This year, our annual road trip took me to Portugal. First, we went to the beautiful Algarve region in the district of Faro. The Algarve is the southernmost region of continental Portugal and therefore a popular holiday destination on the Atlantic Ocean. The beaches in the Algarve offer unique rock formations. To kick off my Portugal travel blogs, today I would like to introduce you to the most beautiful beaches in the Algarve as well as other highlights.
Praia Da Marinha
The beach Praia da Marinha is not only known for the beach itself, but especially for the breathtaking view. From the view point, the rocks form a heart. Therefore, Praia da Marinha is a popular photo spot. It is worth arriving early if you like to get a parking space. At the beach, you will be rewarded with fine sand and a wonderful panorama. If you travel to Portugal in the summer like we do, you should be prepared for the heat.
Ponte da Piedade
We reached the Ponta da Piedade viewpoint shortly after sunrise. There, too, it is worth getting up early and arriving before the crowd does. It is the tip of a steep headland jutting into the Atlantic, a 20-metre-high cliff landscape with hidden beaches and bay. It is important to note that the beaches often disappear completely or for the most part at high tide. Ponta da Piedade is located in Lagos.
Praia do Camilo
Praia do Camilo was one of the highlights of this trip for me. Simply beautiful, it is also known for the photogenic wooden staircase that leads down to the beach. Be sure to come here at sunrise and enjoy the unique atmosphere on this rather small beach.
Rooftop Pool of Pure Formosa Concept Hotel
Besides my favourite beaches, I also found a favourite pool in the Algarve. I was completely won over by the rooftop pool at the Pure Formosa Concept Hotel. Access is open to hotel guests. We stayed at this stylish hotel for two nights and I can absolutely recommend it to you. The hotel is not only Instagrammable, compared to other hotels it is – despite the rooftop pool – extremely affordable. The rooms are also beautifully decorated, although perhaps a little smaller than others.
Benagil Caves
The famous Benagil Caves can be explored on a guided kayak tour or by boat. They are not directly accessible from land. I opted for the latter. When we arrived at the caves with our tour boat, they were already full to the brim with kayak tourists. So if you want to experience the caves empty, you’d probably have to get there before the big show (at about 9am). Otherwise, when choosing a boat tour, I would advise you to make sure that it is a small boat that takes you into the caves and not just around the outside.
I hope you enjoyed this little insight into my stay in the Algarve. More posts about the Portugal trip will follow soon.
