Exploring at QPA

LAGOS

Only 7 kilometres away by hire car or taxi Lagos is a great place to shop and dine for anyone visiting QPA. Even though Lagos is one of the most ancient settlements in the Algarve, with a rich history and architecture dating back to the Phoenicians and Moors, it is still a real working town.

While it is still one of the region's major fishing ports and markets, its fine beaches have also made it a major resort, with a huge new marina. The best beaches are to be found to the east of the town at Meia Praia, where you'll still find plenty of tourist-free space, even in the height of summer.

To the west you'll find a wonderful network of coves, sheltered by dramatic cliffs. The town is packed with restaurants of all types, most of which serve excellent fish and most are very good value. There are also lots of bars, most of which stay open till 2am.

PORTIMÃO

Portimão traces its origins back to a small trading port of the Phoenicians, Greeks and Carthaginians. Located at the mouth of the River Arade it provides a natural harbour and in the past has been a home for smugglers and pirates. The river also provides the sea access to the up-river ancient city of Silves which was once the capital of the Algarve during the Moorish occupation.

In the 19th century Portimão was developed to become one of the most important centres on the Algarve for the fishing and canning industry, until the early 1980s when the recession drove the remaining factories out of business.

The town is still a strong commercial centre and was the main shopping town of the whole Algarve during the 1970s and 1980s.

A new marina was recently opened adjoining Praia da Rocha and this adds the fascinating sight of the many boats at anchor from a wide choice of bars and restaurants in which to pass the evening.

SAGRES

This small town, close to the most south western point of Europe, is rich in the history of exploration.

Located on the south side of Cape St. Vincent its natural protection from the western winds lent itself to the building by Prince Henry the Navigator, of a fort in which to house his school devoted to navigation and exploration.

From 1419 until 1460 he devoted his time and the revenues of the Order of Christ into this project. Money was spent liberally in building the vessels known as the “Caravela” which were in time to prove so suitable for exploration.

In 1427 Diogo da Silva first discovered the Azores Islands. In 1434 Gil Eanes from Lagos, conquered the Cape and in 1488 Bartolomeu Dias succeeded in rounding the Cape of Good Hope.

Today the local restaurants are renowned for their fish and its variety and freshness and it is common to see the local fishermen wedged in dramatic perches on the cliff face with the sea thundering against the cliffs below.