We had beautiful Mediterranean-style weather on the day we chose to visit the Algarve coast. We took a van and saw the sights from the top of the cliffs. Another option is a boat tour along the coast. Both guarantee stupendous views!
Algar Seco:
Our first stop was at Algar Seco. These rock formations have been created by erosion and include rock pools, caves, windows and balconies over the sea.
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| Algar Seco |
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| Algar Seco |
Benagil Cave:
Next stop along the Algarve coastline between Lagos and Albufeira was the Benagil Cave. It has been eroded both from the side and from the top. This created an opening in the ceiling that allows the sunlight to brighten up the grotto and the beach that it hides below.
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| Benagil Cave |
Marinha Beach:
Our last stop was at a beach that is considered to be one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in Europe! Marinha Beach is located on the Atlantic coast and it's necessary to walk down several stairs to get to this beach. Needless to say, we chose not to make the hike down. We were rewarded with beautiful views from above as well as plenty of sun! 🌞
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| Marinha Beach |
A friend suggested we visit the town of Evora to see their chapel of bones. Since we don't have a car, we opted to visit a smaller chapel in Faro, which is behind this church:
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| lgreja do Carmo |
Built between 1713 and 1719, the lgreja do Carmo is an example of Baroque architecture. The interior is decorated lavishly with gold leaf and intricately carved altars.
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| lgreja do Carmo |
In the rear courtyard of the church is the Chapel of Bones (Capela dos Ossos), built in 1816. This is the final resting place for over 1,250 skeletons. The bodies, exhumed in 1816 from Faro's overcrowded cemeteries, belonged to the Carmelite monks who once served in the Carmo church.
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| Chapel of Bones |
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| Chapel of Bones |
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| Chapel of Bones ceiling |
Our Airbnb is in a perfect location for us to explore Faro. We have many restaurants in walking distance as well as parks. We took a stroll through the garden, Jardim da Alameda João de Deus. It is the largest garden space in the city. We saw peacocks:
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| Jardim da Alameda João de Deus |
and this sculpture depicting a stork and a wolf based on Aesop's fable The Wolf and the Crane:
In Portugal and Spain we have seen many storks and stork nests!
This building in the garden is an example of neo-Arab revivalism. It provides access to the Municipal Library of Faro.
Next stop on our adventure: Porto, Portugal!