Amoreira. Drool.
This is Soul & Surf’s take on a local area guide. A real insider's guide to our Algarve. We don’t want or need to add to the noise and give you another Lonely Planet-style tourist guide. You can look that up anywhere.
This guide won’t necessarily tell you about the best, flashiest restaurants, or where to go to get the best sunset (although those things are obviously brilliant and you should do those things too).
This is straight from the mouths of the people that actually live here, work here, have spent a lot of time here. It’s where the staff run away to when they have a day off, or when we finish up for the season and give ourselves a little treat. Where we spend our time when we are in these places. Most of this stuff is close to home – the everyday that we take for granted in these special corners of the world.
It’s the little gems we’ve found and assimilated over the years that are away from the tourists, off the beaten path. These special spots sometimes won’t have the best decor, wifi or the best service (or any service at all). You may not be able to find them easily, the people that work there may not speak English to you, you might get lost, you might get something completely different to what you ordered. But you’ll be experiencing something real. And that’s why we all travel, right?
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Our version of the Lonely Planet for you. Anecdotes, tips and a peek into a life less ordinary.
It’s where the staff run away to when they have a day off, or when we finish up for the season and give ourselves a little treat.
Soul & Surf's Insider's Guide to the Algarve
Adam
Adam is the General Manager in Portugal, often found at sunset near the beer tap. He shapes surfboards (@madasurfboards) and recommends exploring Lagos’ old town on foot, visiting Praia Da Bata, Praia do Pinhão, Praia Dona Ana, Ponta da Piedade, and Porto Mós. He loves Fonseca’s bar for drinks with locals, coasteering with Jim for adventure, and seafood at Sítio do Forno.
Becca
Our shiatsu practitioner's top pick is the Pizza Party in Monchique on Fridays – a secret festival in the hills with reggae, techno, and camping or late drives home, for those missing dirty city vibes.
Katie & Zeb
This kitchen-garden dream team recommends Spice Cottage in Salema for the best Indian (aubergine bharta is a must), Love Burgau for cocktails or cheeseless Verdura pizza, Praia do Castelejo for morning surfs and sunsets, and enjoying street musicians in Praia da Luz for eclectic live music daily in summer.
Joel
Our hotel manager's favourite is Burgau for everything: beach, sunset beers at ‘the shelf bar’, banana bread at Horizon café, SUP rentals (avoid windy days!), and the Burgau-Luz coastal walk. He also loves ARVAD wines near Silves and Sul Café for Portuguese fusion and natural wines (breakfast, lunch, dinner approved).
*This is a quick snippet of all of our recommendations. If you want to take it all in, please download the full guide on the link here.
“The river is perfect for mermaiding in the summer." ~ Caitlin
It’s the little gems we’ve found and assimilated over the years that are away from the tourists, off the beaten path.