Residents and tourists lament Albufeira’s descent into “a drug and drinking paradise”
Two British male tourists were found dead in Albufeira on the same day last week, prompting further concern over the coastal town’s late-night drinking culture.
The first case involved the disappearance of 38-year-old Scotsman Greg Monks, who went missing on May 28 in Albufeira after travelling to the town with friends for a stag do.
His family and friends immediately sounded the alarm, prompting an extensive search which had a tragic outcome on Wednesday, June 4 when Monks was found dead at the bottom of a ravine in the Cerro da Águia area of Albufeira – some distance from where he was last seen partying with friends, in the town’s popular ‘Oura Strip’.
A police insider cited by the UK’s Daily Mail has suggested he fell to his death after climbing a wall while drunk without realising there was a steep drop on the other side.
“All the evidence so far is pointing to the tourist losing all notion of where he was, in a place he hadn’t been to before, and under the effects of alcohol, jumping over a first wall into a private property and then a second wall in the back garden not realising there was a steep drop the other side,” the insider said.
Sister Jillian Monks has stated his family believe he “got lost,” though they accept they might “never know the full story.”
“But we believe he just got lost and ended up at the wrong place at the wrong time,” she told Scottish tabloid newspaper The Daily Record.
“It brings us some comfort knowing that Greg had all his belongings on him. He wasn’t robbed; he still had his phone and his wallet. He had all his cards and cash,” Jillian Monks said, adding that the family now has “some sense of closure”.
Jillian also thanked everyone who helped during the searches for their “generosity and support” and said she hopes her brother’s story will serve as a warning for fellow holidaymakers visiting nightlife hotspots like Albufeira.
“I think it just shows in places like Albufeira, everyone needs to stick together and look after each other.”
Another British tourist was also found dead on June 4 in Albufeira, this time at the bottom of steps at Avenida da Liberdade, in the ‘Old Town’. He is believed to have died in a drunken fall after crashing down the steps, with police ruling out any link to a crime.
These tragic cases have brought Albufeira under further scrutiny, as the town has transformed over the years from a mostly family-friendly destination to a nightlife hotspot where revellers feel like ‘anything goes’.
The municipal council of Albufeira has announced that its new code of conduct – aimed at bringing unruly behaviour under control – is due to come into force in July, introducing fines for public nudity or sex, and wearing bikinis outside of bathing areas.
Meanwhile, the Resident is being contacted by a growing number of residents and tourists who lament Albufeira’s descent into “a drug and drinking paradise”.
“If no action is taken, it will be a no-go area for many people,” one resident said. “It’s a shame to see Albufeira go in this direction. I’m thinking of leaving the area.”
Another reader echoed the sentiment. “The Albufeira we knew and loved has gone – an Albufeira where people of all ages were welcomed and catered for in every sense,” the reader wrote. “Albufeira has sadly become Benidorm when it was at its worst. We have spoken to other holidaymakers who, like us, are shocked at the change, even from last year. We are sad not to be returning as we have many, many happy memories of being here, but there is nothing here for us now, so we must now seek out a new paradise, hopefully elsewhere in Portugal, as we love the country and the Portuguese people.”
Elsewhere in Portugal, another British man also made headlines – in this case for being seen pushing his girlfriend, whom he knew could not swim, off a boat in the Tejo River.
