A look at a map of Albufeira makes it clear: the city was built very chaotically, there are no separate tourist areas (hotels and hostels are scattered all over the city). The map of Albufeira has the traditional division into Old and New Town.
The old part is the atmosphere of the old Portuguese city, a lot of cafes in the central square, souvenir stores and leather goods stores, narrow streets and cozy bars. There are plenty of options in this part of the Albufeira hotel map, but we recommend staying outside the Old Town (it's too noisy and crowded).
New Albufeira is a typical Portuguese city, with both party places where young people flock in the evenings and music blares until the morning, and quiet, secluded neighborhoods. To the southwest of the city is the Marina de Albufeira, a small bay protected from the Atlantic winds by the hills.
The ideal areas to live are in the center of Albufeira, adjacent to the Old Town. This way you can walk to the beach or historical sights in 10-15 minutes, while staying overnight away from the noisy tourist areas.
What neighborhood in Albufeira should you stay in if you're a fan of nightlife? A hotel in the Strip, Montechoro or Areias de São João (about two kilometers from the Old Center) would be perfect. The best neighborhood for yachtsmen is Marina de Albufeira, the city's marina. Around it, in close proximity to the ocean, are dozens of apartments, restaurants and stores.
There are no dangerous areas in Albufeira - tourists are simply advised to stay closer to the city center (Albufeira Centro).
