Holiday apartments, airbnb and villas in Albufeira

A gem on Portugal's Algarve coast, Albufeira is the perfect blend of culture, beautiful scenery and fun things to do. Discover a beautiful holiday villa in Portugal, the sun-kissed destination which is becoming more and more popular as a holiday destination, so get there first and book a holiday apartment or villa in Albufeira this summer!

When to go

Thanks to its great location on the Mediterranean coast, Albufeira has warm weather all year round. The highest temperatures are in the summer, and the water is also nice and cool at this time of year, making it the perfect time to visit if you want to spend a lot of time at the beach and perhaps even take part in some water sports. However, this is also the busiest time of year for tourism in the Algarve, so if you'd like a more peaceful holiday while still enjoying the sun, try booking between March and May for lower prices and fewer tourists.

How to get there

Centrally located in Portugal's picturesque Algarve coastline, Albufeira is fairly simple to get to from most places. You can fly to either Lisbon or Faro airport, but Faro is much closer, so if Albufeira is your principal or only destination, book a flight here. Albufeira's convenient location means it is perfect for a day trip from one of Portugal's best loved cities, so be sure to hit up these sunny shores in less than an hour from your holiday rental in Faro. Consequently, if you rent a car for your holiday, Albufeira is only around 40 minutes' drive from Faro airport. If you don't want to drive, however, public transport is another great option. Trains in Portugal run between all major cities and Albufeira, with five daily journeys between your accommodation in Lisbon and Albufeira. Similarly, bus companies such as Eva Transportes can take you from anywhere else in Portugal to Albufeira. Be sure to arrange transport between the bus or train station and your holiday rental in Albufeira, as bus stops are varied in location and the train station is around 6km outside the city centre.

Where to stay in Albufeira

Old Town

The beautiful Old Town in Albufeira is the perfect place to choose a holiday apartment if you want to be in the thick of things whilst also staying in a quaint, charming area of the town. Buildings here are old and picturesque and there are lots of tiny alleys with independent shops and cafés to experience a taste of everyday life in the Algarve. This area of Albufeira is also home to some of the most significant cultural sites, such as the Museum of Sacred Art and the Sant'Ana Church, making it perfect for holidaymakers who like to get a taste of the local culture. Book a holiday villa as close as possible to the Jardim Público de Albufeira, the town's main square, to be in the centre of what's going on.

Areias de São João

Also known as the Strip, Areias de São João is the centre of Albufeira's famous nightlife. This area is probably the most busy and bustling, so it's ideal for young people looking to book a holiday home for a fun party holiday on the Algarve. The Strip is focused on nightlife, so there are tons of bars, restaurants, nightclubs and karaoke joints: definitely not one for children, but perfect for hen parties, stag dos or holidays with friends!

Oura

This part of Albufeira is the best of both worlds: close to both the Strip and the beach, it's much more family friendly but still has easy access to all the bars and restaurants if you're tempted by the nightlife once or twice during your break in the Algarve. Book a holiday villa in Oura if you want to spend your days in Albufeira lounging by the beach while still being able to get a feel for the local culture.

How to get around in Albufeira

One of the Algarve's charms is how varied your holidays there can be. If you're planning simply to stay and relax in Albufeira itself, you won't need to rent a car: parking is quite limited, so the cheap public transport between the new and old towns will do just fine. However, if you are interested in exploring the larger Algarve area, it makes sense to rent a car. This will allow you to discover hidden gems on the Portuguese coast: an essential for the curious traveller!

What activities to do

Beaches

One of the main attractions of Albufeira is the wealth of beaches nearby. Praia dos Pescadores is directly in front of the Old Town of Albufeira and it is really sandy, so this is probably the easiest option to catch some sun while you stay in Albufeira. A livelier option - particularly popular with younger tourists - try Praia da Oura, which is bustling with restaurants, bars and cafés and is near the Strip. Finally, if you want to try out water sports, head for Praia de Sao Rafael, where the shallow waters are perfect for snorkelling!

Zoo de Lagos

With more than 150 different animal species and lots of daily events such as feedings, the zoo is a perfect day out for families or young people. It is open all year round and offers a welcome respite from the blazing sun at the beach; dedicate a day to doing something different like this to really get the most out of your time in the Algarve. There is even a beach at the zoo if you can't get enough of the summer sun!

Tour of the historical Algarve

Perfect for tourists who want to explore the culture of Portugal and the Algarve in particular, this tour is a fantastic opportunity to see all the most significant sights in and around Albufeira. You can be picked up directly from your hotel or holiday villa in Albufeira and you will visit sites such as the mountains, Moorish castles and cathedrals and the towns of Lagos and Cape Saint Vincent. Within the tour, you can also get lunch in one of the picturesque coastal towns, visit museums and monuments and take part in wine tastings.

Water park

The ultimate day out for families with young children, there are several water parks in the Algarve, some even with theme parks attached. Take a break from the beach and splash around in a slightly different setting! These water parks usually have restaurants, cafés and bars so everything you need for a totally relaxing day is all there.