Albufeira
Encyclopedia
Albufeira is a Portuguese
municipality in the Faro District, Algarve (الغرب) region. Its name came from the Arabic
: البحيرة (al-Buħayra = "the lagoon"). The city has a population of 13,646. The municipality has a population of 35,281 inhabitants and a total area of 140.6 km². The population expands to an estimated 300,000 in the summer and New Year
's as Albufeira is one of the leading tourist resorts of the region. Facilities include a marina
, golf course
s plus innumerable hotel
s, apartment blocks, restaurant
s and bars
for the annual flood of visitors.
The seat is the city of Albufeira
.
, a 40-minute drive away.
After sunset, the centre of Albufeira comes alive with bars, restaurants, and shops to suit most tastes, from authentic Portuguese-fare to Irish
pubs.
" by the local inhabitants.
(steamed shellfish), a very well known dish from the Algarve region. Caldeirada
(fish stew), and the simpler but also popular grilled sardines are also very appreciated and are traditional dishes across the entire country, especially in litoral areas.
, near the town of Boliqueime
).
While most of the nightlife is situated around The Strip, the old-town also offers a selection of bars and many restaurants.
. Also, many British teams spend the summer in Albufeira for pre-season training as well as friendly games. In recent years, both Sunderland
and Ipswich Town
have played games in various venues in the area.
The city plays host to the Almond Blossom Cross Country
competition every year. The event attracts international-calibre runners and was first organised in 1977 as a way of boosting sport and tourism in the area.
Beaches are ordered from West to East.
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
municipality in the Faro District, Algarve (الغرب) region. Its name came from the Arabic
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
: البحيرة (al-Buħayra = "the lagoon"). The city has a population of 13,646. The municipality has a population of 35,281 inhabitants and a total area of 140.6 km². The population expands to an estimated 300,000 in the summer and New Year
New Year
The New Year is the day that marks the time of the beginning of a new calendar year, and is the day on which the year count of the specific calendar used is incremented. For many cultures, the event is celebrated in some manner....
's as Albufeira is one of the leading tourist resorts of the region. Facilities include a marina
Marina
A marina is a dock or basin with moorings and supplies for yachts and small boats.A marina differs from a port in that a marina does not handle large passenger ships or cargo from freighters....
, golf course
Golf course
A golf course comprises a series of holes, each consisting of a teeing ground, fairway, rough and other hazards, and a green with a flagstick and cup, all designed for the game of golf. A standard round of golf consists of playing 18 holes, thus most golf courses have this number of holes...
s plus innumerable hotel
Hotel
A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. The provision of basic accommodation, in times past, consisting only of a room with a bed, a cupboard, a small table and a washstand has largely been replaced by rooms with modern facilities, including en-suite bathrooms...
s, apartment blocks, restaurant
Restaurant
A restaurant is an establishment which prepares and serves food and drink to customers in return for money. Meals are generally served and eaten on premises, but many restaurants also offer take-out and food delivery services...
s and bars
Bar (establishment)
A bar is a business establishment that serves alcoholic drinks — beer, wine, liquor, and cocktails — for consumption on the premises.Bars provide stools or chairs that are placed at tables or counters for their patrons. Some bars have entertainment on a stage, such as a live band, comedians, go-go...
for the annual flood of visitors.
The seat is the city of Albufeira
Albufeira
Albufeira is a Portuguese municipality in the Faro District, Algarve region. Its name came from the Arabic: البحيرة . The city has a population of 13,646. The municipality has a population of 35,281 inhabitants and a total area of 140.6 km²...
.
Demographics
| Pop. Albufeira Municipality (1801–2008) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1801 | 1849 | 1900 | 1930 | 1960 | 1981 | 1991 | 2001 | 2008 |
| 4 537 | 7 443 | 10 980 | 14 444 | 14 736 | 17 218 | 20 949 | 31 543 | 38 966 |
Economy
Tourism and commerce are the main activities in Albufeira. Most tourists arrive via the nearby Faro AirportFaro Airport
-Incidents and accidents:*On 21 December 1992, Martinair Flight 495 skidded off the runway in bad weather at Faro Airport killing 54 passengers and two crew out of a total of 340 people on board....
, a 40-minute drive away.
After sunset, the centre of Albufeira comes alive with bars, restaurants, and shops to suit most tastes, from authentic Portuguese-fare to Irish
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
pubs.
Architecture
The architecture of the town ranges from typically Algarvian narrow streets with pale white and sometimes tiled houses to very modern tourist developments. The apartments near the newly built Marina e Bryn are a unique splash of pinks, blues, and yellows, dubbed "LegolandLegoland
Legoland is a chain of Lego-themed theme parks. They are not fully owned by Lego Group itself; rather they are owned and operated by the British theme park company Merlin Entertainment.The chain currently consists of:* Legoland Billund...
" by the local inhabitants.
Gastronomy
A local culinary speciality is cataplanaCataplana
A Cataplana is an item of cookware used to prepare Portuguese seafood dishes, popular on the country's Algarve region. It is traditionally made of copper and shaped like two clamshells hinged at one end and able to be sealed using a clamp on either side of the assembly....
(steamed shellfish), a very well known dish from the Algarve region. Caldeirada
Caldeirada
Caldeirada is a typical Portuguese stew consisting of a large variety of fish, and sometimes shellfish, with potatoes, tomato and onion. It is made of a variety of fish differing in texture and taste...
(fish stew), and the simpler but also popular grilled sardines are also very appreciated and are traditional dishes across the entire country, especially in litoral areas.
Nightlife
The nightlife on "The Strip", located near the Montechoro section of Albufeira, proves especially popular during the summer with all ages, especially the younger tourists. Going down "The Strip", the most popular bars include Erin's Isle, Matt's Bar, Pacha, Cuica, Café del Mar, Garage, Zoo, BJ's, Garage, Reno's, La Bamba, and Wild & Co. There is also an extremely popular nightclub, Kiss. Kadoc is another popular nightclub, located around seven miles away (between Albufeira and VilamouraVilamoura
Vilamoura is in the municipality of Loulé, in the Algarve, Portugal. Its boundaries lie within the parish of Quarteira. Vilamoura is a purpose built resort and Marina which was started from scratch by a wealthy banker from Porto, Cupertino de Miranda. The resort was started in 1974 and is still...
, near the town of Boliqueime
Boliqueime
Boliqueime is a Portuguese parish, located in the municipality of Loulé. It is located at 37°7'60N 8°9'0W and has an altitude of 43 m , the population of the parish is 4,473 inhabitants with a total area of 41.46 km²....
).
While most of the nightlife is situated around The Strip, the old-town also offers a selection of bars and many restaurants.
Sport
Several regular football tournaments are played in the Algarve, notably the Algarve CupAlgarve Cup
The Algarve Cup is a global invitational tournament for national teams in women's football . Held annually in the Algarve region of Portugal since 1994, it is one of the most prestigious women's football events, alongside the Women's World Cup and Women's Olympic Football...
. Also, many British teams spend the summer in Albufeira for pre-season training as well as friendly games. In recent years, both Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
and Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
have played games in various venues in the area.
The city plays host to the Almond Blossom Cross Country
Almond Blossom Cross Country
The Almond Blossom Cross Country is an annual international cross country running competition which takes place in Albufeira, Portugal in early March. It is one of the IAAF permit meetings which serve as qualifying events for the IAAF World Cross Country Championships. It is held in co-operation...
competition every year. The event attracts international-calibre runners and was first organised in 1977 as a way of boosting sport and tourism in the area.
Parishes
- AlbufeiraAlbufeira (parish)Albufeira is a Portuguese parish in Albufeira Municipality. It has a population of 16,237 and an area of 26.49 km².It belongs to the city of Albufeira....
- FerreirasFerreirasFerreiras is a Portuguese parish in the municipality of Albufeira. It has a population of 4,951 and an area of 24.64 km²....
- Guia
- Olhos de ÁguaOlhos de ÁguaOlhos de Água is a Portuguese parish in the municipality of Albufeira. It has a population of 3,221 and an area of 15.69 km²....
- Paderne
Places of Historic Interest
- Castelo de AlmoádaPaderne CastlePaderne Castle is in Algarve, Portugal. This hill fort was built by the Moors in the second half of the 12th Century. Its is eight km from the Algarve resort of Albufeira, on a River Quarteira bend close to the village and civil parish of Paderne. It is north from the coast. The castle is one of...
- PadernePadernePaderne may refer to:In Portugal**Paderne, Albufeira, a parish in the municipality of Albufeira**Paderne is a Portuguese parish, located in the municipality of MelgaçoIn Spain... - Paderne's Ancient Roman Bridge
Beaches
- Praia dos Salgados
- Praia da Galé
- Praia Manuel Lourenço
- Praia do Evaristo
- Praia do Castelo
- Praia da Coelha
- Praia de São Rafael
- Praia dos Arrifes
- Praia do Peneco
- Praia dos Pescadores (Fisherman's Beach)
- Praia do INATEL
- Praia dos Alemães
- Praia dos Aveiros
- Praia da Oura
- Praia de Santa Eulália
- Praia Maria Luísa
- Praia dos Olhos d'Água
- Praia do Barranco das Belharucas
- Praia da Falésia
- Praia dos Tomates
- Praia da Rocha Baixinha
Beaches are ordered from West to East.