From Great Yarmouth to Bangor and Skegness, there are a few towns that (rightly or wrongly) always seem to make it onto lists of the ‘worst’ seaside spots in the UK.
And it seems there are several equivalent locations across Europe receiving the same kind of criticsm, if a new list is anything to go by.
Travel experts have been brutally honest and revealed their picks for the ‘ugliest’ European seaside towns in a piece for the Telegraph, and one spot in particular is likely to cause a stir.
That’s because, Albufeira in Portugal – a holiday destination that’s beloved by Brits – was given a rather damning verdict.
Albufeira can be found in Portugal’s southern Algarve region and is known for its golden sandy beaches which attract thousands of tourists every year, as well as the equally alluring ‘Strip’ which is the heart of the town’s nightlife and the place to go for a party.
While the team at albufeira.com argue the resort town has the ‘most beautiful beaches in Europe’, it seems the Telegraph’s destination expert, Mary Lussiana, doesn’t agree, as it’s found itself firmly on the ‘ugly’ list.
She cites the ‘endless number of bars, pulsating nightlife and cheap accommodation in ugly, modern apartment blocks’ as some of the reasons why she’s not a fan, claiming those who go there in search of Portugal ‘will be disappointed’ by what they find in the seaside resort, which was once a little fishing village.
And if you take a look online, Mary’s not the only one that feels this way. The town has had its fair share of negative reviews and comments over the years, with it being featured on the ‘Urban Hell’ forum on Reddit due to its supposed ‘ugliness’.
Elsewhere on the social media platform it’s been slated as nothing more than a ‘town of drunk Brit meltdown’ and even compared to Benidorm.
Tripadvisor users also had equally harsh words to say about it, with the Centro Histórico de Albufeira (the old town), particularly drawing some unfortunate comments. One user thought it was an ‘ugly wasteland’, while Susan H echoed Mary’s sentiments, saying: ‘What was once a picturesque fishing village has now become an absolute dump due to mass tourism of the worst kind. It’s dirty, and full of the worst kind of cheap bars and fast food and mainly English tourists. It makes Blackpool look classy. Avoid at all costs.’
But is this really the case, or is is just a bit of snobbery?
Honestly, it seems to all come down to waht you want out of a holiday. Albifeira might not be the place to go if you’re looking to immerse yourself in culture, whiling away hours in galleries, museums and historical buildings. But it is somewhere you can flop down on a beach all day, enjoy the sunshine and go out for cocktails of an evening, if that’s more your speed.
Things to do in Albufeira
The Algarve is often considered the ‘California of Europe’ and it’s not too hard to see why. It’s not short of marvellous beaches, and one major highlight in Albufeira has to be Praia da Falésia beach, which was previously crowned the best beach in the world as part of the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2024.
This was thanks to the ‘soft powdery’ sand and ‘spectacular’ coloured cliffs, which reminded some of remote beaches of Western Australia.
Metro also previously shared that Praia do Evaristo, a tiny little bay with dramatic cliffs, is a great hidden gem, for those who want to escape the crowds.
Our writer, Ella Glover, who spent several days in Albufeira, said it was the ‘perfect place’ to recover from work, and spend time ‘blissing out and doing nothing’.
Moreover, if you’re a foodie, you’ll find some great spots in Albufeira, according to Portugese food writer, Miguel Andrade.
He told Tripadvisor: ‘People come to Albufeira for a lot of reasons, but for me, the big draw is the food. Chefs at this seaside town work wonders with traditional dishes, especially when it comes to seafood. You can’t go wrong with a fish dish, but my hit list includes kitchens that do amazing things with chicken, veal, and pork, too.’
‘Must-try’ local restaurants include Veneza (for a unique wine and food experience), Restaurant La Cigale, which offers unparalleled views of the crystal clear sea, and O Jacinto which is popular for its seafood dishes.
Other things to do during a trip to Albufeira include strolling the old town, especially the streets near the Porta do Norte city gate, where you’ll find remains of the Muralha do Castelo. There will be plenty of shops along the way, but be sure to look out for cobbled streets, old mosaics, and some pretty houses along the way.
Travellers could also take a boat trip to tour some of the impressive Algarve caves along the coast, including Algar de Benagil, Zorreira, and a grotto known as Gruta do Capitão. There are also dolphin watching boat trips, and sunset cruises, plus plenty of other water sport activities to enjoy.
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