Branqueira holidays

Panoramic view of Silves city

Holidays to Branqueira take you to a peaceful Algarve village – and put you within easy reach of sandy beaches and Albufeira's buzzing nightlife.

Small and quiet

Branqueira is a traditional village in Portugal’s Algarve region that neatly manages to be both away-from-it-all and right-next-door. There are little mellow restaurants and bars dotted among the whitewashed villas, but this quiet haven is also just five minutes away from a sandy beach – and 10 minutes from the nightlife of Albufeira’s old town.

Blue Flag beaches

Branqueira is inland, but it’s within a few minutes’ drive of several Blue Flag beaches. The closest is Santa Eulalia, which comes with sunloungers and umbrellas on the sand, and restaurants and bars along the promenade. And on either side you’ve got Oura Beach, the place to go for windsurfing and banana boats, and Olhos d’ Agua Beach, which has lovely little rock pools.

Albufeira’s nightlife

Branqueira offers a few bars and restaurants where the nation’s favourite fish, dried salted cod called bacalhau, is a staple of many menus. Albufeira is a really helpful neighbour on the eating front, too. In the evenings, the restaurants along the main street, Rua Candido dos Reis, roll out Algarve specialities like cataplana – a fish, bacon and sausage stew. Cocktail bars and nightclubs can then be found along the main strip, Avenida Sà Carneiro.

Daytrips to Loule and Silves

The towns of Loule and Silves are both 30 minutes away by car. Loule boasts a Saturday gypsy market near the 18th-century Igreja de São Francisco church, while Silves is home to the best-preserved Moorish castle in the region. A tour within its red sandstone walls takes you up close to the 1,000-year old ruins. For an adrenaline-pumping alternative, 4x4 tours of the Algarve’s rugged countryside leave from Praia da Luz, less than an hour’s drive away.

Popular hotels in Branqueira

Top Hotels in Branqueira

Facts about Branqueira

Currency
Euro
(EUR)
Language
Portuguese
Time zone
GMT +0
Flight duration
2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours 45 minutes from Gatwick

FAQs

Where can I find the latest travel advice?

All your questions about entry requirements, visas, passports or health information are answered on our Travel Advice page.

Ready to start searching for your trip to Branqueira?

Take a look at our best deals, add handy holiday extras, or keep looking for travel inspiration.

View Branqueira deals