Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina

The south west tip of Portugal and coast to the north are contained in a natural park of outstanding beauty, a wild and wonderful area, mostly unspoiled and some small towns of character.

We returned to a few of the places we love there and found some new ones.

The estuary town of Vila Nova de Milfontes is a favourite. The Atlantic tides rise and fall in a way familiar to British people exposing and covering the sand.

Just to the north we spent two nights amongst surfers from various countries in a beautiful cliff top parking at Praia Milhao. The magnificent beach was almost deserted except for a few surfers and sunbathers. It is one of many unofficial naturist beaches in Portugal.

Driving inland through the unspoiled green scenery with grazing cows, and eucalyptus trees we came to Sao Luis. Further south the capital of this part of Alentejo is Odemira, a hilly town through which passes the Mira River. A shallow draught vessel can navigate this river 40 km to Vila Nova. I would love to make that journey in a small boat.

Further south the Ribeira (River) de Seixe, forms the border between the Algarve and Alentejo. Praia do Odeceixe is a wonderful place where the river winds around the beach to the sea. Here we met Barbara from Switzerland making slow “Camino” with two donkeys from France.

 Clever way to remember the beer - misprint some labels !!

Aljezur is the main town of this region and we came twice to the little publicised Saturday market where fresh produce and cakes are sold. Worth a visit.

We also met up again with Josef at Vale da Telha, and enjoyed a pizza out with him and his visitor Valerija, and the next day a visit to the amazing headland at Lagos.

We had already spent time at Praia das Furnas and nearby Salema.

This is truly a special area and we are always reluctant to leave here.

WESTERN ALGARVE, FULL MOON and SPRING EQUINOX

For me heading west along the Algarve holds many treasures but once we reach Lagos and go beyond there we enter a quiet, green and beautiful area with clear light and some very special places. Much reminds me of Cornwall and my earliest holiday memories.

This time we took a brief look at Luz, a quaint village, before returning to a special beach Praia do Furnas.  About a dozen campers were parked at the end of the rough unmade road. 

No longer do we see the expensive showroom vehicles. Here are a selection of mostly older vehicles, often Mercedes vans, converted to homes, all different and unique. It is not right to call the owners hippies, although some could be so described.

Here are young and old people who love to be in nature and living a free life. Some are families with young children. It is so good to be here away from street lighting. In fact we enjoyed the magic of the full moon bathing the place in soft light all night, and the Spring Equinox.

Reluctantly we moved on to find a camp site at Salema as we felt the need for a service stop, showers, washing machine and electricity to make our favourite green smoothies. On arrival we found the site closed and undergoing work so drove down to Salema village and found a quiet corner of a car park with trees and plants which we had missed on a previous visit, and settled comfortably there for two nights.

We met Sheena and Michael (Written in Wood) who told us about the “hidden” Saturday market of Aljezur on the west coast which became our next destination.

Around Portimão

Some images from around Portimão

fishing village of Alvor

Ferragudo, on the east side of the river.