10 Things to Do in Albufeira in April

Albufeira is a popular tourist destination due to its beaches and lively nightlife. In this coastal town, which belongs to the Algarve region in Portugal, you can practice water sports: surfing, paddle surfing, diving, snorkelling, etc. You will also find a wide range of boat trips to discover the surrounding area. You will also find a wide range of boat trips to discover the surrounding area.

If you visit the city in April, not only will you take advantage of the warm weather to discover its beaches, but you will also be able to sample the seasonal gastronomy and take a trip to Lagos or other nearby towns. You can also celebrate Freedom Day with the locals , take part in Easter Week activities, among other of the best things to do in Albufeira, which are listed below.

At the end of April, Albufeira celebrates Freedom Day every year. This is a date of great importance for the locals, where commemorative, recreational and leisure activities are not to be missed. You can enjoy lectures, shows with traditional dances, boat rides, open sea sports, among other things.

For example, some of the activities that you can enjoy throughout this day are usually the following:

• The city's official ceremonies, which incorporate the raising of the flag and the poignant presentation of carnations by the population. In addition, you will see the guard of honour of the local fire brigade, etc. All this, in the town hall and at the headquarters of the Parish Councils.
• The D'Al-Buhera ballroom dancing performance, held in the Sports Pavilion of Olhos de Água.
• The maritime activities, these take place in the marina. There, you can go deep sea fishing, experience parasailing in Albufeira, scuba diving, take a boat trip along the coast and much more.

If you happen to be in Albufeira during the first days of April, then your visit might coincide with Easter. If so, you will have to try a traditional sweet of Portuguese gastronomy, the folar. This is a preparation consumed annually during these religious festivities.

Traditionally, folar should be given as a gift between godchildren and godparents. However, if you go to any restaurant, café, pastry shop, market or street food stall during these dates , you will be able to buy this delicious cake. You will delight your palate with the combination of flavours: aniseed, orange, sugar and encrusted eggs.

In fact, you could head to the village of Paderne, about 20 minutes from the centre of Albufeira, specifically to the Estádio João Campos, where another edition of the Paderne folar show takes place. This is a very popular event, where you will taste different versions of this recipe. You will also enjoy traditional music and dances.

After this gastronomic experience, you can continue with other activities on your itinerary. Perhaps join a tuk tuk tour of Albufeira, stroll around the city's marina, go shopping, etc.

The weather in Albufeira in April is quite mild. While you will enjoy sunny days, it is also possible for the atmosphere to be a little chilly at times. After all, it is still early in the spring season. So a good plan during your stay is to embark on a wine adventure. You'll warm up while enjoying delicious vintages of local wines.

Very close to the city centre, you'll find a couple of long-established family-owned wineries. Such is the case of the Cantor Winery, which is a 15-minute drive away or about 20 minutes by public transport, and the Quinta Canhoto Winery, about 9 minutes by car and approximately 20 minutes by public transport.

Both wineries are easily accessible, so you can visit them on your own. Here you can buy good, award-winning wines. You will also have the opportunity to take guided tastings and learn about the step-by-step process of cultivation and production of the beverages, i.e. from the vineyard to the packaging.

You can also join a tour of Silves and wine cellars from Albufeira if you wish. Not only will you visit the wine fields, but you will also explore this town, known for its legacy of Moorish architecture. Undoubtedly one of the best Albufeira tours for wine lovers, this tour incorporates a round trip transfer with a professional guide.

Albufeira is known for having a large number of beaches along its coastline. All of them with crystal clear waters, golden sand and lined with stunning cliffs. Take advantage of the city's low April traffic and enjoy these natural paradises.

Some of the best beaches in Albufeira to incorporate into your itinerary include the following:

• Baleeira beach; this is a long beach with low rocks that allow you to watch the fish. It is about 12 minutes away by car.
• Galé beach. Access is via a footbridge, the waters are calm and the sunsets are breathtaking. It is about 18 minutes drive from the old town.
• Falesia beach, with a beautiful visual contrast. The turquoise blue water on one side and the reddish cliffs on the other. It is about 25 minutes away by car.
• Santa Eulália beach, with small coves, fine sand and bathed by the Atlantic Ocean. It is about 10 minutes away by car.

In any of them you can swim and relax on the sand without annoying crowds. You will also have the opportunity to practice some water sports on your own or join a surfing lesson in Albufeira, kayaking, paddle boarding, among other specialities.

Depending on the season of the year you are in, you will enjoy a different sunset. Therefore, watching the sunset during your trip to Albufeira in April is a unique moment. You will discover another perspective of the city and its surroundings, covered by the warmth and vitality of spring, thanks to the last rays of the sun.

A good place to watch the sun sink into the horizon and connect with nature is usually the Albufeira Marina. It is about 9 minutes away by car or around 43 minutes on foot, so access is not a problem.

There, you will find a series of terraces with bars and restaurants from where you will have a privileged view: the sea and the clear sky, both tinged with various shades of reddish tones of low intensity. You can also approach the pier and walk along it at your own pace while taking some pictures.

You can also connect with one of the best boat tours in Albufeira at sunset or opt for a private yacht charter in Albufeira. This way, you will enhance the experience.

Your April travel itinerary in Albufeira won't be complete without a day of shopping. Because this month is the low season, you can get good prices in the different shops in the old town and in the shopping centres. You can buy clothes, jewellery, accessories and many souvenirs.

This is an activity that you can do at your own pace. You will spend a different day exploring the shopping areas of this city. For example:

• The Albufeira Shopping Centre, with all kinds of shops, restaurants, cafes, supermarkets.
• The pedestrian street 5 de Octubre, considered the main commercial artery of Albufeira. There, you will find Casa Raminhos and Portucale .LOVE, with ceramics and handicrafts. There are also fashion shops and a supermarket.
• Avenida da Liberdade, with fashion shops, shoes, handicrafts and accessories. In addition, in this area you will find some bicycle rental companies.

Another of the best activities in Albufeira during April is to discover its cultural heritage. This is on the occasion of the International Day for Monuments and Sites, which is celebrated annually on 18 April. You can visit some places of great historical importance.

On this day, made official by UNESCO in 1983, you can learn about the diversity of cultural heritage and how vulnerable it can be. To do so, you can visit Paderne Castle, located about 30 minutes' drive from the centre of Albufeira. It is a fortress built in sandstone during the 12th century, considered a site of public interest.

You can admire this castle, representative of the predominant Muslim military architecture in the Iberian Peninsula, and walk along its long signposted paths. You will also cross the Paderne or Roman bridge, whose simple structure was built on the banks of the river Quarteira.

Furthermore, if you want to delve deeper into the city's cultural heritage, you could go to the Municipal Archaeology Museum. You will learn about the history of the city through the collections exhibited in its rooms, starting from prehistoric times and going through the Roman and Islamic periods until you reach the Modern Age.

Albufeira's pleasant April temperatures and few rainy days are ideal weather conditions for excursions during your trip. Escape the hustle and bustle of the old town and visit the seaside town of Lagos, a 50-minute drive away.

This is a must-see destination if you are in Albufeira. During the tour, you will see the church of St. Anthony, named National Monument and representative of the baroque style; the medieval Castle of Lagos, whose walls surrounded the city; the Forte da Bandeira, built in the 17th century.

Afterwards, you should take a walk along the coast of this city. You will be amazed by the natural beauty of its Atlantic beaches. You can go to the area of the cliffs of Ponta de Piedade, a great tourist attraction from where you will have a privileged view.

There is also Dona Ana beach, with crystal clear waters, and Camilo beach, protected from the waves by large rocks and easily accessible via a wooden staircase. At either beach, you can walk along the warm, fine sand or dive into the waters, which reach 17ºC in April.

April temperatures are mild in Albufeira, so you can enjoy outdoor activities without fear of heat stroke. Such is the case of walking along the west coast of the city along the Alvor promenade. You will enjoy the stunning natural scenery and connect with nature.

For this adventure, you will have to travel about 35 minutes by car to the fishing village of Alvor. There, you will embark on a 5-kilometre route along a wooden walkway bordered by the estuary (natural pool with fishing boats and sport boats).

Along this hike you will see crystal clear lagoons, white sand dunes and some wetlands. You will also have the opportunity to see birds native to the region such as flamingos. You can stop at the footbridge to take amazing pictures and breathe the fresh air of this magical place.

The Mercado Municipal dos Calicos is another must-see during your trip to Albufeira in April. You'll get fresh produce from the countryside and the sea, all from the spring season. All of them brought daily by local farmers and fishermen.

The market is located a few metres from the old town and is open from 8:00 to 14:00 hours. When you arrive, you will be amazed by the colourful fruits and vegetables. You will find bananas, blueberries, apples, oranges, among others, the latter being one of the protagonists of this month. You will also find chard, beans, spinach, tomatoes, carrots and much more in the fruit and vegetable area.

During the tour you will see fish stalls, two butcher's shops and a delicatessen. You can also have breakfast or lunch, depending on the time of your visit, in the restaurants and cafés set up inside the market.

Temperatures in Albufeira in April register a maximum of around 19ºC to 21ºC and a minimum ranging from 11ºC to around 13ºC. This is due to a daily increase of up to 2ºC. However, temperatures rarely rise above 25ºC or fall below 8ºC. It is a rather cool season, where you should expect only 3 to 8 rainy days.

In this month the skies over the city remain clear and winds reach about 13 kilometres per hour. In addition, the seawater temperature usually averages 17ºC. These are all good weather conditions for water activities such as a kayak tour or paddle surfing through Albufeira's caves and hidden beaches, among others.

If you are planning to visit Albufeira in April, you should know that during this spring month the city offers mild weather. You will find several sunny days and a few rainy ones. Therefore, you can pack some beach dresses, shorts, T-shirts with or without sleeves, among other items of clothing to keep you cool.

It is important to bring a light coat, as temperatures tend to drop a little in the evenings. Also, don't forget a hat, sunglasses and UV protection +50. You'll need it during outdoor activities: strolling the streets of the old town, taking a speedboat ride in Albufeira, among other adventures.