In a bay on Portugal's south coast and beautifully located, like an amphitheater in the shelter of bizarrely shaped cliffs (Ponta da Baleeira), Albufeira (altitude: 0-35m/0-115ft.) has developed in recent years into one of the major seaside resorts of the Algarve. It has lost much of its former character as the haunt of painters and would-be
artists - in the sixties and seventies it was known as the "St Tropez of the Algarve" - but, offsetting this, provides a whole range of sport and recreation facilities (water skiing, windsurfing, tennis, riding, golf, etc.).
Townscape
Despite the dual carriageways and big new hotels, holiday complexes, etc. constantly springing up in its outskirts Albufeira has still managed to retain, in its old town, something of its original Moorish character as a picturesque little town of white houses and steep, narrow streets where visitors can enjoy a stroll among inviting cafes, shops and little boutiques. There is plenty of nightlife and restaurants and bars abound, especially along the Rua Cândido dos Reis.
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