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Albufeira, Algarve

Albufeira guide for Irish holidaymakers: direct flights to Faro, Algarve weather by season, Old Town vs The Strip, and a late deal tip.

Updated Saturday 17 October 2026

Why go

Albufeira is a city and resort on the Algarve coast. The municipality has about 44,000 residents, and its population swells to around 300,000 in summer. It also gets busy over Christmas and New Year. The name comes from the Arabic word for lagoon.

The town has two main tourist areas. The Old Town has narrow streets and white houses. The Strip is full of bars and late-night venues. Add a marina, nearby golf courses and a short flight from Ireland, and it suits a wide range of holidays.

Getting there from Ireland

Fly to Faro Airport (FAO). Six Irish airports fly direct, more than most sun destinations. Based on current airport route tables:

  • Dublin: Aer Lingus and Ryanair
  • Cork: Ryanair, plus Aer Lingus seasonally
  • Shannon: Ryanair
  • Knock: Ryanair, seasonal
  • Kerry: Ryanair, seasonal
  • Belfast International: easyJet and Ryanair, plus Jet2 seasonally

The flight from Dublin takes about two and three quarter hours. Faro Airport is 4 km from the city of Faro and handled more than 10 million passengers in 2025.

When to go

Average highs in Albufeira:

  • Winter (December to February): about 16°C to 17°C. Mild, but not beach weather.
  • Spring (March to May): about 19°C to 23°C. Good for golf, walking and Easter breaks.
  • Summer (June to September): about 26°C to 29°C. July is the sunniest month.
  • Autumn (October and November): about 23°C in October, dropping to about 19°C in November.

Albufeira is one of the sunniest places you can fly to from Ireland in summer, with over 370 hours of sunshine in July. Even December averages about 155 hours.

The Atlantic here is cooler than the Mediterranean. At Faro, the sea averages about 16°C to 17°C in January and 22°C to 24°C in August and September.

Where to stay

  • Old Town: the historic centre, with narrow streets of white and tiled houses.
  • The Strip (Areias de São João): the main street, Avenida Francisco Sá Carneiro, is full of bars, restaurants and open-air nightclubs.
  • Marina: the area around Albufeira’s marina, a different base from the Old Town and The Strip.

Good for

  • Families: Algarve beaches and long, sunny summer days, with July the sunniest month.
  • Nightlife: The Strip, with bars and open-air nightclubs.
  • Golf: courses close to the town.
  • Food: try local fish stew and grilled sardines.
  • Christmas and New Year: the town gets busy again over the holidays, so it is one Algarve option for a winter city and coast break.

Late deal tip

With direct flights from six Irish airports, Faro is ideal for flexible travellers. Check Kerry and Knock in summer, and Cork and Shannon all year. In the shoulder months of May, June and September, the weather is warm and late prices can be better than in peak summer.

Sources

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