When Sinterklaas decided you’d been through enough and get you a vacay to sunny Portugal ...

It was one of those foggy, chilly weeks in the lowlands, where the cold nipped at my bones like a cheeky little ice sprite! My brain, poor thing, seemed to have checked out—probably wrapped itself in a blanket somewhere, refusing to do its job. And to top it all off, it was Sint! The perfect recipe for feeling like a fuzzy little marshmallow in a world full of snowflakes.

My flight was like a drama in the making—delayed multiple times thanks to the thick fog in Eindhoven. The flight gods were playing hard to get, but then... miracle! Two hours later, we were finally off! So, waking up to this stunning view? Definitely not a punishment—more like a reward for surviving the foggy madness.

I landed in Faro, but my heart (and suitcase) were headed straight to Albufeira, a charming beachy town in the Algarve region of southern Portugal. Once a cozy little fishing village, it’s now a lively hub of tourists coming for the gorgeous beaches, perfect weather, and all the amazing food and drinks.

Albufeira’s got two sides to it: The Old Town, with its cobblestone streets and quaint vibe, and the lively ‘STRIP’ (aka the newer town), where the party never stops! Whether you’re strolling around the ancient charm or dancing the night away in Montechoro, Albufeira’s got something for everyone!

I couldn’t resist—walking barefoot on the soft sands felt too good to pass up. After a while, I just thought, “Why not?!” and dove straight into the warm Atlantic Ocean. No shoes, no worries, just the waves and the sun. Sometimes you just gotta say "I don't give a..." and let the ocean take over!

Spent my mornings and arvo walked on the beach, swim and read a book.

Pic: this picture did not justify the nature , so beautiful.

Pic : Lunch on the beach with shrimp omelets and ice cold Pimms ( an English style cocktails, Pimm , Gin and lemonade)

Crystal clear water, i felt overwhelmed.

The sun and sand put a healthy smile on my face , feel grateful and enjoying the opportunity God given me.

According my taxi driver, the houses have had Arabic influence, so high above the rock.

With a blue sky above, rocks and boulders around me, and my gorgeous feathered friends (aka the little birds) posing like pro models, it was like paradise on earth. Honestly, nothing beats the combo of sun, sea, and cocktails, and Albufeira is perfect for that vibe.

But, of course, the lazy holiday spirit kicked in—I wasn’t in the mood to climb that hill to the Old Town. But after a bit of self-talk, I gathered all my courage (and sweat) and made the climb anyway... in 20-degree heat, no less! And let me tell you, typical holiday resort places do have that eerie off-season vibe—like a ghost town, just waiting for the tourists to return. It kinda felt like something straight out of an old cowboy movie, all quiet and dusty

In the middle of the day, almost nobody in the town.

This street looks beautiful on the picture but in the reality a bit dodgy and scary to walk here alone .

The Mother Church of Albufeira is like a time capsule, built in the 18th century to replace an earlier church that had once been an Arab mosque—talk about history with a twist! It was destroyed during the 1755 earthquake but rose from the rubble in the neoclassical style we see today. The church has a single nave, four side chapels, a baptismal chapel, a choir, two pulpits, and side chambers. It’s like a treasure chest of art and architecture!

One of the highlights? The high altar, with a stunning altar piece painted by local artist Samora Barros (20th century). It serves as a backdrop for the image of Our Lady of Conception, Albufeira’s patron saint. And let’s not forget the cross of Aviz, displayed above the main door, linking the church to the ancient religious and military order that once ruled over the area.

As if that wasn’t enough, the bell tower (added in 1869) features an epic carillon with 8 bells, all ringing out from the top of a 28-meter staircase. It’s like the church is singing its own song!

On the top of the hill overlooking the old town , such a beautiful view.

The climb to the hill top, really nice alleys.

A tiny light house on the top of the rock

The old town , looks so abandoned.

The view from my hotel room during the sunset .

As I walked to the Old Town to grab dinner, I couldn’t shake this strange, uncanny feeling. It was a mix of emotions—I’ve always loved challenging myself, but this week, I realized something important: I’m not really a beach person. I do like Albufeira—don’t get me wrong, it’s a lovely place—but I don’t think I’m in love with it. Maybe it’s the vibe, maybe it’s just me. But I’m so grateful for the chance to visit and soak in the experience.

It’s funny—sometimes you find out more about yourself in the places you least expect. This was one of those trips: beautiful, memorable, but not somewhere I’d rush to come back to anytime soon. Still, it was an adventure I won’t forget.

With the heat cranking up, I decided to ditch the touristy activities and dive into the local flavors instead. I tried the famous Cataplana—this mouth-watering seafood dish cooked with veggies and local herbs. It had a little paella vibe going on, but in the best possible way. Served with some perfectly cooked rice, it was both tasty and shockingly affordable!

For dessert, I indulged in Algarve fig and almond cake with a rich coffee, and, of course, the local beer. I mean, for just 1.50 EUR, it was practically a mood booster in a bottle. Nothing makes me happier than great food and even better prices!