I've been to Algarve quite a few times, only once stayed at Albufera, it's pretty cool, nice location for all the big places, great beach. I normally stay near Alvor and go back there for 3 weeks in a bit (can't wait, golfing/surfing holiday, but it'll be )(*)*)ing hot).
I remember the Albufera trip pretty well. I was sitting under a parasol with my then girlfriend and had my feet in the sand and we were killing this huge jug of sangria and some sardines (best time in the world). There were a bunch of germans scattered near us, at this kind of mini delta. They had all their towels spread out and their parasols, most of them were half naked. Then this minitornado hit, took most of their stuff, and dumped it a bit out at see. 'Schnell schnell!'. Pretty funny looking back at it. I was pretty drunk but I'm sure it was a tornado.