Albufeira

First and foremost, Albufeira is famed for its beaches, for the countless shades and tones of its rocks and cliffs. This is a place where people live to the rhythm of the great holiday destinations, sunbathing during the day and at sunset flocking to enjoy the restaurants, bars and discos that enliven the night-time hours. Just a few miles inland and everything changes. The green of the countryside is dotted with almond, fig, orange and pine trees and decorated chimneys stand out against the ochre of tiled roofs.
The former fishing village of Albufeira has expanded since the 1960s into one of the Algarve's major holiday resorts and now has over 16.000 permanent residents. During the summer the old centre of the town with its plentiful collection of shops, bars, clubs and restaurants is filled-up with tourists from all over the world.
Albufeira is surrounded by some of the best known beaches from Praia da Falésia in the west to Praia de S. Rafael in the east. A new marina is currently being constructed on the west side.

The name of Albufeira goes back to the times of the Moorish occupation Al-Buhera when it became an important trading port in the 8th century.