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People have always travelled the route from Faro to Albufeira, yet it’s only comparatively recently that it’s been on the tourist trail. Here we learn more about the route's origins and how it came to be so popular today. Roman and Moors Whenever you’re going just about anywhere in Western or Southern Europe, it’s a fair bet the Romans beat you to it a couple of thousand years ago. That’s certainly true in the case of Albufeira in Portugal, where the town in the Roman period was known as Baltum. During the Moorish period, the city was part of what then would have been called the Arab domain, and was known as Al-Buhera, which is where the modern name comes from. Eventually, the town was incorporated in the medieval period into the Kingdom of Portugal, where it has remained ever since. For much of this time, the industries locally would have been largely fishing and agricultural-related, and things remained relatively stable in that respect until the 1950s and particularly the 1960s. Mass tourism arrives in Europe By the 1960s, the post-war doldrums of the later 1940s and earlier 1950s were becoming history. Wealth was increasing and the cost of air travel was falling fast as part of package holiday development. Although tourism perhaps in the early years focussed on Southern France and Italy, both countries rapidly fell behind Spain, Portugal and Greece, in the development of tourist infrastructures at cost-attractive prices. Albufeira In the 1960s, people were looking for beautiful beaches, guaranteed warm weather, friendly locations, affordability and ease of access. Albufeira met these criteria perfectly and provided even more. Its Old Town offered culture and quaintness and the New Town developments provided the required accommodation and entertainment environments. In fact, Faro Airport was built and opened in 1966 specifically to cope with the increasing number of people travelling to the area including, of course, from Faro to Albufeira. At only 45 kilometres, the journey from Faro to Albufeira met (and meets) the demands of many visitors who do not wish to spend hours on coaches and taxis between the airport of arrival and their final destination. Today, the town has grown considerably from its original roots. The New Town, including the near legendary “Strip” of entertainment facilities, provides informal nightlife probably generally targeted at the young. The Old Town is still lively but perhaps a little more discrete for those who prefer a quieter and more cultural life. The beaches are, of course, attractive to just about everyone given their great beauty. Nor should it be overlooked that there are some great things to see in and around the town, ranging from old forts to traditional churches and quaint local villages. Today, Faro to Albufeira is a popular and well-trodden path to one of Portugal’s best-known resorts. It’s perhaps not hard to see why. Author Plate Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct. If you’re looking for a transfer from Faro to Albufeira, Shuttle Direct provide pre-booked shuttles to major destinations all over Europe. Wherever you travel, Shuttle Direct can make sure that you don’t miss your car on your holiday abroad.
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