Albufeira is spread out rather than high-rise. The town itself consists of "old" and "new" sections which merge seamlessly into an extensive holiday-land, spreading off back east along the coast to Balaia, Olhos d'Agua and Falesia, and west to São Rafael, Galé and the links golf course at Salgados. The whole area, greater Albufeira you could call it, really is unique; people come here in droves and have the time of their lives.

On the west side of the town, a new marina is in the final stages of construction. Moving eastwards, the epicentre of the “old” town is Largo Engeheiro Duarte Pacheco (The Square) where you will find a variety of street performers demonstrating their talents; pavement artists sell brightly coloured paintings of local views and musicians play a remarkable range of styles from jazz to traditional Fado. The town retains its character, with a labyrinth of cobbled, winding streets and white painted archways and there is a market feel to the main square; stalls and shops selling local pottery, crochet work and handicrafts. Nearby, next to the tourist information office, a tunnel at the end of a pedestrian-only mall leads on to the Fisherman's beach. "New" Albufeira, centred on Areias de São João, lies eastwards of the old town. Its most famous thoroughfare is affectionately known as The Strip. It stretches from the Montechoro Hotel, through Areias de São João past scores of cafes, restaurants and bars, all the way down to a big busy beach called Praia da Oura.

Albufeira’s beaches begin at Praia do Peneco on the western side. The seafront has been pedestrianised all the way along and so it is very easy, even with several children in tow, to walk along to the next beach or just take a pleasant stroll. To the east is the Praia dos Pescadores, or Praia dos Barcos as it is sometimes known, which translates as the Fishermen’s Beach. This beach harks back to the time when fishing was Albufeira’s main income, and is nowadays shared by topless sun-bathers and sun-hardened fishermen far too busy mending their nets to notice the bare boobs bobbing about their boats on the sand. Further along there is a long town beach, and to the western side of the town the Praia da Ouro has its own beach. Along the next 10km of coastline are quieter beaches such as Balaia and Olhos de Água, and regular bus services run along the coast from Albufeira in the day.