Of course, the stunning beaches are one of the best things to do in Albufeira, but are you looking for what else to fill your time with? There is a little something in this coastal city for everyone. You can stay in 5-star hotels or small condos with ocean views. Party all night at the strip, go on a romantic date night out, and there are so many things to do in Albufeira for families.
After you settle in head to Old town Albufeira, which is full of white-washed houses and cobblestone streets. Head down to the town square or blah blah blah, to start your vacation. You will find anything and everything here. Museums, restaurants with a view, and so many more!
No matter what time of the year you are visiting you can enjoy the beaches, tours, and at least one event going on. The summer is when the city really comes alive with tourism, if you visit in the fall or spring the crowds will die out a bit. But visiting Portugal in the winter is always a good idea. The sun still shines, and the crowds are minimal.
Top 10 Things to do in Albufeira in 2022 That you Cannot Miss
What is there to do in Albufeira?
There are so many things to do in Albufeira that it can be hard to know where to start. Albufeira is in the Faro district of Portugal and is one of the best vacation towns in all of Portugal. You can have epic beach days, party all night, visit museums, stay at fancy hotels, and so much more!
There is an airport In Faro or you could take the bus or even a taxi to get to Albufeira from Lisbon.
Is Albufeira worth visiting?
Yes! If you are looking for a beach town with lively nightlife and that is full of culture Albufeira is worth visiting. You can spend your whole vacation here and never run out of things to do.
Is Albufeira a party town?
Although it is known to be a bustling nightlife Albufeira is so much more than a party town. There are so many sandy beaches to visit during the day, delicious seaside restaurants, and adventurous hikes in the Algarve for you to enjoy. The strip and old town can get a little rowdy during the summer, but it is still a great place to visit for families.
Beaches Of Albufeira
You must already know that one of the best things to do in Albufeira is to head out to the beach. There are 26 beaches to choose from. But if you only have a few days in town here are a few that you should check out. Praia Dos Pescadores, or Fishermans Beach, is the main beach in Old Town Albufeira.
It is the perfect thing to do in Albufeira with toddlers and families. It has a large sandy shore that is perfect for sunbathing and the waves are gentle enough for a swim. There is also a public bathroom in the center which everyone can appreciate.
Sao Rafael is another amazing beach in Albufeira and it might be the prettiest beach to go to. It has amazing seaside cliffs with footpaths for a walk. A few more beaches that are worth mentioning are Praia da Gale, Praia Da Falesia, Praia Dos Averios, and Praia Da Oura.
Read more about the beaches in Albufeira here.
Take a Castle and Wine Tour
Everyone loves a good castle and Portugal does not disappoint with the number of castles that are peppered throughout the country. There are plenty of castles that are worth visiting and are just a short drive from Albufeira.
The castle of Loule in Silvers is a massive restored castle that you can tour. It is a scenic 30-minute drive away. If you are a wine lover, this half-day wine and Silvers Castle tour would be perfect for you!
Obidos Portugal Castle is a dreamy castle in the town of Obidos which is about an hour from Albufeira. You can opt for a day tour, or stay the night inside the castle. Whichever one you choose take some time and walk around the castle walls, and try the famous chocolate cherry gingja.
You could walk around the entire castle in a few hours, but waking up there is a joy all on its own. Read more about the castles in Portugal here!
Shop and Eat in Old Town Albufeira
No matter how long you have in the Algrave you have to go and check out all the things to do in Old Town Albufeira. You maybe only need to spend a weekend here because it is quite small.
You will find a bunch of things to do at night in Albufeira here. Vegas Bar or Club Vida are dance clubs that are always playing great music.
But if you are more interested in chilling back and relaxing check out the local Irish pub O’Dayly. The vibe is much chiller here with live music every day. They are right off fisherman’s beach in the old town.
Another one of the best things to do in Albufeira Old Town is to head out to the Galeria de Arte Pintor Samora Barros art studio. It is a hidden art studio right in the middle of the old town square. They are always alternating the displays so even if you have been you should go and check it out again. It is a wonderful escape from the heat in the summer.
Benagil Cave Tour
Visiting the Bengal Cave, known to the locals, Gruta de Benagil is one of the best Albufeira attractions. And there are so many different ways to reach the Caves.
This stunning cave in the Algarve draws many visitors each year to gasp at its beauty. It has a hole in the top that lets the light shine in with two big arches on the side. You have 4 ways to get inside the cave.
The first one is swimming, which is not recommended unless you are a strong swimmer and it is summertime. You can paddle board or kayak by yourself or go along on a tour.
You can drive there and look at it from above. That is a little underwhelming compared to the other ways to see the cave.
Or the last and best option would be to jump on a guided tour boat because they most likely will take you to see other beautiful caves around the area. The Bengail Cave is stunning and you are going to love your time out on the water.
Off-Road Quad Tour
On this 4-wheeler off-road tour you will be able to explore many of the best things to do and see in Albufeira. On this specific tour, you will ride to the Paderne Castle while admiring the scenic views and then hit some ATV trails.
Be sure to wear good shoes, as sandals are not recommended. Your tour will last about 90 minutes and they provide a tour guide the whole way. Children over 7 are allowed to join in on the fun too. Taking a 4-wheeler tour is an amazing way to see the nature side of Albufeira.
Book a tour here! GetyourGuide.com
Municipal de Arqueologia
Here is another of the best things to do in Albufeira in the rain. Inside of Roman villa, you will find a cozy museum filled with artifacts dating to the 17th century including Islamic artifacts and prehistoric objects
They are open Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 to 5 pm and the entrance fee is just 1 Euro and children get in for free. So if you need to beat the heat or maybe get out of the rain visiting the Municipal de Arqueologia is one of the most educational and cheap things to do in Albufeira.
Head to the New Town of Strip For Things to do in Albufeira Nightlife
This list would be complete without talking about the things to do in Albufeira nightlife. The strip is a neon playground for the young and old. They also have many places for cheap pints and bar food. The closer that you get to the Oceanfront at the strip, the better the party gets. Legends Bar is one of the most popular spots for dancing and music.
No matter what type of night you are looking for the strip in Albufeira will deliver. Use Bolt the ride-sharing app if you plan to drink, it is very reliable.
Walk Seven Hanging Valleys Trail
There are so many hikes in the Algarve for you to enjoy, but the Seven Hanging Valley Trail is very special. This long hike is about 7.4 miles (almost 12 kilometers) long. This is also the hike that you can take to see the Benagil Caves. You can expect to see vibrant orange, yellow, and white cliffs as you walk along this wonderful seaside trail. Words will never be able to describe how beautiful this place is.
To get to the Seven hanging Valley trail you need to start at Praia da Marinha and it ends at Praia do Vale. The address to Praia da Marinha 8400 Lagoa, Portugal. This is an out-and-back trail that takes about 4 hours to complete, but do not let that stop you it is worth the time spent out there. So pack a lunch bring plenty of water and head out for one of the Albufeira activities you will never forget.
Surf Lessons in Albufeira
Surfing is a big deal throughout Portugal, and Albufeira is no different. One of the biggest and baddiest wave swells is in Nazare, Portugal. Which is only a short drive away from Lisbon. If you are planning on doing the full tour of Portugal.
But surfing is much chiller in Albufeira. You will see surf shacks that hold lessons at almost every beach. SUP Albufeira is recommended on the Praia da Galéfun Beach. The waves here are gentle and the instructors are very helpful. Surf lessons should be at the top of your list of fun things to do in Albufeira.
Take a day trip to Lagos or Faro
Although there are so many things to do in Albufeira, Portugal if you are staying for a while you need to visit the other beach towns. Rent a car, grab a bolt, or take the Flexi bus. All of reasonably priced and easy to manage.
The town of Lagos is just as beautiful but not as many tourists take the short trek to get out there. When visiting Lagos make sure to keep your eye out for the castle walls that surround the city. This is also where the beautiful Praia do Camilo beach with the wooden stairs is. If you do not have your own transportation you can take the guided tour to Lagos and Cabo Sao Vicente, for a stress-free way to see more of the Algarve.
Book tour here: Getyourguide.com 
Although Albufeira is technically in Faro, if you wanted to see downtown Faro it is about an hour’s drive away. Which you should do for at least a day. Faro is the capital of the Algarve and is known for its beautiful architecture, lively nightlife, and epic cuisine.
You will be so happy that you made the drive to check out these two epic cities, they are just a short drive from Albufeira.
Watch the Sunset
You will quickly learn that in Portugal you will want to watch the sun go down every evening. Treat yourself to a reservation at a seaside restaurant. or head out to one of the many beaches or miradouros (that is what a viewpoint is called in Portugal).
The Marina in Albufeira is always a good spot as well. Out in the old town, Fisherman’s Beach is the most popular place to watch the sky light up before your eyes.
A little further out in Albufeira is Sao Rafal beach. This would be an epic spot to watch the sunset. Take the footpaths on the right to the top of the sea stacks. This route takes you above the water and up so high in the sky that the sun will set right in front of you.
This is an amazing experience that you will most likely do more than once. Watching the sunset is one of the free things to do in Albufeira, and will end your day in the right way.
Play Paintball & High Ropes
Here are some of the more unusual things to do in Albufeira. There is an adventure paintball company in town that’s specialty is creating parties for stag nights and birthdays. They also have a high ropes course that you can find your way through.
So if you came to Albufeira with a group, or maybe you can gather some up on the beach, go enjoy shooting paintballs at each other. They are very reasonably priced and it is a memory you will have with your family forever.
