Our daughter in Lagos proudly brought us here on the day we met the boyfriend. Tucked away in the mazy old-town, the name means little house of delicious morsels. The tables cosy up to a cooking area where the blur of white is chef Luis. The fare is traditional Algarve and Luis’s special is his Cataplana - steamed amêijoas (clams), chouriço sausage, pork, tomato and potato and you may need to join a queue at busy times. Thank you Phoebe and Alberto.

On Rua da Oliveira between Rua do Ferrador and Rua Professor Luís Azevedo. Two minutes walk from the river. In high season if driving, park near the marina and enjoy the walk.
Google maps: http://g.co/maps/gu3sq

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I grew up in Portugal and one of my fondest memories is escaping the crowded beaches around Lagos and heading inland to Bravura. The summer months bring thousands of tourists to the coastal areas of the Algarve, desperate for sunshine and a chance to sample the local cuisine and culture. For those who cannot stand a packed beach and want a place to swim where you aren't diving to avoid over-enthusiastic children on their boogey boards, I suggest taking the drive up to the reservoir. Once there you are presented with quite literally a plethora of dirt roads leading into the unknown but which invariably end up taking you to some deserted cove that for a day you can claim as your own. During the summer months the waters catch the light and are often a vivid green. You can swim to your heart's content surrounded by Eucalyptus forest and the smell of the local 'sticky bush'. You won't hear cars or shouting but instead the occasional splash of a black bass or carp playing in the shallows. Once you have satiated your desire for seclusion you can continue along the mountain roads all the way to Monchique, the extinct volcano and eat piri-piri chicken in one of the many restaurants and watch the sun drop over the horizon.

Approx 15-40 minute drive from Lagos depending on the time of day and how lost you want to get.
It is sign posted although once of the main roads you are on your own.

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Best bar in Portugal without a doubt! Alex is the greatest barman out there and makes the best cocktails known to man, prices are good. All in all a friendly and lovely place to spend the evening

Rua da 25 Avril, Lagos

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A bright modern hostel situated in the centre of Lagos on the Algarve. It has sixty odd, four-bunk rooms, a kitchen, free breakfast, a central courtyard for meeting fellow travellers. An excellent place to meet people and rest up on the grand european tour.

Rua Lancarote de Freitas in the old town of Lagos.
www.theworldtraveller.net/lagos.html

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Surf Shanti is an ecological nature retreat located on the west coast of the Algarve. There you can learn to surf and practice yoga. It is a rustic unique outdoor camp environment. Great for nature lovers and outdoor people. Really amazing beaches!

www.surfshanti.com

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This place was amazing! It is a surf and yoga camp modeled on an African safari camp. Very 'eco' in feel and a great place to totally unwind, you can't help but totally relax. Practice yoga and learn to surf - what a great combination! Myself and my partner totally enjoyed it. Yoga always appealed to her and I always wanted to do a surf trip. We both loved it and would recommend it for couples for sure. Also the area and beaches around are stunning as well.

www.surfalgarve.com

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The old town is a beautiful reminder of the 2000 year history of Lagos. Although most of it was destroyed in the tsunami and earthquake of 1755, there are still old buildings from the 16th century and the governor's castle.

There is a marina for boats from all over the world, dolphin watching by experts, coastal cave exploring in small boats with guides, and some of the best golf courses in Portugal nearby.

Shopping is a delight, with leather goods on every street corner and craft stalls, manned by the friendliest people anywhere.

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The Tivoli hotel in Lagos has everything for everybody. Wonderful seafood, comfortable rooms, all with balconies overlooking swimming pool or sea, yet in the centre of town. Fresh seafood every day, laid out as attractive buffet, Italian as well as traditional Portuguese.

There is a shuttle service to the excellent beach club, right on the Atlantic shore, built for leisurely sunbathing, snacking and swimming.

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Salema is a village tucked away on Portugal's south-western tip. It is a wonderful beach town with a sandy and gently-sloping beach that sits between golden cliffs, and is ideal for families with children. On the beach it's easy to find the perfect location, near the cliffs, or in the shade, to spread your towel and settle in for a day of lounging.

But what truly makes this village a wonderful beach town is the open-hearted approach of the friendly, kind Portuguese people.

Catch a bus to Salema from Lagos.

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These holiday apartments are very close to the beach and ten minutes’ walk from town. Lovely swimming pools and gardens too.

337 rooms spread across 5 floors. Rossio da Trinidade, Lagos;
tel: (351) 282 764 160

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