10 Best Things to Do in Albufeira

Praia dos Pescadores – known to Albufeira's loyal returnee visitors as Fisherman's Beach – is the closest stretch of sand to the town itself. You only need to walk to the south end of the Old Town, and you'll find yourself gazing over the clifftops to a 220-metre run of gold-flecked sand lapped by the sea.

From the warm spring months onwards, Praia dos Pescadores is where the locals and holidaymakers of Albufeira will go in search of a tan. There are clusters of sunbeds for rent in the middle, surrounded by paint-peeling fishing boats. Just behind, rows of buzzy beach bars have cliffside terraces and cheap cocktails.

The Old Town fringes the port and spills straight into the sea at Fisherman's Beach. The most atmospheric and historic part of Albufeira is also the town’s liveliest quarter. Unfolding northwards from the coast, it's all paint-peeling cottages, cobbled plazas, and Baroque churches fronted with haunting statues.

You can unwind at cafes and shop for souvenirs on bustling Liberdade. You can also explore the narrow alleys that ring around the Torre do Relogio by the beach. Igreja de Sao Sebastiao is a beautiful church on the southern end of the Old Town, while Candido dos Reis is where the party is usually at.

Head to Praia da Coelha if you're looking for something secluded on the stunning coast of the Algarve. You only need to travel a little to the west of Albufeira. The trip is around 15 minutes in the car. Then, it's down a breezy footpath between pockets of scrub and boulders, before emerging onto a wide bay that's hemmed in by high sandstone cliffs.

There are rarely the same crowds to contend with on Praia da Coelha compared with the beaches closer to the resort's heart. But you do get the same classic south-Portugal, golden sand, glistening green-blue waters, and a charming little bar with regional seafood just metres from the waves.

The small village of Alte, which hides between the olive forests and low hills, lies around 16 miles to the north of Albufeira. It's famed for its springs, which babble up to fill a huge canal in the middle of town with refreshing water surrounded by grassy banks and BBQ pits.

With so many pristine beaches to enjoy, it's easy to forget natural landscapes dotting the inland of the Algarve. The gushing Queda do Vigari waterfall and the forested foothills of the Serra do Caldeirao ranges invite you to wild swimming spots and walking trails along the Alte River. The centre is also worth a look, with its cobbled streets lined with traditional Portuguese taverns and whitewashed cottages.

The Castle of Silves shoulders high above the town of the same name, some 30 minutes' drive to the northwest of Albufeira. It's crowned the hillsides of the Algarve since the period of Moorish rule in the region, which began way back in the 8^th century. It's considered one of the best-preserved Arab castles in the country.

You'll need to navigate the tight-knit alleys of Silves town to get to the fortress. Scale the bulwarks for sweeping panoramas from the top. The huge keeps poking above the walls are a highlight, while the centre of the castle is dominated by old living quarters and cisterns dating from the early Middle Ages.

The Albufeira Municipal Museum of Archaeology sits perched on the clifftops above the glimmering gold beaches of Albufeira. It's within easy walking distance of the Old Town and Albufeira Marina, making it the perfect escape from any sudden rainclouds.

Opening a window onto the long and rich past of the Algarve region, the museum’s displays chronicle the very oldest, prehistoric age of Portugal and Europe. On top of that, you can see polished Roman mosaics, fragments of ancient pottery, and great cannons that once dotted fortresses during the Age of Discovery.

Albufeira Marina is a pleasant salt-scented quayside on the far western end of Albufeira town. It's a pleasant 20-minute stroll from the centre to the jetties, taking you along the edge of the Atlantic before joining a canal and delving into the heart of the harbour.

The marina is the place to go for dolphin watching and high-octane speedboat tours. It's also prime yacht spotting territory. It’s also home to vibrant bars and eateries offering a wide range of dishes. From traditional Algarvian seafood to artisanal ice cream, there are all sorts of cuisines to enjoy.

Castelo de Paderne is an ancient fortification located 12 km north of Albufeira’s town centre. Built on top of a Roman-era site, the current ruins, which you can explore by foot, are remnants of a Berber castle constructed in the 12th century.

You can relive the past by walking around this historical site. You can also walk over the medieval bridge next to the historic site, which offers vistas of a lush valley and riverbed below. Castelo de Paderne plays such a significant role in Portugal’s history, it’s even represented in the national flag.

Parque Aventura is an exploration of the forest canopies of the Algarve that's certainly not for the faint-hearted. This adventure park lies east of Albufeira town, around 10 minutes away by car.

The star of the show is the unnervingly named High Ropes Course. It will whisk you into the very tops of the pine trees, where you can hop swinging wire bridges, whiz down zip lines, and conquer your vertigo. Of course, everyone's strapped to a harness for added safety, while there are pleasant seating areas in the forests for anyone searching for a more relaxed session in the Portuguese outdoors.

Like most of the best summer holiday getaways on the Algarve's coast, Albufeira is no stranger to bumping bars that party on until the early hours. To get them, you can hop over to The Strip come evening. You'll find it towards Praia da Oura to the east of the Old Town, peppered with vibrant drinking holes of all shapes and sizes.

The hedonism begins at the northern end of Sa Carneiro Avenue, where you've got the ubiquitous Irish bars and English-styled pubs. Move south to catch more neon-lit club venues with attractive happy hour deals. Eventually, you'll discover breezy beach lounges with beautiful views across the ocean.