Visiting Albufeira!
Getting to know the Albufeira region!

   Situated a little over a mile from Paderne it is built on a spur of rock around which flows the Quarteira creek. It is Arab in origin and was inhabited until the 14th century. It has thick walls of "taipa" (made of mud mixed with lime and stones), a typical feature of Moorish buildings. There is an interesting barbican tower which served to defend the most exposed side of the castle. Only the entrance gate and the tower that defended it are made of stone. Inside are to be found the ruins of the hermitage of Nossa Senhora da Assunção (Our Lady of the Assumption). Nearby, there is a bridge with medieval origin that retains a stretch of the old road and a water mill with its sluice.

A typical baroque building with a lively facade (16th/18th centuries). The high altar has walls and vault covered in coloured tiles and a gilded carved retable (18th century). There is a statue of Nossa Senhora da Guia (Our Lady of the Good-Journey) (17th century).

Not far away, at the mouth of the Espiche creek, is Lagoa dos Salgados. With its typical lakeland vegetation, this is an excellent spot for watching migratory birds.

  A country church built in the 17th century; it contains a simply carved high altar and statues from the 17th and 18th centuries. There is also an ashlar of tiles with blue and white designs (17th century).