Algarve Things to Do Tips by micas_pt Top 5 Page for this destination

Tavira

Tavira is one of my favourite cities in Algarve. It is situated on the east side of Algarve, near the Spanish border. Fortunately, this city has protected itself from the great development and kept its architecture and streets intact (meaning that there are no big blocks of apartments!!)

Tavira is bathed by the River, where you may admire the ancient bridge and the city’s reflections on the water. A pleasant park by the River and by the old market (nowadays converted into restaurants and shops) provide you a place to rest and observe.

Walking the city’s narrow cobbled, and sometimes steep, streets to the small castle is something you should not miss. While strolling the old streets notice why this city is called the city of the 100 churches – some of them are opened to visit and a lot are not, but still they are there to observe its exterior architecture.

Also, not to miss when in Tavira is the coast and the white sand beaches. Beaches in this area are plain and long and very beautiful. The protected park of Ria Formosa is also near Tavira, don’t miss a visit to this beautiful landscape by the sea. The sunset by the Barril beach is awesome (reflecting on the Ria’s water).

Sagres' coast

All of Sagres' coast is a protected area, which means that (fortunately) you can't build anything there and it must be preserved.

You can find some very beautiful spots here: beaches or cliffs (some cliffs are 60m above the sea, watch out!).

Some nice beaches to visit:
> Telheiro (9 km west),
> Ponta Ruiva (2km west),
> Beliche (near Sagres)
> Tonel (near the promontory)
> Martinhal (1km East, you can find a nautical sports school here)

The sea here is colder than in other Algarve beaches, and as the place is (very) windy you can windsurf.

Since the water is colder and there's no chance of building new hotels and resorts, this area is much quieter. Well, it's one of my favourite spots in Algarve.

Lighthouse

It is said that this lighthouse is the most powerful one in Europe. Its light has a range of 95 km, .... !!!

Well, being the most powerful one or not, it is, nevertheless, very impressive. The place is beautiful and i mostly recommend a visit here. The sea is absolutely fabulous. Hope you are lucky and get a sunny day, ... It sometimes gets very windy.

This lighthouse is located at St Vicente Cape.

Cabo de S. Vicente

(St Vicente Cape)

Formerly know as Finisterra, this cape was a long long time ago thought to be the end of the earth.

Legends say that in the 4th century St Vicente's body was thrown to sea here.

Ever since the 15th century St Vicente was a refereal point to navigation.

St Vicente was the set for many important fights, including the defeat of the spanhish fleet in 1797 by the british admirals Jervis and Nelson.

Meia Praia beach

Meia Praia means "Half Beach". Don't know why this name since it is 4 km long, ... :-). Anyway, this is a rather nice beach, with lots of space and stil looking "wild", not too touristic.

Directions: 0.5 km east Lagos.

There are regular buses from Lagos to Meia Praia.

D. Ana beach

Just outside Lagos, there's D. Ana beach.

It's a nice little beach, one of my favourites (in winter time). This photo was taken on a sunny day in February and as you can see this beach is very quiet, as most of the Algarve coast during winter months.

Directions: About 25 minutes walk from Lagos.

Lagos' marina

For those who travel by boat this is a pleasant way to arrive in Algarve.

For all the others, the marina is a place where you can eat, have a drink or just sit in the sun. There´s a place here that sells all of those Algarve traditional sweets made with almonds and eggs, ... humm, ... highly recommendable.!!!!!

Directions: By the sea. :-)