VERDICT: We gave 4 out of 5 tickets and here’s why!
This guide forms part of our complete Portugal Travel Guide, featuring destination ideas, scenic road trips, practical travel advice and honest first-hand reviews from across the country.
Tourist Train Albufeira – Blue Line (Sunset Route)
The Albufeira Tourist Train is one of the easiest ways to explore Albufeira without a car, connecting popular stops around the Old Town, beaches and marina. We rode the Blue Line to see how useful the tourist train really is, where it stops and what visitors should know before boarding. Below you’ll find our route experience, key stops and a simple map to help plan your trip.
Albufeira Tourist Train Route, Stops & Map
The service operates two routes – the Red Line and the Blue Line – with a total of 10 stops across the network.
After exploring the Red Line Sunrise Route, we decided to spend another day discovering the Blue Line, the second route operated by the Albufeira Tourist Train run by Turístico.
Together, the Red and Blue routes connect ten stops across the town, making this little train one of the simplest ways to explore Albufeira without worrying about parking or navigating the narrow streets of the Old Town.
Tickets cost €6 per person for the day, which allows you to hop on and off either route. For visitors wanting an easy overview of the town, it’s excellent value.
The Blue Line has four stops, making it a relaxed and inexpensive way to see several areas of Albufeira without needing a car.
Where Does the Albufeira Tourist Train Stop? (Sunset Route)
The Blue Line focuses more on the western side of Albufeira and connects the Old Town with the marina and surrounding areas.
Stop 1: Albufeira Marina
A colourful and modern marina filled with cafés, restaurants and boat tour operators. Dolphin watching trips, coastal cruises and fishing charters depart from here, including our own boat tour operator – AlgarExperience.
Stop 2: Igrega de Sao Sebastino
St. Sebastian Church, Parish Church, Shops, Restaurants, Beach.
Stop 3: Old Town / Centro Histórico
The historic heart of Albufeira with narrow streets, restaurants, Archaeology Museum, Old Town, Old Castle Site, Archeological Deposits.
Stop 4: Miradouro Samora Barros
Magnificent view over Albufeira inlet and hotels. One of the main streets linking the Old Town with other parts of the city.
The central Old Town beach and one of the main departure points for the train – Red Line. Panoramic views, Nightlife, Bars, Shops. The West-Side of Old Town and second train option is the Blue Line.
Our Stop – the Marina
Train to the Marina, Albufeira
Our journey on the Blue Line began at Stop 3 in Albufeira Old Town, just a short walk from the beach and the lively historic centre. From there the train wound its way through town toward the marina.
Our Stop was Albufeira Marina (Packed full of cafes, restaurants and of course hundreds of boats and yachts) Albufeira Marina is one of the most colourful and lively areas of the city. The marina is instantly recognizable thanks to its rows of bright pastel buildings that line the harbour. It’s a very different atmosphere compared to the Old Town; modern, open and relaxed.
We spent some time wandering along the waterfront, watching boats come and go while browsing the cafés and restaurants overlooking the harbour. Many of the Algarve’s most popular boat tours depart from here, including dolphin watching trips and cruises along the dramatic coastline to the Benagil caves. The marina also offers beautiful views back toward the cliffs surrounding Albufeira.
The Return Journey:-
After exploring the marina for a while, we returned to the tourist train stop and simply hopped back on the next Blue Line service.
Within a short ride we were back in Albufeira Old Town, right where our journey had begun.
In total the trip took just over a couple of hours including our stop at the marina with lunch, and it proved to be a relaxed and enjoyable way to see another side of Albufeira.
Is the Albufeira Tourist Train Hop-On Hop-Off?
Why the Tourist Train Works Well . . .
What we liked most about the tourist train is the flexibility. You can choose either the Red Line or the Blue Line, jump off whenever you want, explore for a while, and then catch the next train back.
At €6 per person, it’s also one of the cheapest sightseeing options in the Algarve.
For visitors staying in Albufeira without a car, or anyone wanting a relaxed overview of the town, the tourist train is an easy and surprisingly enjoyable way to get around. And yes, it’s worth the 6 euros per person. For more details on the Red Line check out myreturnticket.ca.
Quick Facts:
The Day Ticket allows you to travel throughout the day, you can get on or off at any stop on the same route as often as you like. Ticket valid until end of day.
You also have options to buy a one-way ticket or a combo ticket that provides access to both Red and Blue lines. Connections are mostly a 10 minute walk from one stop to the next.
Looking for the other route? Explore our Albufeira Tourist Train Red Line guide, including the route, stops, marina and map.
More information at Tourist Train, Albufeira.
Useful Visitor Information:
- Ultimate Guide to Algarve Beaches
- Castro Marim Medieval Castle
- Cost of Living Expenses
- Benagil Cave by Boat Adventure
- Two Very Different Parts of Albufeira
- Best things to do in and around Albufeira
Plan your next trip:
With every trip, we offer feedback to travel companies along with honest views for you, the reader. We rate adventures on a scale of one to five tickets, judged on quality, service, memorability, and price. A perfect ‘Ticket Rating’ of a five-ticket score means the experience was flawless and we’d eagerly return. Your desire to go back is the ultimate measure of a trip’s worth. Exclusive to My Return Ticket.
