“Those in search of Portugal will be disappointed”
Albufeira has got it in the neck (again) in a new feature in the Telegraph on Europe’s prettiest (and ugliest) seaside towns.
No prizes for guessing the category into which Albufeira has fallen: travel writer Mary Lussiana muses: “I guess for some the built-up nature of this seaside resort, which many moons ago was a little fishing village, is something to celebrate, because of its endless number of bars, pulsating night-life and cheap accommodation in ugly, modern, apartment blocks which line the beach. But those in search of Portugal will be disappointed. Praia da Oura beach at the end of The Strip in the New Town is more about recovering than relaxing. Better is Blue Flag beach Praia dos Pescadores at the foot of the Old Town (just be sure to look out to sea and not inland at the horrors)”.
Yes, Albufeira is among the ‘ugliest’, along with Monaco, Ostia in Italy, Ploce in Croatia, Kemer in Turkey, La Linea in Spain and Laganas, Zante, Greece.
Good news is that Comporta in the Alentejo gets a mention in the ‘prettiest’ section:
“Despite being increasingly famous for the A-list residents who live around it, you will still probably see more storks, perched on bell towers and chimneys, than humans on the glorious stretch of seaside. The village itself has maintained its charms, and is filled with characteristic white-washed buildings with blue trim. Step inside any of the enticing shops, though, and there is a definite South of France flair. This is a Mediterranean meets the Atlantic delight. Chic and breezy”, says Mary Lussiana, who hasn’t rated any other Portuguese town in either category.
