Portugal

Portugal

Portugal is a place where a history of pirates ransacking the villages, and then soldiers killing the nuns, converges with peaceful fishing villages and happy tourists, in a way that's hard to fully understand. As a photographer, it's hard to find a more scenic location than the sandstone cliffs and turquoise waters here, it's made for travelers chasing light, adventure, and a touch of indulgence. As an American, it was nice finding falafel shops everywhere instead of McDonalds. It was even better, being able to walk everywhere on the cobblestone streets of Faro and Lagos, and paths carved into the cliffs of Lagoa. This feels like a place that can add years to your life, as long as you do more than sunbathe on the beach, but as my photos can attest, that's what most people come here to do.

Caramujeira

Praia da Marinha 

A beach of majestic rock cliffs, yellow sand brimming with rainbow umbrellas, and tourists from around the world swimming in the aqua waters. In case that wasn’t enough, a rock tunnel going to a smaller cove has just a handful of people, with the same natural splendor. The Seven Hanging Valleys trail here is of my absolute favorite places, hiking it felt both energizing and relaxing, and the views of the beaches often rated as the best the world, were tremendous, Funny story, in the cave system of the Praia da Marina beach, there was a hole in the rock, about nine feet up, so I put my lens through and tried to take a picture to see other side, but my camera battery died right at that moment. Then, I walked around the bend to see what was there, and a nudist was looking right at me in shock, haha. Be sure to pick up some delicious fresh squeezed orange juice on the way out!

Alvor

Praia do Submarino & Praia dos Três Irmãos

World famous for the boat tours to the Benagil caves. You need to take a taxi to get to find the sunning, bikini-clad tourists and locals under colorful cloth umbrellas on this sandy beach. Hike past the boat tours, and you will encounter rock steps carved into the cliff, tropical agave plants the size of trees and a view of waves coming into rock cliffs that seem untouched by time. Worth going to, if only for the Seven Hanging Valleys Trails that leads to the stunning Praia da Marinha.

Benagil

PRAIA DE BENAGIL 

World famous for the boat tours to the Benagil caves. You need to take a taxi to get to find the sunning, bikini-clad tourists and locals under colorful cloth umbrellas on this sandy beach. Hike past the boat tours, and you will encounter rock steps carved into the cliff, tropical agave plants the size of trees and a view of waves coming into rock cliffs that seem untouched by time. Worth going to, if only for the Seven Hanging Valleys Trails that leads to the stunning Praia da Marinha.

Portimão

PRAIA DA ROCHA

Portimão is a lively seaside city full of golden beaches, dramatic cliffs, known for fishing, ship-making and tourism. Praia da Rocha, its most famous beach, stretches along striking rock formations, seaside restaurants, and sunset views. Along the Arade River, Portimão’s marina and historic center provide a calmer atmosphere, with traditional cafés, fresh smoothies, and traces of local history. With easy access to caves, coastal trails, and nearby villages, Portimão captures the Algarve’s mix of natural beauty, relaxed lifestyle, and coastal charm.

Portugal



Lagos

Praia Dona Ana

Lagos is a peaceful oasis, a medieval town where villas hide behind castle walls, where tourists wander upon cliffs that meet the sea. People from all over Europe and the Americas come for the aqua waters and sandy beaches. Drift from the vistas of the Ponta da Piedade, to the famous Praia Dona Ana, which took it's name from the nun who was the only survivor in a covenant of nuns that was attacked during World War I. She escaped through a secret tunnel to this beach, which is incredibly beautiful and peaceful, in spite of the history of the area.

Lagoa

SEVEN HANGING VALLEYS TRAIL

Spectacular sea, sand, and sun. Stunning coves, arches and sea stacks. Staggering views of what are constantly ranked as some of the best beaches in the world. It’s only a matter of time before The Seven Hanging Valleys Trail are considered the Seventh Wonder of the World. Pyramids of Giza? Statue of Zeus? Colossus of Rhodes? The times will come when someone will say, these places don’t even exist anymore, let’s replace the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, with The Seven Hanging Valleys Trail. It’s just the sensible thing to do! Do it! Do this trail system, that unfolds over multiple villages, if only for the views of Praia de Benagil and the world famous Praia da Marinha.