Last Week At The Algarve: Surfing, Beach Life, Hidden Gems And Bittersweet Goodbyes
After exploring the inland of southern Portugal, we finally reached the coast of Algarve again, which was our starting point of our trip. After experiencing not only a wonderful but also an adventurous and intressting cultural roadtrip that every overlander's heart desires, we were happy to be back on the coast. First thing we did was taking a long walk with our dog Lotta on the beach. After a long drive in the car, she needed to burn off some energy. The fresh fresh an airy sea breeze with its unique smell and the sound of the waves always make me feel like I'm back at home and when I see a clear horizon, I feel free.
A short time later, we were finally reunited with our friends and its lovely dog Kiwi. We met up with them on the beach, this allowed the dogs to get to know each other again and get closer after being apart for a while. Kiwi is a cute and cheerful ball of energy and Lotta ran with her playfully up and down the long beach.
After two weeks living in the wilderness without seeing a lot of people, we enjoyed the company of our friends, dining out’s, having fun surf sessions and relaxing beach life. Sometimes you just need a healthy balance between nature and socializing.
As our time in Portugal was slowly coming to an end, we knew that we had to make the most of every moment before we headed back to Spain and took the ferry back to the Canary Islands. But with a week left, we were determined to make every second count.
We spent the week exploring surf spots, catching waves, chilling and having fun at the beach, hiking, trying out restaurants, and making unforgettable memories with our friends.
The last weeks through Portugal had led us to incredible camping spots, as you can check out in my previous posts, but on our first night in Sagres, we decided to spent the night at the parking lot up on the cliff of Beliche Beach. While camping outside of designated camping areas is generally not permitted in Portugal, it’s tolerated at som parking lots as long as it doesn’t appear like camping. Luckily our Landcruiser “Lenny The Overlander” has a bed inside so we could sleep comfortably inside the car with our dog, without setting up our roof tent.
After arriving late due to our dinner plans with our friends we had in Sagres, the parking lot was already full of other camper mates, but we managed to find a spot to park. Quickly got ready for the night we climbed into our cozy bedroom. The next morning, we were greeted by the breathtaking view from the cliff where we had parked and I couldn't resist the small clean waves, so I grabbed my surfboard and headed out to catch some waves, while Dani and Lotta enjoyed a long walk at the beach.
Coming back from the water with a big smile, we enjoyed a hot cup of coffee and decided to head back to Sagres for breakfast. It was the perfect way to start our last week at the Algarve and we were excited to see what’s awaited us on the next days. While we were happy to sleep the last night in our comfy Land Cruiser, we also couldn't wait to set up our roof tent again and experience the true joy of camping in the great outdoors.
Although in the area of Sagres is it more dificult than in the backyard of Portugal, we discovered accidentally a hidden gem that we had never find without traveling overland.
As I already mentioned, since it was our last week we were always chasing the perfect waves and maximizing our time in the water. As a result, we often found ourselves arriving at our campsites after sundown. While most of our camping experiences were great, there was one night where I didn't feel comfortable at the pitch we had chosen.
As the darkness quickly approached, we decided anyway to take a chance and search for a new campsite. Our search led us down a narrow dirt road that eventually led us up to a cliff. Fortunately, our 4x4 overlander was able to handle the rough terrain (if not Lenny, who else...?! ;-)). Shortly after sunset we found a relatively flat spot on the cliff and while we couldn't see much of the surrounding in the twilights, we felt more comfortable than at our previous spot.
It's interesting to note that when we first started overlanding, I always felt safer when there were others campers nearby. However, as we've gained more experience and confidence in our abilities, I now feel safer when we are completely alone. Being alone in the wilderness can be intimidating, but it also allows for a sense of independence and self-reliance that can't be experienced when surrounded by others. It's a feeling that can only be achieved by venturing out of one's comfort zone and embracing the unknown.
While it got darker and darker we quickly set up our camp. As it was a little windy up on the cliff we decided to sleep inside the Land Cruiser. Tired from a long day of surfing, our dog Lotta longlingly awaits us in bed, we quickly went to sleep as well, eager to explore our surroundings the following day.
The next morning, we were amazed by the stunning view of the coastline and the vastness of the ocean. It was clear that we had stumbled upon a hidden gem at the Algarve, and we felt grateful for the unexpected experience.
This experience taught us to trust our instincts and prioritize our safety while camping. It also reminded us to appreciate the unexpected moments that can arise when we're open to new experiences and willing to take a chance. Despite the challenges of the night before, we felt invigorated and ready for whatever the day had in store for us.
As we got up early to catch the sunrise we were blown away by the beauty of nature . The light was absolutely stunning, and Dani wasted no time in setting up his drone to capture this unforgettable moment.
We were so enamored with this spot that we decided to stay for two more nights. Not only becuase of its beauty, but also of the easy access to some of the best surf spots in the area, like Zavial, Ingrina, Barranco, and Beliche. It was the perfect base camp for our last days full of surfing.
As we sat and watched the sunrise, sipping on our coffee and enjoying the serenity of the moment, we were reminded once again of why we love overlanding. The freedom to explore and discover new places, to wake up to breathtaking views, and to immerse ourselves in the natural world is a truly unforgettable experience.
Even our dog Lotta was relaxed, enjoyed exploring the area and laying in the warm morning sun. So great to see her having a good time while jumping around and discovering different smells and tracks in the surrounded bushes. I hope she is happy exploring the world with us.
Following morning Dani just walked down the hill with his surfboard to catch some waves in the early morning hours at the Barranco surf spot, which was just a short walk away through a footpath. Lotta and I stayed in bed a little longer and snuggled. When Dani came back, he brought our friends whom he had met at the beach and we had our last breakfast together in this beautiful spot that we fell in love with.
It was bittersweet to spend our last morning with our friends at such a beautiful spot. We gathered together over good food and engaged in delightful conversation, reminiscing about the memories we had made during our trip. Kiwi and Lotta, our furries, were also enjoying the good vibes and the company of their humans. So nice to see that the two have become really good friends.
As we sat together, we recorgnized that we were grateful to have shared a part of our journey with our friends because they made this trip even more special.
As we drove away from the beautiful spot, we knew that one day we need to come back to this hidden gem at the Algarve.
After nights at the parking lot, camping grounds and the most beautiful campsites in the nature it came to start preparing for our return trip to the Canary Islands. That’s why we headed to Lagos where we were able to prepare everything we needed and even take a hot shower at our friend's apartment. Since our ferry departed at night, we still had some time to stroll through the cozy old town of Lagos. In the evening, we ordered delicious food and having a last dinner together.
As our ways parted then we said goodbyes and vowed to stay in touch. Slowly we drove towards the Spanish border and we felt both sad and grateful for the time we could spent together with this beautiful people and country.
As we spent 1.5 days on the ferry back to the Canary Islands, we reflected on our journey and how much we had enjoyed it. Thankful for the opportunity to explore this beautiful region and looking forward to returning soon. This overlanding trip will always hold a special place in our hearts. We were absolutely blown away by their beauty of the Algarve. From charming towns to breathtaking beaches and beautiful nature every place we visited left us in awe.
Traveling south Portugal in October is a perfect time. Less tourists and the weather was still warm but not too warm. This made it a perfect time for overlanding, and we would definitely recommend this time of year for anyone planning a similar trip.
But now, it's time to head back to the Canary Islands and see what we can discover there!
We can't wait to share our upcoming adventures with you all. Stay tuned for more pictures, stories, and tips on overlanding in the Canary Islands. See you soon!
Love,
Katy
Pics by Daniell Bohnhof
Text by LOOK2 Ocean