Living in Portugal - Our Monthly Journal - September 2026
It feels like the Algarve is finally starting to breathe a sigh of relief after all the summer activity. With kids heading back to school, Europeans returning to work after summer holidays, Festivals and activities settling into a more normal pace, Grape harvests complete, and leaves on the grapevines and trees starting to show a slight shift to fall colors, you can feel the pace slowing down a bit. It's a great time to be in the Algarve: temperatures hover around 25-30 degrees Celsius, the beaches remain pristine and less crowded, it's the best beach weather of the year, and almost no one is on the sand.
In late September, we leave the Algarve briefly for a trip to Italy. On this trip, we will spend a few days with friends in Venice before they set sail on an Adriatic cruise. Then Mary and I take a short train ride northwest to Sirmione and Lake Garda for a few days of lakeside dolce vita on the edge of the Dolomites. Stay tuned for the full post on our Italy trip coming soon.
This month's post is a little lighter on content due to our travel schedule and a low-key start to the month.
This month is a transitional time in the garden. The last of the tomatoes were harvested, and the remains of the summer bounty are now piled for the October burn. Fall and winter fruits are the star of the show, with pomegranates turning red, citrus fruits still green and plumping up nicely, and olives ready for harvest. A few squash varieties are taking over parts of the garden, and Teresa is preparing the ground for fall planting.
The flowers are still the main event in our garden. The Dahlias are holding on to their last colorful blooms, but are fading fast after months of spectacular showing. The Plumeria flowers continue to add a sweet perfume to the front of the house.
A late afternoon walk along the boardwalk and cliffs near Ponta da Piedade in nearby Lagos
The Portugal Burger Cup made a week-long stop in Alvor this month, providing some tasty burgers, each with an international theme. Burgers inspired by nine countries compete for the public vote. My favorite was the United States burger.
Out with the boy's on a MTB ride through the Alvor estuary.
A new spot opened on the way to Lagos. The sign says American-style BBQ. It was OK but certainly not up to par for "American Style"
Formula 1 returns to Portugal and the Algarve next June.
The Portuguese Grand Prix (Grande Prémio de Portugal) was first held in 1951 and later held intermittently, including in 1964 and as a Formula Three event in 1965 and 1966. The race formed part of the Formula One World Championship from 1958 to 1960 and again from 1984 to 1996. It returned to the Formula One calendar in 2020 and 2021 amid calendar changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently scheduled to return to the Algarve International Circuit in 2027 and 2028.
Tickets went on sale in Late September, and we were able to secure seats for the three-day event.
As always, our post ends with the cats. Sonny and Barney continue to enjoy their life in Portugal.
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As always, we hope everyone is doing well, healthy, happy, and thriving. We miss you and love you all...A lot!
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