Things to do in Albufeira

For most people, the main attractions of the Algarve are the beautiful beaches, and Albufeira doesnt disappoint. There are 23 beaches here, with seven situated right in the heart of the city. There is also plenty to see and do when you want a day away from the beach, with some interesting churches that allow you to discover more about the history of the area, and also some water theme parks, which are particularly great for families.

SantAna Church

This small but beautiful church was built in the 18th century and is one of the most popular attractions in Albufeira. There is a wooden altarpiece representing Our Lady of Pain as well as a wooden sculpture depicting the crucifixion, which is believed to have been made by Francisco Xavier Guedelha and Joo Baptista. The main architectural feature of the church is a cupola surrounded by pinnacles, which was a popular design in Portugal in the 18th century. The ceiling design is very intricate and adds to the feel of the church. The church is located in Largo Jacinto dAvet Square.

Igreja Matriz

The neo-classical parish church was built in the 18th century on the site of an earlier church that was demolished in the 1755 earthquake, and has an impressive bell tower. Over the churchs main door is the Cross of Aviz, a symbol of the religious order that once administered the region. There is a single nave inside the church and on the high altar, a famous statue of Our Lady of the Conception (Nossa Senhora da Conceio), and just behind the statue, is a painting by the local artist Samora Barros. There are some other statues here including an interesting 15th century statue of Our Lady of Supplication (Nossa Senhora da Orada). The church is well worth a visit.

Beaches

One of the biggest attractions for visitors to Albufeira and the Algarve are the wonderful beaches. There are 23 beaches along a 19-mile stretch of coastline, with seven beaches situated right in the heart of Albufeira, an area stretching a little over three miles. The sea here is typically clean and beautifully clear, with wonderful golden sandy beaches. In the high season, the beaches tend to get busy.

Fishermans Beach (Praia dos Pescadores) is one of the most popular beaches here, and has facilities for volleyball and water sports. The beach gets crowded, but is large enough to ensure that you should be able to find a relatively quiet spot. On the other side of town is West Beach, well located for the towns facilities and not quite as busy as Fishermans Beach. The other beaches in the heart of Albufeira are Praia do Inatel, Praia dos Alames, Praia das Areias de So Joo, Praia dos Aveiros and Praia da Oura.

Church of So Sebastio

Another interesting 18th century church is the Church of So Sebastio, situated in Miguel Bombarda square. The main doorway is a mixture of Baroque and Manueline styles and the interior contains some wooden and stone carvings. One of the most famous statues here is the damaged 16th century statue of Nossa Senora da Piedade (Our Lady of Piety). The interior has one nave and the high altar is decorated with coloured wooden carvings. The church has a very tranquil and cooling feel to it and is well worth a visit.

Zoo Marine and Slide and Splash

Albufeira has a couple of good water theme parks, which are particularly good for those travelling with children.

Zoo Marine is a small theme park and a popular place to go and cool off from the heat. There are three shows a day here featuring dolphins, sea lions and seals, and there are also some educational exhibitions. There are sharks, turtles, alligators and some exotic marine life here in the large aquarium. Zoo Marine is also a water park with swimming pools, water slides and rides. Phone: +351 289 560 300; website: www.zoomarine.com.

Slide and Splash is another popular water park, set in pleasant grassed gardens, where you can enjoy a picnic. There are some great water slides here, with a mixture of different levels to choose from, depending on how adventurous you are and how fast you want to go. Slide and Splash is a 30-minute drive from Albufeira off the A22. Phone: +351 282 341685; website: www.slidesplash.com.

Misericordia Chapel

This small chapel is easy to miss, tucked away among the white painted houses, but it is well worth a short visit. During the Moorish invasion, it was actually a mosque, and it later became a chapel in 1499. The original building was destroyed in the large earthquake of 1755, and when it was rebuilt, some of it was built in the Gothic style.
The interior has some interesting wooden carvings, the altarpiece has an image of Our Lady of the Visitation, and the chapel also contains the tomb of Rui Dias, the first governor of the castle.