Clock Tower, Historic clock tower in the Old Town of Albufeira, Portugal.
The Clock Tower rises at Praça da República with a square stone structure featuring arched portals on each side and a traditional Portuguese clock that remains visible from multiple points throughout Albufeira's historic district.
Built in the 19th century as part of a fortified hospital complex, the tower survived the devastating 1755 earthquake and has served as a communal timekeeping device and civic landmark for over 200 years.
The tower houses a bell within a wrought-iron framework that chimes every hour, becoming particularly notable at night when illuminated, and serves as a traditional meeting point for locals who refer to it as the Tower with the Bell.
Located at Praça da República 5 in the Old Town, the tower is accessible on foot via paved pedestrian streets with several paid parking lots within walking distance and is included in many guided city tours.
Adjacent to the tower, visitors can observe cordoned-off ruins of two 12th-century Islamic houses that offer a glimpse into the medieval Moorish presence in Albufeira, visible from outside the protected area year-round.
Location: Albufeira
Address: Praça da República 5, 8200-106 Albufeira, Portugal 8200-106 Albufeira
GPS coordinates: 37.08716,-8.25236
Latest update: December 1, 2025 13:19
Clock towers combine technical precision with architectural styles from different periods and cultures. These highly visible structures stand in city centers, university campuses and historic squares, where they structure public life. The collection includes varied examples: the 315 foot (96 meter) neo-Gothic bell tower at Westminster Palace in London, the 1,970 foot (601 meter) Royal Clock Tower in Mecca, the Spasskaya Tower on Red Square in Moscow, the 279 foot (85 meter) neo-Gothic Rajabai Tower in Mumbai, the medieval astronomical clock at Old Town Hall in Prague, the 13th century Zytglogge in Bern, the Giralda in Seville (originally an Almohad minaret), the 548 foot (167 meter) Philadelphia City Hall tower, the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, the 308 foot (94 meter) Sather Tower at the University of California Berkeley, the Zimmer Tower in Lier, the Custom House Tower in Boston, the Mughal era Ghanta Ghar in Lahore, the Union Station clock tower in Waterbury, the Renaissance clock tower on St. Mark's Square in Venice, the Jam Gadang in Bukittinggi and the Jaffa Clock Tower in Tel Aviv. Many of these towers serve as urban landmarks and connect historic architecture with practical function. They frequently offer elevated viewpoints and display remarkable mechanical achievements in timekeeping.
Albufeira Old Town
100 m
Miradouro do Pau da Bandeira
374 m
Praia dos Pescadores
234 m
Praia do Túnel
153 m
Castle of Albufeira
551 m
Bateria de Albufeira
551 m
Albufeira Tunnel
47 m
Igreja de São Sebastião, Albufeira
147 m
Câmara Municipal, Albufeira
677 m
Museu Municipal de Arqueologia
32 m
Igreja de Santa Ana, Albufeira
268 m
Edifício da Misericórdia, incluindo hospital, capela e antiga hospedaria
51 m
Viewpoint Fishing Port
692 m
Igreja Paroquial de Albufeira
184 m
CTT de Albufeira
281 m
Praia de Albufeira
475 m
Antigua Bateria del Castillo
40 m
Galeria de Arte de Samora Barros
112 m
Porta de Sant Ana
152 m
Arco a Travessa
108 m
Monumento ao Pescador
266 m
Work of art, sculpture
528 m
Installation artwork, Work of art
174 m
Miradouro do Pau da Bandeira
377 m
Miradouro Rossio
521 m
Miradouro Rua Latino Coelho
376 m
Scenic viewpoint
327 m
Scenic viewpoint
257 mReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes