F&W Photo Tour: Portugal

The Pastel de Nata is probably the most famous Portuguese pastry in the world. This egg tart is the best way to start or end your day.

After a day at the beach, you probably need something sweet. Go to PIQo Cafe e Companhia. The bolo de mel e noz—cake with honey and hazelnuts—is the perfect way to re-energize yourself.

Here you can find the pão de rala—a typical sweet bread from the convent tradition of the Alentejo region. It is made with almonds, sweet squash and eggs.

On the Rota Vicentina, a long-distance path along the Alentejo and the Algarve coast, there is Almograve—a tiny village with one beach and a few restaurants. Stop by O Lavrador for some fresh-caught, grilled sardines.

The Bolo de Arroz, a muffin made with rice flour, is typically found in Portuguese breakfasts alongside a cup of coffee.

The Alentejo is an agricultural region rich in history and unspoiled landscapes. The north side of Alentejo, the Comporta area, is surrounded by rice fields. In their midst, there’s Museu do Arroz—a rice factory restored in 1996 and transformed into a restaurant specializing in rice dishes. restaurantemuseudoarroz.com

In this take on fish and chips, a fish fillet is served with a bowl of rice with clams and pod razor. restaurantemuseudoarroz.com

This heavenly rice pudding is the perfect way to end your lunch in this lovely place.

Comporta is not a touristy destination. That must be what the storks were thinking when they chose the roofs here to make their nests. Look up while driving and you’ll see many storks caring for their nests. And be sure to check out the Praia de Comporta—a strip of white sand and pristine water.

About an hour drive south of Comporta, you’ll find Vila Nova de Milfontes. This village is located between the Atlantic Ocean coast and the Mira River, and it’s dominated by tiny white houses. Drive over unpaved roads to reach some beautiful beaches, including Malhão and Praia do Brejo Largo.

From the outside, Tasca do Celso looks like a private house. Inside, you’ll find a beautiful place with two different styles—the first: traditional wine bar; the second: vibrant color with saddles and horseshoes on the walls. Tasca do Celso - Rua dos Aviadores, Vila Nova de Milfontes, Portugal

Portugal is world-famous for its bacalhau (cod fish). 9 Try the massinha de bacalhau with beans and clams. The original version of this dish is made with pasta, but since you are in the region of arroz, ask for rice instead.

Just outside the city center of Vila Nova de Milfontes, you’ll find this small family-owned restaurant with a terrace over the coast. The seafood here is fresh and delicious.

Portugal is the world’s leading producer of natural cork. The harvest runs from May until August, and if you drive through the Alentejo during those months, you’ll encounter the beauty of this raw material.

Praia de Odeceixe Mar is inside the Vicentine Coast Natural Park, on the border between the Alentejo and the Algarve coast. With plentiful surf schools and small waves, it is the perfect place to learn how to surf.

Cabo de São Vicente, the southwesternmost point of Portugal, is where the Rota Vicentina ends. There you can enjoy an amazing view from the cliffs over the Atlantic Ocean. Don’t miss the sunset!

Near Cabo de São Vicente is Sagres—a fishing village known for its fortress and for some beautiful stretches of coastline. At 4 p.m. in the fishing port you can see the fishermen unloading the boats with freshly caught fish and seafood like monkfish, lobsters and crabs.

Freshly caught crabs from the fishing port of Sagres

From the fortress of Sagres you can see Cabo de São Vicente. Among the cliffs appears a little piece of coastline, Tonel Beach, which is perfect for surfing.

Ponta da Piedade, near Lagos, is a masterpiece of Mother Nature. You can reach the sea stacks via boat from Lagos.

Lagos has some of the best beaches in the Algarve, close to the city center. Porto Mos is one of them. Its red cliffs and white sand will make you feel like you are in heaven. Many of Portugal’s most beautiful beaches can only be reached by hiking, but it’s worth the effort.

Faro is the chief city in the Algarve region. It houses the region’s only airport, but it’s still quite calm and not very touristy. It is located in the middle of the Ria Formosa Natural Park and its narrow streets will win you over.

The architecture in Faro is characterized by the azulejos: hand-painted ceramic tiles. They cover the facades of the buildings in every single corner of this lovely city.

From Faro, take a ferry to Ilha Deserta (Desert Island). At 10€, the round-trip is a bit expensive, but takes you to one the Ria Formusa Natural Park’s best beaches. The only signs of human touch are a lighthouse and the Estaminè Restaurant. animaris.pt

Order the mussels as a starter before enjoying the grilled fish of the day.

Ilha do Farol (Lighthouse Island) features cute shops, restaurant and cafes.

On the facade of this tiny white house in the Ilha do Farol, azulejos are painted with a poem dedicated to the lighthouse island, the Island of Love.

Olhão is the major port of the Algarve. Along the waterfront you will pass through a red building that holds the fish market. Clams (conquilhas) and seafood are the main products from the Ria Formosa area.

The city of Tavira was rebuilt after the earthquake of 1755. Its narrow streets and cozy cafes make it the perfect place to start exploring this part of the Algarve.

Tavira has 37 churches. This is a detail of the bell tower of the Santiago Church. As well as for other buildings in Tavira, the restoration of this Church took several years after the damages of the earthquake of 1755.

Take a boat to Ilha de Tavira and have lunch in one of the beautiful restaurants and cafes. Order conquilhas and fresh fish you won’t be disappointed!

Cacela Velha is a small village on the top of a hill with a beautiful view over the Ria Formosa. White houses and a lively atmosphere make it a magical place.

At sunset the central square is the right place for a drink.

Aerial view over the Ria Formosa Natural Park.