Traditions and culture in Albufeira

Albufeira has become one of the Algarve's most popular holiday hotspots and despite the city proper only having a population of around 20,000, this figure swells to nearer 300,000 in the summer.

Its architecture is classic Algarvian, with the narrow streets playing host to a mix of pale white and sometimes tiled houses, plus more modern developments, such as the colourful new apartments near Marina e Bryn.

The most popular local cuisine is cataplana, a steamed shellfish dish which is characteristic of the region, while caldeirada (fish stew) and grilled sardines are also much-loved.

Although the city is generally lacking in historic interest, Paderne Castle, a hill fort built five miles away by the Moors in the 12th century, is worth a visit, and there are also five parishes.

Things to do in Albufeira

As with most resorts in the Algarve, Albufeira plays host to huge numbers of younger holiday visitors during the peak seasons, although its clientele tends to be more diverse than elsewhere.

As a result, beaches such as Ferreiras and Guia find favour with sun-seekers, with the cliff-side views, natural bays and golden sands providing an aesthetically-pleasing backdrop.

There are also, perhaps unsurprisingly, a significant number of drinking establishments in the city, with 'The Strip', located near Montechoro, attracting a significant amount of visitors.

Bars such as Erin's Isle, Lineker's, Cafe Del Mar, BJs, Reno's and La Bamba are all packed out by revellers, while Kiss nightclub has proved to be a popular addition.

The city is more than aware of its role as a holiday destination and so there is a plethora of accommodation to choose from, making booking up a hotel a relatively simple task.

Weather in Albufeira

Albufeira enjoys a coastal climate influenced by the Gulf of Cadiz, with warm summers and cool winters.

During the warmer months, a large majority of the days are sunny, but temperatures are not too oppressive, sitting at around 26C on average.

Indeed, the sun is prevalent for most of the year, with only November and December generally giving way to rain.

Destination checklist for Albufeira

Albufeira has a population of 19,500.

The city is on GMT.

The currency used in Albufeira is the euro.

The official language spoken is Portuguese.

The city's international dialling code is +351.