Passing westward from Portimão along the glorious 4 km long beach of Meia Praia that comprises about half of Lagos Bay, the beautiful walled historic city of Lagos, marks the beginning of the western Algarve which includes the Costa Vicentina Nature Reserve. With a lively cosmopolitan atmosphere and within walking distance of several splendid beaches, Lagos possesses a busy marina, a choice of attractive bars and restaurants, and a delightful palm-tree lined promenade that comes into its own on those long hot summer evenings.

Ocean Country is located only about 6 km west of Lagos, at Praia da Luz - an hour’s drive from Faro International Airport - conveniently located at the western end of the A22 motorway. Sloping down to a superb sandy beach, the village is set within a gorgeous bay of safe clear blue water. At Praia da Luz you will find a broad range of water-sports and will be spoilt for choice with the many charming beachside bars and restaurants. The cliff pathways above the beach afford excellent walks.
The pleasant fishing port of Sagres in the Algarve’s southwest corner, comes to life during the summer months as a centre for ‘serious’ surfing, diving and fishing. Close by are the dramatic and historic rocky headlands of Cape St Vincent and Cape Sagres, on the horns of the windy crescent of the Bay of Beliche. Cape St Vincent is Europe’s most southwesterly point and, up to the end of the 15th century, was considered, literally, the “End of The World.”

All west-coast beaches are excellently suited to all types of surfing, body-boarding, kite-surfing or wind-surfing. Spectacular west-coast beaches include, Martinhal, Amado, Bordeira, Arrifana and Odeceixe.
Moving inland you will find the Monchique mountains, and the small highland town of the same name lies some 2000 m above sea level in the midst of rich green forest. With spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and the coastline, Monchique provides an often-welcome break from beaches, holiday resorts and the general hubbub of the coast. Here you can breath in the clean air with its delicate perfumes of wild thyme, arbutus, eucalyptus, bougainvillea and mimosa.

Just south of Monchique, hidden away in a leafy hollow, is the tiny spa town of Caldas de Monchique whose waters, famous for the past 2000 years, are said to cure a variety of ills, including rheumatism, backache and asthma.