Stay Locally
Lagos is the most historically interesting coastal town in the Algarve with a maze of criss-crossed streets, fine restaurants, boutiques, night clubs and good beaches.
Henry the Navigator used Lagos as a base for the African trade, and his explorers brought back slaves to auction in the slave market (now an art gallery), his statue and the slave market both being situated in the Praça da República.
Gil Eanes (Lagos most famous son) was the first European Captain to accomplish the sea passage, in 1495, to the Orient via Cape Bojador, known for its treacherous winds and currents. His statue is in front of the town walls a little further to the west.
The town's third statue is of the 21 year old boy-king, Sebastião, who precipitated the demise of the Aviz dynasty in the 16th century by sailing from Lagos to a disastrous defeat in Morrocco.
From then Lagos went into decline and was greatly reduced in strategic importance. In 1755 there was a great earthquake that destroyed most of the other buildings. Among the ones that were rebuilt and have since undergone renovation are the Church of Santa Maria, the 17th Century Regimental Storehouse next to it and the "Golden" Church of Santo António which forms part of Lagos rather eccentric museum which offers a diverse range of typically Algarvian memorabilia.
Praia da Luz
Praia da Luz literally means "The Beach of Light", which is a name given to the village in Moorish times, when beacons were lit to warn fishermen of the approaching danger from the savage Moors.
It has a 17th Century coastal fort, which is now a restaurant at one end of the beach and the famous "black rock" (Rocha Negra) cliff at the other. This is an intrusion of lava produced from the volcanoes of Monchique some 190 million to 135 million years ago!! Between the two there is an attractive promenade for strolling or relaxing on one of the many seats. There are also some Roman remains to see, up a few steps bang in the middle of the sea front.
Head West
Burgau and Salema - Traditional fishing villages where the locals still set out to sea in brightly painted boats in pursuit of squid, lobster, sardines and other seafood as they did a hundred years ago. The villages have absorbed the advance of tourism but have still retained their character. The steep streets of Burgau lead to a horseshoe shaped bay. Similar scenarios can be seen on the long sandy stretches of nearby Salema beach.
Sagres and Cape St Vincent - Sagres is where Henry the Navigator established his school of navigation. Visit the 17th Century fortress where you can stroll along the fortress walls and cliff paths. Cape St Vincent, on a beautiful rugged coastline, is the most south-westerly point of Europe. It has been an important reference point for shipping since the 15th Century and is the Cape off which Nelson defeated the Spanish fleet in 1797. The headland has many fascinating botanical species, is a nesting ground for white stork and heron among numerous other birds, and there is also a colony of sea otters.
Go Inland
Monchique is a magnificent mountain retreat with breathtaking views over the wooded valleys below. Visit the 2000 year old sulphur springs and shop for handmade crafts for which the locals are famous. Sample the regional liquor "Medronho" which is distilled from the fruit of the arbutus tree - but be warned, it is a lethal brew!
Silves is an ancient city with Moorish castle, 12th Century cathedral and Archaeology Museum. Picturesque cobbled streets lead to pretty fishermen's cottages and the town is surrounded by countryside orange, lemon and fig trees. The Fabrica de Inglês has exhibits which include a brewery and replica restaurants from different periods in the country.
Alcalar, just before Portimão has a Neolithic dolmen site and is known for being the location of Sir Cliff Richard's vineyard.
Head West
Burgau and Salema
These are traditional fishing villages where the locals still set out to sea in brightly painted boats in pursuit of squid, lobster, sardines and other seafood as they did a hundred years ago. The villages have absorbed the advance of tourism but have still retained the strong character. The steep streets of Burgau lead to a horseshoe shaped bay where the fish are hauled in and similar scenarios can be witnessed on the long sandy stretches of Salema beach.
Sagres and Cape St Vincent
Sagres is where Prince Henry established his school of navigation. Visit the 17th Century fortress. Sagres is also the centre of lobster fishing industry in the Algarve.
Cape St Vincent, on a beautiful rugged coastline, is the most south-westerly point of Europe. It is an important reference point for shipping since the 15th Century and the Cape off which Nelson defeated the Spanish fleet in 1797. The headland has many fascinating botanical species, is a nesting ground for white stork and heron among numerous other birds, and there is also a colony of sea otters.
Visit Cities
Faro
Capital of the Algarve. Well worth a visit are the cathedral, Archaeological museum and the peaceful semi-walled old quarter. Visit the maritime museum at the harbour from where you can take a ferry trip to Faro beach.
Portimão
Is now the Algarve's biggest city and second most important fishing port after Olhão. Excellent shops and restaurants in the port serve freshly caught sardines. Boats can be taken across the harbour to Ferragudo, a beautifully unspoilt fishing village with pretty beaches.