The Algarve

[Tue 5/16 - Thu 5/18]

We decided to take a slightly-longer coastal route for the drive south to Sagres in the Algarve. Stopped to stretch our legs and walk to what we thought would be a beach and ended up on a spectacular cliff overlooking the Atlantic.

Drive through Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina

Boardwalk stroll to overlook

Overlook at Praia da Baía da Arquinha - Beach of the Little Arch (I think)

Continued another 90 minutes south to our hotel/B&B, Nook, outside the beach town of Sagres. Nook was unique and lovely. It's on a dirt/gravel road in the middle of open fields with barely another building in sight - and a distant view of the ocean to the south. It has maybe 10 rooms, with a shared kitchen and lot's of space to unwind.

Entrance to our B&B

View south from our patio

We settled in, then drove about 5 miles to a lighthouse at the southwestern tip of Portugal. The spot is renowned as the last piece of mainland Portuguese and Spanish explorers would see before heading off to the new world. Pretty cool.

Lighthouse of Cabo de São Vicente (Cape of Saint Vincent)

View to the north

View to the southwest

St Vincent (appropriately, patron saint of wine)

We drove about 5 miles east to Sagres, a classic beach town with surf shops, coffeeshops, restaurants and bars. Had a delicious seafood dinner at A Tasca - a converted fish market with a great view of the ocean. Thomas and I both had cataplana - a traditional seafood stew served in a clam-shaped metal bowl. So good!

Cataplana

Wednesday was our first - and possibly only - beach day of the trip. After breakfast at the hotel, we drove about 15 minutes over dirt/gravel roads to the western coast. Parked at the top of a steep hill then walked down to Ponta Ruiva Beach - a large, sandy cove surrounded by rocky hills and cliffs. 

Relaxing morning coffee on the patio

Walk down to Ponta Ruiva Beach

Almost there; several 4-wheel drive surf-mobiles made the drive down

A beautiful beach with a handful of surfers in the water (while their dogs waited anxiously on shore) 

Postcard day

Stratified rock formation

We walked the beach and relaxed for 90 minutes or so before heading back to the hotel to grab our dirty laundry (9 days into the trip!) and head into Sagres. Dropped Thomas and Caroline at another beach while Karri and I headed to Laundry Lounge for laundry, a beer and some snacks - great spot. Thomas and Caroline walked back as we were finishing up the laundry and we headed back to the hotel to drop our clean clothes - and clean up ourselves - before heading to dinner back in Sagres. Caught a gorgeous sunset before enjoying a great meal at Armazem, where we tried Percebes (barnacles) - a popular local appetizer that were surprisingly good!

Sunset from Sagres - the peninsula below the sun is the Cape of St Vincent (lighthouse)

Praia do Tonel beach at sunset

Percebes (barnacles) - our waiter was very proud and excited to show us how to enjoy them

Thursday we had breakfast at the hotel again, then packed up and hit the road for Sintra, near Lisbon. We loved our brief time in the Algarve and all agreed we'd love to come back and explore some more!