ALBUFEIRA MARINA - WHAT'S THERE?
Printed From: Albufeira.com
Category: Tourism / Turismo
Forum Name: Local attractions / Locais de diversões
Forum Description: What to do & What to visit / O que fazer e o que visitar...
URL: https://albufeira.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9819
Printed Date: 06/December/2025 at 23:24
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: ALBUFEIRA MARINA - WHAT'S THERE?
Posted By: cubsur
Subject: ALBUFEIRA MARINA - WHAT'S THERE?
Date Posted: 16/May/2017 at 16:44
|
Updated for the summer on 14th May 2025 - it was busy down there! Very few changes since summer 2024 - these are highlighted in bold. #Beware using these ATM's with a non Euro card. Poor rate of exchange plus they charge a commission. Use Mutibanco to avoid these charges. Top level - ie the road. The Orada apartments are directly behind this row of shops. West to east ie from the roundabout going towards town. 1 - Cash Zone ATM # 2 - Algar Opportunity Property Management3 - Albucar car rental 4 - empty 5 - Joanna Marquês physiotherapy 6 - souvenir and beachware shop, no name sign 7 - Beauty Respect ladies hairdresser8 to 11 - Novusmed estate agents 12 – Rebell hair and beauty13 – Albu Pesca fishing gear and bait 14 - Heaven Massage Center - appointment only 15 - empty 16 - Doutor Finanças insurance and savings 17 - empty 18 - Direct Homes Holiday Rentals 19 - 21 empty 22 - Alex barber shop 23 - Zen beauty and massage looked empty or some sort of office.24 - Inédita gift shop 25 - empty 26 - 27 Cantinho da Marina corner café28 - Pharmacia Caudalie 29 - Corte-me o Pèlo - pet grooming 30 - empty 31 - Fat Cats ticket shop 32 - ATM Multibanco use this one to avoid charges 33 and 34 Orada Apartments reception 35 - Garvetur Travel Agents 36 to 40 - Amanhecer small supermarket open 0800 - 20 00 Express ATM# there also 41 - Spazio Beauty Clinic42 - empty 43 - Lazer Communications (internet for homes) 44 - 57 empty except for 51- Hustle Barber Shop 53 - Portugal Staycation Property Managament Taxi rank and stop for the open top bus tours are on the other side of the road here, opposite the shops. LOWER
LEVEL ie by the water These are not numbered in the same way as the upper level so I have gone by doorways. Again, west to east going towards the town and sea. This is a pedestrian zone. All the bars and cafés now have free wifi for customers. PT wifi is available in the whole area but you need an account. There are several Euronet ATM's down here. USE WITH CAUTION! High commission charges. Many of the cafés, bars and restaurants below are not open during winter. There is the public washing machine place, with 2 big washers and a drier, under a shelter. OPPOSITE is the open air West End Terrace Burgers, Pizza and drinks. Not open at the time of my visit 1 and 2 - Small SPAR supermarket 0800 - 2000 every day has Euronet ATM #. 3 - Staffies Restaurant 4 - Luxury Fitness Boutique and gym 5 - Sharky's Bar 6 - Elite Lashes Eyelash extensions7 - Fat Cats (bar) on the Marina 8 - empty 9 and 10 - No Solo Italian Restaurant Entrance to marina car park and karting area - karting website http://www.algarvekarting.com" rel="nofollow - http://www.algarvekarting.com 11 - Gata Marafada Brunch and Tapas 12 and 13 - Dock 7 Cocktails and Pub 14 - 15 - Wine and Sushi - Japanese eatery16 to 20 - Algarve Hot shot Ten Pin Bowling http://www.algarvebowling.com/" rel="nofollow - http://www.algarvebowling.com/ 'Strikers Bar' ticket shop and Euronet ATM # . Opposite here are some rides etc for younger children including a small bumper car track. 21 - Pica da Brasa takeaway 22 to 25– 'Jack's Irish Pub' 26 and 27 - Tasca Portuguesa restaurant 28 - Tango decor and souvenirs OPPOSITE Tango is the Belize Café between 28 and 29 is a Euronet ATM29 - Algar Experience Boat trips shop 30 - El Barrio Tapas and Cocktails 31 - Lemon Drops Restaurant and Lounge. 32 - Ristorante Pizzaria San Martinho 33 34 - Seacre Tours boat trips and kayak rental 35 36 - Easydivers Dive Centre diving shop and Easydream boat trips37 and 38 - empty (was Paragrafo Bar) 39 - empty then another entrance to parking, karting etc, also toilets. 38 - Gate 4 café/bar and Dreamwave Algarve Boat tours 39 - Algarve Boat Charters. 40 to 43- Pipa's Fun Bike, scooter and Segway rental, Pipa's park children's play area (not free!) Pipa's bowling (2 short lanes) and across the open space are all the stands of the various marine excursion companies. https://postimages.org/" rel="nofollow">  On the corner is the boarding point for many of the boat trips. Luggage lockers are now available at the marina for those taking
boat rides etc. They are located at the end from where the boats leave. Information at https://www.lockandleisure.com/" rel="nofollow - https://www.lockandleisure.com/
https://postimages.org/" rel="nofollow">
 Other Supermarkets near the marina area Nearest – Intermarché, open 0830 – 2000 every day except 25th December and 1st January. Closes early 24th December, may not be open Easter Sunday. A few minutes uphill walk. Other, larger, stores are 2 - 3km distant in town. Map at http://www.algarvebus.info/images/roundabouts.jpg" rel="nofollow - http://www.algarvebus.info/images/roundabouts.jpg – the marina area is at the bottom left. TRANSPORT TAXI RANK – LOCATED AT THE TOP LEVEL OPPOSITE THE SHOPS. IF NO TAXIS THERE, CALL (+351) 289 583 230 UBER AND BOLT OPERATE AROUND ALBUFEIRA BUS SERVICE FROM MARINA INTO OLD TOWN, CÂMARA (Town Hall) and main Bus Station LOCAL GIRO BUS SERVICE TO AND FROM OLD TOWN ETC Contactless payments are not accepted. ROUTE 3 TO OLD TOWN (AVENIDA DA LIBERDADE), CÂMARA (Town Hall) and MAIN BUS STATION - times in full at http://www.algarvebus.info/albufeira_giro_3.htm" rel="nofollow - http://www.algarvebus.info/albufeira_giro_3.htm About every 30 minutes every day from 0736 to 1956 in winter, until 2136 in summer. ROUTE 7 to RUA CORONEL ÁGUAS (near old town) and MAIN BUS STATION. Does NOT go right down into the old town. Runs every hour on weekdays, every two hours at weekends and holidays - times at http://www.algarvebus.info/albufeira_giro_7.htm" rel="nofollow - http://www.algarvebus.info/albufeira_giro_7.htm Cash fare on the bus is €2,05 to anywhere in town. Therefore for three or more people a taxi or Uber is often cheaper. There is a pre paid pass available reducing the fare to €1,65 but this itself costs €3 for the card and can at present only be obtained at the bus station. There is no longer a daily ticket. Monthly GIRO passes can be downloaded and paid for via the VAMUS Algarve app. In the other direction route 8 goes to São Rafael, Galé, Salgados, Vale de Parra and Guia, once every hour on weekays, every two hours on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays. Times at http://www.algarvebus.info/albufeira_giro_8.htm" rel="nofollow - http://www.algarvebus.info/albufeira_giro_8.htm Bus stop location Map - http://www.algarvebus.info/images/Varzea-da-Orada.JPG" rel="nofollow - http://www.algarvebus.info/images/Varzea-da-Orada.JPG BUSES TO OTHER PLACES VAMUS Route 13 to Armação de Pêra, Porches, Lagoa and Portimão passws through the marina area and stops there, at the same place as the GIRO buses. Bus service is very limited with almost nothing at weekends. Times at http://www.algarvebus.info/002w.htm" rel="nofollow - www.algarvebus.info/002w.htm To go anywhere else, you must first go to the main bus station in town. TUK TUKS Tuk-tuks line up at the eastern entrance to the marina, where the road swings around towards the fishing harbour, ready for gullible tourists who think they work like taxis. BOAT TRIPS This list may not be 100%, but here are
several companies operating boat trips etc from Albufeira marina. Many
operate only in summer eg May to October. Reservation is required for some trips and is always a good
idea as trips are often full. You can do this on line at some
companies, at one of the ticket shops dotted around town or down at
the marina itself. https://postimages.org/" rel="nofollow"> Grouped by type of activity as per the various leaflets etc I collected. Cruise and Sailing - I have checked the links to websites. All work as of 14th May 2025
https://easydreamcharters.pt/" rel="nofollow - - private yacht charters Oceaneye - http://oceaneyealgarve.pt/ http://www.oceaneye.pt/en/" rel="nofollow - - - glass bottomed boat
Caves
and Coastline
http://www.seacret-tours.com/" rel="nofollow - http://www.seacret-tours.com https://seaalgarve.com/" rel="nofollow - https://seaalgarve.com/ http://www.dreamwavealgarve.com/" rel="nofollow - www.dreamwavealgarve.com
http://www.wishandfish.pt/" rel="nofollow - www.wishandfish.pt
Yacht
Bachelor – Facebook page, no website. Their boat
http://www.dreamwavealgarve.com/" rel="nofollow - www.dreamwavealgarve.com – cruiser Dreamer 1 http://www.algarveboatcruises.com/" rel="nofollow - http://www.algarveboatcruises.com/
http://www.seacret-tours.com/" rel="nofollow - http://www.seacret-tours.com http://www.dreamwavealgarve.com/" rel="nofollow - www.dreamwavealgarve.com I hope this will help future visitors. ------------- Albufeira Resident www.algarvebus.info public transport information for the Algarve |
Replies:
Posted By: Cooknoe
Date Posted: 16/May/2017 at 17:43
| Thanks very much for this Cubsur. I am sure many people will find this very useful (myself included). |
Posted By: pyrman
Date Posted: 17/May/2017 at 09:20
|
Brilliant Tom ... putting a link to this report on my Albufeira Guide site ... ------------- Pyrman |
Posted By: Jock
Date Posted: 17/May/2017 at 11:46
|
Added to my bookmarks. Thanks Tom.
------------- It is no coincidence that in no known language does the phrase 'As pretty as an Airport' appear. Douglas Adams |
Posted By: tiganut
Date Posted: 23/May/2017 at 08:25
|
French style establishment,so they tell me. ------------- He Who Dies With The Most Toys Wins |
Posted By: ClaireKildare
Date Posted: 23/June/2017 at 12:25
|
Oh dear, my 21 year old son is there at the moment, hope he does not try that!! |
Posted By: cameroncleggout
Date Posted: 23/August/2017 at 15:46
|
My daughter did the Bungee in Ayia Napa when she was just 13 years old. Frightened me to death just looking up to the top of the crane ------------- cameronout |
Posted By: sidsmum
Date Posted: 30/November/2017 at 22:12
|
I don't think anyone has mentioned this..... on the lower level, unit 1 or 2 (next door but one to Sharkys) a decent size Spar supermarket opened a few months ago. |
Posted By: A9NDY
Date Posted: 01/December/2017 at 00:12
| the marina looks really impressive comapired to say 5 years ago ..... its a mini village, now most of the units are in use, I had a walk down in my last visit and it was very steady had a pint or 2 in sharkeys lots of people spending money in the various outlets , and used the bowling alley good day out all in all |
Posted By: Andrew
Date Posted: 01/December/2017 at 09:13
|
We treat it as an unfound corner of Albufeira, it’s a great atmosphere down there and we love the lounger bars for a drink and people watching. We always knew that it would only grow in time so that’s good for the vendors. It’s really following what happened at Vilamoura, that took about 15 years to get established. ------------- Andrew |
Posted By: AlgarveFlat.com
Date Posted: 11/August/2018 at 12:55
|
Thanks for the post, very useful, including the updates. ------------- https://www.AlgarveFlat.com |
Posted By: stuart123
Date Posted: 02/September/2018 at 11:05
|
The marina have now officially launched the start of phase 2 construction "A new marina is born | new project coming soon at Marina de albufeira https://www.facebook.com/marinaalbufeira/?hc_ref=ARSLon0f3gPfF35gvq2Z1UkM9NfUCRqyHwOvt7owpqjZd9bPddyNgqc2dS61XqjBPjo&fref=nf&__xts__%5b0%5d=68.ARC6YA4TViYWjcyArdN-jTEdJHwk1qJCWfg_NOm699ZuDdG2EJBBZQBI4HiDaEkdI5c42C2xq3tYxMGb1PMq0XBXs9SA9ULbRWycMOIw5fcf894X6XWaWrwGUfi17sdZYMnoKLEau1_BQMGbyPNfW-X4aA1BCLV7qroK9zESaRt1FKZDO8x5cUM&__tn__=kCH-R" rel="nofollow - https://www.facebook.com/marinaalbufeira/?hc_ref=ARSLoN0f3gPfF35gvq2Z1UkM9NfUCRqyHwOvt7owpqjZd9bPddyNgqc2dS61XqjBPjo&fref=nf&__xts__[0]=68.ARC6YA4TViYWjcyArdN-jTEdJHwk1qJCWfg_NOm699ZuDdG2EJBBZQBI4HiDaEkdI5c42C2xq3tYxMGb1PMq0XBXs9SA9ULbRWycMOIw5fcf894X6XWaWrwGUfi17sdZYMnoKLEau1_BQMGbyPNfW-X4aA1BCLV7qroK9zESaRt1FKZDO8x5cUM&__tn__=kCH-R
https://www.facebook.com/marinaalbufeira/photos/pcb.1252175188256196/1252180828255632/?type=3&theater" rel="nofollow - https://www.facebook.com/marinaalbufeira/photos/pcb.1252175188256196/1252180828255632/?type=3&theater |
Posted By: cubsur
Date Posted: 03/September/2018 at 09:38
|
I shall be watching out of my window with some interest. The people in those nice houses up on the hill are just going love years of dust and noise. ------------- Albufeira Resident www.algarvebus.info public transport information for the Algarve |
Posted By: bob d
Date Posted: 11/March/2019 at 12:47
|
I see ‘Fat Cats at the Marina’ are advertising for staff. I take it this is a new bar opening up at the Marina by the ever popular Fats Cats bar near the worms roundabout. ------------- we're not brazil we're norn iron |
Posted By: bob d
Date Posted: 30/May/2019 at 21:02
|
Indeed, nice lady standing at corner on way to Marina handing out flyers for Fat Cats. ------------- we're not brazil we're norn iron |
Posted By: cubsur
Date Posted: 09/June/2020 at 13:13
|
Checked out the marina earlier. Not quite everywhere is open. I noted that Pipa's, Contramestre, Café Gazzetto, gate 4 and My café were all closed, with no sign when or if they might re-open. I have updated the first post in this topic to show the situation as it stands. All the children's rides, segways, mini karts etc are not available. Most of the boat trips are not operating. All the kiosks were closed except for wishndfish and Xride. I did spot one small boat going out, only about half full and everyone wearing masks. Something to bear in mind if you plan on such activity later this year. https://postimages.org/" rel="nofollow">  And a big shiny new boat awaiting customers. https://postimages.org/" rel="nofollow">  ------------- Albufeira Resident www.algarvebus.info public transport information for the Algarve |
Posted By: cubsur
Date Posted: 25/June/2020 at 19:59
|
These strange craft are now moored at the marina, down at the SPAR end. The flag says The Houseboat Company. https://postimages.org/" rel="nofollow">  https://postimages.org/" rel="nofollow"> Meanwhile the marina as a whole is still very quiet. A few boat trips are running but most boats are still laid up. The places like Pipa's that I reported as closed a few days ago are still closed. https://postimages.org/" rel="nofollow">  ------------- Albufeira Resident www.algarvebus.info public transport information for the Algarve |
Posted By: Richardk
Date Posted: 25/June/2020 at 21:44
| Thanks for update Tom. We went down there this week to Fat Cats but very few people about |
Posted By: Jock
Date Posted: 26/June/2020 at 11:22
|
Strange houseboats. More like a shed on a couple of canoes. And where will they go with those outboard motors? They appear to have next to no draught so they'll wallow like the devil in lively water. Interesting tbough. Thanks for the photo's.
------------- It is no coincidence that in no known language does the phrase 'As pretty as an Airport' appear. Douglas Adams |
Posted By: AJSUGGY
Date Posted: 26/June/2020 at 15:20
Maybe they are going to build a canal overland to Lisboa because thats about they are useful for. 
|
Posted By: bob d
Date Posted: 21/July/2020 at 20:29
|
The houseboats look great. Don’t know how much for a week but I was talking to a Dutch family that have a place in Albufeira and a small boat in the Marina. They were having a great day drinking wine on the roof. They told me it cost them 130 euros for the day to hire. Now before someone says that’s crazy expensive, the nearest houseboat (the biggest one) can accommodate up to 10 people, so that makes it 13 each. I shall report back on September as there is possibility I will be on it. There is a spar beside the houseboat for all your needs. 🍻🍻🍻🍾🍾🍾 ------------- we're not brazil we're norn iron |
Posted By: cubsur
Date Posted: 27/July/2020 at 08:35
|
The Great Wall is getting a coat of paint. Battleship grey. It was still pretty quiet down there but some boat trips were coming and going, half empty as the laws rules apply tothem also. https://postimages.org/" rel="nofollow">  https://postimages.org/" rel="nofollow">
 ------------- Albufeira Resident www.algarvebus.info public transport information for the Algarve |
Posted By: pyrman
Date Posted: 31/August/2020 at 10:12
|
Thanks again Tom .. ------------- Pyrman |
Posted By: cubsur
Date Posted: 01/September/2020 at 08:22
|
The marina was busier this time, but one or two places have not opened. Karting and bowling are both now open. ------------- Albufeira Resident www.algarvebus.info public transport information for the Algarve |
Posted By: cubsur
Date Posted: 02/September/2020 at 13:12
|
And this jolly fun! https://postimages.org/" rel="nofollow">  ------------- Albufeira Resident www.algarvebus.info public transport information for the Algarve |
Posted By: bob d
Date Posted: 30/September/2020 at 22:51
|
The waterfall at the Great Wall was turned on today. Very impressive it is too. ------------- we're not brazil we're norn iron |
Posted By: cubsur
Date Posted: 01/October/2020 at 09:39
|
Better still, a video. http://www.facebook.com/marinaalbufeira/videos/387557215962703/" rel="nofollow - https://www.facebook.com/marinaalbufeira/videos/387557215962703/ ------------- Albufeira Resident www.algarvebus.info public transport information for the Algarve |
Posted By: Jock
Date Posted: 01/October/2020 at 11:35
|
Thanks Cubsur and Bob ------------- It is no coincidence that in no known language does the phrase 'As pretty as an Airport' appear. Douglas Adams |
Posted By: tiganut
Date Posted: 01/October/2020 at 12:43
|
Any pictures Bob? ------------- He Who Dies With The Most Toys Wins |
Posted By: tiganut
Date Posted: 01/October/2020 at 12:45
|
Sorry,I meant panoramic pics. ------------- He Who Dies With The Most Toys Wins |
Posted By: bob d
Date Posted: 02/October/2020 at 12:21
|
Shall try .... ------------- we're not brazil we're norn iron |
Posted By: cubsur
Date Posted: 20/November/2020 at 10:48
|
At least one boat trip was running yesterday, in rather choppy waters. https://postimages.org/" rel="nofollow">  ------------- Albufeira Resident www.algarvebus.info public transport information for the Algarve |
Posted By: Jock
Date Posted: 30/January/2021 at 14:11
|
Has anyone used one of the "Houseboats"? What was it like?
------------- It is no coincidence that in no known language does the phrase 'As pretty as an Airport' appear. Douglas Adams |
Posted By: bob d
Date Posted: 30/January/2021 at 19:44
|
Not personally but got talking to a Dutch family that hired the biggest one for a day. If there is a group of you it works out cheap to hire for a day and the Spar is opposite. They were having much fun just drinking and eating on the top deck. ------------- we're not brazil we're norn iron |
Posted By: cubsur
Date Posted: 12/April/2021 at 16:33
|
Marina today. About half the places were open but there were few customers. The water was a murky green colour. https://postimages.org/" rel="nofollow">  https://postimages.org/" rel="nofollow">  Those houseboat things are multiplying. The one on the left was occupied. https://postimages.org/" rel="nofollow">  https://postimages.org/" rel="nofollow">  https://postimages.org/" rel="nofollow">  And the Insonia boat trip was operating, complete with masked and socially distanced crew and passengers. https://postimages.org/" rel="nofollow">  https://postimages.org/" rel="nofollow">  ------------- Albufeira Resident www.algarvebus.info public transport information for the Algarve |
Posted By: cubsur
Date Posted: 19/April/2021 at 10:16
|
Not much going on yesterday as most of the restaurants and bars don't bother to open on a Sunday with the 1pm enforced closure, But the area was shining in the sun. https://postimages.org/" rel="nofollow">  https://postimages.org/" rel="nofollow">  https://postimages.org/" rel="nofollow">  https://postimages.org/" rel="nofollow">  https://postimages.org/" rel="nofollow">  ------------- Albufeira Resident www.algarvebus.info public transport information for the Algarve |
Posted By: cubsur
Date Posted: 17/May/2021 at 15:08
|
A new view, from above the great wall, now that the landscaping work behind is almost finished. https://postimages.org/" rel="nofollow">
 https://postimages.org/" rel="nofollow">  ------------- Albufeira Resident www.algarvebus.info public transport information for the Algarve |
Posted By: Richardk
Date Posted: 18/May/2021 at 12:31
| Fat Cats at the Marina have live music on Friday from 5 I think - went there last week and was great to get back to some form of normality |
Posted By: cubsur
Date Posted: 19/May/2021 at 08:33
|
I didn't go down there last weekend but will make a point of doing so this weekend. I will check that everyone is now open. ------------- Albufeira Resident www.algarvebus.info public transport information for the Algarve |
Posted By: Bunnyrunner
Date Posted: 20/May/2021 at 10:08
|
Yes Phil Lawrence is playing Fat Cats on Friday at 5pm. He used to host the Karaoke at Tic Tac years back and before the first lockdown played Granfinus in the Old Town. Last year he played Friday nights at Paragrafo but this year has switched to Fat Cats. Martin Jonathan who plays Jack's Irish bar on Mondays and Fridays has just started playing at Sharky's on Wednesdays at 3pm, Chris says it is the first time he has had music at Sharky's. The Irish bar has music every day at 6pm, except Saturday. The Brothers (Tiago and Jao?- good musicians with a comedy element, Elvis Impersonations etc, playing on Thursday and Sunday and a new act to me anyway, The Guiness Brothers (Colm and Roddy) playing Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The Brothers also play the Sushi Bar on Saturdays and Castelo da Nortica on Fridays, which also has a Fado act on Saturday. Paragrafo now have a Fado singer on Saturdays. Pippas Bar will reopen tomorrow (Friday 21st May) as an Italian Tapas bar named El Bairro. They are having a Grand Opening Night from 6.30pm with all you can eat for 11.99€ and a Fado act. The unit to the left of Sal Y Mar (Mexican Restaurant) is going to be a Piri Piri Chicken Restaurant, they have taken their time with it due to the lockdown. It's another owned by the guy who has Jack's Irish Bar along with Marmota on the Bar street in the Old Town. So he now has this new one, The Mexican, The Irish Bar and Tasca Portuguese, 5 units all in a row. Another interesting development is a bar on the decking opposite the Spar shop, it's moving very slowly though. It belongs to the Russian? guy who had the Scad dive and Kids rides. It will be interesting to see how that works out, a bar with no secure building to back it up.
|
Posted By: cubsur
Date Posted: 22/May/2021 at 18:23
|
I have updated the information on Page 1 and thanks to bunnyrunner for highlighting the recent changes. Only two or three of the places to eat and drink remain closed. Although there are still not many people around, the situation is improving. Several of the boat trips are now running. ------------- Albufeira Resident www.algarvebus.info public transport information for the Algarve |
Posted By: cubsur
Date Posted: 07/June/2021 at 09:01
|
Those houseboats are breeding. There are now six of them. https://postimages.org/" rel="nofollow">  It was fairly busy down there yesterday. This large group were French. https://postimages.org/" rel="nofollow">  Plenty of jet skis etc out on the water. ------------- Albufeira Resident www.algarvebus.info public transport information for the Algarve |
Posted By: cubsur
Date Posted: 02/September/2021 at 10:41
|
There are now nine houseboats! https://postimages.org/" rel="nofollow">  It was reasonably busy yesterday afternoon. Plenty of boats going in and out. ------------- Albufeira Resident www.algarvebus.info public transport information for the Algarve |
Posted By: bob d
Date Posted: 02/September/2021 at 13:16
|
Apparently becoming quite popular. You can hire them by the day. ------------- we're not brazil we're norn iron |
Posted By: Skiddy
Date Posted: 03/September/2021 at 08:57
| We were looking at them and thinking who would want to hire one-facing that large oppressive waterfall wall! I mean why the horrible dark grey colour certainly not 'romantic as its been described- a cream colour would have looked so much nicer,when you see the wall from the other side it does make you wonder why it's even there! Someone has definitely got something wrong just like the 'toy town' |
Posted By: Bunnyrunner
Date Posted: 04/September/2021 at 13:53
|
Yes it is the proverbial camel, a horse designed by a committee! The original plan was for a Lake Hotel, a strange plan for starters when there is so much natural water just metres away. Anyway this meant they needed to build up the land to make it flat, no doubt at great cost as it took them the whole of the first year moving earth to achieve that. However it was reported that prospective developers had concerns about who was going to pay to maintain the lake, which created doubts about the planned lake. At this point in time, if you could see the big picture surely you would have said OK let's forget all that and work with the existing incline, after all the Portuguese are amazing at building on inclines aren't they. However committees get on a "journey" and keep rolling forward so they decided to scrap the lake and have instead have a mirror of water (I think it loses something in translation). So now they have built a huge but very shallow water feature with fountains in the middle, giving us the poetic "mirror of water." The whole area has probably used more slabs and tiles than exists in the Old Town, so much for the environment, and still no signs of any developer wanting to come and build a hotel. I guess the planners hadn't heard of Oceanville or the Casas da Marina development at the opposite end of the marina? C'est la vie
|
Posted By: cubsur
Date Posted: 05/September/2021 at 08:50
|
As I said in an earlier post, that massive slabbed area is popular with the local gulls and will no doubt continue to be so if or when it is a water mirror. There is still no sign of anything being built. Even the area where I took some pictures a few weeks back is once again quiet. ------------- Albufeira Resident www.algarvebus.info public transport information for the Algarve |
Posted By: Orada-man
Date Posted: 06/September/2021 at 17:33
|
Well we are here, praise to all the testing laboratories vaccine centres and online forms, would have been easier to get from Germany to Switzerland during WW2, only joking was not as bad as we had feared. Had a quick drive round the phase 2 area and after 20 months !! I did see a lot of changes, I will explore it more when the heat dies down. I thought the old wall had gone but see it from another angle and was wondering did they just fill in the wells? ------------- 
|
Posted By: cubsur
Date Posted: 07/September/2021 at 07:56
|
Not sure quite which bit you mean, but there certainly was a lot of levelling and infilling when the groundwork was in progress earlier this year. ------------- Albufeira Resident www.algarvebus.info public transport information for the Algarve |
Posted By: Orada-man
Date Posted: 02/October/2021 at 20:32
|
Well, well, well Not only have the old wells been preserved they have also been restored and made safe with covers. They are within the boundary of the of the old water works and I was also glad to see the front wall remains and has been restored. I was told anything over 60 years old needs to be maintained although when did we ever see developers abide by that rule, glad to see they did here. -------------
|
Posted By: cubsur
Date Posted: 03/October/2021 at 08:02
|
Thanks. I shall go down later this week and take some more pictures. ------------- Albufeira Resident www.algarvebus.info public transport information for the Algarve |
Posted By: Orada-man
Date Posted: 03/October/2021 at 20:12
|
Tom the wells are within the confines of the park area and quite nice to see restored, I will share a video link after we return home. The espelho d'água will exist, if you look at the different grey colour rectangle of tiles they are surrounded by drains and slightly concave encompassing fountains. It may not be a very deep lake but it might make 150mm if they ever turn the water back on. -------------
|
Posted By: cubsur
Date Posted: 04/October/2021 at 10:41
|
The espelho d'água did work for a short while but has been turned off for a very long time now. I will take my big lens down on Wednesday to get some shots of the wells. The restoration job does look nice. ------------- Albufeira Resident www.algarvebus.info public transport information for the Algarve |
Posted By: cubsur
Date Posted: 04/July/2022 at 11:35
|
I have been down to the marina and after a walk around I have updated the information on page 1. There have been many changes even since January. A few new places, a few have closed or look closed. The water feature is no longer working! ------------- Albufeira Resident www.algarvebus.info public transport information for the Algarve |
Posted By: Bunnyrunner
Date Posted: 06/July/2022 at 10:42
|
Cubsur, I think the San Bernadino restaurant is a replacement for The Gazetto not additional to. It only opened in 2019 and seems to have been a covid victim. I haven't seen the Saad Concept bar open yet, maybe it just opens at night. Another new bar is The Westend Terrace opposite the Spar shop, effectively using the decking of the Spar unit with no actual building to support it, it's taken a while to open. It's owned by the Russian guy who used to run the Scad dive and some kiddies amusements on the spare land right next to the houseboats. He still has the Scad dive which was featured on last year's celebrity coach trip won by Lesley Joseph and Linda Robson, it's now on the road down to Oura Beach.
|
Posted By: cubsur
Date Posted: 07/July/2022 at 08:35
|
Thanks. I will pop down to the marina later and have another look at a time when they are busier. ------------- Albufeira Resident www.algarvebus.info public transport information for the Algarve |
Posted By: cubsur
Date Posted: 07/July/2022 at 12:20
|
Thanks for the information, changes made. I wonder what the bloke at the West End Terrace does with all his stuff at night? ------------- Albufeira Resident www.algarvebus.info public transport information for the Algarve |
Posted By: cubsur
Date Posted: 21/May/2024 at 16:15
|
Some land is being cleared at the western end of the row of shops near the water feature, for what I could not tell. Also, just around the corner opposite the bus stop, it looks like a petrol station is being built. https://postimages.org/" rel="nofollow">  https://postimages.org/" rel="nofollow">  ------------- Albufeira Resident www.algarvebus.info public transport information for the Algarve |
Posted By: cubsur
Date Posted: 21/May/2024 at 16:17
|
I had never seen this device working before until today! https://postimages.org/" rel="nofollow">  https://postimages.org/" rel="nofollow">  ------------- Albufeira Resident www.algarvebus.info public transport information for the Algarve |
Posted By: Bunnyrunner
Date Posted: 22/May/2024 at 13:06
|
Yes the crane is amazing and all done by remote control! The land adjacent to the shops is for more villas, one was built about two years ago and a second is near to completion now. More to follow. ------------- "You wake up a winner only you can make yourself a loser"- Declan Murphy |
Posted By: cubsur
Date Posted: 23/May/2024 at 08:33
|
We were wondering last night about the market for these properties with prices not far off €1 million. There are several mansions under construction nearby, including two at the other end. ------------- Albufeira Resident www.algarvebus.info public transport information for the Algarve |
Posted By: Orada-man
Date Posted: 27/May/2024 at 23:50
|
We have just arrived today. Last time we enquired about the construction opposite the entrance to Orada Apartments on the link road. It's pretty obvious now it is a petrol station but we were told it will be operated by Prio which has become my preferred petrol stop so all good. I have never researched or compared the geographic price differences but the staff here felt if may be a little more expensive that outlying stations but never as expensive as BP. -------------
|
Posted By: sidsmum
Date Posted: 29/May/2024 at 13:23
|
When I search "petrol" on Google maps it lists the nearest locations and the price of Gasolina 95. Currently BP is €1.86, Repsol €1.84, Galp €1.82, Prio €1.78 and Intermarche €1.67 |
Posted By: cubsur
Date Posted: 14/May/2025 at 14:14
|
I have updated the information on page 1 following a tour of inspection on Wednesday 14th May. Only a few changes since last year. I have also deleted some very old posts where the information was either now out of date or irrelevant.
------------- Albufeira Resident www.algarvebus.info public transport information for the Algarve |
Posted By: cubsur
Date Posted: 30/October/2025 at 08:13
|
Luggage lockers are now available at the marina for those taking boat rides etc. They are located at the end from where the boats leave. Information at https://www.lockandleisure.com/" rel="nofollow - https://www.lockandleisure.com/ ------------- Albufeira Resident www.algarvebus.info public transport information for the Algarve |