Albufeira
I promise to get some good photographs of Albufeira, but no matter how hard I try, I always get distracted by all the things to see and do in one of the most popular tourist centres of the Algarve.
In direct contrast to Messines, Albufeira with its huge selection of shops and entertainment, is within easy reach for the shopaholics, or for a not so quiet night out.
At its heart, Albufeira is still a traditional fishing village and well worth a day spent either soaking up the sun or browsing the shops where the range of goods is amazing, everything from local handicrafts to the latest high fashions, jewellery and so much more.
The town bursts with life come the evening, superb bars, restaurants and its many Nightclubs will spoil you for choice. This is the most famous and largest of the Algarve's tourist resorts with attractions and entertainments to cater for all tastes, ages and budgets.
The main beaches for the town are "Town beach" and the famous "Fisherman's Beach", still with its brightly painted, and working, fishing boats drawn up on the sand during the day. Both beaches are superb long stretches of golden sand set against a backdrop of cliffs supporting the Algarvian cottages of the old town and flanked by strange tooth like rock formations.
Beyond the main beaches, both to the East and the West there are many small sandy coves set between the eroded rocky cliffs.
A short distance from Albufeira is the recently opened "Algarve Shopping" centre, popular with Portuguese and tourists alike for the range of quality shops to be found. Many of the products that you use at home will be found on the well stocked shelves of "Continente", one of the biggest supermarkets in the region providing one-stop shopping for foodstuffs, clothing, drinks and household goods.
The centre also has a choice of restaurants and cafés along with a multi screen cinema showing the latest releases (mostly in English with Portuguese sub-titling) and a large Bowling Alley.
Directions: from Casa Arabella drive to the Messines crossroad and turn right until you reach the first roundabout. Take the first exit to the right and onto the slip road signposted for Faro/Portimão, this is the "IC1", the slightly older direct road linking Faro to Lisbon. Follow the road for approx 20 km and then follow the well signposted routes into the town. The roads are good and the journey will only take 15 minutes or so. The roads are clearly shown on our area map
