After a busy two weeks, it’s time for another update! I had family visiting—and just like last time I had my friend over, the weather decided to throw a little tantrum. We had rain, we had wind, but (thankfully!) also a surprising amount of sunshine. Phew. I know I can’t control the weather, but I do feel this weird sense of responsibility to make sure everyone has the best time when they visit, like I’m Portugal’s part-time PR manager. Sunshine definitely helps with that.
One of our adventures was hiking the iconic Seven Hanging Valleys trail—still my all-time favorite hike to do with visitors. It’s the perfect sampler of the Algarve: dramatic cliffs, hidden beaches, photo ops galore, forest trails, and all the natural beauty your heart could desire. We started at Algar Seco and made it all the way to Benagil. The weather was chef’s kiss and the flowers were putting on a full-color show. I fell in love with this hike all over again.
The other hike, though? Bit of a different story. We walked from Lagos to Luz, and… let’s just say I may have slightly overestimated everyone’s energy levels. It was a long hike, starting from the old town, and it’s pretty up-and-down. And not in the fun rollercoaster way. My visitors were exhausted, and I could practically hear their muscles filing a complaint. I also showed them the “secret passage” my friend Rute once shared with me. It’s a cool little hidden path—but yeah, maybe not the best first hike for visitors who just got off the plane. Oops.
To shake things up (literally), we also did a boat tour along the cliffs and into the caves.) The kind that leaves you wondering if you should’ve signed a waiver and brought a neck brace. We left from Lagos harbor and zipped along the coast until we reached the famous Benagil cave. I’d only ever seen it from above, but entering it by boat? Wow. Way more impressive. The other caves we explored were equally stunning—some you can only see from the water. I had no idea they were even there! Definitely a cool experience… although next time I might opt for a gentler boat. We rewarded ourselves with lunch at Sunrays Kitchen afterward—always a safe choice. Delicious food and super friendly staff. I never have to worry about taking guests there.
On the flip side, one dinner that didn’t blow me away was at Latitude in Luz. It gets a lot of love in the digital nomad scene. The food was okay (stingray, anyone?), and I’ll give it points for originality. The stingray itself was soft and fleshy—basically the ocean’s version of a marshmallow. What killed the vibe was the waiter, who kept showing off his language skills like he was auditioning for a multilingual talent show. Once is funny. Ten times? Not so much. Also, all our shared dishes arrived at the same time, so we had to rush through everything before it got cold. Add in the loud acoustics and packed dining room, and yeah—not a spot I’ll return to. Still, glad I gave it a try.
Some better dining experiences? Boaty’s in Luz (which my family adored for its tapas—need to try it myself soon!), and the ever-reliable Calhou in Lagos. Calhou always delivers that cozy, Portuguese home-cooking vibe. It’s like eating in someone’s house—nothing too fancy, just really good food and solid service.
It felt really good having people visit again. Showing them around made me feel proud and grounded. Lagos feels more like home with every passing day. Walking through the streets with loved ones, grabbing coffee at my favorite spot, eating at my regular haunts, grabbing the best pastel de nata at Padaria Central, and showing off the beaches, cliffs, and that charming old bridge—it just feels right. And I’m already excited for my sister and her boyfriend to visit soon… and then my best friend after that!
Oh, and in very important food news: my favorite burger joint, Illicit Burgers, just opened a stunning new location near Porto de Mós beach! It’s on the rooftop of a hotel, with views over the coastline. Naturally, I had a burger with cajun fries while watching the sun go down. There’s even a pool to swim in and a DJ playing on Saturdays. This place is going to be a summer vibe.
Speaking of summer—I finally made my June plans! I’ll be off work the whole month, and with my apartment booked only through May, I had to make a decision. After some serious back-and-forth, I locked in my travel plans. First stop: Andalusia! I’ll spend the first week exploring cities like Seville, Ronda, and Córdoba, and hiking through nature parks. The second week? Full sloth mode. I booked myself a cozy apartment with a garden, pool, and mountain views. It’s going to be all about sunbathing, reading, work out, and channel my inner spa manager. I need it. I’ve earned it. After that, I’ll shoot some abandoned buildings around Porto, maybe meet a friend in Barcelona, drop by Montpellier to see some pals, and then make my way back to the Netherlands. June’s shaping up nicely, if I do say so myself.
Last weekend, I went on a hike with my usual hiking crew—this time in Arrifana. I haven’t spent much time there, but wow, what a cool area. We even ran into a group of wild boars at the start! The landscape here feels different, and there were some lovely forest sections too. Rute, being the legend she is, had planned an Easter egg hunt mid-hike. My team won. Obviously. Post-hike, we grabbed pizza at Arte Bianca. Pricey? Yes (€18,50). Worth it? Also yes. Burrata, prosciutto, and a dreamy dough.
To end the week on a high note, I joined a rooftop oyster and wine sunset hangout at a friend’s place. I don’t eat oysters and barely drink, but the vibes were immaculate. Great views, great people. And honestly, I had a few emotional moments last week. Nothing dramatic, just the kind of heaviness that creeps in quietly. But the people around me? Amazing. Whether they were listening to my voice note podcasts on WhatsApp (yes, I’m one of those), making me laugh, giving me space, or just being themselves—it meant a lot. I’m surrounded by good humans, and I’m grateful beyond words. After every step back, I’m taking more steps forward. And I couldn’t be doing it without the beautiful souls I’ve met here.
That’s it for now. Catch you next week!
