Getting to Know the

Albufeira Area

No. of inhabitants in 2001 = 31 543 Area 140,7(Km2)

Paderne
Paderne has its origins in the remote past and may have begun life with the arrival of settlers who had been living in the nearby castle.
Located in a scenic position on a gentle hill, its old white houses stand out from the surrounding countryside. One of the houses in the village has an interesting decorated chimney dating from the 18th century.

Main Church
The original building in the Manueline style (16th century) has been altered by successive periods of reconstruction.
The interior consists of three naves. The arch of the main chapel is decorated with human figures. It has monogrammed columns at the sides.
The high altar has a highly ornate carved retable (18th century). There is an interesting collection of 17th and 18th century statues.

Castle
Situated a little over a mile from Paderne. Built on a spur of rock, around which flows the Quarteira creek, it is Arab in origin and was inhabited until the 14th century.
It has thick walls of "taipa" (made of mud mixed with lime and stones), a typical feature of Moorish buildings. There is an interesting barbican tower which served to defend the most exposed side of the castle.
Only the entrance gate and the tower that defended it are made of stone. Inside are to be found the ruins of the hermitage of Nossa Senhora da Assungco (Our Lady of the Assumption).

Nearby, there is a bridge with medieval origin that retains a stretch of the old road and a water mill with its sluice.

Guia
A village with a long history which has grown rapidly in recent decades.

Main Church
A country church built in the 17th century; it contains a simply carved high altar and statues from the 17th and 18th centuries.
There is also an ashlar of tiles with blue and white designs (17th century).
Hermitage of Nossa Senhora da Guia (Our Lady of the Good-Journey) A typical baroque building with a lively facade (16th/18th centuries). The high altar has walls and vault covered in coloured tiles and a gilded carved retable (18th century). There is a statue of Nossa Senhora da Guia (Our Lady of the Good-Journey) (17th century).

Not far away, at the mouth of the Espiche creek, is

Lagoa dos Salgados.
With its typical lakeland vegetation, this is an excellent spot for watching migratory birds.

The Pleasures of Sun and Sea
Albufeira is a turquoise blue sea and beaches where the sand is fine, sheltered by cliffs which are canvasses painted with a whimsical palette of natural hues. Beaches that give to Albufeira its internationally renowned, because each of them is different... And they are all equally enchanting.

Gali
An expanse of sand that stretches for miles between cliffs. It is equipped with a wide variety of tourist facilities.
In the direction of Albufeira there are two small beaches that are quiet and little visited.

Castelo
A cove protected by rock formations. Great natural beauty.

Coelha
A small beach between colourful cliffs.

Sco Rafael e Vigia
Beaches of great beauty separated by rocks. Tourist facilities.

Nearby, Ponte Pequena and Ninho das Andorinhas are fascinating rock formations.

Albufeira
A long strip of sand with the city surrounding it like an amphitheatre. It is made up of three beaches: Peneco, Pescadores and Inatel.

Oura, Balaia, Maria Lumsa e Olhos de Agua
A series of beaches, each sheltered by colourful cliffs. Tourist and sports facilities.

Falisia
Endless miles of beaches fringed by the green pines and the many reddish colours of the surrounding cliffs.

Tourism and sport facilities available.
Sea, Golf And Much More

The coast of Albufeira is an invitation for water sports: sailing, water skiing, windsurfing, scuba diving. The golf courses almost reach the sea; so, when you want to make a birdie you cannot forget that the golden soft sand waits for your tiresome body, eagering for the sun warmth. A fierce tennis match? A few hours of horse riding by the fresh scenting pine trees?
All this and much more is there waiting for you who seek for real active holiday time..

The taste of good cooking
Gastronomic pleasures in Albufeira begin with the fresh fish and shellfish that the fishermen bring in from the sea every day. Who can resist grilled sardine, dory or sea bass? Or fresh lobster caught in the rocks?
Those who enjoy traditional cooking can choose from among a wide range of typical fishermen's recipes.
As a starter, perhaps cockle soup flavoured with bay leaf and coriander. Follow that with mackerel cooked with oregano, sardines in tomato sauce or sardines with a special flavour of maize meal.

For special occasions, there is nothing better than a fish or shellfish "cataplana", cooked in the hinged copper vessels that are a feature of any Algarvian kitchen.
From the farmers of the hinterland come dishes of corn flour, with pork and sausages, young horse mackerel, chicken casseroled with its giblets and shoulder of lamb roast with almonds, honey and rosemary for an unforgettable flavour. To round off a meal, choose from almond balls, almond nougat, almond cake or fig cake, a very sweet local delicacy.

Popular Art
Many of the traditional crafts of the Algarve are to be found in Albufeira. Local craftsmen and women continue to make palm and rushwork items, objects in copper and tin, baskets, lace and typical footwear, as they have done for centuries.
More recent in origin, but equally creative, are the painted textiles and tapestries produced, which are often decorated with regional motifs.

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