The town of Albufiera provides many sightseeing opportunities. For those who tire of the beach and sand, the town offers several places of historical significance as well as fun activities to participate in. Albufeira is also positioned nicely in the Algarve making travel to some of the other towns along the southern coast quite easy.

Historical Sites

Albufeira has a long history and has had several of the world's most powerful empires passing through. Evidence of the Roman Empire still exist with the small piece of the original Roman wall that still stands. The reason for the destruction was due to a massive earthquake in 1755 which brought the wall down, leveling most of it to nothing more than dust. Today the piece that remains is worth a look and is located on the Rua Joaquim Pedro Samora. The remains of the old castle are near by as well but, like the wall, it fell victim to the 1755 earthquake and a subsequent fire so very little still exists. The statue of San Viciente, Albufeira's own Ernest Hemingway, is also worth a view. He is one of Albufeira's most beloved citizens due to his efforts to educate his people about the cultures and ways of others.

The Strip

For younger travelers looking for a place with a buzz, the strip in Albufeira quite  interesting. It is a definite tourist trap with cafes and bars that line the entire length of the street. Many play loud music to entice people to come off the street to the inside. There are several touristy shops along the way, all selling local souvenirs and beach attire. One thing that will definitely stick out is the number of Irish pubs and bars along the road. Most are decorated to attract the British and Irish holiday makers as there isn't a large Irish population in Albufeira. Still, for an afternoon out the Strip does make a good choice.

Roundabouts

What makes these significant is definitely not their contribution to traffic control. There are 4 such roundabouts in Albufeira, each with a rather unique piece of artwork that makes up the entire center. There is a dolphin, watch, worm and a globe. Some will call it art while others will claim they are eyesores. Either way, they are worth a look.