Albufeira is located in the Algarve on the Southern Coast of Portugal. It’s a popular holiday hot spot, not least because there are so many great things to do whether you’re traveling with a group of friends, your family or significant other. Here’s our pick of the top ten things to do in Albufeira on the water and on land.
- Take a sunset boat trip
- Visit the Bengali caves
- Fly by the seat of your dress
- Go parasailing
- Head out on a kayak
- Browse the local stores
- Visit the churches
- Enjoy local food
- Lounge at a cocktail bar
- Take a wine tasting tour
- How to get to Albufeira
Take a sunset boat trip
By far, the best way to enjoy Albufeira is from the ocean. There are many different boat cruises available in Albufeira, whether you want a group tour or a private catamaran.
One of the best things to do in Albufeira is to take a sunset cruise. This means that you avoid the mid-day heat whilst on the boat and can enjoy a wonderful temperature as you cruise the various bays and attractions. You might even spot some dolphins along the way.
We think that this tour is one of the best. It lasts from 5 to 6 hours and includes an open bar and a beach BBQ.
Visit the Bengali caves
The Bengali caves are one of the most popular things to do in Albufeira. The best way to see them is to take a boat tour, or to kayak. Inside the cave you’ll find a hidden beach surrounded by calm blue waters. Try a boat trip like the one below to see the caves of Bengali.
Fly by the seat of your dress
Ok, so you won’t actually take off during this flying dress experience. But, you’re sure to get a few great photos out of it. This new experience in Albufeira offers you the chance to dress up in a gigantic dress and pose for a photo shoot in some of the most impressive locations. At $300, this is an expensive experience, but may suit someone looking for a special treat and some photos to remember.
Go parasailing
If you actually do want to fly, why not try parasailing? Although this is a short adventure, it’s sure to get the adrenaline going as you fly up to 80m into the sky. Expect to pay around $30 for this adventure. Definitely one of the best things to do in Albufeira on the water.
Head out on a kayak
One of the most popular ways to see Albuferia is by kayak. For around $30, you can take a guided tour of the coast line on a group kayak trip. This means that you can see the best sights up close and personal, plus, it’s a great chance to cool down as you splash about in the water!
Browse the local stores
No visit to Albufeira is complete without exploring the old town. Set around a square, you will find lots of quaint little streets lined with restaurants and local vendors. Check out the colorful dresses and accessories, like leather handbags. You can also find all your souvenirs in this area. Exploring the old town is one of our favorite things to do in Albufeira.
Visit the churches and monuments
If you need a break from the sea and sand, you could take some time to visit a quieter part of Albufeira and see some local churches and monuments. The church of Santa’Ana is one of the most idyllic small churches of the area – you can find it here. Whilst in the area, you can also visit the statue of São Vicente de Albufeira here.
Enjoy local food
The most popular traditional dish in the Algarve is Cataplana. This dish is named after the pot that it is cooked in, which is a clam shaped dish thought to take influence from Arabic cooking styles. You’ll find Cataplana served in the vast majority of restaurants in Albufeira, with seafood Cataplana being the most popular option. The food will be served in a Cataplana dish at the table. A delicious Cataplana is definitely one of the best things to do in Albufeira.
Lounge at a cocktail bar
It wouldn’t quite be a summer holiday without a cocktail or two. In Albufeira, there is a good range of cocktail bars to choose from. If you’re by the Marina, try Belize Bar, with a large deck overlooking the boats. Closer to the beach, Sunset Beach Club has some lounge seats overlooking the sea and an abundance of shaded seating from which to enjoy your pina colada. Further away from the crowds, you can find Blue Bell Bar, which has a decent size terrace and sea view.
Take a wine tasting tour
If you haven’t quite got your sea legs but you’re keen to explore a little more beyond the beach, why not take a wine tasting tour? Portugal has some incredible wine, not least Vinho Verde, a light crisp white wine that is super popular in 2023. This wine tasting tour, will take you to a local winery to sample the wines at the source of where they are made. It also includes transport back to your hotel.
How to get to Albufeira
The nearest airport to Albufeira is Faro. There are frequent flights into and out of Faro every day, including some low cost airlines.
You can check rates on Sky Scanner below.
If you are coming to Albufeira from elsewhere in Portugal the best option is to take a bus or train. The train from Lisbon to Albufeira takes around 2 hour 30 minutes, compared to the bus which takes around 3 hours. The bus tends to be the cheaper option. Buses are also available from Lagos and other areas of Portugal. You can check rates below.
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