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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

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Original poster

Albufeira - rainy day suggestions?!

12 replies

PuppyPerson · 10/02/2023 10:35

Off to Albufeira for 3 days with the family next week, it's forecast to rain quite a lot currently 😭 Never been before and wondering if anyone has any suggestions for things to do or places to go if it does rain a lot? There's an indoor pool at our place but we'll not want to do that all day every day. 2 dd's, 10 and 13.
We won't have a car but very happy to public transport.
I have googled but not come up with anything much.

OP posts:

CampervanKween · 10/02/2023 22:05

There's not a lot to do really in the rain on the Algarve sadly. I think there's Algarve Shopping near Guia a bit like the Trafford Centre. You could wander round the shops and perhaps catch a film there if there's one that's subtitled rather than dubbed?

g.co/kgs/uLFeCE

The good thing about the rain is that it often clears up and is lovely and sunny straight away afterwards.

LadyOfTheCanyon · 10/02/2023 22:10

When this happened to us we got a train to Lisbon.

Emmagr1 · 10/02/2023 22:21

It never rains for long in Albuferia. It is typically short bursts. You may also find that the forecast changes before you go. We're heading to Portugal on 19th Feb. We go every Feb half term and usually have nice weather.

Emmagr1 · 10/02/2023 22:23

Which hotel are you at? I could give you some ideas what you can do on foot.

TeenTraumaTrials · 10/02/2023 22:26

We are also off to the Algarve next week. There is indoor karting in Albufeira but it's quite pricey and closed Tues/Wed.

Also bowling across the road (DH spent this afternoon looking for wet weather plans.) There is also AquaParc just outside which looks fun. Not sure whether they are accessible by public transport though.

The agent for the apartment we are staying at phoned today and apparently the local weather forecast is much better than BBC so perhaps it might be ok.

Emmagr1 · 10/02/2023 22:31

There is a very good Facebook page called Albuferia holiday goers. Lots of good information from regular visitors.

kitcat15 · 10/02/2023 23:13

We went in October when it was around 24Degrees….I remember thinking there would be nothing to do in bad weather…..unless you sit in a bar drinking….perhaps it won’t rain all day everyday

Original poster

PuppyPerson · 10/02/2023 23:26

Thanks everyone lots of ideas! I'll have a look at the Facebook group. I was wondering about getting the bus to Loule, the covered market looks nice and I wondered about the salt mine tour there?
It's really good to hear that if it does rain it should be in short burst rather than just endless days of it like we have here!

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ApplesinmyPocket · 10/02/2023 23:37

I'd probably just spend all day in the the Modelo-Continente! (next to the Brisa Sol which does - or did, three years ago - the best cakes and coffee ever.)

But then I do love Portuguese supermarkets and that is a good one, with household stuff on the second floor :) The Pingo Doce is opposite, also good and has/had a great cafe used by locals - cheap good food,like plain grilled fish and meats.)

Albufeira is my favourite place in the world, but not been there for too long.

Original poster

PuppyPerson · 10/02/2023 23:47

I love love love foreign supermarkets! Great tip for the food in Pingo Doce too, thank you. Getting excited now!

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TheLeadbetterLife · 11/02/2023 00:02

It won’t rain that much. I live near there. It’s bloody windy right now, but we’re not having loads of rain.

Most films (unless they’re for young kids) are shown in original language and subtitled in Portuguese, so cinema is an option. I don’t think there’s one in Albufeira, but there are multiplexes at Algarve Shopping and Mar Shopping.

Jeep safari tour in the countryside maybe?

Original poster

PuppyPerson · 16/02/2023 15:24

An update message for any future travellers... I can confirm that Albufeira really doesn't have a lot to do if the weather isn't good. We had a nice time but not amazing - our hotel had an indoor pool which would have really helped - if DD hadn't got an injury and a bandage on Sunday meaning no swimming allowed 😭
We got an Uber to Loule which was nice and the highlight of our holiday was the Loule Salt Mine tour which isn't cheap but I really recommend to anyone who needs to fill a bit of time.
Also Ubers are the way, never had to wait more than 5 mins and they are far far cheaper than in England. I cancelled my airport transfer home (78 euro each way!) We got an Uber back to the airport which was 28 euro.

Clear blue skies and beautiful sunshine this morning as we travelled to the airport obviously 😭

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