We’ve just arrived in Albufeira, Portugal and this is our base for the next nine days while we explore the entire Algarve.

Today is all about first impressions; is this the right place to stay, and does it live up to its reputation?

We started in the Old Town, and straight away you get that classic Algarve feel; whitewashed buildings, tiled façades, narrow cobbled lanes, and café terraces spilling into the main square.

Parking near the square was… a little tight. It’s not impossible, but you need patience. Thankfully, our little Fiat 500 squeezed in comfortably and honestly, this is exactly the kind of car you’d want here.

If you’re driving anything large in the summer, you may regret it.

We came across the 18th century Sant’ana church, a whitewashed building with beautiful bright blue trim and jumped when the bells suddenly tolled loudly at another church down the narrow street. We’re pretty sure that’s the one we hear from our apartment.

We stopped at Dreams Café right in the heart of town. We chose to sit outside in the fresh air. I had a cappuccino, Andrew went for a hot chocolate and of course a pastel de nata each. The total bill? €19

Now, that’s slightly higher than you’d pay in a quieter town, but you’re paying for location here. And sitting in that square, watching the world go by, it felt worth it.

The pastel de nata? Crisp, creamy, and exactly what you want in Portugal. Good, friendly service as well. Take note: many of these smaller places only take cash. We’re guessing the banking fees are high for these small places. Luckily, there are a lot of ATMs around.

From the square, it’s a short walk down to Praia dos Pescadores. Even in late February, the light is beautiful, and the beach feels open and relaxed.

This is one of the big advantages of coming in winter — space.

Later in the afternoon, we drove to the marina and parking there was incredibly easy. Large open car park, no stress at all.

The marina has a very different vibe; pastel coloured buildings, boat tours, and a more modern energy compared to the Old Town.

We stopped at Lemon Drops restaurant & lounge for a light lunch, right on the water. It came to €24. Simple, relaxed, and ideal for a midday break without feeling rushed.

We decided to rent an apartment, rather than stay in a hotel, because we don’t want to eat out every meal for 15 days. On our way back from trekking today, we stopped at Lidl (a supermarket) to get groceries. We spent about $111 (CA) & got items like yogourt, vegetables, fruit, hamburger patties, pork chops, milk, water, a bottle of wine, a frozen pizza, eggs, baked goods & cheese. Having said that, Andrew spotted a restaurant near our apartment that serves a full English breakfast… obvi that will happen.

So first impressions?

Albufeira is lively, accessible, and very easy to use as a base. Parking in Old Town requires patience, but manageable — especially with a small car. The marina is far simpler.

It may not be the quietest town in the Algarve, but for logistics, beach access, and variety, it’s a strong contender. Let’s be real… it is absolutely NOT the quietest town as we were kept up until after 3am with loud, throbbing music, and singing our first night… now, it was a Friday so we’re hoping it only happens on the weekends…

And this is just Day One.

We’ve got eight more days to experience the rest of the Algarve — west, east, inland — and we’ll tell you exactly what’s worth your time.