NATURAL ALGARVE
The Cottage
Your home in the Portuguese countryside.Just minutes away...long walks, hikes, sandy ocean beaches, water sports, shops & museums....
Activities Very Nearby
The location of the Stone Cottage is ideal: quiet and a little secluded but just minutes from the town of Lagos, which has everything you will need. But there is much, much more to do around the area than simply soak up solitude! The Algarve is no longer the “secret” destination it once was, but compared to just about anywhere else in Europe during vacation time, it is still extremely easy to find yourself alone just a few minutes outside of the city.
WHAT TO DO
Mountain, road, and gravel biking are right at our front door. Portugal have wisely invested in excellent walking trails throughout the western Algarve and up the West Coast. Annual bird watching events in Sagres are a must for many enthusiasts. Finally, the surfing is excellent, the swimming areas are plentiful and clean, and there are many challenging rock climbing areas also minutes away.
WHAT TO SEE
Old town Lagos is both historic (being a Moorish walled city) and modern. Its many beaches are easily accessed all year 'round. Sagres and its beautiful cliffs and beaches are 30 min to the west and enroute there are several former fishing villages now very popular with sightseers.
WHERE TO EAT
International cuisine can be found all over Lagos and the surrounding villages. If you tire of the "foreign food", the excellent local cuisine will not fail to impress. The coffee is excellent everywhere, but you really should sit down to enjoy the complete process.
Biking & Walking
There are no big mountains in the Algarve, but the hills are plentiful and adventurous, with often-challenging climbs on foot or on a bike. For example, Lagos itself sits on the access to the 300-km national walking-biking route system of the "Via Algarviana". For bikers there is an excellent marked route system all around the area.
Surfing
Lagos itself is best in winter for small-wave surfing and long boarding. But, heading west from here between 20 and 40 minutes' drive, you'll hit dozens of beaches with everything including green waves, point and beach breaks, huge swells and big barrels. All. Year. Long.
Beach Breaks
There are plenty of beaches of all descriptions just a few minutes by car from here at the cottage (or the same on a bike). This includes the amazing "Meia Praia" in Lagos, with its 4,5 km of sand! Sandy bays surrounded by ochre-coloured cliffs, which can also be explored by boat. And the sea is a clear emerald colour, with deep and shallow sections at most beaches.And you won't go hungry or thirsty as there are numerous beach bars - something for everyone.When you've had enough beach time, there are two extensive boardwalks in Lagos, one along Meia Praia, the other out to the lighthouse.
Diving
Discover the Algarve's vibrant and clean underwater world, showcasing everything from historic shipwrecks (French battleship Océan from 1759, for example), aircraft (a B-24 Liberator Bomber from the USA that crashed in 1943), to rich marine reefs (natural and artificial). There are also places that offer the perfect environment for conger eel and morays, along with canyons and caves to explore.
Kiting & Wing foil
Whether you're a seasoned pro or eager to learn, the Algarve offers world-class kitesurfing conditions, with flat-water lagoons perfect for beginners and open seas for the more adventurous. reliable wind conditions. Near Lagos is known for steady and moderate winds, great for beginners and advanced riders alike. Conditions are suitable year-round, but especially during the spring and summer months.
Rock climbing
From the limestone cliffs of Sagres to the inland crags at Rocha da Pena, the Algarve offers a diverse range of climbing experiences for all levels, set against a backdrop of spectacular natural beauty.
Bird Watching
Famous for skies full of birds in autumn and spring, the Western Algarve is the main corridor of migration for Portugal’s raptor population. We're fortunate to have very little industry in the area, thus keeping the skies clear and the air pure. For you, this means that there are plenty of opportunities to see some of Europe’s largest and most impressive birds of prey. And don't forget, the local birds are lovely all year. My favourite is the magical Hoopoe pictured here....Stay up to date with birding activities at the home site for the "Sociedade Portuguesa para o Estudo das Aves" at SPEA.pt. Also available in English.
GOING TO CANADA??
A very dear friend has a well-established B&B. Stay in a gorgeous house and enjoy a delicious homemade breakfast. It's in the lovely Niagara Region of southern Ontario. If you are looking for authentic Canadiana, you must stay here.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE COTTAGE?