Albufeira

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Albufeira Municipal flag Municipal coat of arms
Location
- Country	Portugal
- Region	Algarve
- Subregion	Algarve
- District or A.R.	Faro
Mayor	Desidério Jorge da Silva
- Party	PSD
Area	140.6 km²
Population
- Total	35,281
- Density	251/km²
No. of parishes	5
Coordinates	37º04'N 8º15'W
Municipal holiday	August 20
Website: http://www.cm-albufeira.pt/

Albufeira (pron. IPA: [aɫbu'fɐiɾɐ]) is a Portuguese city and a municipality in the district of Faro, Algarve region. Its name came from the Arabic: البحيرة (al-Buħayra = "the lagoon"). The city proper has a population of 19,500.^[1] The municipality has a population of 35,281 inhabitants and a total area of 140.6 km². The population expands significantly in the summer, as Albufeira is one of the leading tourist resorts of the region. Facilities include a marina, golf courses plus innumerable hotels, apartment blocks, restaurants and bars, for the annual flood of visitors.

Contents 1 Economy 2 Architecture 3 Gastronomy 4 Nightlife 5 Parishes 6 Places of Historic Interest 7 Beaches 8 References 9 External links

[edit] Economy

Tourism and commerce are the main activities in Albufeira. Most tourists arrive via nearby Faro Airport, a short 40 minute drive away.

Once the sun sets the centre of Albufeira comes alive with bars, restaurants and shops to suit most tastes from authentic Portuguese fare to Irish pubs.

Albufeira is a good base to explore the region with many smaller and less well known beaches within a short drive.

[edit] Architecture

The architecture of the town ranges from typically Algarvian narrow streets with pale white and sometimes tiled houses to very modern tourist developments. The apartments near the newly built Marina e Bryn are a unique spash of pinks, blues and yellows, dubbed Legoland by the local inhabitants.

[edit] Gastronomy

A local culinary speciality is cataplana (steamed shellfish), a very well known dish from the Algarve region. Caldeirada (fish stew), and the simpler but also popular, grilled sardines, are also very appreciated and are traditional dishes across the entire country, especially in litoral areas.

[edit] Nightlife

The nightlife on "The Strip", located near the Montechoro section of Albufeira, proves especially popular during the summer with all ages but particularly the younger tourists. Going down "The Strip", the most popular bars include Erin's Isle, Linekers, Cafe Del Mar, Mustang, BJ's, Garage, Reno's, La Bamba, and Wild & Co. There is also an extremely popular nightclub - Kiss. Kadoc, located around 7 miles away between Albufeira and Vilamoura near the town of Boliqueme, is another very popular nightclub.

[edit] Parishes

• Albufeira
• Ferreiras
• Guia
• Olhos de Água
• Paderne

[edit] Places of Historic Interest

• Paderne Castle

[edit] Beaches

• Praia da Galé
• Praia da Oura
• Fisherman's Beach
• Beach of Bryn
• Marina e Bryn Beach

[edit] References

1. ^ UMA POPULAÇÃO QUE SE URBANIZA, Uma avaliação recente - Cidades, 2004 Nuno Pires Soares, Instituto Geográfico Português (Geographic Institute of Portugal)

[edit] External links

• Municipality official website
• Albufeira.com - The Gateway to the Algarve
• Albufeira golfing details
• Algarve-Portal´: Albufeira
• Photos of Albufeira
• A quick glance at Albufeira via photos and short descriptions

v • d • e Municipalities of the District of Faro Albufeira · Alcoutim · Aljezur · Castro Marim · Faro · Lagoa · Lagos · Loulé · Monchique · Olhão Portimão · São Brás de Alportel · Silves · Tavira · Vila do Bispo · Vila Real de Santo António