Algarve (Albufeira) end of february. Any tips/advice ?
Discussion
Been looking at looking a little break for the last week of february as we've got a "new" airport on the doorstep (10 min away) that flies to Faro so might as well make use of it.
Initally i was looking at 4-5 nights, but now also looking at 7 night all inclusive.
Anyone been to Albufeira, and what was it like ?
We like to be near this strip with all the restaurants etc, but also near the beach.
Is there enough to do in the surroundings to stay a week, or isn't there much around in low season.
Hotel/appartment recommandations also welcome :-) Ta
You'll definitely be able to find enough things to do to keep yourself amused for a week in the Algarve. I live 20 minutes from Albufeira but don't go there often. Its not so bad at this time of the year but in the summer the main strip attracts the type of holiday makers most sensible people wouldn't want to spend too much time around - 18 year old british guys who've had far too much to drink and can't behave themselves.
I guess if you're young and want to go on a piss up for a week its okay... but quickly looking at your profile tells me you were driving Ambulances 7 years ago so I'm guessing you're going to be a fair bit older than most of the idiots in the Strip - I'd seriously consider looking for somewhere else in the algarve thats a bit more civilised
I guess if you're young and want to go on a piss up for a week its okay... but quickly looking at your profile tells me you were driving Ambulances 7 years ago so I'm guessing you're going to be a fair bit older than most of the idiots in the Strip - I'd seriously consider looking for somewhere else in the algarve thats a bit more civilised
We're a late+mid twenties couple who are looking for a nice relaxing little trip away.
We want to be near the beach and near restaurants & bars, but only so we can have a few drinks on a terace in the evening and then walk back to our accomodation, so not looking for a staying out all night boozing/clubbing type evening.
We're flying at Faro and preferely won't be too much (up to an hour-ish) away from the airport but open to any nice area's.
Only read a little bit about albufeira so far and the strip with all the restaurants etc sounded nice, but i take it there's other area's/towns that have similar area's ?
imo the strip of albufeira is just not a good choice for a relaxing/romantic night out as a couple. Its a place to go to blind drunk with a group of mates or a stag do or something. I'm not sure about this time of year but in the peak times its noisy, over crowded and generally filled with people you wouldn't want around you when they've had a few too many to drink.
Wanting to go somewhere within an hour of Faro isn't a problem - pretty much all of the algarves tourist destinations would be under that.
If you want to go to Albufeira then I'm sure you'll still have a good time if you choose carefully where in Albufeira you go at night. The old town or the marina area would be a far better bet for a couple than suffering the strip...
Are you going to have a car while you're there? One good thing with albufeira is you can get away without one once you're there as nearly everything is in walking distance. I wouldn't suggest going somewhere like where I am (vila sol) without a car. 40 minutes walk to marina for me.
Wanting to go somewhere within an hour of Faro isn't a problem - pretty much all of the algarves tourist destinations would be under that.
If you want to go to Albufeira then I'm sure you'll still have a good time if you choose carefully where in Albufeira you go at night. The old town or the marina area would be a far better bet for a couple than suffering the strip...
Are you going to have a car while you're there? One good thing with albufeira is you can get away without one once you're there as nearly everything is in walking distance. I wouldn't suggest going somewhere like where I am (vila sol) without a car. 40 minutes walk to marina for me.
Cheers for your replies so far matey.
Just looking at the hotels & area's in our timeframe and it's come up with these places : Albufeira, Quarteira, Tavira, Praia Da Rocha and Portimao.
Just looking into all of them now, but which one do you like best, and why, if i may ask.
Initially i was looking at getting a car for the week from the airport, but now most bookings include airport transfer to hotel so might just rent one for a few days if we want to go somewhere.
I take it the car from your garage isn't available to rent
Edited by Medic-one on Thursday 7th February 16:04
I've never been to Tavira so don't have an opinion on that one, but I live 5 minutes away from Quartiera.
Quartiera is an older town, attached to Vilamoura which is all new and has the marina etc. If you wanted to go to bars at night you'd be better off in Vilamoura than Quartiera. Its easy to get between them, 5-10 euros in a taxi or depending on what side of Quartiera you're at its just about in walking range. If you can find a hotel in Vilamoura itself rather than Quartiera I'd say that would be a better option. Get one down at the marina and you won't need a car while you're here. Or stick with Albufeira and avoid the strip.
What are you planning to do while you're here? Hopefully it'll be beach weather, it was roasting hot yesterday and was definitely sunbathing time but today its a little cooler... I wouldn't want to be on the windy beach in my trunks today In February the weather is still going to be a bit hit and miss really. If you're in Quartiera and the weather isn't great and you don't have a car - you're really going to struggle for something to do.
Quartiera is an older town, attached to Vilamoura which is all new and has the marina etc. If you wanted to go to bars at night you'd be better off in Vilamoura than Quartiera. Its easy to get between them, 5-10 euros in a taxi or depending on what side of Quartiera you're at its just about in walking range. If you can find a hotel in Vilamoura itself rather than Quartiera I'd say that would be a better option. Get one down at the marina and you won't need a car while you're here. Or stick with Albufeira and avoid the strip.
What are you planning to do while you're here? Hopefully it'll be beach weather, it was roasting hot yesterday and was definitely sunbathing time but today its a little cooler... I wouldn't want to be on the windy beach in my trunks today
In February the weather is still going to be a bit hit and miss really. If you're in Quartiera and the weather isn't great and you don't have a car - you're really going to struggle for something to do. Have a look at Lagos--Good hotels and restaurants,beaches.Pleasant example of the real Algarve, pre concrete jungle of Albueira.Good position for having a tour around the real rural areas, and Monchique high view driving country.
Make sure you get the correct info on Algarves Toll payment system, if you collect your Rental at Faro!!!.
Make sure you get the correct info on Algarves Toll payment system, if you collect your Rental at Faro!!!.
We go to the Algarve a lot (In-Laws have a villa about 4 miles in land from Albufeira) it's great all year round, but it might be cool when you are going. I've been for new year before and it's been red hot, but likewise been at Easter and it's been freezing! It's nice around Albufiera old town, the strip is a bit like Blackpool, but it will be quite in February and a lot of the restaurants and bars will still be shut for the winter. If you are hiring a car there are a few places you can go to visit, as mentioned Tavira, Faro town, Vilamoura, Algarve shopping in Guia, etc. If you use the motorway just check with the car hire firm as they may try and rip you off when using the tolls.
Medic-one said:
Is there anything in the area that's worth seeing/doing/driving to ? Don't mind a daytrip or two, just need to find out what's worth visiting.
Seville in Spain is < 2 hours away, Marbella is 4 hours. Lisbon is 2.5 hours. The thing is you're almost certain to be able to effectively get one of these trips for no actual cost in petrol - a lot of the hire companies will make you pay for a full tank either way so if you just go around Albufeira and a 20km airport run you'll end up handing it back with most of a tank you've already paid for. Might as well go somewhere and use a bit of it up
You have the big shopping centre quite near you - http://www.algarveshopping.pt/ and another big one in Portimao http://www.aquaportimao.pt/121-14071-aquaportimao.... (about 40 minutes away).
If you get unlucky with the weather then there is a cinema in the one near you, along with one in a shopping centre in Faro.
Just check with the car company depending on what you're going to do - some won't less you cross the spanish border, and some will have funny rules re the road tolls like mentioned. It would be worth deciding in advance if you were going to make any long trips... if not then don't pay for the tolls transponder thingy for the car and stick to the en125.
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff