Albufeira Travel Answers

I live in Albufeira so I think I can help. But first a question - Albufeira is a big place, so where are you staying? I don't want to suggest anywhere that it miles away. You are right that just about everywhere whose main trade is tourists will be closed. Evening entertainment is limited - the Rock Line bar in the old town square is open for music every night, mainly rock music as the name suggests. There isn't much else. Several ex-pat run bars are open for us regulars, local Portuguese are well catered for but exciting it is not.

Thanks for the info. we are staying at Pateo Village, which I believe is not too far from the Old Town? We have been to Albufeira twice before so have a vague idea of our way around but could do with advice on decent places to eat at reasonable prices & you mention ex-pat bars? Perhaps you could expand on those please? As mentioned before we are not clubbers but would like something bit livelier than the quiet locals bars you mention. Thanks, Jerry/Megan

I live just around the corner from Páteo Village apartments, in fact two friends of mine will be staying there for February. It's about 10 - 12 minutes walk down the hill into the old town. Go to the roundabout with dolphins on it then take the narrow road and just keep going downhill, past Bagatelle restaurant which is closed for the winter, past the Jaipur Indian (which is worth a visit) until you get to the Bluebell Bar, then go down the steps. Coming back it will take a bit longer as it is all uphill. There is bus every half hour until 21.15 from the Avenida Liberdade in town; €1,40 each. Taxis are plentiful in January and would cost about €3,50. There are a couple of locals bars here in Páteo and a small pizza/grill place but the bigger restaurant (Mama Mia) is closed now until March. We have a little shop also near the traffic lights. Down in the old town itself a couple of the big tourist restaurants in the square are always open eg Bravo, but if you want something a little less touristy go to the Rua 5 de Outubro, the road to the tunnel, and look for O Veleiro and O Catrão. Both of these are small places favoured by locals as well as visitors. As for ex-pat type bars I have been known to frequent these: Tunes bar, small place close to the Sol E mar hotel. Up the steps by the tunnel and turn right. Run by a British ex-policeman, small place, no smoking inside, open every day. Usual British sports on TV. The Cavern, just off the old town square at the bottom the Rua do MFA. Open every night, also daytimes at weekends. Almost opposite is the Geordie Viking, now owned by a Portuguese chap whose name I have forgotten. Slightly further away is Floyd's Bar, British owned and run. Pool tables, darts and UK sports on TV. This one is on the Cerro Branco, up the escalators and then further up the hill. Very limited opening hours off-season however. Only currently open Tuesday and Wednesday nights, daytimes Friday and Sunday, all day Saturday from 12noon. Victoria Bar, which is about 5 or 6 minutes walk from Páteo village down the hill going down into town has recently changed hands. I have not been in there lately, so I can't comment except it still has as pool table! I hope that helps.

Cubsur you are a star! Thanks you so much for all the tips, we will be sure to take your advice are looking forward to our break taking in many of the places you say. Regards, Megan/Jerry

Sorry to be a pain, but 1 last question please! Can you recommend a decent/good Chinese restaurant? We previously found 1 when we stayed in The Velamar (Olha De Agua?), name escapes me but it was on same road as hotel heading out. Realise thats a couple miles away but Megan likes her chinese!

I don't know the chinese over Olhos D'Agua way but there is the Happy House at Oura opposite the Oura Praia Hotel but a couple of miles across town from Páteo. The fairly new Mandarin restaurant down in the old town was closed when I walked past yesterday evening. I don't know if that is permanent for the winter or just for the day. There's Tim Tim near the fire station and McDonalds but people say it is pretty average there.