Downtown Shopping & Dining Walk (Self Guided), Albufeira

The shopping and dining in downtown Albufeira is about as good as it gets. Largo Engenheiro Duarte Pacheco is the city's main square and the focus of a lot of attention, especially during the summer. This is where many locals and visitors come to dine and be entertained and it spoils them with good food and drink and exceptional shops. The square’s four sides are lined with restaurants and their shaded terraces, and numerous bars also pack the area. These are fabulous spots that offer wonderful people-watching opportunities in addition to the food and drink. Try some Portuguese specialties while you are here, such as spicy piri-piri chicken.

The downtown square also plays host to live performances, art exhibitions, fairs and many other cultural activities. Meanwhile, the adjacent streets are filled with stores selling a dizzying array of goods, including clothing, footwear, handicraft and embroidered works. Perusing shelves and racks laden with colorful outfits and souvenirs is as fun as it is exciting. The downtown area is also noted for its sophisticated and upmarket stores, especially on Rua 5 de Outubro and Avenida Da Liberdade. If your pockets are deep and your tastes in fashion are extensive, go on a shopping spree for expensive jewelry and high fashion clothes and accessories.