Albufeira, Portugal: A Weekend Guide + Travel Tips

Albufeira is a picturesque coastal city in the Southern region of Algarve, Portugal with beautiful beaches, caves and plenty of restaurants and bars. If you are looking for a quiet and relaxing getaway then this is a great destination for you.

I had been trying to persuade my mum to become my travel buddy over the past year and travel somewhere new other than the go-to countries she often visits. I thought this would be a great opportunity to surprise her for her birthday. We spent most of the time lounging around the pool, enjoying the hotel’s spa facilities, exploring the old town and eating good food.

In this post, I cover the travel costs so that you book and enjoy your own weekend getaway with someone special.

The Best Time To Visit The Algarve

The Algarve is truly a year-round destination.

• December to mid-March: This is the winter season but is the best time of the year to find ‘out of season’ inexpensive accommodation. It’s perfect for a relaxing weekend getaway as it’s still quiet and less touristy. The weather is warm averaging between 18 – 21 degrees Celsius.
• End of March to May: It’s still quite serene during this time which is perfect for exploring without it being too overcrowded with tourists. Weather is generally warmer as spring is arising. More restaurants and bars will be open as peak season is approaching.
• June to early September: This is known as the peak season. Prices for accommodation are higher, the weather will be very hot and the beaches will be crowded with tourists.
• October to November: There will also be fewer crowds during this season. The weather is milder than the summer months averaging in the ’20s.

How Much Was My Flight To Portugal?

Cost a total of £84 for 2 people for 4 days with Ryanair (including 10kg hand luggage and 1 small personal bag onboard).

What Is The Flight Time From London To Albufeira?

2 hours, and 55 minutes from London

Where To Stay In Albufeira

We stayed at the Rocamar Exclusive Hotel & Spa (You can get 10% off your next booking using the link provided). A 4* Hotel & Spa with buffet breakfast for 2 people cost £103. Located on Praia dos Pescadores beach, a short walk from Albufeira, an old town and many restaurants. The hotel offers a swimming pool, a restaurant with sea views and a luxury spa.

I would also recommend using Airbnb if you’re looking to cut down on costs. You can use this link to get £25 off your first Airbnb stay.

Activities To Do In The Algarve

I booked a 3-hour cave and coastline boat trip for £23.75 pp. These boat trips are quite popular and tend to get sold out quickly. I would recommend booking in advance.

Besides boat trips, there are options to do a day trip to Lisbon from Algarve if you are looking for a more vibrant city with things to do. This is about a 2 hour and 30 mins drive away. If you can drive, I would advise renting a car. If you are going by public transport, only a few trains a day leave from Algarve to Lisbon at selected times. Lisbon day trip tour excursions can also be booked for around €40.

I have linked a few other excursions/activities below:

• From Albufeira: Benagil Caves Boat Cruise (2 hours)

• Lisbon Day Trip from the Algarve

• Western Algarve Small-Group Day Trip to Sagres, Lagos and Silves

• Parasailing

Additionally, Airbnb also offers experiences and excursions.

My Recommendations Of Restaurants To Try In Albufeira 

There are many choices in Old town! A lot of lovely local Portuguese restaurants have a variety and also offer tourist menus which normally come with starter, main, dessert and drinks for an average of €12 pp. Two restaurants in the old town I would highly recommend are Restaurante O catraio and  Tasca D’Alkhaz.

How To Get Around Albufeira 

Walk, walk, walk! Our hotel location was great which meant places of interest were within walkable distance. There are buses and trains available to commute to other towns like Lagos.

Private transfer prices from Faro airport to Albufeira start at €32 per vehicle Uber also work here but can be very expensive. From the airport to our hotel I found it more cost-effective to book shared transfers in advance as this was much cheaper than taking a local taxi from the airport.

• Faro Shared Arrival Transfer to Albufeira (£10 pp)

• Albufeira Shared Departure Transfer to Faro Airport (£10 pp)

What Was The Weather Like In Albufeira In January?

The weather in January was averaging 18 degrees! It was beautifully warm with a light breeze on some days.

Have you travelled to Algarve, Portugal before? Comment below what’s your favourite weekend getaway?

Need help with holiday planning? I am happy to get you the best deals for flights, accommodation and excursions. For any more questions, feel free to send an email to diywithjoy@outlook.com.