Albufeira History Facts and Timeline

(Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal)



The popular coastal resort town of Albufeira is one of Portugal's preferred spots to holiday on the sea. It is located about 255 km / 160 miles from Lisbon and nearby a handful of interesting historic attractions, such as Paderne Castle.

Like many coastal towns along Portugal's lengthy shoreline, the ancient history of Albufeira involved struggles between the Moors and the Christians. Today, its marina, beaches, golf courses and well-developed tourism infrastructure combine to provide the economic impetus for this pleasant resort city.

Ancient Contacts

It was the Romans who were the first people to put their stamp on the long history of Albufeira, which they called Baltum. The Romans brought their administrative systems, agricultural skills and commercial activities, and the village grew steadily under their rule.


A few remnants from the Roman era can still be seen, like sections of its aqueduct and local bridges. Trade with the Carthaginians, the Greeks and the Phoenicians introduced the population to the concepts of monetary currency, as well as salting to preserve food.

The Influence of the Arabs

Much of the trade with Albufeira came from North African cultures, leading to the gradual influence of Arabic Moors on the town. The Moors were active all over Portugal's Algarve region and gave Albufeira its modern name, which is Arabic for 'Castle of the Sea'.

The influence of the Moors on the history of Albufeira cannot be overstated. They introduced new agricultural methods and tools, such as waterwheels to pull water from underground wells, along with fertiliser to help crops grow. The Moors also gave the young town's urban identity a boost by expanding their economic horizons, which had previously relied entirely upon fishing.

The Christian Conquest

During the Middle Ages, the Christians became the main power of the Algarve region, driving out the Moors in the middle of the 13th century, after decades of conflict. King Afonso III made Albufeira part of the Portuguese and Algarve kingdoms. Things were quiet during the next couple of centuries until the early part of the 16th century, when King Manuel I granted Albufeira its very own charter on 20th August, 1504 (still a public holiday today).

The Earthquake

Although most of Portugal's southern coastal towns have suffered natural disasters over the course of history, Albufeira seems to have been specially targeted for some big ones. The 1755 earthquake was the worst of all, washing away nearly the entire city with a subsequent tidal flood. It took decades for the town to recover, and it wasn't until the mid-19th century that the fishing industry put Albufeira back on its feet.

Tourism

In the 1960s, the world began to discover the pleasures of holidaying along Portugal's Algarve coast and Albufeira enjoyed particular attention. By 1986, it had grown so much that it was designated a 'city', having already outgrown its historic town centre.

Outlying developments like the Areias de Sao Joao (The Strip), Montechoro and the renowned Oura emerged to cater to the ever-rising number of summer visitors. Recently, the Albufeira Marina has expanded the city's eastern territory even more. With some five million annual visitors to the city and the surrounding area, Albufeira has plenty to offer.

From its charismatic Old Town with its remnants of Moorish architecture to the hustle and lights of the Strip, there is plenty to keep visitors entertained. Its two beaches, Tunnel Beach (Praia do Peneco) and Fisherman's Beach (Praia dos Barcos), are both lovely stretches of coastline, uniquely connected by a tunnel through the hills.