Can't say if this is 'normal' since it is only based on a second year of observation since I live in Albufeira. Last year was confinamento all over so I can't really compare with the normal year.

As some know I live near bullring and new aldi, so I can observe visits from my terrace. There is a lot of tourists (groups of 5-10-15) going into aldi and buying tons of food, even pushing full aldi carts all across the area, bringing food home I guess. Looks like majority enjoying very cheap tourism with not many restaurant visits.

Additionally I was having lunch with friends near old city center on Sunday, so I went past many restaurants between 1pm and 4pm. Most of them 90% empty where I expected them to have much more visits in epicenter of tourism.

So what is typical Albufeira tourist profile? Cheap and visiting supermarkets or eating out? Is this year different than good years before covid?

Yes, I went past the big new ALDI at around 1pm yesterday and thought to myself, they are fighting to get in!

Those unwilling to pay as much as €3 for a (large) beer in a bar were no doubt among them to have enough to get through the afternoon and evening. Then it's hit the clubs at 11pm.

Sunday lunchtime is always quiet in the old town restaurants, especially when the sun is shining. People tend to eat out later in the day, those that can afford it.