Smart Traveller

Are you planning a holiday in the Algarve? Albufeira is the largest and busiest resort in Portugal, is a great holiday destination and is particularly welcoming to we British. Its beaches and daytime attractions are superb but it is at night that the resort really explodes into life! The town of Albufeira is split into two distinct areas that could not be more different. To the west lies the old town with its historical buildings, quaint shops and wonderful seafood restaurants and to the east, the new town.

Albufeira new town is centred on the neon-lit ‘strip’ – about a kilometre of road that is packed with crowded bars, restaurants, shops, tattoo parlours (careful!) and nightlife that continues way into the morning. Getting there from anywhere in Albufeira could not be easier as taxis are plentiful and very cheap, or you could take the full holidaymaker experience by jumping on the little resort train – a hop-on-hop-off ticket is only 4 Euros for the whole day!

So why not get down to the strip and let your hair down! Here are some great places to try…

Restaurants

The strip is full of restaurants fighting for your business. Whatever your taste, you will find it here.

Sunset on the Strip

Actually situated just off the strip, the restaurant is quite large and is very popular. The service is great but be prepared to wait for your food as it is all freshly prepared. This is a great place to sample traditional Portuguese foods like chicken piri-piri, black pork and Portuguese style steaks. Good house wines and excellent value complete the package. This is a great way to start your evening.

The Cottage Restaurant

Open from morning until late, The Cottage serves breakfasts, lunches and evening meals with massive portions at great prices. They specialise in mainly British style food with their Sunday roasts being something of a speciality! You can also just drop in for a snack and a drink anytime throughout the day.

The Clay Oven

Do you find it hard to get by without some nice Indian food? The Clay Oven is situated just off the strip at the top end and offers all your favourite curries and Indian dishes. The quality is absolutely top class and the prices are so good that customers travel from neighbouring towns. The Clay Oven really has a reputation for being the best Indian food around.

The Golden Garden

Just off the busy strip, the Golden Garden Chinese Restaurant is an oasis of calm, beautifully decorated, with relaxing background music and subtle lighting. The food here is very well prepared using quality fresh ingredients and the flavours are out of this world! The friendly and attentive staff will offer you guidance with the menu and the service is first class. For many, this is the best Chinese restaurant in Albufeira.

Bars

The Piccadilly Bar

Right at the top of the strip, the Piccadilly bar is a great place to meet at the start of your night out. The bar has great friendly staff and is known for its great fun atmosphere, even out of season. It has a nice menu, serves a range of great cocktails at very good prices and plays all the music you know from home. Why wouldn’t you want to visit?

Rock Cafe

Friendly staff, great prices and great live music from their own house band…Rock Cafe is one of the most popular bars in town. Sit inside or out and soak up the atmosphere of the lively square below. There is also a nice menu if you are hungry. A must visit if you like your music loud and live.

DC Bar

This is another bar that is well known for its friendly welcome, well priced, decent food, cheap drinks… and beautifully prepared cocktails. The entertainment here is karaoke. If karaoke is your thing, this is your bar.

Albertu’s Bar

Albertu’s is a very popular sports bar, showing Premier League games live. Also known as a great karaoke bar, the cocktails are amazing and the staff very friendly and welcoming. This comes highly recommended, and is definitely another great bar to include on your crawl, especially when your team is playing.

Matts Bar

Matt’s is one of the most popular bars on the strip. This is a very lively outdoor bar with a great vibe – great for families too! Good music and wait for it…an enormous mechanical bull set right in the bar! Fancy giving it a go? The chances are that by the time you have the courage to get on board, you will have had one too many. The kids can have a go too as the operator is kind enough to give them an easy ride. This bar will certainly get your party going with a laugh.

Article provided by Mike James, an independent travel writer working alongside a handful of travel companies, including the complete traveller’s guide to the beautiful region of the Portuguese Algarve – For Airport see here.