Page 463 - Lonely Planet Europe’s Best Trips (Travel Guide)

Natural do Sudoeste Zambujeira attracts a
1 Vila Nova Alentejano e Costa Vi- backpacker, surfy crowd,
de Milfontes centina and is still a port though in August the
town is a party place and
(Hannibal is said to have
One of the loveliest sheltered here) alongside hosts the massive music
towns along this stretch a lovely, sand-edged limb fest, Festa do Sudoeste.
of the coast, Vila Nova of estuary. The high-season crowds
de Milfontes has an Milfonte’s narrow obscure Zambujeira’s
attractive, whitewashed lanes, tiny plazas and out-of-season charms:
centre, sparkling beaches beach harbour varied fresh fish in family-run
nearby and a laid-back eating and drinking restaurants, blustering
population who couldn’t options. The town beach cliff-top walks and a dra-
imagine living anywhere is sheltered but can get matic, empty coast.
else. Milfontes remains busy; the best strand in
much more low-key than the vicinity is fantastic 4 p469
most resort towns, except Praia do Malhão, backed The Drive » Cutting back to
in August when it’s by rocky dunes and cov- the main road, you then head
packed to the hilt with ered in fragrant scrub, south on the N120. It’s about PORTUGAL 33 ALENTEjO & ALGARVE BEACHES
surfers and sun-seekers. around 7km to the north. 25km to Odeceixe through
It’s located in the middle beautiful coastal woodland.
of the beautiful Parque The Drive » It’s a 30km drive
through protected parkland on
the N393 south to Zambujeira. 3 Odeceixe
Located just as you cross
2 Zambujeira into the Algarve from the
Parque Alentejo, Odeceixe is an
Natural do Vale do Mar
do Guadiana endearing whitewashed
0 ¸ Domingos # \ Enchantingly wild village cascading down
São
IC27
beaches backed by
a hill below a picture-
Mertola Río # \ Moreanes rugged cliffs form the perfect windmill on the
Gundiana Embalse # \ setting of this sleepy southern side of the Ribe-
du Vale do del Chanza
Natural Parque SPAIN seaside village. The main ria de Seixe valley. It’s a
# \ Guadiana
Pomarão # \ El Granado street terminates at the sleepy town, except in
# \ cliff; paths lead to the summer, when it fills with
# \
PORTUGAL attractive sands below. people keen on its nearby
Alcoutim # \ Quieter than Vila Nova, beach. This tongue of
Ribeira da Foupana
# \Vaqueiros Foz de
Odeleite LINK
Ribeira de Odeleite # \
# \ # \ YOUR
Odeleite 301 km to TRIP
28
Azinhal # \ FG
Miguel Anes R Douro Valley Costa del Sol
(229m) Vila Real de ‚ w s
Santo António # \ # \ Vineyard Trails Beyond the
/ · # Cacela Do one trip in reverse: Beaches
#
E01
17
Velha
Pedras # Tavira m K about four hours north For more stunning coast,
16
#
d'el Rei from Vila Nova de Milfontes head east across the
# # \
\ Santa
# \ Luzia is a beautiful river valley Spanish border to Seville
# \ Fuzeta producing sensational ports and on to Nerja (423km) or
and reds. Gibraltar (349km).
# e 0 0 10 miles 461
20 km