Getting About in Albufeira and the Algarve FAQ's

There are many beaches in Albufeira. The nearest are listed below.

Praia da Oura (15 minute walk, pictured) - this is the closest beach to the apartments and is quite stunning.
Praia Santa Eulália (15-20 minute walk) - Heading east from Praia da Oura this is a huge and beautiful beach with a great car park and lots of facilities.
Praia dos Aveiros (20 minutes walk) - heading west from Praia da Oura this is the next beach along. It's smaller but has the added interest of rock formation to explore and a nice cafe with a terrace.
Praia do Forte São João (25 minutes walk) - heading west once more this is an enormous beach. There are steep steps running down to the beach and limited parking.
Praia do Inatel (30 minutes walk) - close the the Old Town this is another wonderful stretch of sand.
Praia Maria Luisa ( 30 minutes walk) - This beach is east of Praia Santa Eulália and offers more beautiful pale sand and great facilities.

If you go west from Albufeira past the Marina your will find many more stunning beaches just a few minutes drive from your apartment, they aren't included here as they are more than a 30 minute walk.

For more information on all beaches in the area there is an excellent interactive beach map at http://albufeira.com/beach/guide/default.asp

Alternatively the Portuguese Tourist Board publish a beach guide covering the entire country. Download a copy here in PDF format (5.8MB opens a new window). Albufeira beaches are from page 47 (92) onwards. Praia da Oura is on page 55 (108).

We usually hire a car when we go out to the apartments.  At the Airport we use Avis (there are several hire car companies at the airport) and locally in Albufeira there are many car hire companies.  It’s a 25 minutes drive from Faro Airport to Parque da Corcovada and we have a map and directions we can send you over if you require it.  If you own a satellite navigation product check and see if it covers Europe, many do.  We hire a car because it’s very reasonably priced and it gives us to ability to explore further afield, something we both enjoy doing.  

If you hire a car in Albufeira for the last few days of your holiday you can ask for an Airport drop off to add flexibility to your return airport trip.  Depending on flight and checkout times we often spend our last day exploring a local city and doing some browsing or shopping; with a car this is very easy. You have access to incredible places like Praia da Marinha (pictured, just 15-20 minutes drive, see the location on Google Maps). Located between Armação de Pêra and Carvoeiro, is a small cove beach that nestles snugly at the base of rocky outcrops. If you tried to imagine the most picturesque beach possible, you're probably still falling short.

As a bonus you have a private secure (electric door) underground parking space with a lift or stairs directly to your apartment from the garage. Your car is always cool when you get into it, luxury!

PLEASE BE AWARE there is a zero tolerance policy in Portugal for drinking and driving (the limit is 20mg per 100ml, the UK is 80mg, don't risk it), speeding and bad driving. You will also NEED to carry your passport, driving license (both parts) and your hire car documents with you at all times you are driving. Not doing so could mean a tiresome trip to a police station and some expense.

Absolutely not.  You don’t need a car in Parque da Corcovada as you’ve very close to many restaurants, bars, clubs and shops.  You are about 1.5 miles (2.2km) from the old town and about three quarters of a mile (1km) from the beaches. 

There are plenty of buses departing from outside the complex going into town and down to the beaches although we love to walk.  You can ask at the very helpful reception area and they will help you with the details. 

If Lorraine and I are just going out to chill for a few days or a week we just get an airport transfer.

The apartments are 35Km from Faro airport. The roads are excellent and even in the "rush hour" are not busy. If you are driving and need to fill up with fuel on the way to the airport the most convenient place (not the cheapest) is on the N22 at the service station. If you are driving you can find directions by clicking here (opens new window).

Journey time by car is 25 minutes.

Yes of course. Albufeira has an excellent public transport system. City buses (Giro) run on three routes around Albufeira. There is also the "Tourist Train" which has 3 stops around Albufeira. For buses further afield in the region there are the EVA buses. There is an excellent train service if you want to go a little farther afield.

Albufeira.com have useful information on taxi services here. Prices for short journeys are 3-4 Euros.

Yes. We can arrange an airport transfer for you though our agent in Albufeira.  The costs one way from Faro Airport to Albufeira or Albufeira to Faro Airport are below. There might be a surcharge for unsociable hours. Prices can change without notice.

1 - 4 persons - 30,00€
5 - 8 persons - 50,00€

Please contact Alex (our agent in Albufeira) quoting our name (Tomkins, they manage serveral apartments), your name, flight details, arrival time, and tell him you are staying at the Tomkins one bed or two bed apartment at Parque da Corcovada. You can get Alex or his team on 00351 962 313 968 or 00351 289 119 511or

Alternatively there are plenty of companies offering this service if you search for "airport transfers at Faro" on Google.

Yes. Your apartment has an underground car parking space. The car park has an electric door (remote provided with your keys) and the lift and stairs go straight up to your apartment from the car park level.

Please take care with your remote, replacements are expensive.