West Algarve: A Guide to the Western Algarve

West Algarve

The western Algarve is more rugged and windswept than both the central Algarve and the eastern Algarve. Once you move away from the resort towns and villages, the wild west Algarve is a place that attracts a bigger mix of surfers, walkers, and naturalists than holiday makers and your typical tourists. Much of the coastline …

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Estoi: The Complete Guide to Estoi, Portugal [2025]

Estoi Palace Algarve

Estoi is a small village located 10km into the hills above Faro. It’s full of typical Algarve charm with a slower pace of life. The village is mostly famous for three things; its palace (Palácio de Estoi), its Roman history, and its 15th Century church (Igreja Matriz de Estoi). With both inexpensive and convenient travel …

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Storks in Portugal – Cegonha Branca

Storks in Portugal

Drifting above the skies of Portugal is the ever present White Stork. These large birds with their characteristic red beak, and black and white plumage are some of my favourite birds to come across. Generally around Spring time, an abundance of storks make a return to Portugal from their winter nesting sites in Africa. Although …

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Monchique’s Convent de Nossa Senhora do Desterro

Monchique Convent

If you’re visiting Monchique, you might be wondering what the abandoned looking convent is on the hillside above the small town. If you’re into unique buildings, history and places with a somewhat odd feeling to them, then visiting Monchique’s convent might be for you! It’s full name is Convento de Nossa Senhora do Desterro and …

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