Castelo dos Mouros

The beaches in Albufeira are fantastic and the resort amenities make the city very hospitable for sun-seeking guests.  If you want to spend a day away from Albufeira though (perhaps to nurse a sunburn) there are plenty of nearby locales that warrant day trips.

Sagres

At the southwestern corner of Portugal is the town of Sagres.  Although it was considered by many Early Modern Europeans to be the “end of the world,” Sagres is about a 90 minute drive from Albufeira on the A22.  The town is famous for having been the launching point for many ships during the European “Age of Exploration” in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.  The fort on the point (Fortaleza de Sagres) sits on a picturesque bluff above the ocean.  In addition to wandering around the old fort constructions and meandering along the bluff pathways, it is great fun to watch the local fishermen cast off of the cliffs.  The nearby point of Cabo de São Vicente offers more sea and bluff views and is a good choices for travelers interested in cycling or more leisurely bike rides.

Silves

West of Albufeira and about 10 kilometers (6 miles) inland is the town of Silves.  Visitors to Silves will not want to miss the red sandstone Moorish Castle (Castelo dos Mouros) or the Cathedral.  Arriving at both “hilltop” attractions will offer you the opportunity to meander up Silves’ narrow lanes.  In a compact space, Silves attests to Portugal’s rich history.  The Castle was the stronghold of the Islamic Moors between the eighth and twelfth centuries.  The site on which the Cathedral now sits was originally a mosque.  It was converted to a Catholic Church in the twelfth century and the building that stands today was built in the early eighteenth century. 

Faro and Loulé

A third day trip within easy access of Albufeira is Faro, the capital of the Algarve region.  The Capela d’Ossos or Chapel of Bones next to the Carmelite Church is an intriguing, if spooky, attraction.  The chapel was built on the site of an earlier cemetery so the nuns used the unearthed bones for this atypical decorative scheme.  The bones are arranged in neat rows and (creatively) some arm and leg bones have been used as frames for skulls.  The cathedral or Sé offers more traditional Baroque décor.  Those looking for a more ecumenical experience in Faro should visit the city’s major shopping streets, the Rua Santo Antonio and the Rua Francisco Gomes.  15 kilometers (9.3 miles) north of Faro is the old market town of Loulé.  Loulé is best known for its decorative chimneys but also offers some attractive churches and ruins of a Moorish castle.