Rediscovering the Algarve, where culture, sunshine and Mediterranean flavours come together
Living in the Algarve has a funny way of making you overlook some of the attractions that visitors travel thousands of miles to see.
We become experts at avoiding queues, finding hidden gems and telling ourselves we’ll get around to visiting the more obvious places “one day”. Recently, I decided that day had arrived.
My destination was SandCity in Lagoa, conveniently located on the EN125 directly opposite Nobel International School.
It’s one of those places that most locals know about, and perhaps some might even dismiss as a bit of a cliché. But sometimes clichés exist for a reason.
Besides, it’s tourist season, and who says residents can’t enjoy being tourists every now and then?
Getting there couldn’t be easier. There is ample parking, clear signage and no complicated logistics involved. You simply turn up and start exploring.
SandCity has quite a history behind it. The original FIESA International Sand Sculpture Festival began back in 2003, growing over the years into what is now considered the largest sand sculpture exhibition in the world.
More than 60 artists from around the globe have contributed to creating over 120 sculptures, transforming thousands of tonnes of sand into remarkably detailed works of art.
The exhibition takes visitors on a journey “Around the World in Sand”, with sculptures inspired by different cultures, countries, historical figures and landmarks.
What struck me most wasn’t necessarily the scale – although some of the sculptures are enormous – but the incredible detail.
Facial expressions, clothing folds, architectural features and tiny decorative touches somehow emerge from what is essentially just sand.
If you’re planning a visit during the summer months, a little preparation goes a long way. Sunscreen is essential, and I’d strongly recommend bringing water.
The site is completely outdoors, although there are shady areas where you can take a break, plus refreshments available to purchase throughout the venue. A hat wouldn’t go amiss either. The Algarve sun has a way of reminding you who’s in charge.
What I particularly liked was how relaxed the whole experience felt. Families wandered between sculptures, children pointed excitedly at giant creations and everyone seemed to slow down a little.
In a region where so much revolves around beaches and restaurants, it was refreshing to spend a few hours doing something completely different and quite cultural.
After my sandy adventure and a much-needed cool down, we headed towards Carvoeiro for dinner. Our choice for the evening was Oregano Restaurant.
Now, Oregano isn’t necessarily somewhere you’ll stumble across accidentally. It’s not right in the centre of town and doesn’t rely on passing foot traffic.
But perhaps that’s part of its charm. Those who make the effort are rewarded with food that is comfortably above average.
The restaurant combines Portuguese and Mediterranean influences. The standout starter for me was the scallops. This is particularly noteworthy because I officially don’t actually like scallops. Or at least I thought I didn’t. Apparently, I simply hadn’t had them prepared like this before.
Then came the sea bass with sepia risotto. Honestly, wow. It wasn’t the sort of dish you see on every menu, nor was it presented in the usual way. The combination of flavours and textures worked brilliantly, and it felt like the chef had really put some thought into creating something distinctive rather than simply serving another piece of fish.
By this point, dessert was unavoidable. The chocolate mousse arrived and disappeared at an alarming speed – it was exactly what you hope for when ordering chocolate mousse.
As the evening came to an end, it felt like the perfect Algarve day. A little sightseeing, a little sunshine and some genuinely excellent food. Sometimes the places we take for granted turn out to be worth revisiting. And sometimes, being a tourist at home is exactly what you need.
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