The Algarve and onwards

A surprisingly quiet night what with the sheer number of people camped up in the vicinity. So next morning it’s off to see what the Algarve has to offer. First stop is the small town of Tavira, a pretty little place but it’s very quiet as it’s early on a Sunday morning.

Next is Faro where we manage to park close to the walled old town and have a wander round.

Not one of the famous black storks the area is famous for but it will have to do.

It’s very difficult to get close to the beaches as it’s so built up but when we do they are quite deserted even for a sunny warm weekend. Every parking area we come across seems to have a large number of motorhomes parked up so we move on a bit disappointed with what we have seen or not seen of the Algarve so far. The rough guide suggests a diversion inland so we take it and before long the roads are quiet and we do a bit of off roading to try and find a nice spot, we are rewarded with this view of a mountain lake / reservoir where we park for the night.

Next morning and we’re off for a drive round the reservoir

And then on to the old Moorish fortified capital of Silves with its red sandstone walls.

 And  windmill.

Next we do a circuit of the national park

Before arriving in the hill village of Monchique

where according to the guide book the month of March is sausage festival time but we see no signs of this so we drive up to the viewpoint at Foia (900m) for lunch, it’s a bit hazy but the views are amazing.

 Back down at sea level we stop off at Praia da rocha in Portimao

And then drive to lagos where we decide to stay in a campsite overnight to wash some clothes in their washing machines and go out for a meal in town.


A walk round the old part of Lagos town which is only a stones throw from the campsite and we have dinner in the old Lagos tavern where I go for the swordfish Portuguese style and Jo opts for suckling pig.

We awake in the campsite to find people wandering around outside in their dressing gowns, why do people think it’s acceptable to do that !,  do they wander the streets at home like it ? we wonder.


Leaving Lagos behind we head west to the most south-westerly point of mainland Europe Cabo de Sao Vicente which is also the location for Europe’s most powerful lighthouse.

The nearby town of Sagres was where the great explorers Vasco da Gama and Magellan learnt their trade and launched their expeditions which opened up trade links across the world funded by Prince Henry the navigator, history lesson over.

As we travel north along the Atlantic coast the resorts dwindle and the whole coastal area becomes a national park.


We pass by some stunning beaches

and vegetation

We find a seaview parking spot just outside the village of Almograve.

With a spectacular sunset.