"This is by far the best hostel I stayed at, in spite of the number of occupants. I was lucky to have very quiet boys in the room. There’s only one bathroom, connected to the room, but it worked.
The hostel is new, modern and spotless.
The owner is very friendly.
The hostel is also 5 minutes walk from the beach.
It was perfect.
It’s a long walk to Albufeira from the city buses, and not very clear where the FlixBus stops. I wouldn’t recommend walking from the train station, which took me 4 hours. There’s a local bus, don’t scrimp = TAKE IT. Or take an Uber, or Bolt. Or ask the taxi what he wants to charge from the bus stop at the train station !
The RedeExpress is where the bus station is (but not for the FlixBus).
In summary, you can go to Albufeira by FlixBus, but it’s difficult to know where FlixBus leaves Albufeira from.
That all said, Albufeira is very difficult in high season, TOO CROWDED, but the Portuguese are tolerant and very patient because they know that tourism is lucrative and has raised the whole country out of poverty. Residents enjoy cheap and / or free public transport on local buses (cheap monthly passes).
Residents are respectful and kind.
You can practice your Portuguese with them for a laugh, but they all speak English to varying degrees.
Here you can meet real residents. On the beach, not necessarily in the pubs.
I loved it here. Don’t miss it."