LAGOS: A town of some 30,000 inhabitants (having grown from around 15,000 in 1995), Lagos was an important Roman settlement called 'Lacobriga' and a variety of ancient Roman ruins remain including the old slave market. The town is located on the edge of a superb bay and has five different beaches all within walking distance of the town centre, which is enclosed within 5th century walls. A modern and well equipped marina dominates the sea front and the town is now firmly positioned as a centre for tourists from all over the world. For historians, there are some lovely churches to be explored, such as 'São Sebastião' (featuring 17th-18th century tiling) and the São João Hermitage (8th-9th century) as well as a regional museum and the old Governors' Palace. Strolling around day or evening you will find a plethora of restaurants, bars, a cinema and other diversions to choose from, and in the early hours of the morning, dancing and music to suit all tastes - truly the spirit of the Romans lives on.

MEIA PRAIA: The legendary beach of Meia Praia runs from the west of the town marina all the way to Alvor. On the other side of town DONA ANA also has a fine beach, and the area of PORTO DE MÓS also offers golden beaches and some good restaurants.

PRAIA DA LUZ, BURGAU and SALEMA were all small fishing villages only 25 years ago but are now firmly established as villa and apartment resorts. Fortunately, development has been largely sensitively controlled and the laid-back spirit of the locals has survived the changes. It must be the beaches, for this stretch of the coast has some of the best family beaches in the Algarve. Clean, golden, sheltered and gently shelving, even in the height of the season you always seem to have room to relax and play. The Costa Vicentina national park borders these resorts and extends north all the way up to Odeceixe on the west coast, so the inland is rugged and sparse but also a haven for indigenous wildlife and flora and fauna.

BUDENS and ESPICHE are inland villages offering supermarkets, restaurants and holiday accomodation and are less than 5 minutes from the coast but with better access to the main east-west highway (EN125).

VILA DO BISPO: Is the administrative centre for the west coast region. For historians there is the 17th century church of Vila do Bispo to explore; it has an interior completely covered in gilding and azulejos (local ceramic tiles), and the small town centre is a classic evocation of Algarvian whitewashed houses and narrow streets.

SAGRES: This small town is situated 4km south-east of Cape St. Vincent (or Cabo de S.Vincente). Sagres is a good place to find restaurants, hotels, cafes, hippies, backpackers, surfing equipment and, of course, beaches. In the early 15th century a largely isolated Portugal started to direct its attention seaward and Prince Henry the Navigator launched an epoch of world exploration when he established a centre for navigational research at Vila de Sagres. From 1419 until 1460 he devoted his life and the revenues of his 'Order of Christ' to this project and built the ships known as the 'Caravelas' which were to revolutionise ocean going boat-building. Henry is also reputed to have created a shipbuilding yard in the small natural harbour, but this is disputed as he was known to prefer Lagos for his permanent residence.

SAGRES FORT / PONTA DE SAGRES: This promontary is just outside the main town and provides a natural protection from rough seas and western winds. More about the 'Fortaleza de Sagres' here.

CAPE ST. VINCENT (Cabo de S.Vincente): The most south western point of Europe and known as 'Fim do Mundo' - the end of the world. The legend of the martyr Saint Vincent is that his relics were transported by ravens from the Holy Land to the Cape and subsequently guarded by them. In 1173 they were moved to Lisbon, where they remain to this day. In ancient times this area was considered a sacred spot - neolithic menhirs have been identified and Greek texts from the 4th century BC describe religious ceremonies being held here and that it was inhabited by gods. The Phoenicians are believed to have had a sanctuary dedicated to solar divinities here and for the Romans the area was part of the 'Promontorium Sacrum' (Sacred Promontory - from which the name Sagres is derived).

WEST COAST: Running from the Cape all the way up to Sines, the West Coast has some of the cleanest, wildest and most picturesque coastal landscape in Europe. The Atlantic creates a freshness in the air lacking in the Meditteranean and the people of the region are incredibly friendly and hospitable.