Art with history
Porches Pottery celebrates 50th anniversary. There is a long tradition of pottery in the Algarve. The Phoenicians, the Romans and the Moors, all of whom occupied the region at one point, were masters of the earthenware. There are ceramics shops all over southern Portugal, but the small village of Porches is considered the Algarve’s pottery centre. It’s precisely here that you can find one of the most renowned potteries in the region,...
Hikes with a view
New coastal hiking trail highlights Lagoa’s stunning cliffs and caves. A new coastal walking route named ‘Caminho dos Promontórios’ (headlands trail) will take hikers on a journey to discover the beautiful cliffs and caves of Lagoa. The trail was inaugurated earlier this summer, on the same day the local council unveiled the revamp of the borough’s iconic Torre da Lapa tower. The seven-kilometre route links Praia do Molhe, in...
Summer vibes
Your must-have guide to live music, DJ parties and festivals during July and August – July 19, 2018 | Text Mia Wallace We love to party in Portugal, and although Carvoeiro might look like a sleepy seaside resort during the day, you’ll be spoiled for choice for things to do when the sun goes down. There’s live music every night on the main square in front of the beach with the Arte Viva Duo on Mondays and DJ João Sousa on Tuesdays;...
A family affair
Inside visits the beautiful Quinta Dos Santos Originally from Cape Town, the dos Santos family spent many summer holidays in the Algarve. Three years ago, they began putting into action their plan of living in Portugal, on a farm surrounded by a vineyard, and are now the proud owners of their stunning creation – Quinta Dos Santos, in Sesmarias, Carvoeiro. The family consists of mother and father Ann and Eugene, two sons, Kyle and...
Magnificent mammals
Exciting new sightings of whales off the Algarve coast Historically, whale sightings have not been widespread in the Algarve, and you would typically have to travel to the Azores or Madeira for the opportunity to see the spectacular mammals in Portuguese waters. That is why we were so excited when we received the sightings report from local Marine Biologist, tour operators Wildwatch, in Ferragudo, stating that not only did they have a...
New chef at Bon Bon
Chef Louis Anjos takes the reins at Carvoeiro’s Michelin-starred Bon Bon restaurant The only restaurant in the Carvoeiro area with a Michelin star, awarded in 2016, Bon Bon has placed the town firmly on the gastronomic map, and owner Nuno Diogo has plans to build on the reputation with important changes taking place this year. Exit chef Rui Silvestre, who has moved on to pursue his own projects, and enter one of Portugal’s most...
Facelift for Ferragudo
Algarve’s riverside gem to get total makeover Ferragudo, known as one of the Algarve’s most beautiful and traditional riverside villages, is due to undergo a total makeover. Lagoa council has announced plans to remove all parking and most traffic from the village’s riverside, plant more trees, and transform the rundown and mostly dry canal that separates both parts of the village into a steady stream. The project is estimated to cost...
Cruising to Silves
With the heated buzz of summer a distant memory and the beaches and roads back to their normal pace, the Algarve still has a lot to offer in the winter months. Ferragudo and Silves are at their prime in this time of year, with lower temperatures and the children back at school, it’s the perfect time to do a bit of sightseeing and relax from the hubbub of the high season. We were greeted at Ferragudo harbour by Fiona, who explained the...
Sleeping beautifully
Inside looks at the increase of luxury and lifestyle accommodation on offer in the area Hitting the top of the “Best place to retire in the world” list for the fourth year in a row and topping several travellers’ bucket lists, the Algarve is definitely in the spotlight at the moment. Those in the know have been enjoying the best this region has to offer, along with investors who are canny enough to be ahead of the game and strike...
East meets west
Introducing the new menu and cuisine at one of Carvoeiro´s favourite restaurants Earlier this year, Chef Valdemar Guerreiro joined the team of the Pimenta Preta restaurant, at Palm Gardens, and brought his lifetime of world travels and experience with him to create a bright, vibrant and delicious fusion menu to the resort restaurant, formally famed for its white gloves and fine dining. The changes see the introduction of numerous...
