Glimpses of … Portugal - Algarve
The Algarve
One of our favorite Algarve experiences was a scenic beach picnic with friends Joe & Terri in Ferragudo. We’ve also enjoyed trips to Monchique, with breathtaking panoramic views of the Algarve coast, in this cycling-focused town with tasty cafes, hand crafted pottery, art and history.
We’ve savored sunset trips to Sagres, the most southwestern tip of Portugal, with a lighthouse (Cabo de Sao Vicente), a fort (Fortaleza de Sagres), and an amazing park (Parque Natural do Costa Vicentina). Silves and its medieval castle was another incredible destination. Next on the list will be exploring more of interior Portugal in addition to the coastal beaches!
Old-world charm and steep beach cliffs in the village of Ferragudo, on the mouth of the Arade River in the Algarve
Terri & Joe hosted our first Portuguese beach picnic!
Ferragudo is also a traditional fishing village
Welcome to Monchique, which boasts a historic town centre, amazing views from its peaks, hot springs, unique and beautiful ceramics, lots of biking activities and the production of medronho, a local "fire water" made from distilled medronho berries
Adorable Monchique ...
Sagres, created in 1519, is connected to the Portuguese Age of Discovery and is the SW point of continental Europe
The church of Santa Maria was consecrated in 1519
Henry the Navigator created the Fortress of Sagres
Inuksuks galore in Sagres ... if only these rocks could talk!
Fishermen on the precarious cliffs
A Google Maps screenshot depicting our most southwesterly European point location
Stephen scouting out the best picnic location for our group to enjoy the spectacular sunset views
Terri packing a picnic
What a view!
Silves was the ancient capital of the Algarve and served as a valuable trading centre during Moorish times in the 9th-12th centuries
The Castelo de Silves, where the Moors ruled over the Algarve
The Se Cathedral was constructed on the site of a Moorish Mosque
