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Albufeira Municipality

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Albufeira
Municipality
Flag of Albufeira
Flag
Coat of arms of Albufeira
Coat of arms
Location in Portugal
Location in Portugal
Country Portugal
RegionAlgarve
SubregionAlgarve
District/A.R.Faro
Government
 • MayorDesidério Jorge da Silva (PSD)
Area
 • Total
140.6 km2 (54.3 sq mi)
Population
 • Total
35,281
 • Density251/km2 (650/sq mi)
Parishes (no.)5
Municipal holiday
August 20
Websitehttp://www.cm-albufeira.pt/

Albufeira (Portuguese pronunciation: [aɫbuˈfɐjɾɐ]) is a Portuguese city and a municipality in the district of Faro, Algarve (الغرب) region[1]. Its name came from the Arabic: البحيرة (al-Buħayra = "the lagoon"). The city proper has a population of 13,646.[2] The municipality has a population of 35,281 inhabitants and a total area of 140.6 km². The population expands to an estimated 300,000 in the summer and New Year's as Albufeira is one of the leading tourist resorts of the region. Facilities include a marina, golf courses plus innumerable hotels, apartment blocks, restaurants and bars for the annual flood of visitors.

Economy

Tourism and commerce are the main activities in Albufeira. Most tourists arrive via the nearby Faro Airport, a 40-minute drive away.

After sunset, the centre of Albufeira comes alive with bars, restaurants, and shops to suit most tastes, from authentic Portuguese-fare to Irish pubs.

Architecture

The architecture of the town ranges from typically Algarvian narrow streets with pale white and sometimes tiled houses to very modern tourist developments. The apartments near the newly built Marina e Bryn are a unique splash of pinks, blues, and yellows, dubbed "Legoland" by the local inhabitants.

Gastronomy

A local culinary speciality is cataplana (steamed shellfish), a very well known dish from the Algarve region. Caldeirada (fish stew), and the simpler but also popular grilled sardines are also very appreciated and are traditional dishes across the entire country, especially in litoral areas.

Nightlife

Nightlife in Albufeira

The nightlife on "The Strip", located near the Montechoro section of Albufeira, proves especially popular during the summer with all ages, especially the younger tourists. Going down "The Strip", the most popular bars include Erin's Isle, Matt's Bar, Linekers, Café del Mar, Mustang, BJ's, Garage, Reno's, La Bamba, and Wild & Co. There is also an extremely popular nightclub, Kiss. Kadoc, located around seven miles away between Albufeira and Vilamoura near the town of Boliqueime.

Football

Several regular tournaments are played in the Algarve, notably the Algarve Cup. Also, many British teams spend the summer in Albufeira for pre-season training as well as friendly games. In recent years, both Sunderland and Ipswich Town have played games in various venues in the area. In October 2009, Sassco.co.uk amateur Sunderland-based football team will be undertaking a three match tour in Albufeira.[3] The games are due to be played against local teams FC Ferreiras and Juventude Sport Campinense at their venues of Estádio da Nora and Destination Football, respectively.

Parish

City of Albufeira
Fisherman's Beach at Albufeira

Places of Historic Interest

Beaches

  • Praia dos Salgados
  • Praia da Galé
  • Praia Manuel Lourenço
  • Praia do Evaristo
  • Praia do Castelo
  • Praia da Coelha
  • Praia de São Rafael
  • Praia dos Arrifes
  • Praia do Peneco
  • Praia dos Pescadores (Fisherman's Beach)
  • Praia do INATEL
  • Praia dos Alemães
  • Praia dos Aveiros
  • Praia da Oura
  • Praia de Santa Eulália
  • Praia Maria Luísa
  • Praia dos Olhos d'Água
  • Praia do Barranco das Belharucas
  • Praia da Falésia
  • Praia dos Tomates
  • Praia da Rocha Baixinha

Beaches are ordered from West to East.[4]

References

  1. ^ Detail Regional Map, Algarve- Southern Portugal, ISBN 3-8297-6235-6
  2. ^ UMA POPULAÇÃO QUE SE URBANIZA, Uma avaliação recente - Cidades, 2004 Nuno Pires Soares, Instituto Geográfico Português (Geographic Institute of Portugal)
  3. ^ "Portugal Football Tour 2009". Sassco.co.uk website. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |downloaded= ignored (help)
  4. ^ http://albufeira.com/praias/guia/default.asp
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