Albufeira is one of the most vibrant cities on the Algarve coast in southern Portugal, especially in summer. Famous for its energetic party scene, beautiful beaches, and abundance of water sports, there are a lot of cool things to do during a weekend in Albufeira.
If this sounds like a place for you, read on to find out exactly what to do in Albufeira on a weekend.
What to do in Albufeira on the weekend
1. Stroll around the old town
Albufeira’s old town is such a lovely area with plenty of shops, bars, and restaurants. It is also the best place to stay in Albufeira for first timers and anyone wanting to stay centrally.
There are some attractions too, like a few churches, like the 18th-century Igreja Matriz and the Archaeological Museum where you can learn about the history of Albufeira between pre-historic times and the 17th century. You will also find splendid viewpoints on top of the cliffs.
2. Explore the coast by kayak
There are a whole lot of fun kayak tours in Albufeira taking you along the rugged coastline, discovering intriguing sea caves, and secluded beaches. This is a top activity for the whole family as you go with a knowledgeable guide that assures the kids’ safety and takes you to the best spots.
You might also enjoy taking a boat tour with kayaking to the spectacular Benagil Cave, one of the most impressive natural wonders of the Algarve. The enormous sea cave is also known as “The Cathedral” as it boasts large columns holding up the ceiling with two entries. The fine-sanded beach inside is lit up by the beaming natural sunlight flowing through the round hole in the ceiling.
3. Party hard at the Strip
Nights are for partying in Albufeira, and the city has its own party street known as “The Strip”. There, you will find all the hippest bars and nightclubs. But even if you want to go out only for a few drinks, there are options for you there to enjoy.
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4. Parasailing
One of the most popular water sports in Albufeira is parasailing. If your hangover is not too bad, you can easily enjoy hanging above the boat floating along the coast getting a bird’s eye view of Albufeira and the beaches. It is hard to beat the views from up there, so if you are a sucker for great views and love an adventure, this is a cool activity.
5. Chill at the beaches
Albufeira has a few epic beaches, and you can basically walk straight from the old town and onto the beach. You find all the necessary amenities on the beach like showers, lifeguards, sunbeds and parasols for rent, as well as bars and restaurants nearby.
The picturesque settings make them lovely to spend a whole day if you want a lazy beach weekend working on your tan. But if you would rather stay a couple of hours and do other things too, you will not be bored in Albufeira!
6. Go on a 4×4 or buggy tour of the countryside
Exploring the countryside on a thrilling 4×4 tour is one of the most underrated and fun things to try in Albufeira. It is a fun way to experience the countryside and visit some lesser-touristy places and attractions. There are also buggy tours that you can drive yourself which are great fun!
7. Go wine tasting
Wine lovers will be delighted that there are wonderfully delectable wines local to the Algarve and from Albufeira, you can easily go on a wine tasting tour at one of the vineyards. Beautiful countryside settings like Quinta do Canhoto Adega and Adega do Cantor is the perfect place to learn more about the Algarve wine production and taste some of their finest wines.
8. Shopping
On a weekend trip, there is plenty of time to go shopping too. There are unique boutique shops in the old town and a few great shopping malls around where you can either drive to, if you have a car, or spend a few Euros on a taxi.
The best shopping malls are Albufeira Shopping and Algarve Shopping where you can find clothing stores of reputable brands, jewelry, sports stores, cafés, and restaurants.
Bio: Linn Haglund
Linn Haglund is an avid traveler and travel writer that has called Andalucia home for over 10 years. Algarve quickly turned into one of her favorite getaways close to home, so she created Amused by Algarve to help travelers navigate this intriguing corner of Portugal. Follow Linn from Amused by Algarve on Instagram and YouTube.
