It's Festival time in the Algarve with nearly all regions and villages celebrating with a festivity or two aiming to keep the locals and visitors entertained during the last month of the European working class summer holidays. With August being the warmest month in the Algarve its also a great excuse to get out and enjoy the cooler evenings.
Festivals are generally themed but the overall draw is the food and music. Heavily attended by visitors and families it is a great atmosphere to experience the culture of the host community. This year feels like attendance is significantly higher with more visitors discovering the offerings.
August started with normal summer temps for the Algarve, highs in the low 30ºC cooling to a comfortable low 20´sºC at night. Around mid-August things changed greatly, with temps raging into the high 30´sºC and night staying warm at mid 20´sºC for the remainder of the month. Fortunately humidity levels remained low and beaches nearby make things a little more bearable.
This months activities and photos.
A mid month break to cooler temps in the UK.
Check out our Football weekend here Birmingham Weekend and a Football Match
Portimão’s much anticipated annual sardine Festival, one of the biggest gastronomic events in the Algarve, which last year attracted 110,000 visitors with plenty of grilled sardines and entertainment. Always a fun time enjoying the cooler night air along the riverfront, sampling some good festival food and listening to good music.
Around mid August many of the small fishing villages hold religious processions and services that recognize the work of the fishermen and provide blessings for them and their boats for the coming year. We attended the procession in Ferragudo from the church to the waterfront then boarding boats to proceed on the water blessing the boats.
The annual Silves Medieval Festival is one of the larger festivals in the Algarve. The entertainment, food stalls and vendors fill the narrow winding streets of this Medieval village famous for its 10th century moorish castle, ruins of an ancient mosque and 16th century cathedral.
Lunch at Santos winery, brewery and restaurant followed by wine tasting at Villa Francis
Beach lunch at Praia de Luz and lunch at Za Zu Beach club
Another procession and service for the fisherman, this time in our village of Alvor
Afternoon wine tasting and charcuterie at Morgado do Quinta in the foothills near our home. On a warm August afternoon where we were apparently the only brave soles willing to checkout an outdoor tasting. Although it was a warm day the shade provided by the massive old Olive tree and the slight breeze made for a perfect setting. Great to have this space and the experience of the wine tasting all to ourselves!
Our friends Terry and Tim from Pasadena stopped by for a few days following their trip through London and Dubrovnik. We had a great time with them experiencing a few things that the Algarve has to offer
Walked through the historic center of Faro
Tour the Village of Silves and the Castle, Lunch at Luar da Foia in the hills of Monchique, a walk on the beach at Praia dos Três Irmãos, then walk through Alvor Village and a light dinner at the Sports Cafe Alvor
Lunch and beach lounging at No Solo Aqua, and a walk through Lagos with dinner at Mare
Walk along the cliffs at Carvoeiro, lunch at Donna Anna, and Charcuterie and wine tasting at Arvad winery for sunset
Shopping and touring Lagos and the Marina, quick bite at Avanti overlooking the Marina and dinner at Restinga on the beach in Alvor.
Barney and Sonny living the dream...
As always we hope everyone is doing well, healthy, happy, and thriving. We miss you and love you all...A lot!