The amazing Algarve coastline has a look and colour all of it’s own – it is quite simply spectacular! The only strange thing is that there isn’t one long lovely coastal road to drive along … seeing the beaches as you go and choosing where to stop when you like the look of somewhere !!
In fact the roads you travel on to get to any of the beaches has more of a ‘middle of the countryside’ feel to them … and you can’t even see the beaches when you actually arrive either! Once parked up you will need to walk along a trail as the coastline is made up of high cliffs … then each beach has a different descent be it a long steep winding path or more often that not a hotch potch of wooden steps – usually quite a few of them to get right down to the cove, the sand, the sea!!
Obviously when you are down it is well worth the effort and then it is time for some relaxing and a nice cool swim before you have to tackle the climb back up to your car later on!! Needless to say the views up top are incredible as the coastline is very green set against the most wonderful golds, reds and ambers of the limestone rugged cliff faces.
Turquoise crystal clear waters abound and the snorkelling is wonderful especially around all of the rock formations that can be found close to shore! Each cove has it’s own nooks and crannies to discover and explore … some have wide expanses of sand with great fun places to climb and jump off … others are smaller, more intimate coves that nestle high around you and are real sun traps!
There are longer, lower level beaches that are set up with beach clubs – meaning you have facilities to use, food and drink plus a comfy sun bed and umbrella to use like Praia da Luz which is very nice! But don’t think you can beat a bit of adventure with the harder to get to coves that are so much more interesting, beautiful and picturesque – just be prepared before you go taking refreshments etc with you!
Some of the wonderful beaches we visited and that are shown here include : Lagos / Praia da Marinha / Praia Dona Ana / Praia do Camilo / Carvoeiro
Away from the beaches there are many pretty towns to stroll around where you will find some welcome shade, cute boutique shops and plenty of tasty places for a lovely al fresco lunch – such as Alvor / Vilamoura / Lagos. The most popular and well known Algarve dishes of fresh fish, grilled garlic prawns and piri piri chicken can be found in abundance and are seriously good – finger licking tasty!!
If you are looking for even more colour than the blue skies, turquoise waters and gorgeous blossoms that surround you everywhere then head on down to Albufeira’s marina for a bonkers collection of apartment buildings where someone was let loose with the paint colour chart!!
All a bit of fun and it definitely makes you smile to have a wander around!! It isn’t a big marina but nice enough for an hour or two with a few restaurants and bars on a large terrace overlooking the boats which was pleasant!
The Algarve really is full of lots of surprises as it really has something for everyone – all wrapped up in some gorgeous picture postcard places! As ever it is incredibly busy with traffic at the height of season but our visit in September was divine and we can highly recommend it!
This is really helpful, thanks.