If you are a fan beach holiday, you should visit the popular resort of Albufeira (Portugal), which is located in the southern region of the country - Algarve. The town grew from a once quiet fishing village and over time became a favorite destination for tourists from different countries peace. The city itself is small - about 25 thousand residents live in it. But at the height of the season, this number increases ten times!
The resort is surrounded by beautiful beaches, orange trees and pine trees. All conditions have been created for vacationers: comfortable hotel accommodation, rich night life, restaurants, clubs, boutiques, discos. Any entertainment is available on the beaches: from windsurfing and diving to water skiing and jet skis.
Urban transport
The city is located on steep hills, so walking consists of serious ascents and descents. The life of tourists is made easier thanks to a special type of transport - a car with small trailers attached to it. This mini-train runs at intervals of 20 minutes. (summer) and 40 min. (in winter). The trip costs about 2.2 euros per person. Children under 6 years old do not require a ticket.
There are five bus routes in the city that will take you to all the main attractions in Albufeira in Portugal. They work from 7 am to ten pm. The fare is 1.3€.
For those who prefer to take a taxi, the prices are as follows: landing fee is 2.8 €, each kilometer of the journey costs 0.5 €. Uber also works.
Attractions
This place is famous not only for its beautiful beaches and the ocean. Where to go for a walk and what to see in Albufeira is also not a question. There are many interesting sights and all kinds of entertainment here.
To help visitors, there are signs that will help you find all the attractions of Albufeira. Let's focus on the most significant objects.
Old city
This is the most picturesque part of Albufeira and its main attraction. The attention of tourists is attracted by the Moorish style of buildings - narrow streets bordered on both sides by white stone houses. Arab domination remains in the distant past, reminding of itself with the only surviving arch - a fragment of an ancient mosque. In its place now stands the first Christian church in the city.
Walking along the steep narrow streets leading down (up) you will feel the spirit of the ancient Moorish culture, which had a strong influence not only on the city, but on the whole of Portugal. The snow-white houses, built in the 18th century, were not damaged by earthquakes or wars.
Church of St. Anne After walking through the streets of the Old Town, you can stop by a cafe and have a snack on fried seafood. After refreshing yourself, be sure to visit the main religious attraction of Albufeira - the Church of St. Anne. From the inside, it amazes with its splendor, ancient frescoes and exquisite decoration. Entrance to the temple is free.
The park is a suitable place to relax with children. It is located a few kilometers from Albufeira and covers an area of 8 hectares. The rich program is equally interesting for both children and adults. All shows and entertainment involve sea animals.
In the aquarium you can observe the aquatic and terrestrial life of its inhabitants. There are several species of sharks here. By visiting the 4D cinema, you will visit educational journey across the ocean. The Albufeira Water Park has many swimming pools, attractions, recreation areas, shops and restaurants. You will find flights on a pirate ship, a ride on a Ferris wheel, water slides and much more interesting things. You can have a snack at any local restaurant or organize a picnic right on the green lawn of the park.
Additional Information
- An entrance ticket including all attractions costs 29 €. The ticket price for children (5–10 years old) and pensioners (from 65 years old) is 21 €.
- The park's opening hours are 10:00 - 18:00 (in summer 10:00 - 19:30). He starts working in March and ends in November.
- You can get to the attraction from any resort on a special bus. You can buy a ticket at a kiosk or book online, and you will be given a transport schedule.
The best place to start exploring Albufeira is with observation deck. You can get there by bus or walk. From above, the resort is clearly visible: wide beaches, endless ocean and the snow-white Old Town. The most best photos Albufeiras are obtained from this site.
Once you go down the open escalator, you will immediately find yourself on the embankment, from where you can go to the beach or to the center to explore the local attractions.
Gale (Praia Gale)
Gale Beach is divided by a cliff into two parts: the western, bordering Salgados, and the eastern, resting on huge cliffs. The name Gale translates as shipwreck and is associated with the events of the Middle Ages. Due to the length of the coastline, covered with delicate golden sand, Gale is considered the longest among all the beaches of Albufeira.
All conditions have been created for vacationers: from free car parking to showers and rental of beach accessories. Those who like to conquer the waves can rent surfboards and use the services of an instructor.
You can get to Gale from Albufeira by bus number 74 or 75. They depart from the bus station at intervals of one hour. The journey takes 20 minutes and costs 1 €.
Praia dos Olhos de Água
Compared to others, this beach in Portugal is small - its length is just over 300 meters. Excellent infrastructure, red soft sand, but swimming here is not very comfortable due to the cool water (this is due to the underwater current). But here there is freedom for surfers.
The daily ebb and flow of the tides miraculously changes the landscape. At low tide you can admire the exposed rocks and algae, mineral springs gushing out from under the stones (the water tastes good).
Salgados (Praia dos Salgados)
This beach is located farthest from the city, so the majority of vacationers are staying in hotels in Salgados. It is clean and well-groomed, has fine sand and a comfortable, smooth entry into the water, so you can relax here with kids. Renting sunbeds and umbrellas costs 15 €. A wide variety of restaurants and cafes allow you to choose an establishment that suits your budget. There's even a Thai massage hut here.
You can come here by bus or rent a car. Parking is free.
It is also called Golden Beach, thanks to its fine golden sand. The place is especially popular among local residents. The entrance to the water is smooth, without stones, which is clearly visible during low tides. Like other places in the Algarve region of Portugal, there are many small coves surrounded by steep cliffs.
Praia da Oura is equipped with everything necessary for relaxation, beach and water activities. Locals and some tourists sunbathe directly on the sand, laying down a mat or beach towel, saving on the cost of renting a sunbed (15 €). The steep descent to the beach will be a problem for people with foot problems.
Where is the best place to stay?
Hotel Santa Eulalia Praia Although the resort is small, there are no problems with tourists staying. Here you can find any accommodation: from a luxurious room in a fashionable hotel to a room in an inexpensive guest house. The most popular are three- and four-star hotels.
They are equipped with free Wi-Fi, cable TV, air conditioning. Some rooms have a kitchen where you can prepare your own meals. The hotels have swimming pools for children and adults, playgrounds etc.
Velamar Sun&Beach Hotel The farther from the center, the lower the prices, and the service is no worse. For example, in the Velamar Sun&Beach Hotel, located in the suburbs, you can use a number of useful services: bicycle rental, free transfer V historical Center Albufeira.
A double room in a 3-4 star hotel costs from 90 € per night in high season. The price of the same room in an elite hotel is 180–220 €. Hotels on the coast will cost more: 120 (three-star) and 300 € (five-star).
The most affordable option is hostels. A minimum bed costs 40 euros per day.
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Weather
Albufeira is located in the south of Portugal and is the sunniest place. The mountains protect Albufeira from cold winds, while a warm wind blows from the south. Average air temperature in winter time+16 degrees, and in summer +27. It rains during the October-March season, so it is better to come here in the summer.
The hottest months are July and August. This period refers to the high season when most tourists arrive. The temperature rises to +30 degrees. The highest water temperature in Albufeira occurs in August (up to +24 degrees).
In September, the heat drops by a couple of degrees, but the sea has time to warm up. This is a good time to relax with children. Beach season in this part of Portugal it ends towards the end of October.
Nutrition
There are plenty of places in Albufeira where you can eat deliciously and inexpensively. Of course, the most expensive establishments are located in the Old Town and on the embankment. National cuisine consists mainly of dishes prepared from seafood and fish. Potatoes are usually served as a side dish in different variations.
Restaurante Vivaldo's Restaurants and cafes in the mid-price category have quite affordable prices.
- Dinner for two people (with wine) costs approximately 32 euros.
- The same dinner in the city center will cost 40–50 euros. The establishments serve (by our standards) quite large portions, so you can order half of the dish.
- Lunch for one inexpensive restaurant will cost 10-11 €. Often for this price you can get a 3-course “menu of the day”, which includes a first, main course and a salad or dessert of your choice.
How to get to Albufeira
Albufeira does not have its own airport, so it is best to fly from Russia and other CIS countries to Lisbon or to the city of Faro, where there is also international Airport. And from there you can get to the resort.
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By train from Lisbon
The distance from Lisbon to Albufeira is approximately 250 km. You can get there in any way: by bus, train or rent a car. The most common option is the Lisbon – Albufeira train.
Departure point: central Train Station Lisboa Oriente.
You can get from Lisbon to Albufeira by train in three hours. Ticket costs from 20.6 euros. Prices depend on the train and carriage class.
Check the website for current train schedules and ticket prices. railway Portugal - www.cp.pt.
You can view the current schedule and purchase tickets online at www.rede-expressos.pt
By bus from Faro
From Faro to Albufeira 45 km. The most convenient way to get there is by bus. They travel both from the airport building and from the Faro city bus station. Flights operate from 6:30 to 20:00.
Travel time is 55 minutes, ticket price is 5 euros.
Prices on the page are for June 2018.
Going on a trip on such famous resort, like Albufeira (Portugal), it is best to plan your trip well in advance, purchase tickets and book accommodation in advance. Then nothing will spoil your holiday.
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With this post I fill the gap for Portugal, a trip to which took place in August last year. I’ll try to help those who have not yet chosen a summer vacation destination and tell you in detail about holidays on the Portuguese coast Algarve in its resort capital - the city of Lagos.
Not everyone likes to drive around the coast in a rented car, like the lightning man, even at the most beautiful places. Most people have neither the opportunity nor the desire to travel for this type of vacation.
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For such tourists, the Portuguese Algarve has two most famous cities - two local tourist capitals, Lagos and Albufeira. We visited both cities, and if I were going on vacation with my mother-in-law, wife, and three young children, choosing a classic vacation format, I would choose the city of Lagos, which I’m going to talk about.
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Lagos is an ancient port city with more than 2000 summer history. We no longer know what it looked like before; in 1755, Portugal was shaken by an earthquake and tsunami, which destroyed most of the historical beauty on the coast.
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When choosing housing, I would prefer Old city. In its favor are approximately the same distance from city beaches, a beautiful center enhanced by several attractions and evening life, of course.
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A good morning begins with the city market; you are unlikely to have to buy anything, but it’s definitely worth looking at what else was floundering in the ocean today. At least to know what to order for lunch at local restaurants.
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The market is almost the only place where you can get a feel for the city, except for the local bus station where backpackers arrive. The market is located right on the embankment, there are mainly locals who go about their grocery and household business. There is no pathos or ostentatiously beautiful stalls; the most interesting thing here is the fish rows and local merchants.
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Before the heat drives you to the luxurious ocean beaches, you can have time to see what has survived the destructive work of Mother Nature. We must pay tribute to the restorers and builders of all generations, thanks to them, today's Lagos is a landmark in itself, very nice old town.
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Just behind the market is Temple of San Sebastian, it’s good because its observation deck offers the best view of the city, I won’t show you any pictures. We were too lazy to climb up and left a reason for the next visit.
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For a classic tourist - classic sights without any irony; I myself like to visit old churches or look at the city from above. Church of Santa Maria, almost on the embankment, a fountain and an almost deserted square, no wonder - August, 70 percent on the beach, the rest in local bars.
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Next to the church on the embankment there is a fort and the remains of the city fortress. We’re going in just for show, we don’t want to go inside, we’ve already seen a couple of such wonders. The fort has good views of the coast, but Lagos There are plenty of free viewing spots from which the views are no worse than those in National Geographic stories and completely free, which is important - lunch is ahead.
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Where are the restaurants in Lagos? On the streets adjacent to the Bensafin River embankment, a little on the narrow streets adjacent to the center and a lot on the main tourist street on April 25
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It’s more expensive here, but it’s not worth looking for places where locals dine in Lagos, this is not Lisbon. Almost all the places here are touristic, and so are the prices. So, be willing to part with 25-30 euros for a meal for two and enjoy. IN low season will be much cheaper.
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There are a lot of places where you can dine in Lagos, mostly all of them are tourist. Therefore, I will not recommend anything specific.
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Except at the end streets April 25 I can recommend the Bon Vivant cafe - red in the photo, a good choice drinks, an unusual interior and most importantly - an open area on the roof, from there good view outside
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There are such boring tourist restaurants that look like canteens. Right in the alley so that your little head doesn’t get baked. It's a solid +34 Celsius outside. Most likely they are designed for organized groups of pensioners from England.
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Another attraction St. Anthony's Church is located in the old center of Lagos, bristling with ancient spiers and towers and perfectly copes with its decorative role for most tourists, adding coziness to the narrow winding streets.
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The main attractions of Lagos are the ocean, beautiful cliffs and beaches. Let's go to Ponta Piedada– a cape on which there is a lighthouse and the so-called “first rocks” of the Algarve. In our case, we went, but you can walk there in about half an hour - the place is on the outskirts of Lagos.
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You can spend half a day here, swim around the rocks on a boat or sit at the top enjoying the view. There is free parking for cars near the lighthouse; we leave the car, go down the wooden stairs and take an hour-long walk through the grottoes and picturesque rocks. Price 25 euros for two.
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Boating is the main attraction for tourists, it is well organized and streamlined.
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The second most beautiful place in Lagos - Dona Ana beach, in July-August there are quite a lot of people. Nearby there are a couple of hotels and unfinished, unfinished construction, I already wrote about this above. The beauty of the beach and the views from the hotel make up for minor shortcomings.
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It is best to sunbathe and swim on Dona Ana beach before lunch, and take photographs in the late afternoon. And even then, the sun seems to be moving along the sea, and by 17.00 the rocks are already half in the shadow.
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There are several beaches in the city of Lagos, which is why the city is good. On the opposite side of the beach Dona Ana there is a long sandy city beach Meia Praia. You can get there by car, or you can walk - just cross the bridge from the embankment.
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This long sandy beach is more suitable for lovers of a classic beach holiday; there are no waves, a gentle entrance to the water and warm water. And this is one of the most warm beaches on the Algarve coast, why it is loved by couples with children or simply not too active tourists.
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Other beaches near Lagos. There are a lot of them, but if you choose the most beautiful one, this is it. I wrote about it in detail here. Or choose the appropriate option from list of the best beaches in the Algarve. But for this you need a car, and this is a completely different format of recreation.
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The nearest surroundings or where you can go for the whole day.
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Firstly, this is the neighboring town of Lagoa, we just lived in its vicinity. There is more local flavor and a couple of good local wine shops.
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One of them can be found in the very center, the choice and prices are nicer than in tourist Lagos.
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In addition to the liquor store, take a walk along the narrow and completely deserted streets Lagoa(Lagoa), it is only crowded in the morning on weekdays, when people go to work or to the market. For those who are tired of the crowd and bustle - a must.
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The local market is also worth visiting, but in the morning, of course.
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There is much more real Portugal in Lagoa than in Lagos. The city is located about seven kilometers from the ocean, which for some reason the locals call the sea. Nearest beach Carvoeiro not bad, but interesting for those tourists who have not read my posts about Portugal and therefore chose it as a vacation spot. The place is quite sad, the beach is ordinary by the standards of Portugal, and also very small.
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Near Lagos, close to Lagoa there is the town of Silves, without which a walk around the outskirts of Lagos would be incomplete. Silves has a cathedral and an ancient Arab fortress.
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The cathedral is like a cathedral, and the fortress will be of interest only to those who are interested in the Arab period of Portuguese history or to those who are traveling through Europe for the first time. If you decide and have time, you can spend a couple of hours. For us, a small consolation was the figs that grew abundantly in the courtyard of the fortress. You can calmly pick it and eat it with complete impunity and free of charge. You won’t want to have lunch after it – that’s a guarantee.
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Faro and Albufeira are behind me, on my way to Lagos
We passed through some clay towns, and finally, it was Lagos. Looks great. The bus station is right next to the marina. The evening sun, and in its rays magical yachts and ships shimmer with special shades of white. Wonderful promenade. But I don't live here. The hostel advised me to take a taxi, like it would take half an hour to walk. At first I refused, but then I decided that I could easily afford 4 euros. But here’s another quest – find a taxi. There weren't any at the station, so I went to the city center. So what? Flip flops are comfortable shoes.
Finally, a taxi was found. I quickly explained in melodious Portuguese where I needed to go, and we went. Right along this wonderful promenade, past ancient cathedrals illuminated by the sun, past monuments and pine parks. We arrived surprisingly quickly. Not all taxi drivers are scammers. When I sat down, they told me 5. When we arrived, it turned out to be 4.15. They gave me change down to a penny, although I didn’t really count on it and had already mentally said goodbye to 5 euros.
They were waiting for me at the hostel, there’s even a swimming pool. But why do I need a pool if there is a sea!
I immediately found out everything I needed. But I couldn’t decide whether I should go to Cape San Vincent tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. It all depended on the weather, they promised rain. In the rain it is better on the cape than on the beach. In general, I decided not to bother myself, but to see how it goes.
And so it went - I went to explore the city center.
The main lesson today is don't ask for directions from people who look local but speak English. At the first fork, the map couldn’t tell me exactly where I was, so I asked a man with a dog for directions. With a dog!!! So, local.
But no, he showed me the way in English and then a new quest began. The streets I walked along were pleasant, wide and snow-white with luxury villas and expensive condominiums on both sides. But bad luck - they weren’t on the map.
On the side in the distance I saw the sea, and it seemed to me that the path led somewhere to where I needed to go. But when the road sharply climbed towards new luxury villas and snow-white condominiums, I saw two teenagers. Let me ask, there are no other people on the streets. The answer was basically expected. No, this street will never lead you to the center. Clear. I thought so. Don't trust people with dogs who speak English.
I didn’t lose anything, of course, but in the end I came to the center, albeit not after as much time as I had planned.
What is a center? It is a collection of streets, churches, monuments, restaurants and souvenir shops surrounded by a fortress wall.
I was terribly thirsty, and I saw these magic letters - batido de banana. And a dear old lady sold them. She explained to me that 4 euros is very cheap. Hmmm. Okay, I'll make a discount on a huge glass and the city center. But it's never cheap. But it’s very tasty.
Meanwhile, the sun sets even lower, and now the yachts take on new shades. Very nice place. And there are few people. As usual, everything is in the city center stores. I don’t understand this topic, they sell anything from plastic crap to gold and the stores are full. Is it really necessary to bring gold back from vacation???
In general, I couldn’t understand this, so I wandered around the alleys for a bit according to the “away from the crowd” principle, admired the beautiful snow-white houses and left the fortress wall. There is a good restaurant here. Or rather, it seemed to me that it should be quite good, and I was not mistaken.
Inexpensive, they don’t serve cubierto, there is Wi-Fi, it’s quite crowded (which means it’s good). I’ll sit here for a while, taste the octopus salad and meat!!! There were no ribs, oh sadness. But it turned out to be just a pig. I guess I haven’t eaten meat for a long time, so go ahead. I learned a new word in Portuguese – fork (garfo). Nothing to do with the Spanish tenedor. I chatted with a friend who sells boat trips in a mixture of all languages. But I still need to practice the local dialect. I’m training, I’m getting better every day. If I think in simple phrases, I can easily find the right words in my brain and construct wonderful phrases. But, of course, I won’t support a conversation about Navalny in Portuguese.
The road home was easier than the road from home. I’m already getting my bearings and avoiding questions addressed to obscure people with dogs. But I was also caught on the street by motorists asking how to get there. I already knew the answer, so I was happy to help!
The day is over, there are only Germans in the hostel. My neighbor is a very friendly young lady. I told her everything I remember from German lessons at school. Well, about Lenin. And of course, everything I knew about Frankfurt. But I knew the most basic thing about it – the airport.
I need to plan out my further movements a little, otherwise I don’t know what I’ll do tomorrow. Detailed Excel spreadsheets with schedules and detailed plans are a thing of the past. Now pure impromptu.
However, I thought of a couple of options “between Lisbon and Porto”. It turned out that I had an extra 2 days, which I spent, I don’t remember what for. It's great - more flexibility, more options, more options. And what’s noteworthy is that I bought Madeira on pseudo-random dates. It seemed to me that on the selected days there would be a plus minus correctly. And I was not mistaken, we could have moved the schedule here or there by a day, but overall the timing was perfect. Well, for the second time in Portugal everything works out as it should. Compensation for spring hepatitis).
The place here is very peaceful. No noise, no parties. Home guest. Like a family. It's time to sleep. Tomorrow new experiences await me, either the beach or the cape. We'll see.
Despite the very early bedtime, it was not possible to get up early. And I was also lamenting that breakfast only starts at 9, and who eats breakfast so late? It must be from 7 am. And then I barely got up at 9.
Breakfast amazed me again. Included in a bed for 10 euros is surreal. Cakes, sausages, hams, cheeses - some kind of holiday. Tomorrow I need to borrow some breakfast for lunch).
So. It's decided. As long as there is sunshine, I will go to the beach. Sagres and the Cape will be tomorrow!
The walk to the beach again turned out to be a quest; my friendship with Portuguese maps is not going well. But when the sea is visible ahead, it’s easier to walk.
I've arrived.
And just with my arrival the sun went away. However, this small problem did not stop me from spending 2 hours on this marvelous beach, surrounded by majestic cliffs. The map shows a route for mini-trekking along all the beaches. So I’ll go there, just lie down for a bit. There are few people, the wind is quite warm, and the sun sometimes still appears. Pure pleasure. The sound of the sea soothed and caressed my sand-filled ears that I didn’t dare turn on the player. Only sounds of nature today!
So, I'll go trekking. It is absolutely unclear from the map what it should look like. There is a path up the coast along the rock, and people even walk along it, but it is difficult to understand whether it is this or whether this is the territory of luxury condos. I got lost again, and when I felt in my gut that I was walking along a road that was moving me away from what I wanted, I nevertheless returned to the beach and behind the cafe I found this inconspicuous entrance to the path.
What pleased me was that the entire area along the sea is private and fenced off, but the path and a couple of meters from the edge are shared. There is a path there that anyone can follow. Still, they comply with water protection rules. And that's great, because I would be upset if I couldn't see what I saw because of the legal status of the land.
So here it is. At the beginning, I saw the first beach from above, and then something unimaginable for me began. These are exactly the landscapes that I dreamed of seeing. Yes, there is no sun, but the wind and waves, it seems to me, suited this picture even more. It was something. Every meter you could stop and stick. Can't convey. For my simple taste it was simply fantastic. Harsh rocks, waves crashing on the shore, endless expanses, heavy skies, flying birds, incredibly bright bushes, many paths, strong winds. Element! I was delighted.
At one point we had to climb down an almost sheer cliff. I was wearing flip-flops, I'm afraid of heights, and there were no railings. I frantically grabbed the bushes and tried to control my breathing and take every step with extreme caution. I understood the main thing: flip-flops are not for trekking. But I don’t regret that those 5 minutes of horror were in my life. After this, the views became more and more unreal.
True travel is only possible alone. What they say is true. I walked and enjoyed not only the wonders of nature, but also the solitude. There is no need to support idle chatter or simply nod sadly out of politeness. You can just be alone in the whole universe. It may be for a moment, but it is a very pleasant moment.
Looking ahead, I will say that I highly recommend this walk. I think it should be super beautiful in any weather. Here on my map it is marked with a yellow line. Wear sandals!
So in this part of the trekking, which before the ponta de piedrade there was almost no one. Rare couples, rare singles. It’s like you’re alone in a parallel world, there’s no civilization at all. Even the condominiums are somehow seamlessly built into the landscape.
Small beaches appear below from time to time, but when I saw people in wetsuits rising from one of them, I felt sick. One was stuck and could neither forward nor backward. Poor fellow, as I understand him. It made me sick to look at it. And I remember that terrible feeling, like on the way from Machu Picchu, when you can’t take a step forward or back. After a nervous 30 km a day on rails without stopping over the final abyss, I lost my courage. I took one step forward and froze. Then I simply didn’t see an option for myself to lift the second one and move it to the first one, or to remove the first one back to the second one. In words it seems simple. But in reality.... My calves were shaking, drops of sweat appeared on my forehead, it was dark, scary and it seemed like there was nowhere to wait for help. But we are designed in such a way that often after moments of horror everything remains in the past. So here too, the guy gathered his strength and overcame that critical section for him.
I watched this with alarm. And I realized that, of course, I wouldn’t go there. Even if I was wearing sandals. However, the further path was no less picturesque. I wanted to fly like the seagulls screaming nearby, jump, sing, or even just spread my arms to the sides, exposing my face to the headwind.
A great place for a walk. Simply fantastic!
Finally I reached the lighthouse. My verdict: the “before the lighthouse” part is much cooler than the “after the lighthouse” part. There is a tour bus stop here, which means you won’t be able to be at one with nature here. But you will get unity with tourists, of whom there are a lot here.
It turned out to be a wonderful route, yesterday I didn’t think about going along it, I wanted to limit myself to this viewpoint near the lighthouse. But now I see that the scenery along the way from the distant beach to the lighthouse, combined with the desolation of the place and harmony with the natural elements, is a much more impressive experience.
I continue on my way. Something is no longer the case here. The scenery is spoiled by the ugly hotel buildings, however, the rock formations sticking out of the water like irrepressible erect phalluses also excited my eyes. There are boat tours of the grottoes here, but I guess I’ll make do. I will not defile a day of fantastic trekking with vulgar tourist attractions.
Someone didn't reach the final point
The weather begins to deteriorate, although even in the absence of the sun some areas of the water look transparent turquoise, or, as it is fashionable to say, turquoise.
By the way, I recently made a hack in which the beaches were praised as being marked with a blue flag. I couldn’t understand what the hell this blue flag was. I know, red means either communism or you can’t swim. And here it is blue. It turned out that my beaches here are also marked with it. So this is apparently cool.
I like Portugal. Here you can drink tap water. Fill the bottle and off you go. To balance with expensive cigarettes, I guess. And here you can walk without a bra. It's even more than pleasant. I love the summer dress code.
The weather continues to deteriorate, and I begin to feel slightly tired in my legs. In the first part of the trekking there was a mental reboot. I was simply overwhelmed with emotions and delight, but the second one went more smoothly. Well, how could it be otherwise? Where there are people and infrastructure, there is less space for spiritual flight.
I made it to Santa Ana Beach, and then the rain changed its tactics. Instead of light refreshing drops, a downpour began. Not strong, but the bag began to get wet. Well, everything turned out great as always. I enjoyed trekking at that perfect time. Neither cold nor hot. Optimal.
And as soon as it was over, the rain began to fall. I didn’t have time to get to the very last beach, but judging by the prospect opening before my eyes, I wouldn’t have seen anything very new there.
We have to wait out the rain. I bought a chocolate bar, sat down under the canopy of the store and began to wait. The elderly cashier asked about my life, whether I was sad. No, I say, this is me sitting after a walk, thinking, resting, waiting for the end of the rain.
He was pleased with my answer and after 5 minutes he closed the store and offered to take me where I needed to go. Where should I go? I’ll go to yesterday’s tavern to drink tea and watch the rain. Thank you, senior.
Half the people in the tavern are the same. Some tea, a sandwich. 2.3 euros. Quite so. Nearby are young Russian guys. But what topics are being discussed? Religion, politics, universal values. And very young. And without swearing. I was pleasantly surprised, but did not find out where they were from, so as not to inadvertently start a conversation for a couple of hours.
The rain has stopped, it's time for me to go to my place.
Sagres will be tomorrow. The “walk” exercise I learned in meditation helps me. I’m walking along luxury condos and don’t see anything under my nose. And then I focus my attention, and now right in front of me I notice a snail, rapidly heading towards a tree on which something very similar to a persimmon is ripening.
Of course, according to the famous law of the sandwich, as soon as I got home half-wet, the sun immediately came out). But it's not scary. I am very pleased with today's walk. It was incredibly beautiful.
Before going to bed, I went up to the hostel terrace and saw an unusual sunset. A thin strip of sky illuminated by the setting sun between the dark earth below and the stormy sky above. Very beautiful. This strip of light seems to cut through the dark picture. And the evening ocean itself appeared to me in such a light purple glow. Every moment of life is unique. They say the truth.
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Lagos and Albufeira
Why did you combine two cities in one story? - It seemed to me that they were somewhat similar, but at the same time different. They are similar with their narrow streets paved with slippery cobblestones, Moorish-style architecture and endless white houses with patterned chimneys. And it’s equally hot everywhere.
Lagos
Lagos is the largest resort in the Algarve.
You can get to Lagos quickly via the A22 motorway, or a little slower on the N125/
On the horizon are the Monchique mountains, but more on that in another article.
We didn’t have any specific purpose for visiting the city of Lagos; we decided to just take a walk. And in order to have at least some goal, we decided to find a church named after someone there, I don’t remember who.
An attempt to find parking in the city center was unsuccessful and we left the car in a large free parking lot near the ruins old fortress.
There was almost nothing left of the fortress, so it was not of particular interest.
The town of Lagos itself made a favorable impression on me. Despite the heat, if you move along the shady side of the street, your walk will not end in heatstroke.
There is no vegetation on the streets at all; perhaps there is some in the courtyards.
Many apartments offer their services.
Lagos has a large pedestrian street that runs from the old fortress to the city center, but it is crossed by streets where cars drive - be careful. The street is paved with very slippery stones, which also requires attention.
A house whose walls are completely tiled.
Along the pedestrian street we got to large area, in different directions from which there were streets with a bunch of cafes, shops and souvenir shops.
In the central square there is a monument with a Maltese cross and the inscription Lagos, xxxxx xxxxxxx (we never learned to read Portuguese).
The streets are also mostly pedestrian.
The rooster, the symbol of Portugal, can be found everywhere.
There were some minor difficulties in finding the church. I concluded that the majority of Portuguese are atheists and do not go to church at all and do not even know where it is. We asked several locals where the church of someone was located, everyone pointed in different directions, probably everyone had their own, one favorite. Even the address we knew didn’t help. Finally, one old lady explained it to us more or less clearly and we went along the given route.
It was siesta time, but most restaurants and shops continued to work.
We found her!! But like all previous and subsequent churches, it was closed. Yes, it is difficult to be a believer in the Algarve. 
The church housed a local history museum, which, of course, was also closed.
The square and embankment near the temple.
In the square there is a monument to Enrique the Navigator. This Enrique is a completely mysterious character to me. From history lessons, I know a sufficient number of Portuguese sailors and travelers: Vasco de Gama, Ferdinand Magellan, Bartolomeo Dias, Eshcobar of Peru and even Tristan da Cunho. But I knew nothing about Enric the Navigator, who, according to the Alarguians, was practically the only one who explored all the seas and oceans and drew the most accurate map of the world. Although, judging by the dates on the monument, Enrique’s friend lived for about 500 years and during this time, you can definitely accomplish a lot.
We walked around the church - it was definitely closed.
Not far from the church there is a small shop with wine and port. I liked the selection and the prices did not seem very high; the sellers tried to help in choosing. We bought several bottles of port. As it turned out - not bad.
After wandering around a bit, we came out onto a long pedestrian street and headed to the car. I definitely liked the town and it deserves one whole day. Especially if it's not very hot. When you arrive in Lagos, be sure to visit Dona Ana Beach and Cape da Piedade.
But I’ll tell you a little about the cape here.
Cape da Piedade, Algarve.
If you drive through Lagos and continue driving along the coast, you will come across a small lighthouse. There is a fairly large parking lot near the lighthouse. Leave your car in the parking lot and continue on to Cape da Piedade.
There's a lot on the cape observation platforms, from where beautiful views open up.
Unfortunately, the photographs do not convey the scale of what we saw.
There are many boats with tourists floating between the large rocks.
You can go down a long staircase to the very bottom. As I understand it, you can buy a boat excursion there.
A few more photos, nothing to tell, you need to see it.
We return back to the car. In the parking lot there is a toilet, which is amazingly clean, and a cafe where we bought ice cream and ate it with pleasure. I'm not a big ice cream fan, but I thought the Portuguese ice cream from OLA (hello) was delicious.
Albufeira.
As it is written in the guidebook, Albufeira is an ancient fishing village, which, to please tourists, has been turned into a beach holiday center and built up with many hotels.
The descent to the beaches in Albufeira is easier than in Lagos, and the beaches themselves stretch along the entire coast, moving from one to another.
We couldn't find a free parking space near the central part of the city and left the car on a small one-way street, squeezed between two local cars.
The goal was to eat and take a walk.
central part The city is not big at all and you can walk around it at a leisurely pace in less than an hour.
The rest of the city is of little interest.
The central square of the city of Albufeira, as in Lagos, there are small streets running from it in different directions, where almost every house has a restaurant or cafe.
Despite the large selection of places to eat, we didn’t like anything, everything was somehow completely for tourists.
We turned a little to the side from the main street and found a more or less interesting establishment.
The photo showed the owner of the establishment, he was having lunch at the next table, and the cook who fed us. We were pleased with lunch.
Still, a village is just a village and there’s nothing special to see there, or we didn’t find anything.
We walked a little more and went to the car. Albufeira did not leave a big mark on my soul. Lagos is much larger, more interesting and prettier.
Since we are talking about coastal cities, we will briefly dwell on another city - Portimao.
Portimao
Portimao - Big City, located at the mouth of the Arade River in the center of the Algarve.
There is such a wonderful cable-stayed bridge across the Arade River.
Portimao is different from other cities in the Algarve. The city looks modern and fashionable. There are several large ones in the city shopping centers. There is McDonald's, which, believe me, is important if you have children (I know - it's harmful). IN
The tunnel leads to the coast.
Beach de Roca is a large and beautiful beach in Portimao, signs for it can be found before reaching the city.
The streets in Portimão are wide and mostly straight.
Modern houses do not evoke any desire to walk around the city.
Closer to the center you can find the ubiquitous small houses in the Moorish style, but they are lost against the background of modern buildings.
At the mouth of the Arade River there is a parking lot for boats and yachts; on the other side of the river is Ferragudo. You can cross the bridge.
Portimao has affected us positive impression, but I wouldn’t want to rest there. This is already a city in all its senses.
I planned to talk about other cities on the Algarve coast, but I realized that there was no point: small towns and the villages of the Algarve coast are very similar to each other and there is nothing to tell about them.
About the cities of the Algarve.
The southern Portuguese province of Algarve has long and firmly secured its status as a beach recreation area, but tourists planning this vacation should pay attention to the fact that the Algarve stretches along south coast country for 170 km, and your subsequent attitude can radically depend on where you stop on this segment. Without touching on specific hotels and other details, in this article I will try to give generalized assessments of the main cities and towns involved in tourism. I hope this information will help you decide where to live during your vacation. Before choosing a specific locality, you should know that the Algarve has two fundamentally different parts - western (Barlavento) and eastern (Sotavento). Barlavento is more popular among tourists, and this is not so much a matter of tradition as of the nature of the area. This half of the region has a hilly topography with steep and rocky coastlines and beautiful beaches; Pine and eucalyptus copses are often found. The ocean water here is cooler than in the eastern part. In Sotavento, the coastal strip is flat, marshy in places, and is separated from the sea almost throughout its entire length by sand spits. Between them and the shore, the water stagnates, creating a dirty pool, and you can swim in fresh warm water only by crossing the spit. In some places, bridges are made for this, but more often you have to use the services of ferrymen.
As a result of this distribution natural resources a corresponding way of life has developed. In the western part it is more active and urbanized, while the eastern half is occupied mainly by agricultural land with a leisurely, soothing atmosphere (a paradise for retirees). Decide which rhythm is dearer to your soul, and you can move on to choosing a specific locality. Their descriptions follow in order of location on the ground - from east to west.
Monte Gordo like an oasis in the desert, it reveals a source of colorful rich life against the backdrop of a sleepy surrounding area. Situated on the outskirts, it is more connected with Spain than with the rest of the Algarve. Hotels, apartments, bars and restaurants are compactly lined up along the shore. From almost anywhere a couple of minutes walk to the endless smooth sandy beach. The city is a favorite holiday destination for the Dutch and, like Holland, is full of bicycles. The flat terrain surrounded by pine forests is conducive to relaxed cycling. From nearby Vila Real de S.Antonio you can take a boat cruise along the hilly banks of the border river Guadiana, or simply take a ferry ride to the Spanish side and experience the differences between the two cultures. The city is convenient in terms of roads. It is better to come here by bus, because... railway the station is located outside the city. There are no amusement parks nearby.
Tavira located at the mouth of the Gilao River on both its banks. Several bridges together with the historical part of the city form an interesting ensemble, and the river embankment with numerous restaurants is very popular among the population. There are a sufficient number of hotels and apartments to suit different tastes both within the city and in the nearest suburbs, but at the same time Tavira does not bear in its appearance any obvious signs of a tourist center, remaining a completely authentic settlement. Shallow beaches are washed by warm water, but there is no direct quick access to any of them - you need to take a ferry to the sand spits. Convenient transport access and the orchards surrounding Tavira create a cozy atmosphere. Auto and railway the stations are located near the center, there are several supermarkets. There are no amusement parks nearby.
Faro- on everyone’s lips because it is the administrative center of the Algarve province, but even more so because the international airport is located here. From a tourism point of view, only the historical center of the city is of interest. The hotels are small and unpretentious, and are designed mainly for people coming for a couple of days and those for whom proximity to the airport is important. The beach is located on a sandy spit about 10 km from the city, where you cross over a single-track bridge. In summer, a long column of cars lines up near this bridge, and parking spaces on the beach are limited. To the west of the airport stretches a vast pine forest, very popular among cycling enthusiasts. The city center provides good shopping opportunities. The transport system is quite confusing, there are widespread problems with parking, and during peak hours there are traffic jams on all main roads. Auto and railway The stations are located nearby directly in the city center.
Almancil- an ordinary town, not of the slightest interest, but famous for the fact that all the routes to the most civil golf resorts pass through it: Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo. These places are the Algarvian Beverly Hills, and that says it all. Luxurious villas, pine trees and endless golf courses with prices to match. It is here that the watershed between the eastern and western parts of the Algarve passes, both figuratively and literally: east of Quinta do Lago, the coast is separated from the sea by a ridge of sand spits, stretching almost to the border with Spain. There is a karting park just outside Almancil.
Quarteira and Vilamoura– popular ones closest to Faro airport tourist centers. Despite the fact that physically these two cities form a single whole, smoothly flowing into one another, their essence is completely different. Roughly speaking, the people who serve Vilamoura live in Quarteira.
Quarteira- an ordinary philistine city with dense buildings. There are several inexpensive hotels and a campsite, but tourist apartments predominate, almost all located along coastline, which, in turn, is bordered by a continuous long beach. The city is quite bustling, and all the bustle is concentrated along the avenida - the main transport artery running along the coast. Access by transport here is not very convenient, there are chronic difficulties with parking, and the railway. There is no message. In general, the city has no other advantages besides the beach.
Vilamoura- an artificially created purely tourist site. The central part of the city almost entirely consists of large hotels and apartments, including many 4* and 5*. The layout is done on a grand scale; each hotel has its own territory. There is also a casino here - the venue for frequent show programs - but the main life of the city is in full swing around the marina (a harbor for yachts and boats), on the shores of which most of the bars, restaurants and boutiques are located. Pleasure cruises, fishing trips and other types of marine entertainment start from the marina. Only a few hotels have direct access to the beach, so most tourists have to travel a considerable distance on foot or by car. Actually, the beach makes a rather poor impression, and is not one of the main advantages of the resort. Vilamoura is, first of all, a place for a sedate, fashionable audience. Around the multi-storey central part there are complexes of villas and golf courses surrounded by greenery for ten kilometers - an excellent choice for lovers of peace and tranquility. The city and its surroundings are covered with an extensive network of beautiful roads, in which even local. There are no traffic jams here, but access from the main roads is not very convenient; There are no problems with parking. Railway the line runs far away, the bus service also leaves much to be desired. The extensive green surroundings are ideal for light, refreshing jogging and cycling. There are no large supermarkets in the city, prices for all items are too high.
In the immediate vicinity of Quarteira and Vilamoura there is a popular water amusement park "Aquashow", and in nearby Almancil there is a karting track.
Albufeira– the most promoted and very popular resort. This is the “golden mean”, located at the crossroads of paths and opinions. At your service are hotels and apartments in countless numbers, both fitting into the urban environment and scattered within a radius of 10 km throughout the district (districts Olhos de Agua, Gale and Sao Rafael). Here everyone will find an option to suit their wallet - from cheap residences and camping to 5* hotels and private villas. Albufeira is known as the most party city - this is where lovers of bars and disco clubs come in the evenings. The strip of beaches stretches for tens of kilometers, interrupted by small rocks, and gradually changing its appearance - giving everyone the opportunity to choose according to their taste. However, the entire coastal area is urbanized, and if your hotel is far from the sea, then coming to the beach by car and parking will not be an easy task. Access to Albufeira by car is easy and convenient, but during the high season there are often traffic jams at the entrances to the city and difficulties with parking in certain parts of the city. Bus routes connect the city with the surrounding area, as well as with other cities in southern Portugal. Railway the station is located 5 km inland, and people usually get there/from there by taxi. There are several supermarkets within the city and a large commercial center “AlgarveShopping” 5 km to the west along the EN125 highway. In the summer, Albufeira hosts bullfights, and within 10 km to the west there is the Zoomarine oceanographic park and the Fiesa sand sculpture exhibition. Most sea excursions start from the marina (yacht harbor), located beyond the western tip of the city, which creates certain inconveniences in the absence of personal transport. The disadvantages of Albufeira also include its lack of compactness (completely chaotic location of hotels, shops, restaurants, etc.) and the irrationality of the road network, forcing long journeys. The population of the city sometimes increases 10 times (!) in the summer, and, of course, such crowdedness (sometimes noisy) does not have the best effect on recreation.
Armacao de Pera. The once modest fishing village, thanks to the tourism industry, in a short time acquired all the attributes modern city: supermarkets, multi-storey buildings, banks, hotels, restaurants. There are several hotels and apartments within the city limits, but the most popular tourist area Senhora da Rocha west of the city. The principle of “peace and quiet next to civilization” is perfectly implemented here. The picturesque beaches of Sra.da Rocha fill the soul with an idealistic mood, and those who like to “hum” can easily head to the center of Armacao de Pera. Convenient access by car; traffic jams and parking difficulties are extremely rare. There are several passing bus routes whose schedule leaves much to be desired; railway There is no message. As a result, there is a certain “isolation” of the resort, which you don’t feel at all if you have a car. There is a good campsite on the outskirts of the city. There are numerous restaurants on the embankment, many of which offer delicious fresh fish. The entertainment industry is poorly developed, so it is better to contact the hotel reception about this. The Aqualand water park is located 7 km inland; at approximately the same distance, but to the east, there is an exhibition of sand sculptures “FIESA”; a little further – “Zoomarine”.
Carvoeiro- a territory little developed by Russian tourists, which does not degrade its merits. The once small fishing village today is not anything great, but the chic surrounding area is completely covered with villas, tourist apartments and golf complexes surrounded by greenery. There are no lined high-rise buildings or crowded promenades here; this is an area for connoisseurs of natural beauty. Small beaches are nestled here and there in fabulous cliffs, and in the morning you will be greeted by the clicking of seagulls and the chirping of grasshoppers. Evening life is in full swing in the center of the village, but on the next street nothing will disturb your sleep. Great place for family vacation, located away from the main roads. However, getting here is quite convenient, and is best done by car. The bus schedule is far from ideal, the railway. there is no line. On the outskirts of nearby (5 km) Lagoa there are several large supermarkets and the Slide & Splash water amusement park, and if you feel homesick for civilization, you can take a ride to Portimao (15 km).
May the inhabitants of other places forgive me, for there is no city in the Algarve more beautiful than Portimao. Situated at the mouth of the Arade River, it embodies the perfect combination of urbanization and nature. Large and modern, it impresses with its high-rise buildings, avenues and bridges, as well as its embankments, beaches, and varied terrain. A city that leads an active life independent of tourists, and therefore most of the hotels, apartments and entertainment venues are concentrated in the coastal area Praia da Rocha with its grand beaches, and commercial centers, public institutions, exhibition and concert complexes, etc. located in the middle part of the city. However, this part (with its squares, fountains, numerous fish restaurants and a 2-kilometer promenade on the river embankment) is also popular among tourists. Coming to Portimao by train or bus is equally convenient - both stations are located within the city limits. The airfield at Alvor is capable of receiving light aircraft and middle class. Portimao is conveniently located relative to main roads, but during rush hours traffic jams occur at the entrance to the city and at key intersections. Free parking in the Praia da Rocha area can be difficult, but there are several multi-storey paid car parks. Spacious beaches (there are not only sunbathers, but also grounds for volleyball, football, badminton), framed by intricate cliffs, stretch for 5 km, and numerous excursions to grottoes, to the upper reaches of the Arade River, and fishing begin from the marina piers etc. It's great fun to explore the city and its surroundings by bike or go kayaking along the river.
In fact, today it is worth talking not only about Portimao itself, but also about the suburbs that are gradually merging with it. Nestled on east coast Arade village Ferragudo- one of the few who, having experienced the taste of tourism, managed, nevertheless, to preserve the distinct appearance of a fishing village. Its central part is very authentic, and the complexes of villas and apartments fit ergonomically into the coastal surrounding area. Here you are accompanied everywhere by space and a fresh sea breeze, and the gaze from almost any place invariably clings to the majestic views of the “big brother” on the other side of the river.
Alvor, although considered an independent administrative unit, has long lived a life closely connected with Portimao. Leaving the latter to develop urbanism, it itself is increasingly taking on a purely tourist appearance with many bars, restaurants, hotels and apartments. The most attractive of them are located in the area between Alvor and Praia da Rocha and have direct access to the shore, but there are many excellent complexes inland (and getting to the beach by car is not difficult). The Alvor River at its mouth forms a wide estuary, which has gained immense popularity among wind and kite surfers, and boats depart from the local harbor for fishing and boat trips.
In the summer, the Praia da Rocha area usually hosts an amusement park, beach volleyball and football tournaments, a wine festival, evening shows, night disco clubs and casinos. 10 km east of Portimao is the Slide&Splash water amusement park, and a 25 km walk inland will give you the intoxicating mountain air of the Monchique ridge and a mesmerizing view from its highest point Foia for the whole of Barlavento.
Lagos- the only place in the Algarve where there is a developed tourism industry perfectly balanced with historical heritage and natural beauties. In the late 90s, Lagos even made it into the top ten best resorts peace. No, it was not the chic restaurants and multi-star hotels that caused this, but the inexplicable charm that everyone experiences when they first come to this city. Narrow streets and quiet crowds of people in the central square, a canal embankment with yachts sailing past and a spacious view of the bay, unique cliffs and cozy beaches between them - this is a place for those who like to live quietly, but with taste. Eat Nth quantity inexpensive residences in the old city, but the bulk of hotels, tourist apartments, motels are located in residential areas. Lagos is quite popular with youth groups, many of whom stay in private accommodation and campsites. It is equally convenient to come here by car, by train (this is the final station of the railway line) or by bus. There are no traffic jams here, but parking in the city center is quite problematic. There are several large supermarkets located on the outskirts of the city. In the summer, bullfighting is held, but not very regularly, and Lagos has no equal in terms of the amount of organized entertainment: sea cruises, fishing, dolphin safari, walking through the grottoes, parasailing, wind surfing, diving, etc. The surrounding area of the city is simply gorgeous for lovers of cycling and walking; halfway between Lagos and Portimão there is a circuit where speed lovers can practice racing karts and serious sports cars. About 10 km to the northwest is the ZooLagos Zoo - small but cute.
To the west of Lagos, semi-wild places begin, attracting those who seek to escape from the hustle and bustle of humanity to the greatness and omnipotence of nature. There are settlements here, of course, but you can move for many kilometers without bumping into fences or meeting a single person. The villages in these places are the most popular among tourists Praia da Luz, Burgao and Salema- all located directly on the shore with access to the beach - but there are a considerable number of apartments and hotels (including boarding-rural type) standing apart. Most of them are in the section between Praia da Luz and Burgao. Here and only here you will feel the deepest unity with nature, and silent stones will tell you exciting stories from the life of our planet. Fresh sea breeze, endless ocean and impressive sunsets - these are the three pillars of this area. You can come here by bus from Lagos... provided that you bring everything you need with you - otherwise it is impossible to live here without a car. Entertainment in these parts includes the ZooLagos zoo near the village of Barao de S.Joao; wonderful places for diving; on the Praia da Luz beach there are all kinds of water activities (skiing, banana boating, scooters...). Those who like to explore new trails on foot and by bike will not find best places throughout the Algarve, and only here you will find almost deserted wild beaches.
Sagres. If you are into surfing, then this is the place for you! Surfers are practically the only type of tourists inhabiting these places. Sagres itself has nothing remarkable; it has several hotels and apartments, but most of the “hot heads” who arrive here settle in inexpensive residences, the private sector, and a campsite. The most suitable beach for swimming is Praia do Martinhal, located next to the village, popular mainly with wind surfers. In the same bay there is a small fishing port. Beaches west coast with their majestic cliffs and almost endless winds, all are located at a sufficient distance and can only be reached by personal transport. For non-surfers, the only things of interest are the remains of a medieval fort on the outskirts of the village and the “End of the World” (Cape St. Vincent) 6 km to the west. However, for wildlife lovers the places can be very attractive, including for cycling. A bus route connects Sagres with Lagos, but does not have a very busy schedule.
The places described are among the most popular among tourists, but the accommodation options are not limited to them. Algarve is a single organism with developed infrastructure, and if your views on vacation are not limited to the lazy “hotel-beach-restaurant” set, then if you have a car, you can choose a specific “landing point” with a spread of up to 10-15 km from the base ones settlements– you won’t feel a fundamental difference.
Igor Pitovsky
