17th-century Ponta da Bandeira Fort set for restoration
Ponta da Bandeira Fort monument classified as a Property of Public Interest – September 15, 2025 Ponta da Bandeira Fort, Lagos Lagos City Council has signed a contract to strengthen the east façade of Ponta da Bandeira Fort, a 17th-century monument classified as a Property of Public Interest. The €149,307 project (plus VAT) must be completed within 90 days and follows a technical inspection by Cultural Heritage I.P., which confirmed...
Known for its artisanal liqueurs and spirits, Bagamel has just launched a new and unique gin
Celebrating the authenticity and cultural richness of the Algarve, Bagamel crafts a diverse range of drinks for every occasion and mood, designed to inspire and stir emotion – September 15, 2025 | Text Beatriz Maio It all began in 1976 when José Varela, a producer from Silves and a visionary for his time, turned his passion for medronho into a business. He decided to start producing spirits and created Bagamel – Sociedade Industrial...
Preserving Lagos’s legacy: 19th-century manor transformed into an elegant boutique retreat overlooking Meia Praia beach
Historic charm and contemporary design blend seamlessly at the new Água Hotels Lagos Bay – September 15, 2025 | Text Beatriz Maio | Photos BIMERING An ancient manor house in the historic centre of Lagos has been reborn as a boutique hotel with a unique design and stunning views of Meia Praia. The renovation was carried out with meticulous attention to detail, making the most of the opportunity to preserve the history, heritage,...
Boavista announces new €50 million hotel
Scheduled to be ready in 2027, investment will create 170 jobs – September 12, 2025 | Text Bruno Filipe Pires Construction is already underway on the new hotel of Quinta da Boavista – Empreendimentos Turísticos SA, under the aegis of the Emerson Group. During a presentation ceremony to official bodies and partners during the summer, architect and project manager Luís Nóbrega explained this will be a hotel “that reinforces Quinta...
A fresh start: Café da Olaria, beside Porches Pottery, is under new management
With painted tiles all around to see, the café feels like stepping into a magical place – September 10, 2025 | Photos Charlotte Cockayne/Open Media Group Café da Olaria, now under new management, has reopened its doors beside the iconic Porches Pottery, welcoming guests Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and Saturdays from 10am to 3pm. Following a thoughtful renovation, the terrace, bathrooms, and bar have been refreshed, complemented...
Algarve International Racetrack calendar features five major events before the year ends
Full throttle: From endurance battles to MotoGP thrills, Portimão gears up for an unforgettable autumn – September 10, 2025 Photo by AIA Motorsport is set to make a roaring comeback at the Algarve International Racetrack (AIA) in Portimão, with five major competitions lined up between October and December. The post-summer season resumes with the Fun Cup between October 10 and 12, before the European Le Mans Series arrives from...
The Algarve joins the speakeasy trend for lovers of meaningful mixology
Hidden alcoves transport visitors back in time, offering an unexpected experience from the very first step inside – September 9, 2025 | Text Beatriz Maio Forbidden Door, Lagos The concept originated in the 1920s in the United States of America and has survived to this day. Speakeasies were born as a response to Prohibition, which was in effect for 13 years in the country, banning the production, transport and sale of alcoholic...
Inna Iefimenko tells stories through hand-painted tiles on building façades
Reimagining the Algarve: Bringing its stories to life through hand-painted façades – September 9, 2025 | Text Beatriz Maio Casa do Gato – Inna and Fernando For as long as she can remember, Inna Iefimenko has loved drawing and has excelled in the artistic world. She began at the age of three and, by six, had her first exhibition in her hometown of Zhytomyr, in northern Ukraine. At that age, she enrolled in a Fine Arts school...
Wine Talk: Discover what’s new in the Algarve wine scene
Fresh, local and award-winning: Exploring the wines making waves in the Algarve – September 9, 2025 Fresh, maritime wines Taking their name from the fiddler crabs (Uca tangeri) found on Alvor Beach, the UCA Violinista wines are Arvad’s latest releases: a collection of fresh, maritime wines to be enjoyed “at any tide”. Light-heartedly, the brand asserts itself as “a serious wine that doesn’t take itself too seriously”. The red, a...
FATACIL continues to raise the bar
Expanded spaces and lively performances mark another successful edition – September 6, 2025 Badoxa This year’s FATACIL, the 44th edition, drew large crowds, introduced key upgrades, and placed a renewed focus on showcasing Algarve artists, helping to shape another highly successful chapter in Lagoa’s bustling summer fair. The fair took place from August 22 to 31 and featured a series of improvements which organisers say...
