Exploring Albufeira: A Travel Guide

Introduction

If you’ve read the first blog in my Portugal series, then you already know we kicked off our summer escape in beautiful Portugal — and our very first stop was a cute little coastal town called Albufeira. If you haven’t read it yet, feel free to check it out here — it’ll give you the full picture of how we planned the trip, booked our flights, and shaped the itinerary. In this blog, I will share my experience in Albufeira, if you want a quick guide, I will post it soon.

The Journey To Albufeira

So after weeks of planning, researching and booking it was finally the travel day. There is something about waking up in the dark, half-asleep but buzzing with excitement that just hits different. We had an early morning bus to Hannover, so alarms were set for early hours, bags were zipped up the night before and we were out of the door when most of the world was still asleep. As we caught our Flix Bus from Bremen to Hannover, it finally started to sink in that this trip was actually happening. We reached Hannover Central Station and grabbed a quick breakfast at Back Factory before catching the metro till the airport. The airport was surprisingly calm and check-in went super smoothly – no long queues, no stress, just that buzz of knowing you are about to fly somewhere new.

One quick tip though: if you are travelling with just hand luggage(like we did) and carrying liquids like moisturizer or sunscreen, make sure each bottle is 100ml or less and they all fit into a 1 litre zip lock bag. I had mine in a bigger bag (even though the total amount was well under limit), and got stopped at security. Ended up buying one of those airport-approved bags on the spot. Although it was a small hiccup and it was easily available there, but good to know in advance.

After a few hours and a much needed nap, we started our descent into Faro – and what a view to wake up to. As the clouds cleared, we were greeted with stunning views of Portugal’s southern coast. We could see the most stunning shades of turquoise water meeting long stretches of golden coastline. Tiny white buildings dotted the land below. It was the kind of view that instantly makes you sit up a little straighter and smile to yourself. The kind that makes you forget how early you woke up or how long you have traveled and gets you excited for everything that’s ahead.

After landing, we headed straight out – the journey wasn’t over just yet. Our final stop for the day was Albufeira, so we had to figure out the best way to get there. We took the Vamus Aerobus, which leaves from just outside the terminal. Tickets cost €11 per person and you can buy them onboard but with cash only. The ride was smooth and comfortable, and in about 45 minutes, we were dropped off at the Albufeira bus station. From there we took a short local bus to Av Liberdade, the main area near our stay. That leg of the journey cost €4 for the two of us.

We booked our stay just across the road from the bus stop so that  we would be within walking distance of the Old Town, the beaches, cafes… pretty much everything we wanted to explore. We had booked Ilumina Hostel for two nights, and it cost us €108 in total. It was a shared accommodation with bunk beds — a clean and cozy two-room apartment, where one room was private and the other (ours) was shared with two other people. The space itself was really nice — bright, comfortable, and equipped with a shared kitchen, which was super handy. It was great to meet new people from all over the world who have come to explore like you. Sometimes those conversations can give you a whole new perspective about the place, travelling, world or life in general. The only downside – since the room was shared, we didn’t really have our own little corner to wind down in.

First Impressions & Evening Strolls

After checking in, food was the first thing on our minds –  we were super hungry after a long day. The area around us had plenty of options and after a bit of wandering we ended up at a Thai place  called Yoyo’s Kitchen and it was a great call. We ordered Chilli Chicken and Thai Red Curry and everything was super tasty.With happy bellies and a bit more energy we stepped out to explore.The town has a mix of Greek, Roman and Islamic influences but it also has this breezy coastal charm that’s all its own.Picture this: narrow whitewashed lanes, charming little cafés, souvenir shops tucked into corners, and a kind of relaxed buzz in the air. It felt like a postcard, but real — pretty, lived-in, and full of character.

Next, we made our way to the beach and wow what a sight. The water was the clearest turquoise, something I’d only seen in travel videos before. Cold, yes, but so transparent you could see the golden sand and little shells beneath the surface. The sea was calm, quiet — like it was just resting there. We walked along the cliffs, where a few fishermen stood peacefully, casting their lines. We found a quiet spot, sat down, and just soaked in the view. No words, no distractions — just that still, salty air and the sound of the ocean. It was pure peace.

We ended our day by strolling back to the town center, and it felt like we’d stepped into a completely different world. Albufeira has a reputation for being a party town — and that night, it was living up to every bit of it. Live performances were happening on the streets, music was pouring out from every bar, and people were singing, dancing, and just vibing in every corner. We wandered through the crowd, just soaking it all in — the energy, the lights, the laughter. Before heading back, we treated ourselves to a gelato and with happy hearts and tired feet, we called it a night.

Day Two: Caves Cliffs and Kayaks

We were up early the next morning, and I was buzzing with excitement — we had something really fun planned that I’d been looking forward to ever since we started planning the trip. After a quick breakfast, we set off on foot toward Marina de Albufeira. It was a long walk — about 35 minutes — so if you’re planning to do the same, make sure to factor that in. We had booked a kayak tour to the famous Benagil Caves through GetYourGuide (highly recommend, by the way!). It cost €45 per person, and honestly, it was worth every cent.The tour started with a ride on a catamaran from the marina — about 20 minutes of cruising through beautiful blue waters before we reached the area near the caves. From there, we hopped into our own kayaks and the real adventure began.

The whole setting honestly felt like something out of a movie. Turquoise water, golden cliffs, the sun glinting off the waves — and there we were, right in the middle of it all on our little kayak. It felt surreal, like one of those moments you want to pause and soak in forever.

We spent about an hour and a half kayaking, starting with the iconic Benagil Cave — and yes, it’s just as spectacular as it looks in the photos. While you’re not allowed to get off your kayak and step inside the cave, just being able to float under that massive open dome and take it all in was completely worth it.

From there, we paddled along the coast, passing through hidden caves and some absolutely beautiful beaches — the highlight being Praia da Marinha, with its postcard-perfect golden sand, dramatic cliffs, and that clear blue water. It was hands down one of the most scenic stretches of the trip, and such a unique way to experience it.

After we got back from the kayak tour, we stopped for lunch right at the marina at a place called Blue Deck — we wanted to try sea food and it definitely hit the spot. Once we’d refueled, we made our way back to town and went to the beach for a much-needed swim.

One fun thing we spotted was a floating water park set up right in the sea. You can swim out to it (life jackets are available for rent), and for €15 an hour, you can jump, slide, and splash around like a kid again. You should definitely try it if you are up for a swim. I couldn’t swim so I skipped it but my husband showed grit and swam and it turned out to be a fun and adventurous experience for him. Later in the evening, we took our time wandering through the old town — picking up a few souvenirs, soaking in the relaxed energy, and finding a cozy spot for dinner. After a day full of adventure, sun, and sea, we called it a night.

Brunch & Goodbye

The next morning, before saying goodbye to this sunny little town, we treated ourselves to brunch at a place called Georgina — and it definitely deserves a shoutout. The whole setting was super pretty, and the food didn’t disappoint either. We had to wait since they only start serving pizzas after 12, but honestly, it was totally worth it. We tried the Nduja Pizza with ricotta, and it was so good — the kind of meal you remember long after the trip ends.

With full hearts (and stomachs), we caught our bus to Lisbon, ready for the next chapter of our adventure.

Stay tuned — the Lisbon stories are coming next! 💛