2-day itinerary for Albufeira, Portugal
Albufeira is one of the most touristy places I have ever been to.
It is a place where you can see British men walking around topless in the streets at noon and the majority of people sitting next to you in restaurants order burger and chips for dinner.
It is also a place of endless golden beaches and quaint houses that have the builder’s love for detail written all over them. Where the cooking style reminds you of something your mama would make your family for dinner, enjoyed in togetherness.
It is a place where locals drive old cars and the houses are clean and beautiful, but not flashy in any way. Where you have espressos and a tostas (toasted sandwich) in a café for breakfast. A place where a passing stranger silently asks the patrons for a cigarette with a smoking gesture and is kindly granted such.
A word on generic holiday destinations
I am all for niche destinations and am not particularly fond of generic-anything. When myself and my boyfriend booked a holiday to Albufeira, it was purely to escape the dawn of winter and have a few warm days at the beach; probably a motive for many people.
What I found was that you choose to make it a generic holiday or you can make it your own. And even in a cliché holiday destination, you can still do some not-so-typical things (and some typical things) and that is totally okay.
How to get to Albufeira from Faro Airport
Overlooking beautiful Albufeira at sunset from our balcony.
You can get to Albufeira easily via public transport. The Aerobus 56 drives straight from Faro’s airport to Albufeira.
The journey only takes about 40 minutes and costs €8.
Although you might think taking a taxi is easier, the bus is just as hassle-free and convenient.
(Bus timetable can be found here)
On the day of your arrival, I would highly recommend spending the rest of the day at the beach.
The turquoise waters along the Algarve are unlike anything I have ever seen and considering it is the Atlantic, the water is really warm (we went in October!).
If you are looking for a handy place to stay, I would recommend this apartment.
It has gorgeous views, is only a 10 minute walk from the beach and a 20 minute walk to Old Town.
Day 1: Kayaking the Algarve coast
The Algarve is famous for its ochre coloured coastal cliffs, which have many crevices and caves to explore.
One of the best ways to see these cliffs is by sea. There are options to explore the coast by boat, SUP and kayak – we chose the latter.
We booked our guided tour with SeaAlgarve.
The three hour tour starts from the marina in Albufeira and you have the choice of SUP’s or kayaks. We were a bit disappointed to find that we could only rent double kayaks, as all the single kayaks had been taken. But we ended up having even more fun and our teamwork greatly improved.
From the marina, a boat will take you along the coast all the way to Benagil cave, which is probably the most well-known cave of the Algarve. This is where the kayaking starts.
As of 2024 you can unfortunately no longer enter the cave, but will still get a look at it from the sea.
The kayak tour then continues for another hour along the coastline and you can expect some really cool sights. We kayaked through an archway and also into a cave, where it was as dark as night time at its deepest point.
You then kayak back to the boat. Once the kayaks are stored, don’t miss out on taking a dip in the middle of the Atlantic – it’s a deeply liberating experience!
Note: I got a bit seasick on this tour, so if seasickness is something you suffer from, I would advise on making provisions. (I hear fresh ginger works miracles!)
Once you return by boat to the marina, you will probably be tired, hungry and content.
I recommend hitting one of the many restaurants in Old Town for a bite to eat.
Their fish dishes are delicious and definitely consider ordering a Portuguese steak at some point!
Take it handy for the rest of the afternoon. Maybe go for a nap and then finish off the day with a sunset swim.
The beaches are much quieter in the evenings, but the water is just as warm.
Day 2: Explore Old Town and enjoy the exquisite beach scene
On your second day, engage in some exploring of Albufeira.
Start the morning by seeking out a café off the beaten track. (Make sure you pack your swim stuff before you head out.)
I found that the earlier you get up and get out, the more of the Portuguese atmosphere you will be able to experience.
In the early hours, the tourists are still asleep and you can see Portuguese people in the cafés, having their espressos, or meet those on their way to work.
I recommend Riviera and Pão de Aldeia. Make sure you try an espresso instead of your usual fix – they taste like dessert in Portugal! Alternatively, galão is a good option for those who like a milkier coffee.
Sweet Algarve specialities include Doce Fino (marzipan), Dom Rodrigo (cinnamon dessert) and pastéis de natas (Portuguese custard tarts).
Once you are fuelled for the day, explore Albufeira’s Old Town. Pay special attention to the house details all over town. Take it slow and just enjoy.
Maybe even pick up a few souvenirs or postcards to send to your loved ones.
Spend the afternoon at the beach and soak up some sunshine. There is a gorgeous strip of beach at the end of Old Town and a swim here is not to be missed.
Make sure you go for your last meal out that evening and enjoy a few drinks.
We went to a cocktail bar called Sal Rosa in Old Town which has a lovely view over the sea and tastefully decorated interiors.
Exploring hidden gems in Albufeira. (Like the cocktail and tapas bar ‘Sal Rosa’).
Also, Portuguese steak, topped with traditional ham, surrounded by potato chips and lying in a bed of gorgeous gravy.
Planning another short trip in Europe? Check out my blog post on how to travel London on a budget.