Getting to Know The Algarve and Albufeira
Getting from the airport at Faro to Albufeira and the wider Algarve isn't hard. Transfers are plentiful and cost-effective, although you might be advised to book ahead at the height of the season. Yet what's the Algarve actually like as a holiday destination? After you've arrived from Faro to Albufeira, it may help to know a little bit about the region.
The background
The Algarve is situated on the very southern tip of Portugal. It is normally regarded as a hot and dry area in summer and, as a result, it has become extremely popular with tourists over many decades.
Albufeira is one of the larger resorts and is typically accessed through the airport at Faro. The resort sits roughly in the middle of the coastal stretch of the Algarve and getting from Faro to Albufeira shouldn't take more than around 40 minutes or so.
The weather
In a height of summer the Algarve can be very warm, though it does benefit from cool sea breezes. If you look at a map, you will see that this part of the Portuguese Coast is not actually in the Mediterranean but rather faces outwards into the open Atlantic. That means it may be rather less prone to the sometimes stifling heat that can be more commonplace a little further east in parts of the Spanish Mediterranean.
The resorts
It's probably fair to say that the Algarve, on the whole, has a reputation for being somewhat lively! Many of the resorts have been developed for the tourist industry, and in some cases there may not originally have been anything of a town there prior to the development of mass tourism in the 1960s and 1970s.
Albufeira does retain an old town where the architecture has many echoes of the Moors, who inhabited this part of Portugal for many centuries. Another beautifully well-preserved old town is the charming and ancient city of Lagos, which is a little further (c30kms) west. There are other quieter and more secluded coastal spots on the Algarve but typically the prevailing culture here is one of hedonistic tourism.
The nightlife
In common with many other resorts on the Algarve, Albufeira has a huge and very diverse nightlife on offer. This is largely though not exclusively based around €The Strip' - an area of the newer part of town. Cuisine here varies from local Portuguese dishes right up to just about any international food you may think of and nightclubs are plentiful.
In some locations, such as the old town or Lagos, it is possible to find quieter corners for a less energetic meal and post-prandial drinks.
Out of season
As is common on many holiday coastlines around the world, the passing of the main holiday season of July and August leads to a virtual total change of ambiance almost overnight. Everything becomes much quieter and you might also see a reduction in the prices of things such as eating out and, of course, accommodation. If you are looking for economy, peace and good weather and are not tied to school holidays, you might want to try this area in June or September.
Will you like the Algarve?
Without knowing you, it's impossible to say! If you like activity, adrenaline and 24 hour a day entertainment, then you will love any of the Algarve resorts during July and August.
If you prefer a quieter life and rather more peace and relaxation, you may need to think about one of the much smaller resorts or, as said above, try to visit this area out of season. If you choose your dates wisely, your journey from Faro to Albufeira should be the start of a wonderful holiday for you.
Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct. If you're looking for a transfer from Faro to Albufeira, Shuttle Direct provide pre-booked shuttles to major destinations all over Europe. Wherever you travel, Shuttle Direct can make sure that you don't miss your car on your holiday abroad.
The background
The Algarve is situated on the very southern tip of Portugal. It is normally regarded as a hot and dry area in summer and, as a result, it has become extremely popular with tourists over many decades.
Albufeira is one of the larger resorts and is typically accessed through the airport at Faro. The resort sits roughly in the middle of the coastal stretch of the Algarve and getting from Faro to Albufeira shouldn't take more than around 40 minutes or so.
The weather
In a height of summer the Algarve can be very warm, though it does benefit from cool sea breezes. If you look at a map, you will see that this part of the Portuguese Coast is not actually in the Mediterranean but rather faces outwards into the open Atlantic. That means it may be rather less prone to the sometimes stifling heat that can be more commonplace a little further east in parts of the Spanish Mediterranean.
The resorts
It's probably fair to say that the Algarve, on the whole, has a reputation for being somewhat lively! Many of the resorts have been developed for the tourist industry, and in some cases there may not originally have been anything of a town there prior to the development of mass tourism in the 1960s and 1970s.
Albufeira does retain an old town where the architecture has many echoes of the Moors, who inhabited this part of Portugal for many centuries. Another beautifully well-preserved old town is the charming and ancient city of Lagos, which is a little further (c30kms) west. There are other quieter and more secluded coastal spots on the Algarve but typically the prevailing culture here is one of hedonistic tourism.
The nightlife
In common with many other resorts on the Algarve, Albufeira has a huge and very diverse nightlife on offer. This is largely though not exclusively based around €The Strip' - an area of the newer part of town. Cuisine here varies from local Portuguese dishes right up to just about any international food you may think of and nightclubs are plentiful.
In some locations, such as the old town or Lagos, it is possible to find quieter corners for a less energetic meal and post-prandial drinks.
Out of season
As is common on many holiday coastlines around the world, the passing of the main holiday season of July and August leads to a virtual total change of ambiance almost overnight. Everything becomes much quieter and you might also see a reduction in the prices of things such as eating out and, of course, accommodation. If you are looking for economy, peace and good weather and are not tied to school holidays, you might want to try this area in June or September.
Will you like the Algarve?
Without knowing you, it's impossible to say! If you like activity, adrenaline and 24 hour a day entertainment, then you will love any of the Algarve resorts during July and August.
If you prefer a quieter life and rather more peace and relaxation, you may need to think about one of the much smaller resorts or, as said above, try to visit this area out of season. If you choose your dates wisely, your journey from Faro to Albufeira should be the start of a wonderful holiday for you.
Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct. If you're looking for a transfer from Faro to Albufeira, Shuttle Direct provide pre-booked shuttles to major destinations all over Europe. Wherever you travel, Shuttle Direct can make sure that you don't miss your car on your holiday abroad.
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