Where to stay? A look at a map of Albufeira makes it clear: the city was built very chaotically, there are no separate tourist areas (hotels and hostels are scattered all over the city). The map of Albufeira has the traditional division into Old and New Town.
The old part is the atmosphere of the old Portuguese city, a lot of cafes in the central square, souvenir stores and leather goods stores, narrow streets and cozy bars. There are plenty of options in this part of the Albufeira hotel map, but we recommend staying outside the Old Town (it's too noisy and crowded).
New Albufeira is a typical Portuguese city, with both party places where young people flock in the evenings and music blares until the morning, and quiet, secluded neighborhoods. To the southwest of the city is the Marina de Albufeira, a small bay protected from the Atlantic winds by the hills.
The ideal areas to live are in the center of Albufeira, adjacent to the Old Town. This way you can walk to the beach or historical sights in 10-15 minutes, while staying overnight away from the noisy tourist areas.
What neighborhood in Albufeira should you stay in if you're a fan of nightlife? A hotel in the Strip, Montechoro or Areias de São João (about two kilometers from the Old Center) would be perfect. The best neighborhood for yachtsmen is Marina de Albufeira, the city's marina. Around it, in close proximity to the ocean, are dozens of apartments, restaurants and stores.
There are no dangerous areas in Albufeira - tourists are simply advised to stay closer to the city center (Albufeira Centro).
Where things are:
Updated for the summer on 10th May 2024 - it was quite busy down there today!
West to east ie from the roundabout going towards town.
28 - Pharmacia Caudalie
29 - Corte-me o Pèlo - pet grooming
30 - empty
31 - Fat Cats ticket shop
32 - ATM Multibanco
33 and 34 Orada Apartments reception
35 - Garvetur Travel Agents
42 - empty
Taxi rank and stop for the open top bus tours are on the other side of the road here, opposite the shops and the building site.
LOWER LEVEL ie by the water
These are not numbered in the same way as the upper level so I have gone by doorways. Again, west to east going towards the town and sea. This is a pedestrian zone.
All the bars and cafés now have free wifi for customers. PT wifi is available in the whole area but you need an account. There are several Euronet ATM's down here. USE WITH CAUTION! High commission charges. Many of the cafés, bars and restaurants below are not open during winter.
7 - Fat Cats (bar) at the Marina
8, 9 and 10 - No Solo Italian Restaurant
Entrance to marina car park and karting area - karting website http://www.algarvekarting.com
16 to 20 - Algarve Ten Pin Bowling http://www.algarvebowling.com/ 'Strikers Bar' and Euronet ATM . Opposite here are some rides etc for younger children including a small bumper car track.
21 - Pica da Brasa takeaway
22 to 25– 'Jack's Irish Pub' - expanded since last year
26 and 27 - Tasca Portuguesa restaurant
29 - Algar Experience Boat trips shop
30 - El Barrio Tapas and Cocktails
31 - Lemon Drops Restaurant and Lounge. New, but was closed when I passed by at lunchtime.
32 - Ristorante Pizzaria San Martinho
37 and 38 - Paragrafo bar
39 - empty then another entrance to parking, karting etc, also toilets.
38 - Gate 4 café/bar and Dreamwave Algarve Boat tours
39 - Algarve Boat Charters.
Other Supermarkets near the marina area
Nearest – Intermarché, open 0830 – 2000 every day except 25th December and 1st January. Closes early 24th December, may not be open Easter Sunday. A few minutes uphill walk. Other, larger, stores are 2 - 3km distant in town. Map at http://www.algarvebus.info/images/roundabouts.jpg – the marina area is at the bottom left.
TRANSPORT
TAXI RANK – LOCATED AT THE TOP LEVEL OPPOSITE THE SHOPS. IF NO TAXIS THERE, CALL (+351) 289 583 230
UBER AND BOLT OPERATE AROUND ALBUFEIRA
BUS SERVICE FROM MARINA INTO OLD TOWN, CÂMARA (Town Hall) and main Bus Station
Bus stop location Map - http://www.algarvebus.info/images/Varzea-da-Orada.JPG
BUSES TO OTHER PLACES
VAMUS Route 13 to Armação de Pêra, Porches, Lagoa and Portimão passws through the marina area and stops there, at the same place as the GIRO buses. Bus service is very limited with almost nothing at weekends. Times at www.algarvebus.info/002w.htm
To go anywhere else, you must first go to the main bus station in town.
TUK TUKS
Tuk-tuks line up at the eastern entrance to the marina, where the road swings around towards the fishing harbour, ready for gullible tourists who think they work like taxis.
BOAT TRIPS
This list may not be 100%, but here are several companies operating boat trips etc from Albufeira marina. Many operate only in summer eg May to October. Reservation is required for some trips and is always a good idea as trips are often full. You can do this on line at some companies, at one of the ticket shops dotted around town or down at the marina itself.
There is a row of booths at the seaward end of the marina.
Grouped by type of activity as per the various leaflets etc I collected.
Cruise and Sailing - I have checked the links to websites. All work as of 2nd June 2023.
www.algarvecharters.com - you can charter a boat for a day or half day. Yacht Finismar.
www.dreamcruises.pt - yacht Tangerina II
www.dreamwavealgarve.com – Leãozinho 'Pirate Ship'.
Jetboat Algarve - very fast ride!
https://easydreamcharters.pt/ - private yacht charters
Oceaneye - http://oceaneyealgarve.pt/ - glass bottomed boat
Caves and Coastline
Boat Alzirinha - find on Facebook, no website
Parasailing and Jet ski-ing
www.algarexperience.com
www.dreamwavealgarve.com
Fishing trips
www.algarexperience.com
www.algarveboatcruises.com/
Yacht Bachelor – Facebook page, no website.
Beach Barbeque
www.algarexperience.com
Dolphins search (no guarantees you will actually see one!)
www.algarexperience.com
www.dolphins.pt
Their boat
www.dreamwavealgarve.com – cruiser Dreamer 1
http://www.algarveboatcruises.com/
http://www.seacret-tours.com
Jet Boat / high speed rides
http://www.algarveboatcruises.com/
JetBoatAlgarve