Albufeira, Praia d'Oura, Olhos d'Água, Santa Eulália & Branqueira

Albufeira was once a fishing village and is now a popular bustling resort with many restaurants, bars and shops. The old town retains its character with winding cobbled streets and white painted archways; the recently modernised main square has cafés, music bars and, in the height of the summer, there is live entertainment. Leading from the square are narrow streets with numerous bars, as well as stalls and shops selling local pottery, handicrafts and souvenirs. The main town beach is reached through a tunnel and at low tide becomes joined to a smaller beach, once the home of the local fishing boats, which are now to be found in the marina to the west of Albufeira. Overlooking the fishermen's beach are some great fish restaurants including the well known Ruina Seafood Restaurant and the area has a lively atmosphere during the summer with several bars playing live music until late. To the west side of the town is the brightly coloured marina, which is home to some stylish yachts, several cafés, restaurants and an ice cream parlour. Sea fishing trips, dolphin safaris, diving and other water activities are available from the marina and in the summer there are open-air concerts and fashion shows. The Cerro Grande is a residential area overlooking Albufeira Marina with a supermarket, restaurant, café/bar and is a short walk from the town centre. The road around the edge of Albufeira leads to the newer suburbs, where the daily fish, fruit and vegetable market is located. The eastern side of Albufeira eventually becomes the popular resort of Praia d'Oura, not for anyone who wants to experience the Portuguese way of life but a hive of bars, nightclubs and shops - all catering very much to the English market. A little further east are the areas of Santa Eulália, Olhos D'Água and Branqueira which were originally small fishing communities and have since become bustling resorts. One of the trendiest clubs in the Algarve - Le Club - is located on the Santa Eulália beach, which also has two restaurants. These resorts have lovely sandy beaches with attractive rock formations, creating rock pools at low tide. Most of the villas we offer here are in prime positions within walking distance of a beach, shops and all the attractions. Some are set in extensive grounds, allowing privacy even at the height of the season. Pinecliffs Golf Course is close by, as is the smart Sheraton Resort, with an excellent (if expensive) restaurant. An added bonus to the general area is the Algarve Shopping Centre, located just to the north of Albufeira. It has numerous and varied shops, fast food restaurants, cinemas showing English speaking films and ten pin bowling, as well as a large hypermarket.

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Albufeira, Praia d'Oura, Olhos d'Água, Santa Eulália & Branqueira

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