I think this was my first trip abroad for about 8 years and I hadn’t a clue how to even make it happen initially. Obviously I went on the Ryanair website to try book flights but I found the process bewildering, all the different baggage options, extra fees, airport parking etc.. And I flew from Knock! Same with the hotel. How do you pick somewhere to stay and know that it’s gonna be decent? Nevertheless, I managed it all and off I went for my first visit to Portugal in late April, confident the weather would be decent. It was nearly summer after all!?

The hotel and weather turned out to be fine. A typical big resort hotel with balconies, pool, bar, restaurant and the usual Brits, Germans and Irish and even a nice Traveler wedding at one point! I also had regular visits from the biggest Seagulls I’ve ever seen. You could have hopped on the back of one for a quick flight.  It was within decent walking distance (about 20 mins) of the main beach and close to shops. It was nice walking on the beautifully cobbled, if a little slippy and rough paths and seeing the very artistic street name plaques and smelling the garden flowers on the way to and from the beach. Possibly the best thing about the hotel was the dinners. Some of the best BBQ chicken skewers I’ve ever had and my fist experience with Monk Fish. Ynom. I also got to pretty much make my own cocktails at the bar when the bar guy hadn’t a clue how to make Espresso Martinis or Black Russians! The evening entertainment was decent too.

As one does while on a sun holiday, I couldn’t wait to have a dip in the hotel pool but the sun was coming in and out on day one and the air temp didn’t feel too warm. I hoped against hope that maybe the pool might be heated but no! Next I tried my luck with the main beach and despite it being a bit wild looking I braved a dip. It was actually lovely but I also tried another, quieter beach a bit further along the coast on another day and got battered about a fair bit. The sand is odd in Albufeira, very gritty or something so you can get grazed easily if you get knocked over. Which I did! When I got out I spotted a sign that said “No Swimming until June!”. I had wondered why I was the only one in.

I always prefer to hang around a city’s Old Town if it has one and Albufeira Old Town was lovely but somewhat ruined by people constantly trying to drag you into their restaurant, cafe or bar. I hadn’t yet learned it’s ok to ignore them. It’s the main nightlife area too so if that’s not your thing maybe avoid. It’s worth a visit at least once though.

I’d also highly recommend the nice little cliff top walk westwards towards Albufeira Marina. There’s some lovely views and nice little bars to have a cooling drink. Equally, heading down the coast eastwards will bring you to some nice secluded beaches and Praia de Oura via a nice little path which crosses some rocky coast line that throws up awesome waves the spray from which is nice if it’s really hot! But don’t swim down this end if it’s not between June and August!

Oh and thank you Portugal for giving me my love of Manchego cheese and Super Bock Beer!