Albufeira Museums and Art Galleries

(Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal)

Many of the best museums in the Algarve are to be found just a short distance to the east, in the capital city of Faro. However, there are a few art galleries and museums of history worth exploring in Albufeira itself.

The Archaeology Museum and the Municipal Art Gallery are both especially popular and deserving of a mention. Work by Albufeira's patron artist, Samora Barros, is a firm fixture in local galleries, and his life and work is celebrated at the Galeria de Arte Pintor Samora Barros.

Museu Municipal de Arqueologia (Archaeology Museum)

Address: Praca da Republica, Albufeira, Portugal, PT
Tel: +351 0289 598 700
The recently refurbished Museu Municipal de Arqueologia opened in the Town Hall in the 1980s and exhibits a comprehensive survey of local history. There are four separate halls within the museum, respectively exploring local prehistory, Roman history, Moorish history and modern development. Much of the information relating to the items on display is communicated through carefully preserved historic manuscripts.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge

Galeria Municipal de Arte (Municipal Art Gallery)

Address: Albufeira, Portugal, PT
Tel: +351 0289 804 197
The city's small art gallery is located near the Camara Municipal. The city is very proud of its artists, and most of the work on display has been locally produced. The gallery highlight is a permanent collection of work by Samora Barros, while visiting exhibitions ensure that the displays are refreshed on a regular basis.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge

Museu de Arte Oriental (Museum of Oriental Art)

Address: Rua do MFA7, Albufeira, Portugal, PT
Tel: +351 0289 589 812
Although this is a relatively small attraction, its collection is unlike any other in town. All of the pieces in the Museum of Oriental Art are privately owned and sourced from across the Near and Far East. Most items on display are also for sale and make for very unusual holiday souvenirs, suiting those looking for something a little different.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday, 09:00 to 18:00
Admission: charge

Galeria de Arte Pintor Samora Barros / Museu de Samora Barros (Samora Barros Museum)

Address: Largo Engenheiro Duarte Pacheco, Albufeira, Portugal, PT
Tel: +351 0289 599 500
Jose Ricardo Júdice of Samora Barros is Albufeira's favourite artist. He was born here in 1887 and went on to paint innumerable landscapes and portraits, as well as writing poetry and teaching art. Samora Barros is affectionately known to many as the 'Painter of the Algarve', and this is without question the best venue to see many examples of his work displayed together in one place.
Open hours: daily - 10:30 to 16:30
Admission: charge

Museu de Arte Sacra (Museum of Sacred Art)

Address: Praca Miguel Bombarda, Albufeira, Portugal, PT
Tel: +351 0289 572 806
The Museum of Sacred Art is to be found within the Igreja de Sao Sebastiao (Church of St. Sebastian), on the Praca Miguel Bombarda. Containing a number of impressive ecclesiastical works of art, both paintings and sculptures, the Sacred Art Gallery is well worth a look if you are heading in this direction or simply looking to escape the afternoon heat.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 18:00
Admission: free