Lagoa: Travel and tourism

Lagoa is known for its wine, which takes Algarve to the rest of the country. Standing on a small hill, it is surrounded by vineyards and its white houses gleam in the distance.

A very peaceful town in contrast to the tourist centres on the coast, it is proud of its small gardens, fine church and an interesting water deposit with balustrades of faience.

Nearby, Porches, a large and ancient village with the ruins of an old castle and an interesting church, is famous for its decorated and artistic ceramics and pottery.

Carvoeiro, with its charming sandy cove, is an old fishing village which became a popular holiday resort, but of the ancient fortress and convent there is little left.

Another fishing village is Benagil, until recently of difficult access, with a small, calm and sheltered bay where visitors can hire a boat to visit the caves the sea has formed.

In Estômbar, on a low hill and surrounded by fig-trees, tourists can visit the Church of Saint James, the narrow cobbled streets with rustic houses and Casa da Horta, with a panel of tiles featuring Saint Anne and a courtyard with arches.