Things to Do in Albufeira

Lying close to Lagoa on the Algarve's Mediterranean coast, Slide & Splash is the biggest water park in Portugal, covering seven acres and offering around 20 water rides and three entertaining shows with birds and reptiles. Open since 1986, the park has been constantly updated and its facilities improved to keep ahead of its rivals; it has all the fun-filled mix of wave pools, multi-slides, Rapid River and stomach-churning kamikaze rides; a recent addition is the exceptional children's Tropical Paradise play pool with interactive games plus slides in the shape of elephants and dragons. Lifeguards are on duty throughout Slide & Splash and there's an Olympic-sized pool for doing laps. Snake and reptile shows are held at 11am and 2.30pm, it's the turn of the parrots and macaws at 12 noon and 3.30pm, and birds of prey fly free at 1pm. Facilities include sun loungers and umbrellas (€5 extra), showers, Jacuzzis, changing rooms, lockers, ice cream parlor and fast-food burger bars. 

Backed by ochre cliffs, the seemingly endless shoreline of Praia dos Salgados exemplifies the picture-perfect beauty of The Algarve’s coastline. Steps away from the sand, you’ll find a golf course and reserve that cater to nature lovers and families alike. Meanwhile, the calm waters of the Atlantic Ocean provide a safe place for kids to swim.

If you want an overview of The Algarve’s coast, a hop-on hop-off bus tour gives you the flexibility to customize your own sightseeing itinerary. Most Algarve bus tours stop at Praia dos Salgados, allowing you to disembark and spend a few hours either walking along the coast to other popular beaches or exploring Dos Salgados Lagoon, famously home to flamingos and red herons. The nearby fishing village of Armacao de Pera Beach offers a plethora of beachfront seafood restaurants.

Things to Know Before You Go 

From Albufeira, you can take a local bus to the beach. Buses depart regularly and run until after sunset, making it possible to spend a full day here. From the fishing village of Armacao de Pera, the beach is a short walk along the coastline. 

If you want to beat the crowds and midday sun, opt to arrive early in the morning on a day trip from Albufeira. If you want to maximize your chances of seeing wildlife at the nearby Dos Salgados Lagoon, visit just after sunrise when birds are at their most active. 

If you’re a nature lover, the Dos Salgados Lagoon is a must-see. A visit to the freshwater wetlands can reveal rare bird species such as the red-knobbed coot, the Eurasian bittern, the Peregrine falcon, and the Lesser Flamingo. During the evening, the light is best for spotting birds. 

An aquarium, marine rehabilitation center, and waterpark all rolled into one, the Zoomarine Algarve is the only theme park of its kind in Portugal. Boasting more than 20 different aquatic ecosystems, the park has everything you need for a fun-filled family day out"”thrilling dolphin and sea lion displays; amusement rides and water slides; wave pools and swimming beaches; and animal residents including sharks, alligators, birds of prey, and tropical fish.

Standard 1- or 2-day entry tickets to the Zoomarine Algarve provide access to all the park's activities including the 4D Cinema, aquarium, exhibition centre, and Zoomarine Beach, but the Dolphin Emotions experience must be pre-booked separately. Offered for an additional fee, this activity allows visitors to swim or scuba dive with the park's dolphins under supervision from experienced handlers. As well as learning more about the bottlenose dolphins and the park's rehabilitation efforts, participants can pay an extra fee to get up close and interact with the creatures in a purpose-built lagoon.

The Zoomarine Algarve is located in Guia, roughly 30 miles (48 kilometers) west of Faro on Portugal's Algarve Coast. Shuttle buses run from the main resorts and villages along the coast, including Lagos, Portimao, Albufeira, and Ferragudo.

The Zoomarine Algarve is open from March to the end of November each year, but the busiest months are July and August. The park is open from 10am to 5pm in October and March, with extended hours until 6pm from April to June and until 7:30pm from July to September. You'll need at least a full day to take in all the highlights, so plan for an early start or make the most of the later hours in summer.

One of the largest wine-producers in Portugal, Bacalhôa Wines is set in a 15th-century castle previously owned by the Portuguese Royal Family. Bacalhôa has a long tradition of winemaking—a family-owned company founded in the 1920s, their wines are made from grapes from seven different wine-regions in Portugal. 

Bacalhôa offers tours, tastings, a museum and gardens for visitors to explore.  The surrounding grounds include carefully manicured hedges among flowing fountains and reflecting pools. The museum houses the family’s private art collection, which contains pieces from Africa, South America, and Asia as well as stunning examples of Portugal’s traditional azuleijo tiles. A highlight of a visit to the estate is the atmospheric storeroom – where antique wine casks lay in a dark room, adorned with ancient Portuguese tiles.

A variety of wines are available for tastings, including award-winning cabernet sauvignons, rosés, port wines. Visitors can purchase bottles and cases of wine, as well as locally made cheeses and other bites.

With its golden sands and sandstone-carved coves, Armacao de Pera Beach epitomizes the coastal beauty of Portugal’s Algarve. Backed by a fishing village of the same name, the beach is an ideal choice for both families and sun-worshippers: umbrella-shaded sunbeds offer respite from the midday sun while the rocky coves on either side of the beach make for a fun day of exploration. 

Departing from Armacao de Pera Beach, tours of The Algarve’s coastline will allow you to discover caves, beaches, and fishing villages by boat, bike, or foot. Families can opt for a pirate ship cruise; mountain bike tours, meanwhile, allow active travelers to go off-road and tackle steep downhill slopes. To enjoy the fishing villages and coves that surround Armacao de Pera Beach at a leisurely pace, opt for a walking tour that focuses on the history of the area. 

Armacao de Pera is located just a short drive west of Albufeira, making it and its beach an ideal day trip. From Albufeira bus station, public buses depart regularly throughout the day and run until evening. 

During July and August, when schools throughout Europe are on summer vacation, the beach can become crowded—arrive early to secure your spot on the sand. Visiting the beach at sunset brings fantastic photo opportunities and cool, comfortable temperatures. 

During the peak hours of sunshine, take a break from the beach and follow the shaded path along the coast to the headland of Nossa Senhora da Rocha. Here, the towering cliffs harbor a medieval fortress and chapel, and provide panoramic views of The Algarve coastline.