Portugal
Exploration day
Driving around with the rental car, exploring the region and villages to assess where you definitely want to stop (in detail) again during the week.
Cacela Velha: a different painting every hour of the day
The overcrowded parking lot (larger than the village) tells you to turn back, but nothing could be further from the truth. A sense of timing is a must here, avoiding weekends and best planning on a weekday during high season. What makes this village with its abundance of tourists so special? In Cacela Velha, it’s all about the beautiful painting you look out on, ever-changing in motion with the tides. We passed by here several times during our trip, sometimes busier than others. The sunset is beautiful, but very crowded. By noon, most people have found their way to the beach, and it’s much quieter and more pleasant. From the village, you can walk in 15-20 minutes to the beautiful beaches on the nearby peninsula. Depending on the tides, you sometimes walk up to your knees in the water. Not a fan of wading through the water? Then take one of the many little ferries from the nearby Fábrica. Tip: the rule also applies here; move 100m to the right or left and you’ll be almost alone on the beach. Tip tip: walk from Cacela Velha to the beach, walk along the beach towards Praia da Fábrica. Take a small ferry to the parking lot of Fabrica. Despite the parking lot, you can comfortably settle here by the kiosk on the wall under the palm trees. Drink a coffee, eat a Pastel de nata, and pull out a board game.
Golden hour in Tavira
Traveling in the Algarve? Then Tavira is definitely worth a stop! It is bursting with good restaurants, and during the summer months, there are also regular performances by local artists in the village square. Tip: with the evening light and the setting sun, Tavira is at its most beautiful!
