Code of Conduct still awaits final approval
Local residents and concerned tourists are at their wit’s end over worsening violence, drunken excesses and unruly behaviour in Albufeira.
It’s been almost one year since the municipal council announced the creation of a Code of Conduct to control the cases of “excessive behaviour” in the town. The document was first announced back in 2019 but truly gained steam last summer when a group of eight British men were filmed naked in broad daylight at a local bar.
With the code of conduct still awaiting final approval, the town seems stuck in an endless loop of excessive behaviour at the town’s Oura district and oldtown nightlife area which authorities seem powerless to stop.
In fact, local resident Paolo Funassi says the reality on the streets paints a far grimmer picture than the one that local authorities try to project.
“Nothing has changed in one year. In fact, I think things have become worse,” he told the Resident. “We continue to see cases of drunken violence, public nudity and even outdoor sex. Drug dealers are openly offering substances to people on the street, and there continues to be a lack of effective policing,” Funassi lamented.
Not even the CCTV surveillance network featuring 65 cameras which was unveiled in January seems to act as a deterrent to the increasingly rowdy behaviour.
According to Funassi – who runs the ‘Albufeira Paradise’ Facebook page, which has over 100,000 members – local residents are tired of seeing their town reduced to a stag party or hen do destination where ‘anything goes’.
“We’re running the risk of tourists becoming fed up and deciding not to return,” he added.
Indeed, his frustrations have been shared by Scottish reader Stuart Currie, who emailed the Resident after staying in Albufeira in early May with his wife.
“We love Portugal, the people and Albufeira, having spent many holidays there over the years. Sadly, we have both come to the decision that we will not return to Albufeira,” wrote Stuart Currie. “In our opinion, the oldtown has lost its charm for families, couples and indeed elderly visitors.”
He added that he was “ashamed” by the behaviour that he witnessed. In one case, he saw drunken tourists urinating next to the Maritime Police office.
These concerns come as the municipality prepares to finalise the Code of Conduct designed to restore order. The document, whose first draft included bans on street drinking, nudity, and public sex acts before undergoing a public consultation period, will be approved by the council next week. It will then head to the municipal assembly for a final sign-off, local mayor José Carlos Rolo said at the latest municipal assembly meeting on Monday (May 12).
Unless this brings about real change, more tourists like Stuart Currie may make the tough decision to never return to Albufeira.
“Since returning to Scotland, we have spoken to our travel agent, and she has also confirmed that many visitors who have recently been to Albufeira have all complained about the same issues.”
