Sintra

Tavira, our first stop in the Algarves

Praia do Barril

The white sand, calm waters and sea shells scattered along the shoreline make a perfect day on the beach. There is a train you can take to get out to the beach or a nice walk along the salt flats. Once you arrive there are several cafes to catch a nice lunch or drinks.

On the path to the beach you pass the anchor cemetery. The unique memorial is made up of hundreds of rusting anchors as a reminder of the once-thriving local tuna fishing community.

Algarve nature

There are orange groves all throughout the Algarve, as well as almond and fig. It is such a treat to be able to use the fresh squeezed orange machines in all the grocery stores. A cute little chiffchaff warbler

Wine

We took the most impressive wine tour at the Al-Lagar winery where they spent 1 hour and 45 minutes sharing vast amounts of wine production knowledge specific to Portugal. We learned about how the unique vines, regions, production and weather all go into the essence of the wine. Our guide even explained the essentials of proper wine tasting and techniques on how to improve our ability to identify flavors in the future.

For our tasting we chose the same grape from different regions in order to experience how the regions affect the final flavor. We chose Syrah a grape we were not overly familiar with to stretch our knowledge.

The winery it built from a ruined olive oil and orange farm with the building originating from the late 1800’s. A few of the remains of the original olive presses were incorporated into the new building. The orchard was planted where an orange grove previously existed, the roots intermixing and allowing nature to influence subtle differences.

Rio Formosa and Island boat tour

We took a 5 hour boat tour out of Olhao to explore the islands off the coast of the Algarve. It was mid-March when we visited so it was still jacket weather. The Atlantic was so turquoise and clear, we can imagine how inviting swimming and snorkeling would be during the summer.

Lagos and a quick stop at the Ponta da Piedade

Red cliffs framing the sparkling blue and turquiose Atlantic.

Silves

We were glad we added a day trip to Silves to our Algarve itinerary. As you approach it by car, you are afforded a gorgous view of the town build up on the hill. Suggest parking down at the foot of the hill and walking up to visit the castle. About half way up there is a town center with several restaurant choices and souvenir shops. The Silves castle is one of the best preserved Moorish castles in Portugal. We learned that around 201 B.C. the Romans conquered Silves, transforming it into a citadel of their occupation. It remained that way until captured by the Moors in 716 A.D. It wouldn’t be until the 13th century that the Portugal would take the fortress. At the Castle entrance, there is a statue in honour of the Portuguese king Sancho I who, in 1189, conquered Silves for the first time from the Muslims, although the town was only definitively conquered by the Christians in 1242.

Storks of the Algarve

The Eurasian storks migrate from Africa to nest over the spring to summer Portuguese months. They have large nests that you can spot all over the power line poles, chimneys, palm trees, building roof tops. They are protected here and you are restricted from removing their nests.

Cabo de Sao Vicente the most southwesterly point of continental Europe

If I were to attempt to capture today’s trip to what was once thought of as the ‘End of the World’, with 3 words, they would be windy, adventuresome, clear water, (and I’d admit to a new selfie stick).

You can feel the power and magnitude of nature. A small lighthouse has existed on the cape since 1520. The current lighthouse was built in 1846 and was originally illuminated by an olive oil lamp.

Algarve Coastline by boat

Slow traveling continues to reinforce that patience is a virtue. And there is no rushing mother nature who has been blessing the plants with loads of spring rain. Trusting the weather app, we were blessed with a glowing morning on March 26, 2026, temps expected to climb into the “feels-like” 83 range, perfect for our boating adventure. Our luck continued with being able to find free parking and even having a few minutes to shop the markets that line the Lagos inlet. Boarding was a snap, 18 of us excitingly settling in our seats on the zodiac boat. Off we went, the captain gunning the throttle as soon as we exited the mouth of the inlet, echoed by a few cries of delight.

First stop, Benagil Cave.

Leaving Benagil cave the captain expertly navigated the zodiac into a second cave and deeper into a dark void rendering the crew speechless, we sat in pure darkness at the mercy of the waves and water, hearing audible sighs of relief as we slowly exited.

Another time the captain drove us full speed towards cliff face, all of unsure how this was going to end, not seeing a cave or a way out, “will he throw it into reverse“, “what are we not seeing”, as he cut zodiac full hard port we pass-though a yet-unseen path between two cliffs. The first-mate calling out after “Emotions make us feel alive”.

I’d like to say I was able to capture a sliver of the beauty we witnessed in those grottos, but after experiencing them first-hand I’m not sure its possible. It was an experience tapping into all our senses; the smell of the salt air, the visual palette of limestone colors against the turquoise blues of the sea, and the sound and feel of the sun and wind on our skin.

We departed the boat with a serene sense of relaxation, what a magical day in Portugal indeed.

Seven Hanging Valleys Trail

We wrapped up our first Portuguese adventure with a 4.4-mile walk along the rugged limestone cliffs, a journey where the views refused to end. Unlike hikes that offer a few key viewpoints, this was a continuous panorama. We spent hours stopping every few moments—completely mesmerized—to watch the sun dance on the turquoise sea, waves crashing and creating a hundred tiny waterfalls cascading down the rocks, and dizzying limestone sinkholes plunging into the earth.

The perfect finale to an incredible journey!