Summer in Portugal

So, this summer me and my family decided to go to Portugal, on the Algarve coast, the south part of the country.

The Portugal seashore is pretty wild, with beaches that are inserted between the high coasts. It is the kind of beach I like, not that crowded one, but a wild one, a hidden one. I will talk about the most visited and must-see places you hear about Portugal and my point of view about them.

Praia da Marinha (Marinha Beach)

This beach is famous for it's unique rock forms, especially the elephant drinking water. We went discovering on the rocks, away from the beach, and, surprisingly, we discovered hidden beaches. Finally, at the end of our climbing, there was the elephant rock and we wanted to get to it by foot, but the water was too high, so we went back. After a few hours, we realized that the Atlantic Ocean has a tide and the water retreated. We ran back on the rocks, beach after beach and we could reach the elephant. I was so amazed by the rock holes and amazing forms, made by the water.

Tip: Wait for the water to retreat, then you can explore more wildlife and get closer to the high, beautiful rocks!

The caves

Algarve coast is full of hidden caves and beaches within them and it is the explorer's dream! You can take a boat or a kayak for a few hours to discover them! We took an one-hour boat tour to see about 20 amazing caves and then we wanted to rent kayaks to go back on Benagil Beach, in the Benagil Cave, which is the most famous must-see thing in Algarve. Indeed, the cave and the beach are amazing! It is an unique place to stop by, especially if you are lucky to be alone there. I will let the pictures tell you more.

Get romantic watching the sunset

In Portugal I saw for the first time a lighthouse so well-preserved and in function. This was in Sagres, continental Europe's southwesternmost community. Nearby, there is Cabo de São Vicente which was described by the ancient greeks as "the end of the inhabited earth". And you feel like you are at the end of the world, there. You get closer to the edge, and it is just you and the infinite water. The ocean was furious, with huge waves, wild wind, and then, in that crazy world, the sun melted into the horizon and silence was between all we were present there, our hearts being melted, too. In our mind was only the though that we are little, compared to the vast ocean and the vast time.

I even practiced meditation and mindfulness. I enjoy meditation at the seashore, because of that moment when you open your eyes, and you see the vast water, and it is like that water washes away all your thoughts and you are one with the natural element.

Lisbon

I, personally liked Lisbon because it is not a fancy, modern city. It kept it's original houses and buildings. You must take the famous yellow tram because why not? It is a fun way of discovering Lisbon and, besides this, it takes you on REALLY narrow streets!

Tip: If you want to visit Lisbon by foot, be prepared to go up and down. Lisbon is built on a lot of hills :)

Sintra

This is a place full of history, where you feel like go back in time and enjoy being a king or a queen. There are amazing castles and I strongly recommend you to take an entire day to visit the place, to take the most of it! Pena Palace is the most famous and beautiful castle from around. It is the most colorful castle I ever seen! I loved it!

My favorite place was The Initiation Well and it has lots of stairs! You have to start from the top and then descend one step after another. This journey from the top to the bottom represents your ego's journey. You must gain patience, good eyes in the dark moments in life, and until you get down, your ego is gone. At the bottom, you have 3 tunnels. You must choose one and follow it, like you choose a life path and see where it gets you. In the tunnel is completely dark and then, you see the light, the final destination. You got there.

Stars: 2.5/5