Southern Portugal– The Only Place I Want to Revisit

A week ago, I flew to Portugal to escape the British winter. With initially low expectations (assuming it would be like many over-commercialized European cities), I was blown away by Southern Portugal’s charm—friendly locals, stunning landscapes, and mild 10-20°C winter weather perfect for exploring. 📍 Itinerary Highlights 1️⃣ Faro’s Bone Chapel (Capela dos Ossos) Contains 1,250 human skulls (€2 entry). Took a train to Portimão (book via Omio; stations are small with Portuguese-only announcements—ask staff for help!). 2️⃣ Sunrise Kayaking Adventure Booked via Airbnb (7-9 AM slot from Albandeira Beach). Paddled past the Heart Cave to Benagil Cave—exclusive spots only accessible by kayak! Lucky break: Had the tour to myself + calm seas (next day’s sessions were canceled due to waves). 3️⃣ Coastal Hikes Heart Cave → Benagil Cave: Easy 30-min cliffside walk with epic views. Praia da Rocha: Barefoot-friendly sandy beach with photogenic rock formations. 🍽️ Food Recs Adega Os Unidos: Family-run Portuguese spot with handwritten menus. Grandma explains each dish—loved the codfish with potatoes! Pizzeria Volare: Huge €10 pizzas + best service in Europe. Petisqueira Berbigão: No English, but the crispy squid & fries are worth the charades! 🚌 Transport Tips Buses: €1.60/ride (Google Maps for accurate schedules). Bolt: Cheap rides + 50% off first 3 trips for new users! #Portugal #Algarve #WinterSun #HiddenGems