Best tours of Albufeira

From kayak tours to quad tours: Albufeira has all kinds of excursions where you can immerse yourself in its rich natural heritage.

Ana Caballero

Ana Caballero

10 min read

Best tours of Albufeira

Streets of Albufeira | ©Artūras Kokorevas

Albufeira is one of the main cities of the Algarve. Although it is known for its atmosphere and nightlife, the city has many other attractions, such as its beaches or its gastronomic culture.

A great way to get to know it in depth is by taking a tour. For my taste, this is one of the best things to do in Albufeira, as there are excursions of all kinds and in all of them you will discover the magic that characterizes the province.

1. Albufeira Jeep Tour

Jeep| ©firehouse.ie
Jeep| ©firehouse.ie

One of the most common tours to do in Albufeira is a jeep tour. This type of excursion is a lot of fun and also, unlike the boat or motorboat tours, it can be done at any time of the year. Therefore, you can include it among the best things to do in Albufeira in November, April or any other month.

With this tour you will be able to go around the city, from its most beautiful villages to its natural areas. You will leave behind beautiful orange groves, as well as ancient castles in the area. Usually, these experiences are accompanied by a professional guide, who will tell you all the facts and curiosities about the area.

In addition, some of these excursions also include extra activities, such as a dip in a waterfall or a tasting of the famous Medronho brandy, an aromatic drink very typical of the Algarve. The jeep tours usually offer flexibility of time, with a choice of morning or afternoon rides. They usually last about four hours.

Details of interest

  • Price: About 37 euros more or less.
  • Duration: Approximately 4 hours.
  • Means of transport: jeep
  • Advantages of this option: You will be able to tour Albufeira in a comfortable and fast way, as well as passing through the countryside.
  • Disadvantages of this option: It is not a very recommendable excursion for very hot months, such as August, as the high temperatures can spoil the experience.

Book a jeep tour in Albufeira

2. Albufeira quad tour

Quaq Tour| ©Hans Pohl
Quaq Tour| ©Hans Pohl

Another way to do a tour of Albufeira and add a touch of fun and adventure is to do it on a quad bike. This is one of the best activities to do in Albufeira, thanks to the combination of fun and nature. You can tour the most spectacular landscapes of the Algarve in your 4x4 all-terrain vehicle with a friend.

Among the most common visits included in quad tours is the Paderne Castle, an ancient Muslim castle of great importance in the history of Portugal and the Iberian Peninsula. It is also common to visit the town of Paderne, an ancient village located in the middle of the countryside.

The quad tours are usually done in groups with the accompaniment of a professional guide, who will guide you through the best areas of Albufeira to make the most of the experience. The quad tour lasts approximately two hours, depending on the organizer.

Details of interest

  • Price: Around 32 euros per person, more or less.
  • Duration: Approximately two hours.
  • Means of transport: By quad
  • Advantages of this option: It is a great way to tour the natural landscapes of Albufeira while having fun.
  • Disadvantages of this option: It is not a very suitable tour for the summer months, due to the high temperatures.

Book a quad tour in Albufeira

3. Albufeira tuk tuk tour

Tuk tuk| ©Jeff
Tuk tuk| ©Jeff

The tuk tuk tour, like the jeep tour, is an excellent way to get to the wildest corners of the city without having to make the effort to walk. Unlike this one, tuk tuk tours tend to focus on the coastal area.

Tours of this type generally follow the same route. One of the most common places to visit by tuk tuk is Praia dos Pescadores, which is located in the historic center of Albufeira. You will love its miles of golden sand and turquoise water.

It is also normal that the tour includes the Albufeira Marina, where all kinds of water sports are performed. You will also be able to visit many of the best beaches of Albufeira, such as Praia dos Arrifes or Praia de Sao Rafae ... .

Details of interest

  • Price: About 32 euros per person
  • Duration: Approximately 2 hours
  • Means of transport: Tuk Tuk
  • Advantages of this option: You will be able to reach areas that are difficult to access on foot and get to know some of the best beaches in Albufeira.
  • Disadvantages of this option: These tours do not offer much flexibility when it comes to changing the route.

Book a tuk tuk tour in Albufeira

4. Albufeira kayak tour

Albufeira Kayak Tour| ©Lukasz Karnas
Albufeira Kayak Tour| ©Lukasz Karnas

One of the best boat tours in Albufeira are the kayak tours. Compared to other water sports, kayaking is a quiet and simple activity, so it is perfect for you if you are not too much into adrenaline and adventure.

With a kayak tour you can reach caves, coves and beaches that can only be accessed from the water. These tours usually include the accompaniment of a professional guide, who takes the group through the best areas to visit. Thanks to this and to the fact that it is an uncomplicated sport, these excursions do not require previous experience.

In addition, certain kayak tours also include stops at paradisiacal beaches and even snacks to further enhance the experience.

Details of interest

  • Price: Approximately 37 euros per person.
  • Duration: Approximately 2 hours and a half.
  • Means of transportation: kayak
  • Advantages of this option: You will be able to visit beaches, caves and caves that otherwise would be impossible.
  • Disadvantages of this option: It is an activity that depends on weather conditions to be done.

5. Tour of Silves from Albufeira

Streets of Silves| ©Bob
Streets of Silves| ©Bob

One of the great benefits of the Algarve is that the cities are a very short distance away. Therefore, those who visit this area of Portugal usually take the opportunity to visit a large number of places. Of all the nearby places, one of the most charming towns is Silves.

This town is part of the district of Faro and was once the capital of the Algarve. The great importance it had as a fortress in the Arab period makes it a place full of history, monuments and archaeological remains. Silves is also known for its wineries, both red, white and rosé.

Silves tours from Albufeira usually include a visit to one of the wineries, as well as a wine tasting. Of course, the guide will take you to the most iconic sites of the town and tell you all about its history.

Details of interest

  • Price: About 58 euros per person.
  • Duration: Approximately 4 hours.
  • Means of transport: The tour is on foot, but includes transport to and from Albufeira.
  • Advantages of this option: You will get to know one of the most important towns in the south of Portugal and taste its delicious wine.
  • Disadvantages of this option: In summer it can be an unsuitable activity due to the heat.

Book a Tour to Silves and wine cellars from Albufeira

6. Speedboat tour of the Benagil Caves

Benagil Caves| ©Jose Palao Chinchilla
Benagil Caves| ©Jose Palao Chinchilla

The Benagil Caves are natural formations resulting from the erosion of the sea over time. They are located in Algar de Benagil and are one of the most beautiful natural landscapes to see in the Algarve. You can reach them in different ways, but I recommend a speedboat tour. This way, you will add adrenaline to the excursion.

You will be able to see the spectacular cliffs, as well as the panoramic views of the sea. In addition, you will also have the opportunity to take a dip, as well as to take amazing pictures of the views. And if you are lucky, you may even see dolphins, both common and bottlenose. This type of tour usually lasts about two hours.

Details of interest

  • Price: About 29 euros per person.
  • Duration: Approximately 2 hours.
  • Means of transportation: Speedboat
  • Advantages of this option: You will discover one of the most spectacular natural formations of the Algarve.
  • Disadvantages of this option: Whether the activity can be carried out depends on the tide.

Book a speedboat tour to Benagil Caves and dolphin watching in Albufeira

7. Pirate boat tour in Albufeira

Leaozinho Boat| ©Dream Wave Algarve
Leaozinho Boat| ©Dream Wave Algarve

Another fantastic way to enjoy the Atlantic breeze is to take a boat tour in Albufeira. This is one of the best things to do in Albufeira in April or other spring months, when the weather is nice but not too hot.

There are many types of boats you can choose from. However, if you want to add a different touch to the experience I recommend choosing a pirate ship.

You will visit stunning white sandy beaches, swim in the turquoise waters of the ocean and sunbathe. In addition, some Albufeira pirate ship tours include a meal on the beach. During the tour, an expert guide will comment on what you see.

Interesting details

  • Price: About 58 euros per person.
  • Duration: Approximately 6 hours.
  • Means of transport: Pirate ship
  • Advantages of this option: You will enjoy a pleasant boat ride and visit spectacular beaches.
  • Disadvantages of this option: The activity may have to be cancelled due to weather conditions.

How to book a tour in Albufeira

Book Online| ©Glenn Carstens-Peters
Book Online| ©Glenn Carstens-Peters

The tours I propose you can be booked online, which is a great advantage. By booking this way, you will avoid the fact that there are no places available at the moment. In this way, you will only have to provide certain personal information necessary for the reservation, such as your full name, a phone number and your email address.

In addition, you will also need to provide certain information for payment. Afterwards, you will receive your tour tickets in your email, so that you can carry them on your cell phone and not lose them.

Duration of the excursions to Albufeira

Watch| ©Cats Coming
Watch| ©Cats Coming

It all depends on the type of transportation you choose. Obviously, a kayak tour is not the same as a jeep tour. This is ideal, because depending on the time you have, you can choose one tour or the other. This way, you will never run out of options. In case you have more time for the tour, you can opt for the pirate boat ride.

On the other hand, if you are looking for something quick to fill a gap between two activities, you can opt for the quad tour in Albufeira. Generally, the excursions in Albufeira last between two and six hours.

What will I see on this type of excursion?

Getting to know Albufeira| ©Patrick Nouhailler
Getting to know Albufeira| ©Patrick Nouhailler

Albufeira tours stand out for getting into nature. In all of them, the natural heritage of the city is the main protagonist. While some, such as the speedboat tour or the kayak tour, sail the Atlantic Ocean, others go through the typical orange groves of the Algarve.

The common point among all the tours, without a doubt, are the wonderful beaches you will see. Whether it is a tour through the historic center or another one through the outskirts of the city, all of them have panoramic views of the different beaches of Albufeira.

Tips for a tour in Albufeira

Portimão.| ©Daniel Lombraña González
Portimão.| ©Daniel Lombraña González

Albufeira is one of the best known cities in the Algarve. However, it won't take you long to see it. Therefore, my first tip is to take advantage of your trip to the south of Portugal to get to know other nearby cities.

One of the most beautiful is Faro, which is the capital of the Algarve and is known for its beautiful old town. Besides Faro, I also advise you to go to Lagos, Tavira and Portimão.

When touring Albufeira, the best dates are spring or autumn. In these months there are fewer tourists and the temperatures are more pleasant.

How much does a tour of Albufeira cost?

Money in euros| ©Ibrahim Boran
Money in euros| ©Ibrahim Boran

Albufeira tours cost between 30 and 60 euros. Of course, there are also more expensive ones, although these usually include all kinds of extras and sometimes accommodation. However, if we are talking about a tour around the city that lasts between 2 and 6 hours, that is the approximate price range.

The price difference depends on the transport used, the number of hours of the tour or what it includes. Some, for example, include food in their price and others include transportation to and from your hotel.

What are the villages I should not miss in Albufeira?

Olhos de Água| ©silene andrade
Olhos de Água| ©silene andrade

In addition to the city of Albufeira, the province has charming villages. In fact, you can experience more of the local lifestyle and culture in the villages than in the provincial capital. In the municipalities near Albufeira there is not so much mass tourism, which makes them more traditional.

Among the many towns worth visiting, I suggest you visit Olhos de Água, a fishing village located east of Albufeira that is known for its springs. You can also visit Paderne, where you can see the medieval castle.

If you are looking for a rural place where you can lose yourself among the cobbled streets and nature, your ideal destination is Alte. However, if you give priority to your palate and are looking for a town with good gastronomy, you should opt for Guia, famous for its rich gastronomy.