Albufeira weather
The Algarve enjoys beautiful Mediterranean weather, summers are hot and winters mild with hardly any rain, only about 500mm each year. Combined with the mild Springs and Autumn. Albufeira and the Algarve can also count on around 3,000 hours of sun during the year which makes if a favorite destination for those who fancy such a delightful climate. The Algarve can be a breezy coast so it never feels too hot on the beaches.
The winter weather in Albufeira is mild, it can be rainy and plenty cloud but it never normally drops below 10c. In the daytime if there is no cloud or wind it can be very pleasant , but you have to beware because when the sun goes down the temperature can drop so fast you will go from being nice and warm to very cold. The winter is a very popular time for golfers who flock to Albufeira and the Algarve to use the great courses without the intense heat of the summer.
Springtime in Albufeira is so beautiful, after the winter you can feel the change of the weather, days feel longer and warmer, and the nights aren’t as cold. Albufeira residents seem to have a spring in there step and the summer clothes start to come out with the sun. The scenery totally changes as Albufeira comes to life with all the beautiful flowers in bloom. Everybody is ready now for the start of the busy summer tourist season.
Finally the summer season arrives and the bars and restaurants in Albufeira are open and eager for business. The weather now has become very hot and care must be taken when out in the sun. On Albufeira beach are scores of tanned bodies enjoying the cloud free sunny days. The Old Town is alive with tourists who just like to stroll around taking in the cafes and bars. At night the Old Town and The Strip come to life with everybody enjoying Albufeira”s nightlife. The Algarve has three main water parks, and there is zoo marine where you can swim with the dolphins.
Autumn in Albufeira and the Algarve is still very popular with a lot of people coming to avoid the higher prices of the summer season. The weather is still nice and warm, and the bars and restaurants in Albufeira just seem to have a bit more room, so you may get a more mature crowd that doesn’t want the hustle and bustle of high season. Because the temperature is not as intense as the months before, it is a nice time to do some walking, and there are some beautiful beach and countryside walks to enjoy.
The History of Albufeira
Albufeira was a small fishing village until the 1960s and the arrival of tourism. Since then Albufeira has grew into a major tourist resort. The traditional Old Town still has its charm with its narrow cobbled streets winding up the hills, and typical single story houses lining the roadside. There are still the remains of Albufeira castle dating back to Roman times although most of this was destroyed in the 1755 earthquake. Albufeira and the Algarve are steeped in history.
Since the introduction of tourism Albufeira has grew out from the Old Town, as it grew it became a city in1986 and continues to evolve and expand even to the present day. To cope with the growing needs of tourism new areas started to emerge, Montecharo, Areias de Sao Joao, and the famous Oura beach. Albufeira grew from a small fishing village, and the small fishing industry still thrives to serve the tourists with the seafood that has made Albufeira and the Algarve famous.
If you travel the Algarve you will find lots of places of historical interest, because the Portuguese are very religious the old churches are some of the most beautiful buildings on the Algarve. In Albufeira the main church dates back to the 18th century, with a statue of “Our Lady of Supplication”. If you visit the Albufeira museum of archaeology, the collection here focuses on Albufeira”s history, with four different exhibition areas, Prehistoric, Roman, Islam, and Modern artifacts on display.
The name Albufeira has Arab links dating back to the 8th century when the Moors were here. It was then called Al-Buhera, and with Faro was a main trading town for the Arabs with North Africa. If you walk around the Old Town in Albufeira you can see the Moorish influence with the narrow cobbled streets. The Christian conquest of the region began at the end of the 12th century, the Moors were driven out in 1249, and Albufeira was awarded military order of Aviz and became part of the Kingdom of Portugal and the Algarve.
Why do so many who visit Albufeira always return
Albufeira is regarded as the main tourist town on the Algarve. Situated 30km west of Faro airport. Golf is the main sport of the Algarve with world renowned courses running the length of the Algarve. Albufeira”s new marina is nice to visit with a selection of bars and restaurants, and watch the yachts. Albufeira has an array of bars and restaurants, centered around two locations, the Old Town and The Strip. Self catering is easy with the well stocked supermarkets. As well as the beautiful beaches there is a large selection of outdoor activities. Accommodation in Albufeira covers all budgets from large hotels, down to Albufeira campsite. Getting around Albufeira is easy with a regular bus service and reasonable taxi service.
Making the most of your Albufeira holiday is easy. If you love the beautiful beaches, or prefer to get out and about, Albufeira and the Algarve offer a large range of activities to suit all holiday needs.
Albufeira Old Town and The Strip are located at opposite ends of the town. Most of the bars and restaurants are centered around these areas. The Old Town has a more traditional laid back feel; The Strip caters more for the younger crowd.
The two main supermarkets are situated in the Bella Vista commercial area of town, with a third just further along the main road. These well stocked supermarkets will supply everything you need to make your stay in Albufeira comfortable. Whether you’re self catering or just stocking up on the great local wines.
Albufeira”s transport system is very good with a excellent “giro” bus service covering the whole of Albufeira. The tourist road train runs from the Old Town to The Strip making one stop in-between at Bella Vista. There are several taxi ranks around Albufeira and the taxi rates are very reasonable.
Albufeira is now well established as a main European tourist resort, so all your needs are more than taken care of. The friendly Algarvian residents will help in any way they can to make your stay the most enjoyable it can be.