? there will be 6 of us - 2 adults, 2 kids + their friends - so could do with a good deal if one is available?

I seem to recall reading somewhere there are 2 waterparks in the Algarve, but might be wrong? Not sure if either is better than the other?

thanks!

Hi cpandk ... there is a separate topic about waterparks, it may be worth having a browse and posting any questions there:
http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=148575

David