Albufeira
Albufeira is a beach town on Portugal's Algarve coast, built up from a fishing village, with sea caves reached by boat and an evening scene that runs late.
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Albufeira is a beach town on the south coast of the Algarve region in Portugal. It grew out of a fishing village. The old town sits on a hill above the harbor, with whitewashed lanes and small squares. Below it, sandy coves such as Praia dos Pescadores and Praia da Oura lie under cliffs, and the Oura strip has many of the area's bars and clubs.
People come for the beaches, the sea caves reached by boat and the late evenings. Benagil is the best-known cave, and boat trips to it leave from Albufeira. Where you stay changes the trip: the old town suits a calmer stay, the Oura strip suits nightlife, and quieter beaches lie to the east. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable months for walking around town, while summer is peak beach season. Allow three or four days to cover the beaches, a boat trip and the old town.
Albufeira in five
- Pick the base before the beachAlbufeira is spread over cliffs, a marina and a long hotel belt. The old town is walkable to the sand, Oura is for late nights, and the eastern beaches are calmer; each one changes your evenings more than your days.Where to stay in Albufeira
- Plan the Faro airport transfer firstFaro airport has no rail station, so the choice is bus, taxi, shared transfer or rental car. The route and what each costs in time is laid out for a late-night landing as well as a daytime one.Faro airport to Albufeira
- Do not use Albufeira-Ferreiras as a town stationCP's Algarve line stops at Albufeira-Ferreiras, which sits inland from the beaches and the old town. Alfa Pendular and regional trains both call there, but you will still need a bus or taxi down to the coast.
- Ask what the boat ticket actually coversTours leave from the marina, and the Benagil caves lie west along the cliffs. Ask which caves are included and how long the sea leg is, and choose a licensed operator.Compare day trips
- Check the nightly tourist tax at bookingAlbufeira's municipal tax applies from April to October and is added to the accommodation bill, so compare totals rather than headline rates.Tourist taxes in Europe
Need to know
- Airport
- Faro (FAO); bus, taxi or transfer to the resort
- Getting there
- Alfa Pendular from Lisbon to Albufeira-Ferreiras, then bus or taxi Read more
- Getting around
- Walking in the old town; buses, taxis or a car further out
- Best base
- Old town for first visits; Oura or Falésia for beach stays
- Time needed
- 3 to 5 days as a beach base
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryClear6 rainy daysHigh16°Low10°Mild, quietJanuaryClear
Mixed
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 58 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- FebruaryPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh16°Low11°Almond blossomFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 54 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Almond blossom
- MarchPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh17°Low11°Mild, some rainMarchPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 99 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, some rain
- AprilPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh19°Low13°Warm, easyAprilPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 52 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, easy
- MayClear4 rainy daysHigh23°Low15°Warm, quietMayClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 30 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, quiet
- JuneClear2 rainy daysHigh26°Low17°Beach seasonJuneClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 8 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Beach season
- JulyClear0 rainy daysHigh29°Low19°Hot, busyJulyClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- AugustClear0 rainy daysHigh29°Low20°Hottest, busyAugustClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hottest, busy
- SeptemberClear2 rainy daysHigh26°Low19°Warm seaSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 15 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea
- OctoberClear7 rainy daysHigh23°Low17°Mild, calmerOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 64 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, calmer
- NovemberClear8 rainy daysHigh19°Low13°Cooler, rainNovemberClear
Mixed
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 63 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cooler, rain
- DecemberPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh17°Low11°Mild, lightsDecemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 70 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, lights
Average daily high and low in Albufeira, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Albufeira
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
21
- Feels like
- 22°
- Humidity
- 71%
- Wind
- 9 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Albufeira
08:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today24°13°0%Monday: Clear. High 24°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue23°12°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 23°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed21°9°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu20°8°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri21°9°14%Friday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 14%.
- Sat22°14°44%Saturday: Rain. High 22°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 44%.
- Sun21°19°78%Sunday: Thunderstorms. High 21°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 78%.
Updated 04:46 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- Apr–OctInternational Sand Sculpture FestivalSilves, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Carvoeiro and Benagila short driveSmall coves, the Algar Seco rock walks and boat trips to the caves.Read the guide
- Lagosby car or regional trainA walled old town and the Ponta da Piedade cliffs, easy to do in a day.Read the guide
- Faroabout 15 to 25 minutes by trainThe Algarve's capital, its old town inside the walls and a lagoon boat trip.Read the guide
Before you go to Albufeira
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Rules for Albufeira, checked
- Albufeira's municipal tourist tax is 2 euros per night from April to October, up to 7 nights, for guests aged 13 and over (2024 regulation).Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
- Landing or using the beach inside the Benagil cave is banned, and kayaks there need a guide; boats must be licensed (Portimão port authority notice).Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Albufeira FAQ
Is Albufeira worth visiting?
Yes if you want a lively beach resort with a real old town and easy boat trips. If you want quiet cliffs or a historic center without nightlife, Lagos or Carvoeiro fits better.
How many days do you need in Albufeira?
Three to five days suit a beach holiday that includes a boat trip and an evening in the old town. A weekend is enough for the old town and one beach; add a day for a Benagil trip or Faro.
Is Albufeira good for families?
Areias de São João and Falésia have pools, wide beaches and calmer evenings, which suits families. Oura's Strip is loud late, so book away from it with children.
Can you get to Albufeira from Faro by train?
Yes, but the station is Albufeira-Ferreiras, inland from the resort. Trains take about 15 to 25 minutes from Faro, then you need a bus or taxi down to the old town or the beaches.
When is the best time to visit Albufeira?
May, June, September and early October give warm days and a swimmable sea without July and August crowds. Nightlife peaks in summer, while winter is mild but many venues close.