Palaces in the Algarve and the South of Portugal

Just got back from a business trip to Coimbra! (Cubsur...Rede Expressos up - 6hrs 45 mins / Rede Expressos back to Sete Rios, Lisbon and then EVA to Lagos - 6hrs 45. Round trip cost - +- € 60.00)

If you want three days of history in Portugal, Coimbra and environs are a good place to start.

Viz Lagos and history:

While there may not be castles on the scale of Pena, Obidos, Alcobaça and Batalha in the Western Algarve there is plenty of history.

Recent archaelogical research suggests that the region of Portimão and Lagos was inhabited by he Phoenicians +- 2600 years ago.

There are Roman ruins in Lagos and Praia da Luz.

Lagos evolved as a town during Moorish and early Portuguese history and it was from Lagos, Sagres, Sines and Lisbon that the first Portuguese voyages that opened up the route to India around the Cape of Good Hope and to Brazil.

Much of the town was destroyed in the 1755 earthquake, at which time, the Capital of the Algarve was transferred to Faro. Although the city walls remain, as do certain key churches and other buildings, much of the old town was destroyed at that time.

None less, together with Tavira, Lagos is still one of the two towns in the Algarve that retains their "Portuguese Feel" and atmosphere.

The nearest castles are at Silves(Moorish) and Loulé. There are no palaces in the Algarve. Prior to the arrival of rail, the Algarve was still considered not part of Portugal and, in fact, treated more like a colony.

Until the end of the monarchy in 1910, the monarch was known officially as the "king/Queen" of Portugal and the Algarve. Despite this, the monarch's rarely if ever visited the Algarve, hence, no Palaces in the regal sense.

Indeed, from memory there are few "Palaces" per se South of a line running from Setubal to Evora.

Plenty of large and small castles but Palaces no!

List of Palaces in Portugal from Wikipedia (in Portuguese) here:

http://goo.gl/EZW7O

Also, see:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lagos,_Portugal

A final thought, if you have a car and are coming in October, (and, if cost is an issue, depending on whether tolls will have then been implemented on the A22), you could take your friend to Sevilla for the day (Albeit a long one!). 3hrs each way on good motorway. Park at either Estacion das Armas or Colon Underground car park and visit the Alcazar Palace.

See: http://goo.gl/tWHE2

Also pop into the Cathedral next door and see Christopher Columbus' tomb!

Cheap and Cheerful Restaurants in Lagos, Algarve, Portugal

Restaurant A Forja

R. Ferreiros 15/7, Lagos 8600-727, Portugal

282768588

I am sure there will be no problem taking a baby there but be warned it is a bit claustrophobic when full.

Another cheap and cheerful is the Adega da Marina on the Avenida.

I'm tending to go there these days when I get back to Lagos late in the evening.

Had a meal there last night - Costeletas do Porco, Salad, Bread, Butter, 1/4l of wine and a Bica Cheia for € 10.25

Another real cheap and cheerful I often go to is:

Churrasqueira Frangos S. João

Urb. Marina Sol Lote 17 - loja A

8600-707 Lagos

Telefone: 282 767 128

To get there, wander down the Avenida in the direction of Mcdonalds, until you come to the Seagulls' roundabout. (a/k/a the Caravela Roundabout).

Turn left into Rua Vasco da Gama, at the Posto do Turismo, take the first right and then right again. The Restaurant is on the left.

I have been known, recently, to have a full workman's lunch there for € 7.50.

Supper is equally reasonable.

The installations are clean, if somewhat basic. There is no menu...they tell you what's on the menu that day. They do speak some English. Great for kids. The locals who hang out there are a good bunch.

If it's any recommendation the local police and ambulance service often stop in for take-outs.

Churrasqueira Esperança - Lagos - Algarve - Portugal

Had lunch at Antonio's new restaurant today!

He has moved to Chincato Industrial estate up from the Solmate Showroom and above Barão Madeiras..

The new place is called

Churrasqueira Esperança

Urb. Ind. da Marateca

Lt 14 Loja 1

Tel: 282 082 502

Tm: 918 362 740

Told him that folks are after him on the Web!

Promised to pass this on!

Easiest way to get there:

Head out of Lagos on the N125.

1km out take the filter lane off left at Raminho's, just after Pete's Plants.

Continue along the filter lane until you come to the first road on your right!

Solmate is on the corner on the left.

50m up the hill and you will see the Churrasqueira Esperança on your right.

Off source if you know the short cut from Albadeira...so much the better!!! ;))