But even though the piri-piri is almost synonymous with the regions’ chicken, shrimp and a plethora of other dishes, it’s interesting to note that it wasn’t indigenous to the region. The piri-piri chilli, as well as other sweet chillies were brought by Portuguese seafarers from the New World. It’s not well known where exactly the piri-piri came from but what matters is that it has been part of the region’s gastronomy for many hundreds of years by now.

Chicken Piri-piri

This is probably the most well-known and most easily available dish in the region, it can be found pretty much on any menu anywhere in the Algarve.

What chicken Piri-piri basically is a smallish chicken, cut in half, slashed to the bone and marinated in a mixture of sea salt and spices for several hours, after which you grill it over hot coals. The resulting product is traditionally cut into small pieces and served with potatoes and a side salad. As you might think there are variations of this basic recipe all throughout the region, some places will serve the entire grilled half chicken and French fries tend to be the ubiquitous side dish to the spicy bird.

Considering the fact that the Portuguese are very keen on pork as well, it’s interesting to see that Piri-piri pork isn’t as easy to find in the Algarve, however you will find Piri-piri shrimp, it most likely has to do with the more easily available raw materials.

You can find piri-piri in a wide array of product type, and lovers of spicy foods will love to experiment with as many of them as possible.

For a great overview of the different varieties of piri-piri infused recipes, keep our Algarve car rental services in mind, it will make getting from one place to another that much easier.

The Lagoon is made up of a system of barrier islands that communicates with the sea via six inlets, and it was created in 1755 by the last great oceanic earthquake. Due to tidal changes, the sand dunes, islands and bars that make up the lagoon are always in a constant state of change, what does not change however, are the archaeological sites that show remains of Roman and pre-Roman settlements.

The area has been a nature reserve since the mid-eighties, so as to be a safe haven for the many sea water birds that use it as a breeding place, as well as the many traveling bird species that make a stop here during the winter.

Birds aren’t the only fauna that benefit from the reserve status of the area because there are many species of fish as well as other marine organism that use the place to reproduce.

Even though this is a nature reserve, you’d be interested to know that there are quite a few productive activities being done here under strict guidelines, such as salt harvesting, shellfish farming and small-scale fishing. Traditional sea salt gathering is actually possible thanks to wonderful water quality, without any detectable contamination by human industry or agriculture.

Those planning to stay either in Tavira, Faro or Olhao will have the quickest access to the nature reserve.

The Natural Park here is indeed one of the most amazing places that you’ll find in the Algarve, and it should be on your list of must-see places while on a trip here. The best way of doing so, even if you’re nowhere near it, is with the help of our Algarve car hire services.