Albufeira: Sun, Sand and Sangria

The weather is a little bit temperamental at the moment. One week you can have blazing sunshine and a temperature in the mid-twenties, the next, the rain comes pouring down and a jumper is pulled from the wardrobe. Weather like this, and the inability to go much further than your own doorstep, has us all dreaming of a little getaway to warmer climates post-lockdown. This week we've been thinking about sun, sand, sangria and the beautiful Albufeira.

The decline into Faro airport in particular highlights the beauty of this southern part of Portugal. The long winding beaches and glorious blue sea seen through the tiny rectangular windows offer a brief glimpse of the little haven that is the Algarve, in which Albufeira is located.

The beauty of this particular part of Portugal lies in its appeal to all kinds of people. Introverts and extroverts; young and old; couples, families and friends. You can relax on the beach or go for nights out on the strip. You can go on a golfing holiday, or for an adventure: for safaris and whale watching and water sports.

The main attraction of Albufeira and the Algarve is, of course, the beaches. A coastline full of beautiful golden sands, deep blue seas and cute little cafes to seek refuge from the sun. On our stay we visited two such beaches, Praia da Oura which was just a short walk from our hotel and Beach Inatel, just off from one of Albufeira’s main tourist attractions, the Old Town.

Of the two Praia da Oura was my favourite. The main stretch of sand was an abundance of life and activity, from families building sandcastles and riding inflatables of every imaginable shape and colour, to sleepy beach goers catching the sun. However, what was so appealing about Praia da Oura and what made it so different to the other beaches was the fact that it comprised of numerous stretches of sand, divided by the cliffs and connected by a winding wooden walkway. Next to the main beach lay a tiny little beach for relaxing and beyond that a long stretch of sand, with very few people around. Slightly rockier than the main beach, this section of Praia da Oura was perfect for slow strolls and picturesque views of Portugal’s coastline. It was serene and quiet, a complete contrast to the usual hustle and bustle of other beaches and indeed the one from which we had just visited.

Beach Inatel was just a short bus journey away and was, once again, the picture of serenity. One of the most unusual traits of this location is, without a doubt, the escalator that leads down to the Old Town and the beach, though at least it saves you from slipping down a steep slope. The beach and Old Town merged seamlessly together, a tall archway separating the coastline from the quiet little town beyond.

The Old Town itself is picturesque and full of character, with cobbled streets and white buildings. The narrow alleyways between buildings are bustling with activity, with shops and cafes spilling out into the streets. The market square is once again filled with character and charm, stalls selling trinkets and braiding hair, restaurants offering local foods and cocktails.

If you are looking for a little relaxation, to unwind and to get away to warmer climates, than Albufeira really does tick all the boxes and with Lonely Planet naming Portugal as one of their top 10 places to travel in 2018, Albufeira is definitely one of the destinations you should be adding to your 'post lockdown' travel list for people of all budgets.