Classic Quinta near Lagos
Self catering holiday rental villa with seaview and privacy, Western Algarve, Portugal

Lagos is the third largest town in the Algarve, straddling the river Bensafrim and surrounded by beautiful, unspoilt countryside. It is a lively, cozy town with a maze of winding cobbled streets full of pavement restaurants, local cafés bars, antique and art shops, and what must be one of the world's best stocked fish markets. It is also rich in culture and history, and is widely regarded as the most charming town of the Algarve. Lagos was an important coastal settlement well before the beginning of our era. The impressive town walls, still largely intact, date back to Roman times. During the Moorish occupation which lasted until the 12th century, Lagos was the centre of trade between Portugal and Africa.     In the days of the great discoveries, Lagos was the heart of naval Portugal. Its ship yards built the caravels for the voyages of exploration, and it was here, close to Cape St. Vincent, the South-Westerly tip of continental Europe, that Henry the Navigator´s captains, Gil Eanes and Magelhães took to the sea.     Still a fishing town, and since the end of the last century the home of a major marina, Lagos has a rich nautical flavour. The gaily painted fishing boats line berths along the river, yachts sail out to Madeira, the Azores and the far ends of the earth. Sightseeing With a such a long and varied past, Lagos has plenty of historical sights that are well worth taking in during your stay. Sections of the old Roman wall ( most of which was demolished in the great earthquake of 1755) can be seen at the back of the town. The site of the first slave market to be established in Europe is just off the main avenue and the hospital nearby is the former palace of Dom Henrique. The golden Church of Santo António, a superb example of Portuguese 18th C baroque, inlaid with gold leaf and elaborate wood carvings, is well worth a visit.

Beaches There is a fine sandy beach in town beneath the imposing wall of an ancient Fortress which still stands guard over the harbour entrance. Perhaps the most impressive beach in the area (and the one closest to the quinta) is Meia Praia, a 5 kilometer stretch of dunes and golden sand - the long sweeping curve in the centre of the picture. It has great views of the old town and the Monchique hills in the distance. Meia Praia begins on the eastern side of the railway station and has watersport facilities, sun-beds and sun shades for hire. Half a dozen unpretentious restaurants serve simple local food from fresh ingredients, wine from the Alentejo and the fabled Algarvian bica pingada with steamed milk, essentially a macchiato with an even cuter name.

The string of small beaches on the western side of Lagos including the picturesque Praia D´Ana and Porto de Mós. Smaller and more intimate coves may be reached by boat. The famous cliff walk on Ponte da Piedade is recommended for the sure-footed and mentally stable. A short boat trip from Lagos takes you round the rock formations and grottoes of Ponta da Piedade, between Luz and Lagos. The boats depart from Praia D`Ana and the Lagos riverside.      Boat (day) trips to Sagres give you the possibility to seeing the beautiful coast line from Lagos to Sagres. These trips start from the pontoon in the harbour.

Aljezur and the West Coast The beautiful West Coast with its dramatic cliffs and rock formations is still largely virginal and there are some fantastic beaches - famous for fishing and bird-watching - but usually unsignposted and hidden from the road by high sand dunes. Aljezur is an old town, founded by the Arabs in the 10th Century. Climb up to the ruins of the old Castle and enjoy spectacular views over the surrounding countryside. Aljezur makes a good central point for a drive through the Western Algarve. Take EN 125 from Lagos to Vila do Bispo and then turn North, over the hills of the Dog´s Spine Ridge and down into Carrapateira, where you will find the first of the wonderful West Coast beaches. From there continue to Aljezur and return to Lagos on the EN120 - or head North towards the Lower Alentejo. Notice the stork nest on top of the rocks.

Sagres Called "Sacrum Promontorium", was considered sacred in pre-historic times and people believed that the Gods gathered here. It is a small fishing village, with a population of approximately 2.500, living of fishing and tourism. Sagres became well known during the XVth century, when Dom Henrique, 'Prince Henry the Navigator', chose it as the home of his Navigation School. It was from Sagres that Prince Henry prepared the great Portuguese discoveries, all of them journeys into totally unknown territory. Lagos, the last port before the land's end of Cape St. Vincent, was the staging point for much of the world's discovery. From here sailors first ventured around the cape, laying open the routes to Africa and Asia. Even today few sailors from Europe make their way to Brazil without a last stopover in Lagos. Cape St. Vincent Separated from the point of Sagres by Praia do Beliche one can see Cape St. Vincent. The cape was so named after the body of St. Vincent came to that spot in the IVth Century, and there was guarded by ravens for centuries, until it was taken to Lisbon in 1173. Here were fought important naval battles, and also existed St. Jeronimus "Convent, house for St. Vincent Pilgrims".

Monuments Walls and fortress date back to the XVth century. The fortress was rebuilt in the 18th century after Vauban´s system. The reconstruction was finished in the year 1793 as to be seen in the escutcheon on the wall, facing the square. Inside, designed on the ground, one finds a geometrical figure made of rough stones and 43 meters diameter. Known as the windrose, (mariner´s compass) which is believed to date back to Prince Henry´s times. The windrose was only discovered in 1918.

Henry the Navigator Prince Henry "The Navigator" was born in 1394 and was born in 1394 and was 3rd son of King John the 1st of Portugal and Philipa of Lancaster, who was English by birth. (Philipa of Lancaster was the daughter of John of Gaunt, 3rd Son of King Edwards the III rd of England). Very little is known of his youth, except his interest in Africa and his strong will becoming, a knight in battle, which happened soon after his conquor of Cueta, in "Marrocos", in the 21st, 1415. In 1419, King John the 1st, his father, appointed him as Governor of the Algarve, as well as a aster of Christ´s order. Prince Henry settled in Lagos a few km away from Sagres. He became so well known that, men came from all over asking to sail under his flag. In 1485 he decided to undertake a new crusade to Marroco with the help of his nephew Afonso the 5th. The attack of Alcacer was a personal success for Prince Henry, but too much of an effort for his 66 years of age and in November 13th 1460, he died in Sagres. Prince Henry´s tomb can be seen in the Monastery of Batallha (Monastery of St. Mary of Victory), some distance North of Lisbon.

Portimão Portimão is a good shopping centre and a fascinating fishing harbour. Go in the morning - as early as possible - stroll along the quayside and watch the colourful fishing boats coming in and off - loading their catches of sardines and many other fish varieties. Finish the morning with lunch at one of the inexpensive little quayside restaurants and enjoy genuine Portuguese sardines as they should be eaten - fresh from the sea, grilled and accompanied by a bottle of local wine!

Silves Originally called Xelb, this was once the very wealthy and powerful, Moorish capital of the Algarve. At the time, the River Arade, which is now silted up, used to bring richly laden trading craft right up to the Castle walls. Visit the Castle and see one of the original Arab water cisterns which is still in use. The 13th Century Gothic Cathedral, built on the site of a Mosque, is a also worth a visit.

Monchique The drive through the Monchique hills is a particularly beautiful and one can stop for walks through the lovely woods, full of wild flowers. On clear days you can admire breathtaking views stretching twenty miles to the sea.     Visit the Spa village of Caldas de Monchique which is very picturesque; stop at one of the many restaurants for lunch and enjoy the local specialities such as Chicken Piri-Piri; then go on to Foia, the highest point on the Alagrve. There are many local craft shops in the Monchique region.

Colinas Verdes Literally "green hills", 9 Km inland from Lagos, situated in beautiful rolling countryside that is very reminiscent of Dorset. The views are quite spectacular. Nearest shopping is in Portelas with Lagos a few km further on.

Sargaçal A small village 4,5 km inland from Lagos. Nearest convenient shopping is in the village of Portelas or alternatively one can walk over the fields into the village itself. On rising ground with superb rural views and down to the sea at Lagos.

Falfeira On elevated land within walking distance of the town centre, great views of Lagos, countryside and the sea.

Canafechal A hamlet in the Ribeira de Arão, where oleanders grow wild along the river banks and herds of goat nibble on flowering herbs. Great walking and riding. Barão S. João A small inland village that has been relatively untouched by tourism - one of many like that in the Western Algarve, which is much more 'untouched' and traditional than the area around Faro. The village is a pretty ride along country roads, 11Km from Lagos. You may continue through the village to the village of Espiche, to Luz or to Sagres and the West Coast.

Shopping, Eating and Entertainment You will find numerous supermarkets, butchers, bakers, etc in Lagos. The municipal food market on the main avenue is open every weekday morning until 1pm and offers a variety of fish and meat on the groundfloor, fruit and vegetable upstairs. There is also an open-air market normally held on Saturdays, near the main Avenue.     Exploring the old part of town, searching out new restaurants is marvelous, most have tables outdoors in season, set beneath fragant orange trees in the square or lined along The edges of the narrow streets.     There is a fantastic selection with many specialising in fresh fish which is delicious. You will also find a good choice of International fare on offer with Indian, Chinese, Italian, French, English, French, Dutch and Indonesian restaurants in around town.     Lagos has an excellent nightlife, centered around the old town.     Merely wandering through the maze of winding streets soaking up the atmosphere is entertainment enough but you will come across a good choice of bars and discos to suit a variety of tastes. Alternatively sample a traditional Portuguese night out, dine, dance and be entertained by traditional Fado singing, you can find also the cinema and in Centro Cultural, there are sometimes expositions, classics music concerts and some shows. Local favorite: We highly recommend the local O Caseiro restaurant, at a few minutes from the quinta. The kitchen is basic but everything is done with love and using good local ingredients. To get there go left at the bottom of the driveway, take the first asphalted right, then the first left, a narrow little lane, then the first right and you will find the restaurant on your left in a hundred meters. The atmosphere is relaxed and unpretentious. Few tourists go there, but the place is popular with foreign residents of the immediate area.