First and foremost, Albufeira is famed for its beaches, for the countless shades and tones of its rocks and cliffs. This is a place where people live to the rhythm of the great holiday destinations, sunbathing during the day and at sunset flocking to enjoy the restaurants, bars and discotheques that enliven the nighttime hours.

Just a few miles inland and everything changes. The green of the countryside is dotted with almond, fig, orange and pine trees and decorated chimneys stand out against the ochre of tiled roofs. Bucolic villages invite you to experience a way of life rooted in the tranquillity of nature, to add another dimension to your holidays.

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Gastronomic pleasures in Albufeira begin with the fresh fish and shellfish that the fishermen bring in from the sea every day. Who can resist grilled sardines, golden bream or sea bass? Or fresh lobster caught in the rocks? Those who enjoy traditional cooking can choose from a wide range of typical fishermen’s recipes. As a starter, perhaps “conquilhas” soup, made with a kind of clam and flavoured with bay leaves and coriander.

Follow that with mackerel cooked with oregano, sardines in tomato sauce or sardines with maize meal. For special occasions, there is nothing better than a fish or shellfish “cataplana” cooked in the hinged copper vessels that are a feature of any Algarvian kitchen.

From the farmers of the hinterland come dishes of corn with pork and sausages, of “chícharo” beans, chicken casseroled with its giblets and shoulder of lamb roasted with almonds, honey and rosemary for an unforgettable flavour. To round off a meal, the choice includes almond balls and fig cake, a very sweet local delicacy.

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