Road Trip, Day 20 to 21: Algarve, Portugal

Best part of the Algarve is this little spit of coastline, Farol da Ponta da Piedade, near Lagos.

From Lisbon, we shot down to the Algarve with high hopes that we would fall in love with the area and put it on the short list of places to go next winter. Not knowing much about the region, I secured accommodations in the middle of the southern coast (in Albufeira) with the thought that we could go west about 45 minutes and see the area around Lagos and go east about 45 minutes and experience Faro.

Beautiful rock formations and more hidden beaches.

Upon arrival, we both agreed that this area was not for us. Albufeira was an armpit of a town. Overbuilt with now aging apartments, graffiti everywhere, and overrun with red-faced geriatric sun worshippers. The place had no soul. How could developers take such a beautiful area of the world and ruin it so badly? The weather is divine and it could have been so wonderful. But too late now.

Secluded little beaches tucked all along the coast near Lagos. And that water. Wow!

Our field trip to Lagos was the only saving grace. We liked this western part much better and found Lagos to be slightly more palatable as a town, but agreed that it wasn’t for us. But as we snaked our way down the coast, passing development after development, we happened upon this great little beach cafe. Had a wonderful lunch and chatted with a couple of gals from the Netherlands. And the views from the cliffs were breathtaking.

View from our lunch table at a jewel of a beach hut. Protected from the wind, great sun exposure, yummy fish, and cold beer. SO BEACHY!

Thank goodness the hotel turned out to be very nice, with nightly entertainment in the posh bar. Not to mention that two nights, including breakfast, was only €80 and no parking fees.

We decided the two nights was plenty for us and explored Faro on our way to Spain. It had some ancient buildings in somewhat of a downtown, but was still a real mixed bag. And so, our journey continued to Seville.

This entry was posted in Algarve, American Expats in France, Expat Blog, Portugal, Southwest France American Expat Blog, Traveling in Europe. Bookmark the permalink.

5 Responses to Road Trip, Day 20 to 21: Algarve, Portugal

  1. Anne Sherwood says:

    I’m loving your great photos and lovely text… Spent some time in Biarritz, San Sebastian, Bilbao, and Porto, but then turned inland to Salamanca and back to Madrid a few years back… Also did 80 miles of the Santiago del Compostino pilgrimage walk over 10 days…. Your photos bring back wonderful memories!

    Your coastal photos of Lagos look just like our weather now. We have had only two days of rain, Jan 8 and 9th, and the rest have been in the high 60’s and lo 70’s for weeks… And no rain is predicted for the rest of Feb. as yet… Yikes!

    Dave and Lori put in solar panels and have done some more renovations… Your former home is like the Winchester Mystery House…every day I look out and see more workmen. Guess I’m just jealous ‘cuz I get so little done around here!! Would much rather play in the dirt!! Love the wingback chair and lovely chest for my TV…thanks for your generosity!

    We miss you and love your blog!! Keep traveling and we’ll come along vicariously too!

    Love, Anne

    • thecindy@mail.com says:

      As always, so nice to hear from you Anne! So sorry I missed you last fall. Thanks for the kind words and for keeping in touch!

  2. Paivi Louvel says:

    Cindy, I so agree with you on Algarve! Thats why we bought where we bought. You get more value for your money and find nicer spots elsewhere.
    Back in Far East now. P

  3. Paul says:

    Great photos.

Leave a Reply to Anne Sherwood Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *