Albufeira is not just the party capital of the Algarve, but Portugal too! Smack bang in the centre of the region, right on the southernmost tip of Portugal's Atlantic coast, it boasts world-renowned beaches, a huge marina, a crazy nightlife and two dedicated party areas perfect for stag, hen and group holidays. They are known as, the Old Town Square and the New Town Strip, let's take a look at both areas as well as other cool parts of town that will make your holiday in Albufeira off the charts.

Albufeira New Town & Strip

The most popular part of Albufeira and the hub of the insane nightlife is the Strip! The road is officially called Avenida Sa Carneiro but that doesn't really have the same impact. The road starts around 2 km inland due North as the crow flies from Oura Beach in the Areias de Sao Joao area of the town. At the very top of the strip sits the huge Irish bar called the Erin's Isle and the first of the hotels found on the strip that used to be called the Montechoro but is now known as the Jupiter hotel. The top part of the strip is a quiet chilled out area, with limited craziness, no real loud bars or clubs, there are several restaurants, one being the American Diner, various sports bars, gift shops and cafes that run down to the main road that runs East to West through Albufeira. Once you cross the traffic lights you are now in party territory, the drinks are strong, the music is banging and the lights are bright. From bar to bar you can sip exotic cocktails, chug beers, knockback Jager bombs, pop bottles of Prosecco and taste every type of Gin, Rum or Vodka known to man. Amongst the many bars, shops, and restaurants found on the strip there are also 2 clubs found officially on the strip, Heaven and Space and one just off it, Kiss. Clubs don't open until 2 or 3 am and the bars stay open till 4 so you can imagine that pacing yourself is pretty important.

Albufeira Old Town Square

The Old Town has always been a place to chill and relax, to sip fine wine in a beachfront restaurant, sample the incredible seafood and Brazilian Churrasco, barbequed grilled meats and fresh fish, or share a Cataplana (Portuguese spicy stew) with friends. Unlike the Strip, the Old Town is a place to chat and catch up, to share stories and jokes in the warm evenings that bless the region during the spring, summer and autumn. But in recent years the Old Town Square has been developed to include trendy bars with wide terraces, outdoor seating, live music and DJ's, although a far cry from the madness of the new town, it still offers a great nightlife that many prefer.

Albufeira Marina

The newest addition to the Albufeira, the multi-coloured apartments, hotel and shops all surround a wide promenade lined with bars and restaurants an indoor go-kart track and a bowling alley. Fishing trips, jet boat rides, scuba diving, dolphin cruises, stand up paddle and all manner of watersports are available to provide you with hours of daytime distractions before you get back to the bars and clubs.