After our trip to the Algarve’s Ilha de Tavira by way of a fun little almost-toy train (toddler heaven!) and our meal in Faro we hit a few more beaches and restaurants…
Where we were staying was equidistant between the towns of Sao Bras de Alportel and Loulé – both of which are home to gorgeously faded building façades. Loulé, slightly bigger is home to some lovely restaurants but we took Tripadvisor’s advice and went for the most perfect, tucked away meal by candle light at O Grego. A delicious set menu (including amazing tapas, moussaka, chicken dish and a surprise banoffee pie for dessert) and extremely amiable Greek owner Phillipos made this a firm favourite and one to return to.
The following day we went for lunch at 2 Passos, a hexagonal elevated beach restaurant (with a new version under construction right beside it). A fish restaurant, we chose grilled prawns and deliciously juicy white fish dorado with salad and chips. Such a perfect meal and we spent the afternoon on the long wide beach building sand castles and rushing into the sea and back. The nearby, but closed for autumn/winter, white-washed 11 na Praya looked nice from the outside too!
Our final day, we ate well at Menta Pimenta after no luck at A Quinta and the Pig & Whistle (lots of places close up after summer season) and then drove west to the town of Porches where we headed to the coast for the vibrantly yellow cliff lined Marinha beach. Despite the stunning surround, the sand was grainier and the sea rougher with lots of seaweed. Nice little café though and definitely a destination for locals and tourists alike!
THE SKINNY
Eat: O Grego (intimate candlelit dinner with set menu in Loulé), 2 Passos (excellent Portuguese fish restaurant for beachside lunching, near Almancil), Menta Pimenta (sophisticated dining in the upmarket Vale do Lobo area)
Beach: Tavira Island (once you’ve got the train there’s cafés, restaurant, kids’ play area and little shops for all your beach needs – brilliant for kids), the beach by 2 Passos (lovely long expanse of white sand with sunbeds and brollies for hire), Marinha (further west, near Porches, stunning cliff-side cove beach with little café once you’ve parked up top and walked down).
Exploring the town of Loulé as we search for our restaurant… wearing Bethnals jeans* and Hush cashmere scarf and Shopbop bag (similar here in sale!)
Found! The super sweet O Grego– Greek owner Phillipos has been in the Algarve for more than 20 years…
Leading to the beach by 2 Passos – heavenly!
My good pal Ali – check out our little photography lesson here!
2 Passos restaurant – new construction on the right…
Ali and I shared a grilled dorado – delicious!
The outdoor showers by 11 na Praya
Amazing pictures and blog post! I live in Portugal and it makes me so happy to see that others get the chance to explore our beautiful gem!
Were the pictures taken with the PEN E-PL7 or the P-E5?
Hey Jessica! Yes, it is such a gem 🙂 a mix of both cameras actually, but just got your email so will reply in proper detail x