I decided to visit the Algarve during the summer, a destination long on my travel list. With only a week off, it was the perfect opportunity to fly there! Although it was peak season, being there during this time wasn’t the disadvantage I anticipated. Wanting to explore as much as possible, I opted for a rental car—a fantastic decision! While staying in three main cities, I used every drive to visit charming small towns, stop for coffee, enjoy some beach time, or simply explore.
Tavira
My first stop, and the easternmost point of my trip, was Tavira. This small town is less touristy and felt the most “local” of all the places I visited. While many houses appear quite charmingly weathered, it was an excellent start to my trip. For the first few days, I simply enjoyed delicious food (see obligatory pictures at the end of this page), read books, walked around, and relaxed.
I also spent my first beach day here, which highlighted an important aspect of Algarve beaches: a car is often essential to reach them. The beach is typically over 2 km from the city center, which can be quite a long walk on a hot day. At Tavira it was even more, so I enjoyed driving in nature and visiting a salt field on my way.
Faro
Faro, a beautiful city, was a primary reason for my visit to the Algarve. While more touristy than Tavira, it still offers an authentic sense of “real” Portugal. Its historic Old Town, encircled by ancient walls, truly invited me to wander through its charming cobbled streets. Finding dinner each evening was a delightful challenge, not due to a lack of options, but rather because of the sheer abundance of tempting choices.
Another unique attraction in Faro is the Capela dos Ossos, or Chapel of Bones. This rather macabre chapel is adorned with the bones and skulls of over 1,200 monks, serving as a powerful memento mori. It’s a striking and thought-provoking experience, offering a stark reminder of life’s transient nature.
Turns out, staying outside the city center was a pretty sweet deal for my hotel. I actually got some decent sleep, which was awesome because it wasn’t super noisy. And I’m not talking about regular street noise, I mean, the airport was like, *right there*. Like, yeah, it’s cool for getting to the city fast when you land, but seeing the pilot’s eyes during landing? A little too close for comfort, if you ask me.
Lagos
The most touristic city on my trip was Lagos. This vibrant town is famous for its stunning rock formations, such as the Ponta da Piedade, and its beautiful beaches. While more bustling, Lagos still maintains a charming historical center with lively streets and a diverse culinary scene. However, these lively streets proved to be a significant pain at night. Staying in the inner city, which seemed like a good idea initially, turned out to be incredibly noisy. It felt like sleeping at Oktoberfest, with loud and persistent music from clubs, bars, and restaurants starting around 10 PM and continuing until roughly 4 AM, followed by the sound of garbage trucks cleaning the streets. Fortunately, I only stayed two nights.
The beach itself was quite nice, though it was understandably crowded due to the high number of tourists. While it was worth experiencing Lagos once, I wouldn’t choose to stay there again.
As always, I dedicate the end of my travel posts to my food highlights, and the Algarve certainly did not disappoint with its tons of incredible seafood. And, of course, being in Portugal meant it was always the perfect time for my favorite sweet treat: pastel de nata.
You must be logged in to post a comment.