Portugal, Algarve Property - Albufeira

To the west, Albufeira was one of the first towns to be developed for tourism. Starting out as a humble fishing village it is now a sprawling city where many of the cheaper package deal holidays are spent.

Still an ideal location for families. Plenty of cheap studios or one- bedroom apartments from around €80,000 are on sale within this somewhat overbuilt area. It is ideal for holidays and as an investment, you should get a good return.

The town retains its character, with cobbled, winding streets and white painted archways and there is a market feel to the main square; stalls and shops selling local pottery, crochet work and handicrafts. On the outskirts, you will find some well stocked supermarkets, with vintage port sharing a shelf with whisky and gin at prices way below the UK.

There is a long town beach and a smaller, fisherman's beach, both overlooked by bars and restaurants including the old established Ruina fish restaurant (great prawns). In the same port area are a couple of lively clubs. Each night, the fishing boats set out from the beach into the bay to unload their catch next day at the fish market now located in the newer part of the town. It is a great display of exotic fish well worth making the effort to buy the fish fresh for the barbeque.

Albufeira is still developing and on the west side of the town, a new marina is in the final stages of construction. The Cerro Grande is a residential area, within a short walk of the town centre, with a supermarket and café. Just a few minutes drive away is the new Algarve Shopping Centre, with numerous and varied shops, fast food restaurants, cinemas (showing English speaking films) and ten pin bowling.

Albufeira has a large choice of Villas, Townhouses and apartments for sale.