Some views of nearby beaches...
The Western Algarve has some of the most unspoiled beaches in Europe. Below are a few pictures to whet your appetite. For young families Luz Beach with its gentle shelf and fine sand is ideal. The beach is popular with water sports, sun beds and shades/canopies are available for hire. The beach is under 10 minutes walk from the apartment. There are several bars and restaurants along the promenade alongside the beach.
If you head into Lagos, the main town on the Western Algarve (about ten minutes drive from Luz), you have a choice of beaches. the most well known picture postcard beach is Praia D'Ana, which has high cliffs and a multitude of caves and stacks all around it, really spectacular. There are regular boat trips which give you a guided tour around the caves and coast - well worth it, even if you have to put up with the patter!
Nearer the Marina in Lagos is the huge Meia Praia beach which sweeps seemingly endlessly around the coast. Great for a walk, and has the benefit of being relatively close to the main promenade, town centre and marina, if you fancy a change or bite to eat or drink during the day. The Marina is worth a visit in its own right, with some pretty interesting boats moored up. On the opposite side of the Promenade you will find the Lagos fish market. If you are planning to have a couple of meals at the apartment, and enjoy cooking fish , then you will love the fish market.
If you prefer a more secluded beach, Cabanhas Velhas to the West of Bergau (about ten minutes drive West of Luz) is our personal favourite, combining a big sandy beach with a backdrop of spectacular cliffs. A beach bar is a more recent addition, and provides a respite from the sun. There are no sun beds or umbrellas for hire so you will need to take your own, as on a hot day this beach is a real suntrap. The waves are also bigger on average than on Luz Beach, and the beach is often frequented by "would-be" surfers.
Bergau Beach is a pretty beach in a natural harbour. At one end of the beach there is a slip for the fishing boats, which makes it an attractive place to while away a few hours. Bergau is well worth a visit anyway, with a fabulous but rustic fish restaurant at the end of a narrow cobbled street on the way down to the harbour. If you like walking, the cliff top walk from Luz to Bergau, a distance of about three miles, is stunning.
Further West you get to the small town of Salema . The beach here is sandy and dotted with the traditional brightly coloured fishing boats. There are a number of palm shades and sun beds for hire. The town forms the backdrop to the beach, with a good selection of bars cafes and restaurants from which to gaze out to sea.
Sagres is the most Westerly town, with a fishing port, from which short fishing trips can be taken. The nearest beach is Martinhal Beach, which appears to be popular with water sports enthusiasts. There is a beach bar/cafe which serves a good Cataplana (traditional Portuguese Clam & Fish Stew). As this is getting to the most Westerly point, the wind is quite noticeable, which is great for windsurfing and sailing , but possibly less so for sunbathing.
Once you have rounded the corner past Cape St Vincent (Europe's most Westerly point) the feel of the beaches changes altogether. The coastal scenery is rugged, spectacular and in the full face of the Atlantic Ocean.
If you like surfing, or wilder coastlines, then you will love these vast unspoiled beaches - there are miles of them!!
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