One of the delights of a spring break somewhere a little warmer than home is of course to get out and enjoy the sunshine. And if you can do so by the sea, so much the better. I’m not one for lying baking on a tropical beach; I can’t take the heat and I get easily bored. But I love the sea: the sound of waves on the shore, the fresh sea air.
To the beach!
On the Sunday of our recent weekend in Faro we had planned to go to the beach, and despite waking to cloudy skies we decided to stick to that plan. And in Faro a trip to the beach means catching a bus or ferry. We opted for the former, as the bus terminal was so close to the apartment we were renting. We were at the terminal in good time and the bus left promptly. All went well as far as the airport, where unsurprisingly the majority of passengers got off.
But then thing started to go wrong. The bus continued to the next roundabout but the exit he needed was blocked by a police car; we couldn’t turn off. The driver retreated to the previous stop where he explained as best he could (he didn’t speak much English) that the police hadn’t given him a reason for the road block nor said how long it would last. We had two alternatives; we could walk the three kilometres to the beach or stay on the bus and return to town. Chris and I discussed the options briefly and decided to go back to town and try catching the ferry instead.
But as we set off the driver clearly decided to give the beach road one last try; and it was open! So he managed to complete the journey to the terminus. This is at the land end of a bridge which connects the mainland to the barrier island and its beach, Praia do Faro. A short walk along the bridge and we’d arrived, finally!
xx
The first task was to have a coffee, and although the cappuccinos were disappointing (they seemed to have been sweetened) the sunny table with a view of the sea was not. Yes, a sunny table; during our elongated bus ride the clouds had parted and the weather had turned perfect for a spring outing!
An island walk
After coffee we set off on a walk along the narrow barrier island; a walk I of course have to share with Jo for a Monday Walk that no doubt she knows very well!
At first we followed the only road that runs along the island’s spine between the mainly holiday homes that cluster either side of the bridge. Those on our right as we walked faced the lagoon, those on our left the open sea.
As I had been some years before on Farol, I was captivated by the traditional chimneys and took lots of photos.
Soon we left the road to follow a boardwalk on the seaward side.
There were bright purple, yellow and white flowers everywhere; the sun came and went but for the most part shone brightly; and the sound of the waves accompanied our walk.
Although it was a Sunday the beach wasn’t at all crowded. A few people had settled down to sunbathe, others were walking their dogs or like ourselves simply walking.
After a while the holiday homes petered out and we were among the much simpler fishermen’s houses. Dogs barked as we passed, a rooster crowed and the sun grew hotter.
Taking lots of photos as we went, we eventually reached the point where all the houses finish, as does the boardwalk, and the nature reserve begins.
It was at this point that we turned and retraced our steps. Just before we reached the central point, by the bridge and parking area, we spotted a small beach-facing café with a shady table available. We ordered tuna sandwiches which were huge and very good; generously filled and on homemade bread. It was such a treat, in early April, to be able to enjoy this simple but tasty meal accompanied by the sound of the sea!
After lunch we sampled the walk in the other direction but found it less interesting. There was no boardwalk so we had to follow the road, and much of the route was taken up by a rather dull looking campsite.
Still, we got a few more photos before again retracing our steps, this time in search of ice cream. By now the cafés around the bridge were busier but we managed to find some shade while we ate.
By the time we’d finished our ices it was mid-afternoon and we’d been in the sun a long while, without hats (neither of us had thought to pack one!) So we decided to catch the next bus back to town, very satisfied with our time by the sea.
I visited Faro in April 2022
56 Comments
Teresa
Wonderful seaside place….love the collection of chimneys!
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks Teresa – the chimneys are so striking against that blue sky, I couldn’t stop photographing them!
Christie
A fabulous walk Sarah! Who can resist to a sunny seaside🙂
The chimneys look so neat, never seen designs like these.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you 🙂 I think these chimneys must be unique to the Algarve region – certainly I’ve never seen them anywhere else!
rkrontheroad
A calm, relaxing walk… loved the tiles (of course), the towers, and the beach walk. What a lovely spot.
Sarah Wilkie
It is such a nice area and so overlooked by foreign tourists even though it’s only five minutes from the airport! I love the tiles too – can’t get enough of them!
wetanddustyroads
Portugal and their lovely boardwalks – I loved that on our Portuguese Camino! You have so many beautiful photo’s in this post – the chimneys with the blue sky as backdrop are gorgeous! And how colourful are those flowers – it gives me a spring feeling (in the middle of our autumn)!
Your photo’s inspire me to get my hiking sandals out and visit our lagoon tomorrow on a Monday walk!
Sarah Wilkie
How lovely that I’ve given you the idea for a Monday walk too. Enjoy, and share lots of photos!
restlessjo
Fabulous photos, Sarah! It only lacks for an icecream. It’s great to see a place you love through someone else’s eyes, and I too was disappointed that we couldn’t meet. I was tempted to ask if you were willing, but I really didn’t want you to come and enjoy the Algarve and go home with Covid. It feels strange to be back this rainy evening when we’ve had a fortnight of glorious sunshine, but I have no complaints. I do love it here. Many thanks for sharing!
Sarah Wilkie
Ah, but we did have an ice cream, I just didn’t take a photo! To be honest the ices were nothing special (we’d had much better ones in Faro the previous day) but they were still a good way to cool off. And we’d had a fabulous walk and tasty lunch!
It’s a shame you didn’t ask as I think we’d have been up for it, as long as we were all careful. To be honest we probably get closer to people with Covid every time we take the Tube in London 😉 I do hope we get another chance one day, Sx
restlessjo
I’m no fan of the Tube. Sorry, I tend to forget that you don’t live in the north east. Maybe Obidos or somewhere up north…
Sarah Wilkie
Yes, that could be good 🙂 No, we don’t live in the north east. I’m a Londoner and grew up using the Tube from a small child, and later on my own as a teenager, so I take it for granted!
restlessjo
I used to walk everywhere when I lived in London. Partly becaause I couldn’t afford to ride, but it is a beautiful city on foot. It just takes a lot longer to get places!
Sarah Wilkie
I live about nine miles from the centre so I need the Tube to get there – then I walk!
Tanja
Gorgeous walk
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Tanja 🙂
photobyjohnbo
This looks like a beautiful place to visit. I’m glad you got to continue on by bus. It would have really cut into your day if you had to backtrack to the ferry.
Sarah Wilkie
That’s very true 🙂 We might still have a had a good day but we wouldn’t have seen half as much!
the eternal traveller
How lovely to have a nice getaway in such a beautiful location.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks, yes, we had a wonderful break!
Anabel @ The Glasgow Gallivanter
Looks gorgeous! Like you, I can’t take too much sun so never sunbathe, but I love walking by the sea.
Sarah Wilkie
It was gorgeous – the perfect place, and weather, to enjoy the sea in this fashion 😀
Marie
What a wonderful photo session you had!!! I don’t know the Algarve at all so this is a lovely surprise – I’ve always visualised it completely developed…
Sarah Wilkie
So had I until I went a few years ago! In fact it’s only developed around Albufeira. Both east and west of there you can find some really picturesque towns and a beautiful coastline 🙂
Heyjude
Ah, yes, a lovely walk alongside the sea and the lagoon with beautiful blue skies and gorgeous wild flowers. You can see why Jo loves living down there. I’m not a beach person either, like you my skin is not a fan of sun and heat, but I do like to stroll on a beach and listen to the waves.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks Jude – yes, this is the best way for those of us with a fair skin to appreciate the sea 😀 As it was, even in April I found myself wishing I’d brought a hat away with me!
Heyjude
It does get very hot in the Algarve!
Sarah Wilkie
That’s why we went 😆 But in April so it was cool at night and mornings too really. I couldn’t take it in the summer!
I. J. Khanewala
Chimneys are always at their best without smoke. I wonder how sooty they would have looked in the days when they stood above fires
Sarah Wilkie
That’s a good point – I bet they wouldn’t stay so gleaming white for long!
Suzanne@PictureRetirement
Hi Sarah, I made the mistake of adding sweetener to my cappuccino before tasting last time we were in Portugal. Maybe it’s a thing. The beach walk was lovely. Thanks for taking us along. I wonder what the story behind the chimneys might be?
Sarah Wilkie
Maybe it is, although the ones we drank in Faro itself weren’t sweetened, nor were my espressos there – thankfully! I’m not sure about the chimneys but maybe Jo will know when she has time to join our walk 😃😎
Yvonne+Dumsday
What a lovely, relaxing day you had (after the road closure excitement) – sun, sand, sea and not many people to spoil the tranquility. I feel you certainly made the right choice of how to spend your Sunday in (well not quite) Faro.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks Yvonne, I think we made a great choice too!
Marilyn Armstrong
Amazing photography and in incredible beach and boardwalk!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you so much Marilyn 😊
lisaonthebeach
Wow, that sounds like a beautiful, marvelous day!! Simply lovely! 💙💙
Sarah Wilkie
It was a super day – thanks Lisa 😀
Pat
Sounds like a perfect day to me. And your fun photos allowed me to tag along with you. Thanks
Sarah Wilkie
It was Pat, one of the highlights of our short trip for sure 🙂 Glad you enjoyed the walk – thanks for joining me!
Wind Kisses
We have such fond memories of Faro. Thank you for taking me on this walk. The sequence of the photos helped me feel I was with you. Although that ocean air must have smelled heavenly. Loved it all. The boardwalk, the chimneys, the white against the blues. Welcome home, but I bet you wis you were still there. Thant goodness the bus ride pulled through, and right in time for the clearing sky. donna
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks Donna – yes, a shame we can’t (yet!) share scents virtually 😆 We were so glad that bus driver had made that final attempt to get there, although I guess the ferry would have been fun too.
Annie Berger
Thanks for the next part of our tour of Faro – I’m a huge fan of boardwalks but also of sunbathing unlike you.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Annie 😀 Sunbathing and my skin just do not go together!!
margaret21
Marvellous. Nothing beats a walk along an interesting beach. You’re selling Faro rather well!
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks Margaret 🙂 I think you’d like Faro and this area in general!
pam@ichoosethis
Love all of the colors in here Sarah! Like that boardwalk too!
Sarah Wilkie
The colours of the flowers along the boardwalk were amazing! We stopped every few yards to take photos 😆
Manja Maksimovič
What a lovely time you had. 🙂 The beach, the growth, the sea, the weather – all looking mighty similar to what we have here. Houses are not colourful here though, neither with such nice chimneys and art. And everything closed out of season, and no airplane near. I’m happy for your excellent getaway.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Manja 🙂 The planes arrive in a pretty steady stream here, bringing all the package tour people that come for the big resort hotels along the coast in Albufeira. Meanwhile Faro stays relatively quiet, and this beach is mostly visited just by locals 🙂
Manja Maksimovič
Jo had a post from there just recently, correct? I’ve seen the beach with planes somewhere…
Sarah Wilkie
Jo leaves near there 🙂 We’d hoped to meet up in fact, but our plans were scuppered as so many are these days!
thehungrytravellers.blog
Nice one. It’s an awful long time since I saw Faro….1989 or 1990 I think. Looks like a nice peaceful walk,
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you 🙂 I wonder if it’s changed much? A bit more development probably, but nothing like you see further down the coast near Albufeira!
Aletta - nowathome
I would love to go there too!
Sarah Wilkie
This coastline is lovely – definitely recommended!