Lovely weather, great people, wonderful place (Albufeira)

Member Name: emmajt81

Product:	Albufeira
Date:	13/08/09 (64 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: The people, the weather, the beaches

Disadvantages: Strip may be a little busy for some

Have been to Albuferia about twice a year for the last 5 or so years now and I still love it as much as I did the first time. I'm in my late twenties but there are things to do for every age. Weather is hottest in July and August as you might expect but you can get weather in the 70s in April and October although you may experience a day or two of rain. Weather in the summer can hit 100 so beware!! The breeze coming off the Atlantic will cool you down a bit though.

There are a number of accommodations I would reccommend in the New Town (which is where I always stay). Clube Praia Da Oura is a big complex right on the beach. This has in house entertainment, a massive pool, a kids pool, a bowls green, 4 jacuzzis, a sauna, a restaurant and bar, a piano bar, a childrens play area, a sun deck, beautiful gardens and much more. Probably one of the highest priced hotels in the area. Others to consider are Forte Da Oura, Ouratlantico and if you're on a budget Vilanova will do the trick although it's about another ten minutes walk from the beach.

I would say the New Town of Albufeira was more catered towards the younger holidaymaker but there are a lot of families and couples that come to this part too. The New Town has what is know as the Strip, which is a long road full of bars and restaurants and gift shops. Not as tacky as it sounds! A few bars at the top of the Strip after about 11pm are full of teenagers and twenty something year olds yes (for example, Matts Bar, Renos, La Bamba), but walking further up the Strip leads you to other bars such as Libertos (which is ideal to start you night with a few drinks outside or some live music inside, a nice little cocktail and karaoke bar called Paradise and other nice little bars if you keep walking up - some for families, some for younger people who don't want to go in the tacky bars. There's also some nice restautants along the beach front if you fancy eating and watching the waves roll in!

There are two main taxi ranks in the New Town, one at either end of the Strip. Taxis dont stop when you put you hand out so either go to one of these ranks or get your hotel reception to call you one. Beware you will wait a long time in line in the New Town at about 9pm! There is also a little tourist train which 4 Euros for a day ticket - it stops at the Strip, the Old Town and in between the two at a place where there's a massive supermarket called Modelos (think Tescos), McDonalds, Pizza Hut, KFC and a few clothes shops. Worth a walk around if it rains whilst you're there.

A taxi to the Old Town will cost you about 4 or 5 Euros and takes under 5 minutes. The Old Town has a bit more character than the New Town and feels a lot more Portuguese. Set in an old fishing village you can browse the shops in the main square or eat lunch or dinner in one of the restaurants overlooking the sea. Take a ride on the outdoor escalators to the top of the cliffs for a brilliant view of the town and coast. Perfect for photo opportunities!! The evenings can get a little nippy in Albufeira, even in the heigh of summer, so it's advisable to take a cardigan or something with sleeves with you. The wind can kick in at night making it feel more chilly than it really is!

The beachs both in the New Town and the Old Town are lovely, sandy and clean and both offer watersports (parasailing, banana boating, jet ski hiring etc) and both have some nice beachside cafes where you can grab a snack. It's worth noting the beach in Oura (New Town) seems small, but take a walk along the top and you'll find it's far longer than you think. The tide is usually in at around lunchtime in the summer so it's best to walk along the top and you'll find more beach - trust me! It can get pretty packed in the summer though so get down there early to get a good spot!

There's plenty of trips you can go on too. There is the Shopping Cente in Guia which is a ten minute cab ride away which has lots of great shops and places to eat - even a few English shops thrown in for good measure. Zoomarine is also in Guia and is a great place to take the kids. With a dolphin show, sealion show, an aviary, some great rides for the kids and a 3D wildlife cinema show its a great value day out.

There are a couple of waterparks you can go to as well, Aqualand, Slide and Splash and Aquashow. Having visited all of them I would reccommend Slide and Splash followed by Aquashow (which has a rollercoaster by the way). I'd give Aqualand a miss as it's not very big and the rides don't have many thrills! These can all be booked at your hotel or at one of the many tour shops along the Strip or in the Old Town. All quite reasonable too - about 20 Euros each including the coach ride there and back. They are all about a half an hour to 40 minute coach journey ride away.

There is also Forum Shopping in Faro (where you will fly into) which is a great shopping centre - it even has a C&A for all the nostalgics out there!! You can get some great bargaisn in there.

There's so much more to the Algarve but this is just a small insight to Albufeira and the outskirts. The Portuguese people are also some of the friendlist in Europe and are always happy to oblige. And one reccommendation - the Chicken Piri Piri is one of their staple dishes - try it! (did you know Nandos is Portuguese?). And try the Portuguese Style Steak (not the one with the fried egg on top - the one with the sauce and potatoes) - its delicious.

Summary: A great destination no matter what your age