The calm, almost dormant town of Salema lies off the coast of the Atlantic, along the southern coastline, in what is known as the Costa Vicentina Natural Park. Tradition meets the present in this idyllic fishing village. The locals used to paint their white-washed houses with a blue trim to repel the evil spirits and the tradition stayed, making this feature something distinctive of the little town.

If you are in search of quiet and discretion, Salema is definitely the place for you. It is a lovely place to wake up to the ever shining sun, walk a really short distance to a secluded beach and charge your batteries on the waves of the Atlantic there for a while.

Though on a small scale, there is some fishing activity still performed here and in the town square market you can buy sardines, squid, octopus and other types of seafood, along with fresh fruits and vegetables. You can also enjoy the best such dishes in one of the restaurants that line the promenade of the town.

For a secret, secluded place, Salema has everything that is required of a seaside destination, particularly in terms of beaches. The Praia do Martinhal, measuring half a mile in length, possesses Blue Flag certification for high water quality and safety. Swimming, windsurfing and sailing are performed here, the wind and the waves creating an ideal environment.

And if you are looking for something truly secluded, the tiny Figueira Beach is the place to successfully hide from the gaze of the world.

Having been influenced throughout the centuries by elements as varied as the ancient Romans, the Moors, the Hebrews and more recently, the English and the French, the sunny shores of the Algarve represent a “melting pot” of… architectural styles. Age-old relics stand side by side with modern minimalist shops, Renaissance buildings face postmodern monuments, all in an eclectic and enticing liberal mixture.

Chronologically speaking, the Romans were the first to leave clear traces of their passing. As all empires, they wanted to leave their mark through the buildings they created – and they did love building! Roads, stone bridges and aqueducts were their specialties, but they also erected lavish countryside villas and monuments decorated with the finest mosaics. In Silves, you can still cross the Ponte Romana (Roman Bridge) across the Rio Arde. Near Faro, there is also another ancient site: the Milreu ruins in Estoi (a beautiful proof of the fine mosaic we were just mentioning).

Jumping forward a few centuries, we come to the rule of the Moors. (It is true that the Romans were directly followed by the Visigoths, but their stay was short and left virtually no traces in the architectural legacy of Portugal). The Moorish style, however, was a different story. The Moroccan style, with its ribbed vaults and arches and intricate flower models and minarets, is very much present in today’s Algarve.

Hoping to have captured your attention, we promise to continue our journey next time. Meanwhile, we encourage you to explore the Algarve whenever you first get the chance!