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If there was
a beauty pageant for destinations, Algarve in southern Portugal would have
surely taken the crown. The region is blessed with a picturesque coastline and
many stunning beach towns, but I fell in love with one charming historic town. My
exotic little Gem – Albufeira
The name Albufeira
originated from the Arab word Al-buhera which means “The Castle of the sea”.
It is well-connected from cities of Portugal and
Spain and the nearest airport is in Faro, which is the capital of the Algarve
region.
Take a stroll through the Old area
Get the
feel of the Old town. Spend some time admiring the unique Portuguese architecture.
Wander in the beautiful, quaint,
cobblestoned narrow alleys. Be awed by the beautiful whitewashed houses and get
a sneak peek into the lives of the locals here.
Lounge at the Beach
I can
promise that the first glimpse of the Atlantic Ocean will be breathtaking. The
stunning turquoise seascape is awe inspiring. Spend some time lazing on the
beach, enjoying the relaxing sound of the waves. Take a swim, soak in some
vitamin D, or just collect some shells from the sea shore. The symmetry and shapes
of the shells are very fascinating. It’s a pleasure to watch them wash away and
to see new ones come with each wave.
Revisit
those childhood days. Try your hand at building some sand sculptures.
Take a boat cruise to the Caves
To truly
experience the beauty of the Algarve, a boat trip to the caves is a must do. Head
to the Marina. There are many boat companies offering different types of
cruises, at different timings and costs, so choose wisely.
Get
ready for a glimpse of heaven. The coastline is dramatic with hidden beaches
and stunning limestone caves and grottoes. Each cave is more alluring than the other. The
most famous and spectacular ones are the Captain’s cave and the Cathedral cave.
Enjoy the nightlife
Entertainment
options are abundant in Albufeira. For a fun night out, head to the center. The
atmosphere is exuberant and frolicsome. It is vibrant enough to put anyone in a
party mood. “The Strip” as it is famously called, is the hangout for all night
birds. There are many restaurants, bars, pubs and cafes. Many of them offer
live music and performances. Indulge in some retail therapy at the tiny shops
and boutiques selling souvenirs, beachwear, clothes, trinkets and other small
treasures.
Indulge in some gastronomic Delights
It is
hard not to sample the local cuisine when it is based around fresh seafood. With
the long coastline, it’s not surprising that seafood is a major part of the
diet here. Salted and dried cod or Bacalhau
is a traditional Portuguese dish, and is worth a try. Spicy but delicious,
the popular Piri Piri chicken is a definite superstar. To satisfy your sweet
tooth, try the local egg tart – Pastel de
Nata.
I went, I
saw and I left a piece of my heart in Albufeira. Obrigado! Albufeira, for such a wonderful time.
