Portugal, our road trip together with Jeep Compass

For a long time, we were planning a trip to Portugal, to the discovery of its natural wonders, colors, stony coasts and landscapes set in raw stone.

The occasion came with the launch of the new Jeep Compass. A perfect car for an adventure on the road and off the road. So me and Gabriele, armed with our cameras and smartphones, decided to make a short road trip along the Algarve, the southern region of Portugal. Two days of travel that have turned into a real-time photographic story on our channels and that we drop here in a short travel diary accompanied by a selection of shots.

Our journey begins on 2 June, an ideal period, moderate heat and little tourism. In the morning we get the keys of our flame-red car and we leave from Lisbon. The sun will accompany us throughout the entite trip.

The first stop is the Cais Palafítico do Porto from Carrasqueira, a masterpiece of popular architecture built in the ‘50s and ‘60s. A small harbor built on irregular wooden poles, seemingly fragile and used to tow the fishing boats.

A fast lunch in a typical trattoria of the nearby fishermen’s village, fried fish and fresh salad, and then again in our car to Praia de Odeceixe. The beach, one of the most beautiful in Aljezurche, is located near the mouth of the river Seixe and looks like a long and deep sandy tongue protected by high cliffs. Very long and half-deserted.

From there, following the sun to the south, we ended up unintentionally on one of the most beautiful beaches in the region, Praia do Beliche, a paradise for surfers all over the world. A long staircase leads to this quiet beach set amongst the rocks and frequented only by enthusiasts.

A few kilometers with our Jeep and we arrive at Cabo de São Vicente, located at the southwestern end of Portugal, the last flap of the Algarve in front of the Atlantic Ocean. Very windy and breathtaking, the lighthouse on the one hand and the rocky cliffs on the other. The sunset turns into a cinematic unbeatable spectacle.

On the second day we dedicate our tour to the beaches located in the municipality of Lagoa, Faro district. We start from Praia de Benagil a small, very touristic beach, connected by sea to many other smaller, less crowded and beautiful beaches. A boat accompanies people around the numerous caves and coves, especially to the famous Benagil cave, reachable also by swimming or canoeing. A sanctuary built by nature, in which the rocky walls of the sea have formed a red stone pantheon with a dome open in the center.

Not far away is Praia da Marinha, one of the most beautiful and emblematic beaches in Portugal, and one of the 100 most beautiful beaches in the world. Red cliffs overlooking the sea and turquoise water. More than 150 steps of low vegetation lead to the beach, while a hiking trail along the top allows you to admire the cliffs from above.

The third day the base house is waiting for us. A long 4-hour journey takes us, before finish our journey, from Carvoeiro to our last stop.
Sun and wind accompany us to Nazaré and to the famous Praia do Norte, located to the north of the impressive Nazaré promontory, better known as Sítio. A rugged and beautiful beach, known mainly by surfers for the highest waves ever ridden by man. The water is frozen and the current is difficult to control. We sit with the wind to watch the waves.

We take the latest photos to the car and the cliffs from the nearby lighthouse. Then another one hour drive to arrive to Lisbon during an amazing sunset.