Albufeira is a wonderful place to visit for a relaxing beach holiday. The water is clean and clear and the beaches soft and sandy. Albufeira is considered a safe place but knowing some Albufeira practical information is always advisable.

Arrivals

The nearest airport to Albufeira is Faro. From Faro it is about a 35 km drive to Albufeira on a well-signposted road. There are frequent buses and taxis that will take you from the airport to the town.

Driving

Although the British influence can be felt in Portugal, people drive on the right hand side of the road. Most of the roads are in good condition and easy to navigate.

Identification

Citizens from fellow EU member states can enter Portugal with an official ID card. Visitors from Australia, North America, Canada and the USA who wish to enter and remain for more than 3 months must present a valid passport. European nationals looking to extend their stay beyond 3 months must also show a valid passport.

Time

Portugal is not on the same time as Spain. It shares the same time with Great Britain, GMT, placing it 1 hour behind many of its neighboring countries.

Money

On January 1, 2002, Portugal went over to the euro. The banks in Albufeira will change U.S. dollars and pounds without any problem. Most restaurants and hotels will accept major credit and debit cards but carrying the equivalent of 100 euros cash is a good idea. The Portuguese are not as plastic-happy as the rest of the world so having cash can avoid some embarrassing situations.

Tipping

Tipping is not obligatory but is definitely appreciated. Adding an extra 5 to 10 percent on top of your bill to a dedicated staff member is a nice gesture if you feel it is earned.

Clothing

Packing for the summer is easy. You'll want cool, light clothing and swim wear. You'll also want adequate sun protection. The temperatures in Albufeira can get quite hot in the summer and the days are long. Many from the northern climates get so burned on their first day they have to stay inside for the duration of their holiday. Visiting outside of summer can be a hit and miss as far as weather is concerned. Chances are good for some very warm days so some light clothing is recommended. However warmer attire will also be needed such as jeans, long sleeve shirts and maybe even a sweater for the night time. A rain jacket and umbrella are a must as the sky can open up at anytime in southern Portugal.

Albufeira, being a resort town, has a massive supply of accommodations to suit a variety of budgets. Finding cheap backpacking places is getting harder to find but those with a keen eye might just find a nice room in a family apartment for a very reasonable price. If this makes you uncomfortable there is an excellent selection of Albufeira hotels to choose from.

Budget Accommodations

Rooms like what in offered in the intro are quite common in the high season, throughout the Algarve regions. Families quite commonly rent spare rooms in their homes and apartments to travelers looking for a cheap and clean place to sleep. Although generally considered safe take a few precautions. Always check the room first before offering any money. Make sure you have a key to get in and out of the residence and double check that it works. If possible, get recommendations from other travelers. This is an excellent way to get nice accommodation for very little money, sometimes for under 10 euros. Finally, keep in mind that you are in someone's home. Try to be quiet if your returning late and don't leave your room a mess.

Mid-range Accomodations
Albufeira has hundreds of options for mid-range accommodation. Generally you can expect to pay anywhere from 45 to 100 euros per night depending on the season. Mid-range hotels in Albufeira are very comfortable and offer a good choice of amenities. Swimming pools and large spacious rooms are the most common features. Most mid-range hotels will have Internet access and a good selection of bars and restaurants that the guests can use at their leisure. Taking the Falesia Mar Beach hotel as an example, the guests can expect rooms to start at 41 euros. The hotel contains 2 swimming pools but is located within walking distance to the ocean.

Luxury Accommodations
Being a resort town, Albufeira definitely has its share of luxury hotels. Prices generally begin at about 150 euros per night and go up from there. Taking the Grand Real Santa Eulalia hotel and resort as an example, rooms start at close to 300 euros per night but guests are treated to an endless supply of amenities. Swimming pools, fitness centers and spa treatments are available to guests. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, featuring large walking bathrooms, satellite television and high speed Internet access. A multilingual staff is available 24 hours per day and the hotel is fitted with an excellent range of restaurants, serving both local and international dishes.