It is hard to believe we will be back in Canada in just a few days and I feel truly lucky that one of our last destinations was a personal favourite. It helps to appreciate this experience even more! We just spent 10 days in the south western Algarve (thanks to great recommendations from family and friends) and if you are an ocean/beach/coast lover like me, the scenery doesn’t get much better than this.

A four hour train ride or similar length drive from Lisbon will land you in the south western corner of Europe. The chilly Atlantic Ocean stretches out before you and paths down from the towering cliffs lead you to pristine beaches offering lots of personal space, as well as slightly busier ones where you can marvel at surfers in action. This corner of the coast is devoid of big hotels so the vibe is very sleepy. It also feels incredibly safe. Our hosts were relaxed and friendly, and it felt like a place where you you would never really need to lock your door. A perfect pace after being on the road for 5.5 months.

With a rental car you can choose a different beach everyday, pack a delicious picnic and you are set. The temperatures in June are around 25 degrees (perfect with sunshine and a breeze). The waters are a much colder 18-20 degrees so swimming is basically a no-go without a wetsuit. You don’t have to feel guilty about reading your book all afternoon while your kids make sandcastles/rock climb and then just run into the surf for a minute to refresh every so often.

There are also awesome walks and hikes to be had. You can stroll along the tops of the cliffs at Cabo Sao Vicente and look down at crazy, cliff edge fisherman while truly feeling on the edge of the Earth. Being close to the wilder, west coast makes for some stunning sunsets and our best evening included a drive along the Pontal de Carrapateira – a 9km dirt road between Praia Amado and Praia Bordeira. We drove this route with endless photo stops, but biking or walking it would also be very accessible.

By the end of our stay we were inspired to try some surfing lessons and while we would all qualify ourselves as true beginners, just wearing a wetsuit and walking on these postcard beaches makes you feel pretty cool. Our first surf day was at Praia Amoreira. This beach is unique as hills give way to dunes and then a wide sandy beach, while at the south end a river flows out to the coast alongside the cliffs offering a warmer spot to swim or take a dip. I am already planning a return trip (in my mind) to this corner of Europe one day, and will hopefully brush up on my Portuguese and surf skills in the meantime! Care to join me anyone?