Albufeira: the Saint-Tropez of Portugal

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Albufeira was originally a picturesque fishing village along the Algarve coast. But from the 70s of the twentieth century the fishing village has developed to become the main tourist center of the Algarve. Albufeira is nicknamed the Saint-Tropez of Portugal. This lively seaside resort offers tourists golden beaches alternating with rocky cliffs and an intense nightlife, full of clubs, restaurants, bars.

Not far from Albufeira, towards the interior of the Algarve you will find the peaceful and relaxing landscapes typical of Portugal. You can make pleasant excursions in the interior. For example, it is possible to visit the nearby town of Alte, a pretty village in the center of lush hills.

At the time of the Romans, Albufeira was called Baltum, from this period we can admire the remains of the Roman bridges of Paderne and Guia. From the eighth century it was occupied by the Arabs and was called Al-Buhera. This period was a flourishing period for the town, which became an important trading port with North Africa. In 1250 it was conquered by King Alfonso III of Portugal.

Albufeira was devastated by some earthquakes, the most impressive of which was especially that of 1755. After these events the city suffered from a long period of decline which lasted until the tourist development of the last few decades.

WHAT TO SEE: THE MAIN ATTRACTIONS OF ALBUFEIRA

Albufeira is a town famous for its enchanting beaches of fine sand, for the turquoise sea and for the rocky walls overlooking the sea.

Among the beaches around Albufeira, three beaches are to be mentioned directly in the town of Albufeira: Peneco, Pescadores and Inatel. Praia de Galé, on the other hand, is a long, equipped, sandy beach, squeezed between the rocky walls. Near Albufeira there are two other small, uncrowded beaches: Praia de Castelo, with a beautiful bay protected by beautiful rock formations, and Praia de Coelha, with a small beach located between beautiful cliffs.

Praia de São Rafael and Praia Vigia are beaches of great beauty separated by rocks, both equipped. In the nearby villages of Ponte Pequena and Ninho das Andorinhas there are beautiful rock formations. Praia de Falésia is a long equipped beach, lined with pine trees and cliffs. Other beaches are found to end up in Baleeira, Oura, Balaia, Maria Luísa and Olhos de Agua.

In the small historic center of Albufeira, the church of São Sebastião is worth a visit, with a beautiful Manueline-style portal. Folkloric is the return of fishing boats to Praia dos Barcos.

Among the interesting places near Albufeira we can mention Armação de Pera, Boliqueime, Guia and finally Paderne with a suggestive ruined castle, isolated on a hill.