The Algarve’s coastline is a painter’s palette of ochre cliffs, emerald pines, and cobalt sea—and Albufeira sits right in the middle of it. Once a Moorish fishing village called Al-Buhera, it has grown into a beach town with soul: whitewashed lanes, bobbing boats, and the smell of grilled sardines at dusk. It’s a brilliant base for cave cruises to Benagil, dolphin watching, and day trips across the region.

Expect relaxed mornings at pastelarias, afternoons on coves like São Rafael and Coelha, and evenings of cataplana and vinho verde. Inland, cork oak hills and vineyards hide castles and farmsteads; on the water, rugged grottoes reveal hidden beaches. A quick train ride whisks you to Faro’s walled Old Town for baroque churches and Ria Formosa wetlands.

Practical notes: Fly into Faro (FAO) and transfer 40–50 minutes to Albufeira. Summers are beachy and busy; spring and fall bring balmy weather and fewer crowds. Seafood, piri-piri chicken from nearby Guia, and local wines headline menus—reserve seaside restaurants at sunset.

Albufeira

Albufeira is the Algarve postcard come to life: cliff-backed strands, a lively marina, and an Old Town where blue doors open onto petiscarias and taverns. It’s ideal for boat trips to the famous Benagil cave, laid-back beach days, and countryside forays to Silves and the cork-covered Barrocal.

• Top sights: Old Town (Igreja de Sant’Ana, Museu Municipal), Albufeira Marina, Praia da Falésia, Praia de São Rafael, Praia da Coelha, Paderne Castle, Salgados Lagoon bird reserve.
• What to do: Cave and dolphin cruises, wine tasting near Silves, jeep safaris into the hills, long seafood lunches right on the sand.
• Why go now: Spring and autumn offer warm seas and glowing sunsets without peak-season bustle.

Where to stay (book with our partners):

• Browse condos and villas: VRBO Albufeira • Hotels.com Albufeira
• Pine Cliffs, a Luxury Collection Resort (Falésia): clifftop boardwalks, beach elevator, acclaimed “Maré” beach restaurant. Check Pine Cliffs
• Alfagar Village (family favorite): apartments with sea views, pools, and direct coast path. Check Alfagar Village
• Hotel Baltum (Old Town value): steps from Praia dos Pescadores and the main square. Check Hotel Baltum

How to get there and around (search and compare):

• Flights to Faro (FAO): For routes within Europe, compare on Omio (flights). Flying from outside Europe? Check Trip.com or Kiwi.com.
• Lisbon to Albufeira-Ferreiras by train: ~2h30–3h; often €12–€30 if booked ahead. Compare on Omio (trains).
• Faro Airport to Albufeira: 40–50 min by car; 35–45 min by regional train via Faro–Ferreiras; bus options on Omio (buses).

Day 1: Arrival, Old Town Views, and a Seaside Welcome

Morning: Travel day. If you land early at Faro, grab a galao and a pastel de nata at the airport café or in Albufeira later.

Afternoon: Check in, freshen up, and take a gentle stroll through Albufeira’s Old Town—white lanes, azulejo-framed chapels, and viewpoints over Praia dos Pescadores. Duck into the small but insightful Museu Municipal for Roman finds and local history.

Evening: Welcome dinner perched over the sand at A Ruína (grilled dourada, cataplana for two, sea views through stone arches). For a more traditional tavern vibe, O Veleiro serves daily fish, pork with clams, and simple vinho da casa. Nightcap at Sal Rosa (inventive cocktails, local gins) or the lively square at Sir Harry’s Bar.

Day 2: Benagil Sea Caves + Cliffy Beaches

Morning: Fuel up at Panito Mole bakery (pão quente, ham-and-cheese tostas, silky cappuccinos), then head to the marina for a signature cave cruise:

Caves and Coastline Cruise from Albufeira to Benagil — 3 hours on a modern catamaran exploring grottoes and the famed Algar de Benagil; often includes a swim stop.

Afternoon: Lay your towel at Praia de São Rafael, a scalloped cove with honeyed cliffs and snorkel-friendly coves. Lunch at Restaurante São Rafael: arroz de marisco or simply grilled sardines with a chilled vinho verde.

Evening: Dinner at O Marinheiro (Mediterranean plates, local fish, breezy terrace) near Sesmarias. Gelato stroll with Gelatomania in the Old Town—try fig or carob for local flavor.

Day 3: Dolphin Watching, Old Town Nooks, and a Tasting-Menu Treat

Morning: Coffee and a warm nata at Pastelaria Colibri 2 (Oura), then a fast RIB ride in search of pods and caves:

Dolphin Watching and Caves Cruise — 2–2.5 hours along the Algarve’s limestone coast, combining wildlife spotting and grotto viewing.

Afternoon: Wander the Old Town’s backstreets—Igreja de Sant’Ana’s simple baroque interior, tiled fountains, and lookout points above Praia do Túnel. Lunch at Três Palmeiras (catch of the day, octopus salad, Algarvian tomato rice).

Evening: Reserve Dom Carlos for a multi-course seasonal tasting menu—intimate, personal, and a local favorite. Post-dinner, sip a late glass at Sal Rosa or head to the Strip for upbeat energy at Matt’s Bar.

Day 4: Wine Country & Silves (Day Tour)

Spend the day inland among vines, orange groves, and Moorish walls. This guided small-group trip pairs tastings with time in Silves, the former Arab capital with a striking red-sandstone castle.

Small-Group Wine Tour & Silves Exploration (from Albufeira) — sample Algarve varietals, learn about cork oak landscapes, and explore Silves’ cathedral and lanes.

Back in town, consider dinner at Restaurante Veneza (near Paderne) known for a deep Portuguese wine list, rustic sausages, and game—an “old Algarve” experience.

Day 5: Jeep into the Hills, Falésia Cliffs, and Sunset on the Sand

Morning: Quick breakfast at Panito Mole, then bounce into the Barrocal for villages, springs, and panoramic viewpoints:

Explore the Algarve Countryside - Half Day Jeep Safari Trip — culture, nature, and off-road scenery with a local guide.

Afternoon: Unwind at Praia da Falésia under terracotta cliffs. Long, flat shallows are great for a dip and a beach walk. Late lunch at Maré at Pine Cliffs (razor clams, seafood rice, chilled rosé; reservations recommended).

Evening: For a toes-in-the-sand dinner, book Restaurante Evaristo (choose your fish from the counter; minimal seasoning, maximum freshness). Alternatively, keep it coastal-Med at O Marinheiro if you missed it earlier.

Day 6: Faro Day Trip—Cathedral, Bones, and the Lagoon

Morning: From Albufeira–Ferreiras station, take a regional train to Faro (~35–45 min; ~€4–€6; compare departures on Omio (trains)). Start with coffee and pastries at Pastelaria Gardy on Rua de Santo António, then pass through Arco da Vila into the walled Cidade Velha for cobbles, orange trees, and the cathedral square.

Afternoon: Climb Faro Cathedral’s tower for harbor views, then visit the eerie Capela dos Ossos (bone chapel) at Igreja do Carmo. Lunch inside the old walls at Vila Adentro (octopus, tuna steaks, Algarve almonds for dessert). If time allows, take a short boat out into the Ria Formosa for birdlife and barrier-island vistas.

Evening: Sunset drinks at Columbus Bar by the marina (craft cocktails), then train back to Albufeira. Dinner at seaside Cabana Fresca (clams Bulhão Pato, prawn rice) with a table facing the surf.

Day 7: Market Morning, Last Dip, and Departure

Morning: Browse Mercado Municipal dos Caliços for fruit, cheese, and local honey to take home. Breakfast nearby—another round of natas and espresso at Pastelaria Colibri 2 or a simple toast at Panito Mole.

Afternoon: Final swim at Praia da Coelha or Praia dos Arrifes, then quick seafood lunch back in town at O Veleiro or Três Palmeiras. Depart for Faro Airport (40–50 min by car) or connect by regional train; compare times on Omio (trains) or Omio (buses). For flights within Europe, browse Omio (flights); for long-haul from outside Europe, see Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Local dining short list to save: A Ruína (cliffside seafood), O Veleiro (classic Portuguese), Três Palmeiras (fresh fish), Dom Carlos (tasting menu), O Marinheiro (Mediterranean), Restaurante Evaristo (on the sand), Veneza (countryside cellar), Cabana Fresca (seafront). For piri-piri, consider a detour to nearby Guia: Ramires or Teodósio.

Optional swaps for different interests:

• Active: Full Day Jeep Safari if you want a deeper off-road day (instead of the half-day).

  

• Foodies: Albufeira Food Experience: Land & Sea Tapas w/ Wines for a guided tasting night.

  

Seven days in Albufeira gives you a little of everything: sea caves and dolphins, hilltop castles and vineyards, and time to simply laze on warm, honey-colored sands. You’ll leave with sun-kissed photos, a newfound love of cataplana, and a promise to return for another golden-hour dinner over the Atlantic.