The Best Things To Do In Albufeira: Beaches, Old Town & Day Trips

Albufeira is one of the Algarve’s busiest holiday destinations and it’s not everyone’s idea of Portugal. Parts of it can feel heavily geared towards tourism, especially in peak summer.

That said, there are good reasons why so many people stay here. Albufeira has excellent beaches, plenty of accommodation and easy access to boat trips. It can also work well as a base for exploring other parts of the Algarve, especially if you have a car or plan to use organised tours.

Last updated: May 2026

Whether you’re planning a family holiday, a beach break or using Albufeira as a base for day trips, these are the attractions and experiences I’d prioritise.

👉 See my guide to where to stay in Albufeira

If you’re still deciding where to base yourself, you might also like my guides to the best places to stay in the Algarve and the best things to do in the Algarve.

Best beaches in and around Albufeira

Along Albufeira’s coastline you’ll find everything from busy resort beaches to smaller coves backed by dramatic rock formations.

The most accessible (and popular) beach if you’re based in the Old Town is Praia dos Pescadores. It’s a family-friendly beach where the sand is golden and the water welcoming. There are plenty of sunbeds and umbrellas for hire.

A continuation of this, to the east, is Praia do Peneco, which is accessed via a tunnel directly from the Old Town.

Praia dos Alemães is quieter with lovely clear water and to the west of Albufeira is Praia de São Rafael with its striking rock formations.

Further to the east of Albufeira is the renowned Praia de Falesia, backed by dramatic red sandstone cliffs. You can admire them from the beach, and clifftop walking trails. Note that the actual beach can get quite narrow in parts at high tide.

Water-based activities from Albufeira

The coastline around Albufeira features intriguing caves that are ideal for kayaking, canoeing and stand-up paddleboard. If you don’t have a car, you may need to take a cab or Uber to the start point.

You can discover local caves, rock formations and hidden coves on this 2-hour kayaking tour from Praia do Castelo, away from the busiest stretch of coastline near Benagil.

Or maybe test your balance with stand up paddle boarding (SUP) (beginners welcome) and explore the many beaches, coves, and inlets along the coast. This tour departs from Praia da Coelha.

For the more adventurous, this Parasailing Adventure on Albufeira’s Coastline should get the adrenaline pumping. Gaze down at the city of Albufeira from 80 metres high while feeling the wind rush through your hair!

If you’d like to combine wildlife watching with coastal scenery, this dolphin watching tour also includes a cruise along the Algarve coastline to the Benagil cave. Choose between a spacious catamaran, ideal for families and those who prefer a more relaxed experience, or a smaller 18-seat speedboat that can get closer to caves and hidden corners of the coastline.

Explore Albufeira Old Town

Tourism in Albufeira can be split into two distinct areas; Areias de São João, known colloquially as The Strip, and the Old Town. 

The Strip is party land, full of hen parties and people out for a good time, fuelled by alcohol. It’s not my scene but it’s easily avoided.

The Old Town retains pockets of character, with cobbled streets where you can wander, learn about local history and browse for quality souvenirs.

Sights to look out for in the Old Town

Jardim Público de Albufeira

Albufeira Public Garden in Largo Enginheiro Duarte Pacheco is the old town’s leafy main square and the heart of everything; an attractive place to watch the world go by. It’s quite busy so if you want to find quieter streets, head towards Rua da Igreja Velha and surrounds.

If you like walking, there is a circular pedestrian route of just over 7 km, which gives you the opportunity to discover more about the Old Town.

It begins at the Tourism Office where you can pick up a brochure with all the necessary information to get the best out of the walk. Alternatively, if you want to reduce the distance walked, pick up a leaflet from the Archaeological Museum and just follow the route around the heart of the historical centre.

Tip: Save your legs and see the best of Albufeira on a private tuk tuk tour

Monument to the fishing community

Praia dos Pescadores means Fishermen’s Beach, which is exactly what this was before tourism took over. Just off the beach, you’ll find a sculpted monument dedicated to the families who earned their living from the sea, which offers a glimpse into the lifestyle of a bygone era.

The former fish market at Cais Herculano

A few metres from the fishing monument is a covered area which was once a bustling fish market, Cais Herculano.

Nowadays, it’s surrounded by restaurants and has some benches where you can escape the sun for a while if needs be. When I visited, there was a temporary photographic exhibition in the space as well as more permanent sculptures.

The Archaeological Museum

Not much of the ancient Albufeira escaped the 1755 earthquake and tsunami that devastated Portugal. If you want to get a sense of what the architecture was like, and understand quite how far back Albufeira’s history goes, the Municipal Archaeology Museum is well worth a visit.

The small but interesting collection takes you on a voyage from prehistory to the 17th century.

The remains of an Islamic home

In the square outside the museum, look out for a small excavation surrounded by a white barrier. This is part of an Islamic home, many of which still exist underneath Albufeira’s current buildings.

You can clearly see the hole in the ground that the occupants had carved out of the earth beneath their house in order to store precious commodities like food and water. This was common practice during the conflict between the Christian forces that eventually forced the resident Muslims to relinquish the territory. The origin of the name Albufeira is actually Arabic, “Al-buhera”, meaning “sea-castle”.

Ancient doorways

The arched doorway on this small building on Rua Henrique Calado once led to the Old Inn (Antiga Albergue), which provided shelter and lodging to weary travellers. It’s one of the few buildings in Albufeira to have survived the 1755 earthquake.

The church of Saint Sebastian (Igreja de São Sebastião) is in a small square in old town Albufeira and boasts a beautiful stone doorway.

Galeria de Arte Pintor Samora Barros

You’ll find this contemporary art gallery in the historic centre of town, housed in a former power station. The attractive tiles and exterior motifs by the Portuguese painter Samora Barros add character to the building.

Temporary exhibitions are regularly rotated so check out what’s on during your visit.

Torre do Relógio

Torre do Relógio is a clock tower in the heart of the old town on the corner of Rua José Bernadino Sousa and Praça da República. Dating from the Muslim era, the building was once part of the castle walls and defensive line. In the centuries since then, it has also served as a jail.

Porta da Sant’Ana

Porta da Sant’Ana was originally the main entrance to Albufeira castle. The long-gone defensive walls protected the Arab population from Christian sieges for many years until the castle and settlement was conquered in 1249/50 by King Afonso III.

The main attraction these days is the quirky, shell-clad bar next to it, i.e. Portas da Villa Antiquity Bar. The owner has lovingly decorated this bar over the years with shells collected from the local beaches.

Albufeira viewpoints

Miradouro do Pau da Bandeira

Take in views over the old town including Praia dos Pescadores from this wonderful viewpoint. Thanks to the escalators you don’t have to wear yourself out walking up the hill. In the daytime you can take advantage of the shaded areas but at nighttime, with Albufeira lit up, you get a lovely view.

It’s a great spot for sunsets, too.

Albufeira Observation Deck

At the opposite end of the beach, above Praia do Peneco is a decked area with a few benches that offers sweeping views. You can save your legs by taking the elevator from the beach. Or zig-zag your way up the ramp and steps.

Find a quality Portuguese souvenir to take home

You’ll find plenty of souvenir shops in Albufeira but most sell fairly generic imports. If you’d like something more authentically Portuguese, these are the places I’d suggest.

If you’re looking for good quality cork products, try Surpresa Inadiável (Avenida 25 de Abril, 10). They have great collections by Portuguese designers and they also sell ceramics and cataplanas, among other things.

If you prefer leather goods then Kitanda at R. Alves Correia, 13, is the place to go.

Alternatively, you could make your own unique souvenir. Try this private jewellery workshop where you can learn some traditional silversmith techniques and create a piece of jewellery to take home with you.

Visit local wineries

The rural regions of the Algarve produce good quality wines and, although it’s easy to pick up a bottle from the local supermarket or restaurant, it’s well worth the effort to go and actually see how and where the wines are produced.

There are several family-owned wineries that offer tours and tastings. This wine and tapas tour shows how a local winery works and you get to take off-road tracks to view some of the local viewpoints.

Is Albufeira a good base for exploring the Algarve?

Albufeira can work well as a base for exploring the Algarve, particularly if you’re planning to hire a car, join guided tours or use ride-hailing apps to get around.

However, if you’re looking for a more traditional Portuguese atmosphere, you may prefer places such as Tavira, Lagos or parts of the western Algarve.

👉 See my guide to the best things to do in the Algarve for more ideas.

Not sure whether Albufeira is the right base for your Algarve trip?

If you’re trying to choose between Albufeira, Lagos, Tavira or somewhere quieter, my Portugal Trip Planning Consultation can help you build an itinerary that matches your travel style and available time.

👉 Find out about the Portugal Trip Planning Consultation

Getting to Albufeira

If you’re flying into Portugal, it might be worth looking into Faro airport as there are direct flights from several international airports. It’s 46 km and a straightforward journey to Albufeira from there.

If you plan to explore the surrounding area, or take a road trip, without using any of the tours I mentioned above, I’d consider hiring a car from the airport, just to give you that extra flexibility and freedom.

👉 Compare car rental prices with DiscoverCars

Alternatively, take a private transfer from the airport to your accommodation in Albufeira.

For a budget transport option, Flixbus run a regular service. Albufeira’s train station is quite far out of town so you’d probably need a cab or bus to get to your lodgings.