The coast is very scenic with varying landscape, cliff formations, sandy beaches of all sizes, wetlands, and surfable waves.... Understandably all this natural beauty of the area and temperate climate brings on tourism and development. From what I see in late March in the places we were, the level of development is tolerable. For entirely selfish reasons I am grateful for the development -- we can get around on public transport and find reasonable prices on accommodation.
There is still much to see and places to hike, especial for one who is the lie-on-the-beach type. The Algarve is high on the our to-return list.
While Lagos has some nice beaches, ...
... Praia da Rocha at Portimao is both more scenic and more developed. It's also very walkable with folks strolling both on the beach and on the promenade on the cliffs above. We walked 15 kms from Praia da Rocha to the sandy, western tip of Alvor.
Between Portimao and Alvor there is a park with pine trees, nesting sea birds, and not much development.
Alvor is less developed, flat, and has tremendously long boardwalk along the dunes and through the tidal estuary.
And a rip-rap seawall at the point, that is stronger than a Roman road!
The center of Alvor has everything a tourist wants. ;-)
Day two: Bus to Sagres, then walk to Vila Bispo via to Cabo Vincente- about 21 kms walked.
The Fortress at Sagres.
It should be a fast 7km walk from Sagres to Cabo Vincente along a paved road but we had to stop many times to enjoy the view.
The light of the Cabo Vincente lighthouse is said to be the strongest in Europe.
If you look closely in the middle of this photo, you'll see a man fishing.
Great views back to Sagres with the surf crashing into the cliffs.
After Cabo Vicente we headed NORTH on the Rota Vincentina towards Vila do Bispo. The first 5 to 6 kms was right along the coastal cliffs.
Wow!
We gradually headed inland, and the trees grew taller and the grass greener.
Finally we spotted the Vila do Bispo water tower and walked the last 3 kms into town with a couple of German women who were out hiking for 4 weeks.
Finally some pics of Lagos concluding with a shot out of our apartment window during dinner.
2 comments:
Although I've been to Portugal several times I've always skipped the Algarve, thinking it was too touristy (and full of British ex-pats). But you may have convinced me to take a look.
@Kathy, Seemed to me, from reading your San Sebastian post, that Portimao may have what you expected to find in San Sebastian: walkable beach, views, good weather, cozy cafes, and great seafood. Plus Portimao has a longer shoulder season.
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