Albufeira is the nearest large town to Guia. Right on the sea, this once old fishing village boasts golden beaches, excellent restaurants and plenty of night life. Albufeira is split into two areas being the old and new towns.
The New town is more commercialised with numerous bars, restaurants and nightclubs. The main location is known as "the strip" starting off at hotel Monte Choro just off the main road. Meadering down the hill towards the sea, popular sites are Matt's Bar, West & Co and the Coyote bar, particularly if you like karoke and singing. If you are driving, park in one of the various car parks at the top end by one of the roundabouts (these are clearly visible with different statues built in the middle i.e., dolphins, watches the globe and interestingly worms!).
The Old town is more family orientated and includes restaurants such as Alfredo's and O Catraio. Pretty cobblestone streets are lined with cafes and shops selling touristy items and leather goods. Sit and relax and enjoy an ice cream and watch the world go by.
Built and modernised in recent times is the Albufeira marina. Whilst actually and surprisingly very quiet at times, the marina boasts some excellent evening entertainment and restaurants. You cannot miss the marina - multi-coloured buildings and long boat masts make a pleasant view as you enter Albufeira from the western (or right hand side) from Guia.
Boat trips on either a full or half day basis are available from the marina and are very much worth it. To see the beautiful rugged coastline and rocky outcrops from the sea is a must. Santomero (our agents) or from several locations in the marina can organise this for you.
Shopping
Apart from the Algarve Shopping Mall (see details under Guia) other notable shops are Zara, H&M, Pepe Jeans, C&A, Mango and Quiksilver. As you would expect in a busy resort, many shops are aimed at the tourist market selling sunglasses, sun creams, jewellery, beach toys and swimwear.
Restaurants
Prepare to be approached by eager waiters encouraging you into their restaurants as you walk by - they are always friendly but you are a potential customer so they will try to entice you in. Virtually all restaurants are children friendly and have good choices for the younger ones.
Food is of a high quality and very competitively priced as competition is fierce. Typical fare is chicken (piri piri naturally), fish (caught locally) and steaks - all are high on the menu choice. Good beers and wines accompany the food.
Beaches
There are many beaches dotted along the coastline. The cliffs are very beautiful and rugged (so be careful) but have to be visited to enjoy the sun and sea. Top beaches (Praia in Portuguese) are:
1) Praia Sao Rafael: Quite small but in a stunning location; it does get busy at weekends and at the height of the summer season.
2) Praia Salgados: Follow the board walk through the sand dunes and enter onto a long stretch of beautiful beach.
3) Praia dos Olhos de Agua: Just stunning!
4) Praia de Coelha: Very sandy, a beautiful rugged backdrop and a must visit.
5) Praia dos Pescadores: One of the more rugged backdrops with the cliff face right into the sand.
Algarve Towns
The Algarve stretches across the bottom of Portugal for approximately 155 kilometers / 96 miles. The coastline is mountainous , the sea clear and the weather beautiful. There are many towns and villages and areas to explore that make up this part of the world and highlighted below are some of the more popular ones.
1) Vilamoura: Approximately 21 kilometres / 13.5 miles away (a drive of 25 minutes) is Vilamoura with its famous purpose built marina complex. There are many great restaurants with outdoor seating where you can watch the world go by. There are some top end shops and even a Cristiano Ronaldo outlet and several top quality golf courses. Vilamoura is a little more expensive than most towns in the Algarve but a good evening out.
The New town is more commercialised with numerous bars, restaurants and nightclubs. The main location is known as "the strip" starting off at hotel Monte Choro just off the main road. Meadering down the hill towards the sea, popular sites are Matt's Bar, West & Co and the Coyote bar, particularly if you like karoke and singing. If you are driving, park in one of the various car parks at the top end by one of the roundabouts (these are clearly visible with different statues built in the middle i.e., dolphins, watches the globe and interestingly worms!).
The Old town is more family orientated and includes restaurants such as Alfredo's and O Catraio. Pretty cobblestone streets are lined with cafes and shops selling touristy items and leather goods. Sit and relax and enjoy an ice cream and watch the world go by.
Built and modernised in recent times is the Albufeira marina. Whilst actually and surprisingly very quiet at times, the marina boasts some excellent evening entertainment and restaurants. You cannot miss the marina - multi-coloured buildings and long boat masts make a pleasant view as you enter Albufeira from the western (or right hand side) from Guia.
Boat trips on either a full or half day basis are available from the marina and are very much worth it. To see the beautiful rugged coastline and rocky outcrops from the sea is a must. Santomero (our agents) or from several locations in the marina can organise this for you.
Shopping
Apart from the Algarve Shopping Mall (see details under Guia) other notable shops are Zara, H&M, Pepe Jeans, C&A, Mango and Quiksilver. As you would expect in a busy resort, many shops are aimed at the tourist market selling sunglasses, sun creams, jewellery, beach toys and swimwear.
Restaurants
Prepare to be approached by eager waiters encouraging you into their restaurants as you walk by - they are always friendly but you are a potential customer so they will try to entice you in. Virtually all restaurants are children friendly and have good choices for the younger ones.
Food is of a high quality and very competitively priced as competition is fierce. Typical fare is chicken (piri piri naturally), fish (caught locally) and steaks - all are high on the menu choice. Good beers and wines accompany the food.
Beaches
There are many beaches dotted along the coastline. The cliffs are very beautiful and rugged (so be careful) but have to be visited to enjoy the sun and sea. Top beaches (Praia in Portuguese) are:
1) Praia Sao Rafael: Quite small but in a stunning location; it does get busy at weekends and at the height of the summer season.
2) Praia Salgados: Follow the board walk through the sand dunes and enter onto a long stretch of beautiful beach.
3) Praia dos Olhos de Agua: Just stunning!
4) Praia de Coelha: Very sandy, a beautiful rugged backdrop and a must visit.
5) Praia dos Pescadores: One of the more rugged backdrops with the cliff face right into the sand.
Algarve Towns
The Algarve stretches across the bottom of Portugal for approximately 155 kilometers / 96 miles. The coastline is mountainous , the sea clear and the weather beautiful. There are many towns and villages and areas to explore that make up this part of the world and highlighted below are some of the more popular ones.
1) Vilamoura: Approximately 21 kilometres / 13.5 miles away (a drive of 25 minutes) is Vilamoura with its famous purpose built marina complex. There are many great restaurants with outdoor seating where you can watch the world go by. There are some top end shops and even a Cristiano Ronaldo outlet and several top quality golf courses. Vilamoura is a little more expensive than most towns in the Algarve but a good evening out.
2) Tavira: Roughly 69 kilometres / 43 miles from Guia (a drive of around 45 minutes) is the beautiful old town of Tavira close to the Spanish border. The beach is reached by ferry but is wide and expansive. An old Moorish castle languishes at the town's peak with excellent views over the sea as well as a number of old churches and shops.
3) Lagos: Situated in the Western Algarve nearly 49 kilometres / 30 miles (a drive of 35 minutes) is Lagos. A large fort - Forte Ponta da Bandeira - affords far reaching views over the town and bay. A church and museum make this town worth a visit.
4) Sagres: Approximately 77 kilometres / 48 miles away (a drive of around 60 minutes) and located right in the far west is Sagres with its stunning views from the cliff top. Apart from a small town there is not much else to see but the views remain long in the memory.
5) Portimao: Nearly 31 kilometres / 19 miles (a drive of around 30 minutes) from Guia is Portimao, one of the largest of the Algarve towns hosting a marina, large shopping area and restaurants and cafe's to relax in.
6) Faro: Roughly 43 kilometres / 27 miles away (a drive of 30 minutes) Faro is the capital of the Algarve, which has a hidden away old town by the sea. Famous for its airport, the old town has a couple of museums to visit, a bishop's palace and numerous churches to explore.
6) Faro: Roughly 43 kilometres / 27 miles away (a drive of 30 minutes) Faro is the capital of the Algarve, which has a hidden away old town by the sea. Famous for its airport, the old town has a couple of museums to visit, a bishop's palace and numerous churches to explore.
7) Parque Natural da Ria Formosa: Along the southern coastline from Faro to Cacela Velha (towards the Spanish border) is a nature reserve stretching roughly 60 kilometres / 37 miles dedicated to wildlife conservation in particular birds, chameleons, snakes, toads and sea life.
Further Afield
If you are a little more adventurous there are other cities and areas to explore on your holiday. Whilst a little more planning is required, memories will last a long time.
1) Lisbon: Approximately 255 kilometres / 158 miles and a drive of 2 hours, 20 minutes is the capital of Portugal. There are many sights including the harbour area, Benfica football club, art galleries, museums and shopping. Fado (a unique style of music to Portugal based around the guitar and dating back to the 1820's) restaurants are located in Lisbon so enjoy with a good meal.
If you are a little more adventurous there are other cities and areas to explore on your holiday. Whilst a little more planning is required, memories will last a long time.
1) Lisbon: Approximately 255 kilometres / 158 miles and a drive of 2 hours, 20 minutes is the capital of Portugal. There are many sights including the harbour area, Benfica football club, art galleries, museums and shopping. Fado (a unique style of music to Portugal based around the guitar and dating back to the 1820's) restaurants are located in Lisbon so enjoy with a good meal.
2) Seville (Spain): Roughly 232 kilometres / 144 miles, a drive of 2 hours 30 minutes away, is the beautiful city of Seville just inside the Spanish border. The Alcazar Palace, which is stunning, along with museums, excellent food and one of the world's most visited cathedrals may well encourage you to Spain.
3) Monchique: Approximately 45 kilometres / 28 miles away, a drive of 40 minutes, this small town boasts stunning views due to its high altitude location. Wooden handicrafts are sold in abundance, which it is well known for.
4) Sines: Roughly 198 kilometres / 123 miles away, a drive of 1 hour 50 minutes, Sines is famous as the birthplace of Vasco de Gama, the explorer who was the first European to reach India by sea and thus opened up many decades of Portuguese imperialism and ultimately allowed Portugal to establish a long lasting colonial empire in the sub continent.
Golf
There are approximately 30 world class golf courses in the Algarve notably Oceanico Faldo, Quinta de Lago, Vale de Lobo, Salgados (near Guia) and the Pennina Championship. Gold cubs can be hired of course but we recommend not playing at peak sun times.
Water Sports
Many water sports can be enjoyed including water skiing, sailing, jet skis and diving - these are available from the larger resorts like Albufeira are from the beach areas.
Currency
As with most European countries, the local currency is the euro although in more popular resorts the English pound ( £ ) will likely be accepted.
Medical Facilities
There are two hospitals in Albufeira and one in Faro in case of emergencies. A walk-in medical centre is located on the top floor of the Algarve Shopping Mall.
Golf
There are approximately 30 world class golf courses in the Algarve notably Oceanico Faldo, Quinta de Lago, Vale de Lobo, Salgados (near Guia) and the Pennina Championship. Gold cubs can be hired of course but we recommend not playing at peak sun times.
Water Sports
Many water sports can be enjoyed including water skiing, sailing, jet skis and diving - these are available from the larger resorts like Albufeira are from the beach areas.
Currency
As with most European countries, the local currency is the euro although in more popular resorts the English pound ( £ ) will likely be accepted.
Medical Facilities
There are two hospitals in Albufeira and one in Faro in case of emergencies. A walk-in medical centre is located on the top floor of the Algarve Shopping Mall.
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