Feb 16, 2018

Algarve Portugal

Cruising the Algarve coast

During the Autumn when the weather in the Netherlands gets colder and wett, we get the idea to spend a week in the sun somewhere in southern Europe and not too expensive.

After googling for a while I end up in the Algarve it`s easy to reach they fly from Amsterdam with Transavia to Faro several flights a week. So i Booked a flight together with a rental car and hotel and here we go again .

At they end of October we fly to Faro ,we pick up the rental car and driving south following the coast to Lagos a small village.

Lagos famous for its beautiful coast, from Faro it`s about 1 hour by car via the toll road, which is striking that the road is fairly new and you see almost nobody on the road maybe everyone uses the normal road here instead of the toll road?

We stay at Farol da Ponta da Piedade with sea view and a smal walk to the Cliffs so i can easy watch the sunrise and sunset every morning and evening.

On places like this i always try to find out before i book a hotel where the sun rise and set so i can book a hotel in that area.

We watch every evening and morning the sunset and sunrise i think i never see so much dramatic light in one week.

It`s end October the weather is a little bit chilly in the evening and can be windy , so prepare for that, during day time its beautifull on the beach and enjoy the last sun i even take a dive in the ocean sometimes

We visit the town of Lagos a couple times it`s a beautiful small town on the coast in the Algarve region. Lagos has a long history that left its mark on the small town. Lagos is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Algarve. The city was under Moorish rule for centuries and was then called Zawaia. In the 13th century, the city was reconquered by the Portuguese king Alfons de II of Portugal and the city slowly rose to great flourishing. The city was one of the first in Europe to have a covered slave market and Lagos became the center for the voyages of discovery in Portugal. In the city you will find many old churches, the old city walls and beautiful old patrician houses.

Half an hour drive from Lagos you will also find the tourist town of the Algarve Albufeira also a winter resort for retirees pensionado and in the summer for the youngsters there are many bars and discotheques here alongside the beach with the golden sand. I liked the beach and the white village of Albufeira but the coastline at Lagos is much more dramatic for a photgrapher.

so what can I say of the Algarve it`s a great piece of nature in this world and worth a visit throughout the year to visit.Winter ,Summer, Autum.

Rent a car and drive around the beautiful coastline with is dramatic cliffs.

In the south you can visit the mediterranean beaches, Praia de Dona Ana is one of the most visited beaches of the region.The parking lots are usually on top of the cliffs, so you can hike around for some amazing views of the crystal clear water

Ow i almost forget to mention the lighthouse of Sarges, Sagres isn’t the most picturesque city, but the beach is pretty fantastic and the ocean wild and rough so you will see a lot of surfers here.

Here you will also find (“Cape St. Vincent”). The point was named after the body of St. Vincent was taken there to protect it from the invading Moors and became a place of pilgrimage for centuries. In 1173, the first King of Portugal, Afonso Henriques, had the remains of St.Vincent transported to Lisbon. There is also a lovely lighthouse (claimed to be one of Europe’s most powerful lighthouses) and the views from the point are simply breathtaking. It may be the most south-westerly point in Europe, but it certainly isn't bleak or boring!

The time we had in Algarve was way too short but I figured it's better to keep some things undiscovered so I can go back.