Albufeira - Historic City by the Sea

Did you know?

The Peter Pan of Pop, Sir Cliff Richard, has a villa and vineyard just outside the village of Guia, near Albufeira. And, if Sir Cliff needs someone to water his vines while he’s on tour, he has several neighbours to help him out, including former Chelsea football manager Jose Mourinho, footballers Alan Shearer and Paul Scholes, and legendary singer Bonnie Tyler.

Why buy property in Albufeira?

Apart from the chance of bumping into Sir Cliff or one of his celebrity neighbours, Albufeira has a lot to offer. It's a historic city and municipality in the highly sought-after Algarve region of Portugal, best known for its luscious beaches, charming seaside resorts and idyllic countryside. Always bustling in the summer months, Albufeira is a lovely place to wander around out-of-season, when the crowds have disappeared.

A perfect location for all ages
The key to its popularity? Albufeira combines the best of history and heritage with modern amenities. It's a perfect location for families, couples and singles of all ages.

Now a major holiday resort, it's hard to believe that before the arrival of tourism in the 1960s, Albufeira was a small fishing village. Fortunately, even with the considerable developments over the years, Albufeira Old Town still retains the spirit of the village it once was, with narrow cobbled streets winding up and around the hillsides and typical single storey houses lining the roadside.

Buying in Albefeira is a good investment

An area with so much going for it is ideal for an investment property. Investors looking to relocate to Albufeira will feel right at home and welcomed by the local expat community. Buying to let the property as a holiday rental? The constant flow of tourists to the area will ensure a high return on investment.

Now is a great time to be considering villas for sale in Albufeira, or perusing apartments and townhouses in the city and surrounding towns and villages.

Perks of owning property in Albufeira

• the area boasts over 3000 hours of sunshine per year
• over 20 different beaches to discover
• historic sites and attractions to explore, such as the villages of Guia and Paderne
• some of Portugal's best golf courses on your doorstep
• nearby Faro Airport is served by numerous low cost airlines
• excellent public transport networks mean you don't even need a car
• supermarkets (including UK chain Iceland), English-speaking banks, pharmacies and other amenities are never far away
• Albufeira is home to Algarve Shopping, a major retail park
• ample entertainment for kids, including water sports, waterparks, and cinemas screening English speaking films
• vibrant nightlife on Albufeira city's famous “Strip”.

Plenty to see and do in Albufeira

Albufeira's rocky beaches and coastal cliffs provide striking scenery. Further north, the hilly countryside is dotted with fig, orange, olive, pine and almond trees, making it green all year round.

You can’t fail to miss the sugar almond colours of the apartments in Albufeira Marina, an area popular with both locals and visitors. The Marina offers a good choice of bars, restaurants and activities including exhilarating speedboat rides and yacht charters. You'll find many properties for sale in and around the marina.

Visit Sir Cliff’s winery near Albufeira

Visitors may not be able to meet the Peter Pan of Pop himself, but you can visit his winery at Quinta do Miradouro in Guia. Adega do Cantor, which translates to Winery of the Singer, produces Sir Cliff Richard’s wine, Vida Nova. The winery is situated a few kilometres northwest of Albufeira. 

If you're craving a little retail therapy, then head out of Albufeira town on the N125 to Algarve Shopping at Guia, an impressive retail park with a wealth of designer boutiques, jewellers and home stores.

Cultural Albufeira

Among the most authentic experiences you can enjoy in Albufeira is taking part in local festivals. In July, the Festa do Frango no Churrasco celebrates the local delicacy of barbecued chicken. For three days the air is heavy with the glorious aroma of fresh grilled chicken and spices that locals prepare lovingly on a bed of hot coals.

In August, Olhos de Agua hosts its annual folklore festival and the Sardine Festival. The former sees indoor and outdoor performances by local choirs and dance groups, and the latter puts freshly cooked sardines on the centre stage.

Gourmet Albufeira

No matter the time of year, you can indulge in mouthwatering chicken and sardine delights at one of Albufeira's plentiful restaurants, many of which boast views across the North Atlantic Ocean. Also worth trying are the taste bud-tickling fish stews or 'caldeirada' and 'cataplana'. Whet your whistle with a glass of Portuguese white wine or “aguardente”, a favourite local spirit.

Start your Albufeira property search here

How idyllic a location for a new home or holiday villa. You'll be pleased to hear there is an excellent selection of properties for sale in Albufeira here on the Meravista website.