Albufeira is a classic Mediterranean town that has quite a contrast between its two halves. With tightly wound streets that snake up the hill in rustic trails of adventure, there’s history, mystery and more waiting for you, while the other half – The Strip – is more modernised and packed with all the restaurants, bars and shops you could want.

A great highlight to Albufeira holidays on the whole is that this resort is right by the shore of two of the finest beaches in the Algarve, namely Praia dos Pescadores and Praia do Tunel. Each of those sandy stretches offer a stunning golden coast and shimmering sea, where families, couples and friends flock every day to sunbathe, party and play.

Cheap holidays to Albufeira are not hard to achieve, there’s plenty of pocket friendly hotels and restaurants that still don’t mean you have to skimp on those finer things. In particular, All Inclusive holidays in Albufeira are a great way to keep the purse strings tight but memories and fun at an all time maximum.

Indeed, this means that when you are looking for all out luxury, that’s certainly what you’ll get. The Algarve is a beautiful region and has plenty of jaw dropping hotels dotted throughout.

Downtown versus old town

Holidaymakers who visit Albufeira largely divide their time between the two parts of the town. For the slick nightclubs, all-day and all-night bars and funky neon lounges, the downtown district thrums at every hour. Tourists and locals mingle freely in this popular part of town, where dancing until dawn is almost a rite of passage, and where crisp beers and zingy cocktails are all part of a night’s work.

Head to the old town and it’s instead awash with culture and tales of old and being largely pedestrianised, it was quite literally made for enchanting strolls. Here, handcrafted works and local artisans congregate around side-street cafes and coffee shops, and the nightlife venues favour live music, downtempo lifestyles and good conversation.

Striking that balance is something few resorts can claim to have achieved, yet it’s definitely apparent and fulfilling for holidays in Albufeira. What’s more, the local architecture mixes classic Portuguese designs with modern Mediterranean chic, so it really is a sight to see – and makes your photo album look great. Just one stroll from the hilltop avenues to the colourful marina will let you experience this beautiful contrast.

Enticing cuisine

In Albufeira, everything from high-end restaurants to casual seaside diners are available to you. Every budget and every palate is ready for you and your fellow travellers to enjoy.

Poultry dishes and succulent seafood feature prominently in dozens of the establishments available to you, while vegetarian options are also known for being in abundant supply here – which some consider a delightful surprise compared to many similar resorts.

You’ll find that restaurant menus are written in a huge range of different languages, which speaks volumes on Albufeira’s global appeal as a tourist destination. That international mindset also stretches to what’s on the menus, you’ll find everything from the local classics to your Asian favourites, as well as Italian, traditional English and many more.

Your cheap Albufeira holidays will make no sacrifice as you’ll tend to find prices in Portugal to be cheaper than those in the UK, meaning dining out can be the norm – and totally worth it!

Brilliantly central

Yet another great thing about holidays in Albufeira is that it’s a very central place to launch your escapades from and explore more of the famous Algarve. You can head to the coast for diving and watersports, or out into the countryside for nature trails and hiking.

Theme parks and adventure excursions will keep the youngsters keen, like the Zoomarine park, where rides and dolphin shows are just another day’s work. There’s animal shows, fun rides, and the all important lazy river, plus, they have a heavy focus on the conservation of ocean life which you can learn all about.

Aqualand waterpark is where wet and wild towers slide over pools full of laughing swimmers, while cave tours and pirate cruises let the spirit of adventure take flight on land and sea. Most excursions and parks can all be booked online where you’ll often find special online promotions and deals to save a few pennies.

Meanwhile, spa retreats are also ready to soothe tired bodies and minds. There’s several spa venues giving you the chance to get a full body massage or other therapeutic treatments – maybe a great idea for the day after the waterpark.

Bus travel is very reliable and cost effective across the Algarve so it makes a great way to be able to get out and about and explore your surroundings.