Unspoiled & Rural Algarve
Western Region of the Algarve
The western region is normally referred by the locals as “barlavento”, and is typically associated with a more unspoiled and rural Algarve. The tranquil west is a land of wild walks, wetlands, deserted islands, lagoons and historic whitewashed villages with strong Moorish vein waiting to be explored. However, it also has a strong heritage from the navigators including Christopher Columbus, Sir Francis Drake and Lord Nelson. All passed here on their voyages of exploration and called this the end of the world. Reason why in 1418, Prince Henry “The Navigator” founded the first oceanic navigation school, along with an astronomical observatory at the promontory of Sagres. In this school, sailors were trained in navigation, map-making, and science, in order to sail down the west of Africa”.
Inland, the rolling countryside is speckled with quaint villages, set in beautiful hills fulfilled with oak and cork trees. It was once one of the main habitats of the Iberian Lynx, you’ll be lucky to see one. Not to mention, the famous thermal baths in Monchique, perfect to relax after a day walking through the Monchique Mountain.