Authentic Portuguese food is prevalent but, for some reason, Irish food is also popular.
There are two main areas for visitors, Areias de São João, known locally as 'The Strip', which hosts the twon’s nightlife and the more authentic and tranquil Old Town, which features traditional Arabic architecture and a lovely central square shaded by trees and colourful shrubs and with numerous cafés and restaurants for a quiet meal or a cool drink. Shoppers will love the streets leading off the central square with clothes shops, leather goods, notably handbags, gift shops, street stalls and of course, all the shops for self caterers.
There are two beaches, the Fisherman's beach, and the tunnel beach which you reach by going through a tunnel in the cliffs.
Having a marina, there are many boat and fishing trips along the Algarve coast and diving is a popular activity for tourists.
History lovers will enjoy seeing the remains of a Roman castle, sadly destroyed in an 18th century earthquake and there are various museums in the older part of town.
Like most places in Portugal and its regions, there is a wide variety of accommodation available to suit all pockets in Albufeira, with over 100 hotels to choose from. The region is popular all year round and there is no part of the year which is “out of season”, making it a popular place for extended winter holidays.