Things to do in Albufeira, Algarve

Leisure activities in the Albufeira area

Zoomarine Algarve, marine life theme park at Guia (10km from Albufeira): It's open all year round and is a great day out for the family with dolphin and sealion shows, birds of prey demonstrations and tropical birds show, a 4-D movie on the environment  "Oceanus" aquarium and a rehabilitation center for sick and injured marine wildlife. It's both educational and fun. There are places to eat and drink, and also some fun rides like the pirate ship and water flume and pools to cool off in! Opening hours are 10.00h to 17.00h in the winter (closed Mondays in January and February); 10.00h to 18.00h mid March to end of June and 10.00h to 19.30h during the summer.

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Slide and Splash Water Park at Lagoa. The perfect escape from the summer heat on the Algarve is Slide and Splash Water Park. Home of numerous slides, pools and river tube rides, the whole family will find an adventure to keep them cool on a sunny day in Portugal. Slide and Splash is seasonal and opens from April to October only. It opens at 10am daily and closes between 5pm and 6pm depending on the time of year.

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Algarve Jeep Safaris with Zebra Safaris. Choose from a full day jeep safari or a Combi Safari which includes either a visit to Aquashow or a boat trip along the Algarve coast with a jeep safari.

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Leãozinho Algarve Pirate Ship Cruises and boat trips. Board the pirate ship "Leãozinho" (little lion) and sail among the most beautiful areas of the Algarve coastline. See enchanting rock formations, magnificent white sandy beaches and discover your adventurous spirit onboard a historic ship. Choice of Half Day Cruise with Caves (3.5 hours), Captain Hook Cruise (2 hours), Sunset Cruises (2.5 hours) and BBQ cruise (full day). Cruises depart daily from Albufeira Marina. Leãozinho Pirate Ship Cruises are seasonal and operate from April to October only.

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Algarve Caves and Dolphin Watching Cruise. Jump aboard Albufeira's original caves and dolphin watching cruise onboard "Insonia". Starting from from Albufeira marina and cruising along the Algarve coast to Carvoeiro, all the while keeping your eyes on the lookout for the local population of dolphins.

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Algarve Seafaris cruises, boat trips and fishing trips offer you an amazing opportunity to enjoy the magic of the Algarve! Picking up from Albufeira Marina (and Vilamoura Marina), the cruises visit several of Europe's largest caves set in beautiful rock formations and cliffs. You can book fantastic full or half day cruises or fishing trips with a professional skipper! The trips are great value and really are the best way to see the natural beauty of the Algarve!

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Diving with EasyDivers, conveniently based at Albufeira Marina with easy access to wreck diving, wall diving, caves, artificial reefs, etc, in addition to an abundance of shallow, scenic, and shore dive sites. EasyDivers are an official PADI dive centre (#799273) and are covered by a DAN insurance.

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Krazy World family theme park at Algoz: A family day out with plenty to do. It's a small zoo and also has krazy golf, a playground area, animal petting farm, pony rides for the younger ones and a pool to relax by. There are bars and a restaraunt as well.
Opening hours are 10.00h to 19.30h during July and August, open daily. The rest of the year: 10.00h to 18.00h (closed Mondays and Tuesdays).

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Aqualand (The Big One): Water park near Alcantarilha. Open from 26th May to 12th September (2008) 10.00h to 18.00h.

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Municipal swimming pools: Rua José Carlos Ary dos Santos, Quinta da Palmeira, Albufeira
Opening hours: Monday to Friday - 09.00 to 14.00 and 15.00 to 21.00; Saturday - 09.00 to 14.00 and 15.00 to 18.00; Sunday 09.00 to 13.00. You will need a swimming cap, 'flip-flops' or similar for indoor use only (to wear from the changing rooms to the poolside) and, of course, a swimsuit! There are 3 pools - a training pool, a fun pool and a full 25m pool.

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Golf: Nearest courses are 'Pine Cliffs', 'Balaia' and 'Salgados'

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Horse Riding: At Albufeira Riding Centre. Tel: 289 542 870

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Diving: Indigo Divers, Tel: 289 587 013

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Water sports: Are available at most beaches between April and October.

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Cinema: Cinemas at Algarve Shopping, open 12.30h to 22.30h and in the summer 12.30h to 01.00h Tel: 289 560 350.

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Almancil Karting: A leisure and competition karting complex. The circuit is a replica of the Jacarepagua Formula 1 circuit in Brazil.
Tel: 289 399 899

Churches in the Albufeira area

• Igreja Matriz - the original Church (converted from an Arab mosque) was totally destroyed in the earthquake. The current Church dates from 1782 and was consecrated by the Bishop of the Algarve - Dom Francisco Gomes de Avelar in July 1800. The 28 metre high bell tower was added around the middle of the 19th century.
  
  

• Capela da Misericórdia in the Rua Henrique Calado - originates from the 16th century. It has had renovation work over the years but it still has the original manueline doorway.
   
  

• Igreja de S. Sebastião is in Praça Miguel Bombarda and dates from the middle of the 18th century.
  
  

• Igreja de Sant'Ana is in Largo Jacinto d´Ayet and was built during the 18th century.

• The hermitage of Nossa Senhora da Orada (Our Lady of the Oracle) - the patron saint of Albufeira fishermen. It dates from the second half of the 18th century.

• The hermitage of São Sebastião in Guia - originally dates from 11th or 12th century but was virtually destroyed in 1755. However, 3 years later it was totally rebuilt.

• The hermitage of Nossa Senhora da Guia - it is thought it was originally built some time before the 16th century and again restored after 1755. The inside  is an example of the baroque art of intricately carved and gilded woodwork know as 'Talhas douradas'.

• Igreja Matriz in Paderne was constructed in 1506 but has had many alterations and additions since. The last being the addition of the clock tower in 1905.

 

Galleries and Museums in Albufeira

• Municipal Gallery: Rua do Municipio, Albufeira. 10.30h to 17.00h (closed Sundays and holidays)

• Galeria de Arte Pintor Samora Barros: Largo Engenheiro Duarte Pacheco, Albufeira.
  Opening hours:10.30h to 16.30h and in the summer 17.00h to 23.00h. (Closed Sundays and holidays)
   
  

• Corte-Real Galeria: Apartado 63, Paderne, Albufeira. 10.00h to 17.00h. (closed Mondays)

• Museu Municipal de Arqueologia - Archeological museum: Praca da Republica, Albufeira. Open in Summer (from 16th June) from 14h00 to 20h00 and in Winter (from 1st October) from 10h30 to 16h30. Closed Mondays.
  
  

 

Historical remains in the Albufeira area

Albufeira suffered badly during the 1755 earthquake but there are a few historical remains left today:

• Arco da Travessa da Igreja Velha - originally the site of an Arab mosque, later converted to a Christian Church, this arch is all that remains.

• Torre do Relógio - the clock tower was originally part of  one of the castle towers - it is illuminated on festival days.
  
  

• Castle walls - there are the remains of one of the castle walls still visible in rua Joaquim Pedro Samora.

• Torre da Medronheira in Olhos de Água - it was constructed during the reign of D. João III as a watch tower to spot any approaching raiding corsairs.

• Paderne castle - originates from the 12th century. It can only be viewed from the outside due to archeological excavations inside.

• Ponte do Castelo - a Roman bridge over the river Quarteira in the valley below Paderne castle.