Cheap flights to Albufeira from HK$8,386

Albufeira, the city in the district of Faro, Portugal, is a holiday hotspot, the biggest and best-known resort on the Algarve. It is famous for its nightlife and therefore popular with younger tourists, but there is enough in the town to suit families with young children and retirees too.

Albuferia’s history goes back thousands of years, to Roman times. A prosperous trading port in the time of the Moors, it declined over the centuries but found prosperity again with the rise of tourism in the 1970s. A pretty town, the old centre has the characterful cobbled streets lined by whitewashed and blue-tiled houses, dotted with colourful flowers. The golden beach is soft and sandy, backed by towering cliffs.

For nightlife, Rua Candido dos Reis is the main drag, packed with bars and clubs. For a quieter night out, the pubs and cafes on the main square are geared more for families and older couples.

What is good to know if travelling to Albufeira?

• All the beaches round Albufeira have soft sand, and just so you don’t get visually bored, some fantastic rocks. The Old Town beach has one in a conical shape slap bang in the middle.
• Nightlife. You couldn’t miss it is you tried. So don’t try.
• Look for some old fishing boats in the marina. Some of them still have the large eye painted on them to ward off evil.