Holiday in Algarve, Portugal

Have you ever been to Algarve, Portugal? In the first half of May we made our first visit there, and it was just fabulous! To many people, Algarve is just too touristic to be worth a visit. So I was a little apprehensive as to what we might find there. Well, this beautiful costal province in the south of Portugal exceeded all my expectations.



Well, we went there in low season, so there were few tourists. That was definitely a plus. Secondly, we are not really beach goers, so instead we rented a car and went to explore the gorgeous countryside and breathtaking remote beaches. We did 4 walks of 10 to 12 km long, of which two were costal walks along the beautiful rocky beaches of Praia de Luz and Praia de Marina, and the other two were in the sweet scenting rolling hills of Silves and Alte. Anne Sophie enjoyed the walks, and would often fall asleep in her baby carrier, which I carried on my shoulders. We also went on a one-day trip to Seville in Spain.

Another thing we enjoyed immensely was the food. Everything tastes so great there: tomatoes, cucumbers, strawberries, oranges. It’s heaven and earth compared to the fruit and vegetables that we get in Holland. A simple meal of bread and cheese with fresh vegetables, some freshly pressed orange juice and strawberries – it is a veritable paradise!

The people of Algarve are friendly, pure, quiet and relaxed. It feels that they are not yet spoiled by the dubious fruits of modern civilization.

So if you ask me, I’d definitely recommend Algarve as a holiday destination. But be sure to go in low season, rent yourself a car, and go explore the beautiful landscapes and villages on foot!