Village of Raposeira
Raposeira is located in the middle of a large nature reserve between Sines and Sagres in the Costa Vicentina. Not only flora and fauna but also the original landscape are under protection. All the beaches are still in their natural state und ther are no building areas. The Costa Vicentina is one of Portugal's best kept secrets as it is one of the last undeveloped coast lines in Europe.
Therefore you won't find any houses near the beach as building is not permitted to the south of teh coastal road or near the sea. You will find some traditional houses, picturesque ruins or menhirs at the roadside. You can reach all the beaches from Raposeiras coast road which makes us as near as possible to the beach.
Raposeira is located very central and offers an attractive starting point for the exploration of the country. At the same time it is a typical sleepy and very quite Portuguese village where you can hear the cock crow in the morning or an occasional dog barking in the evening; the church bell accompanies the daily comings and goings. You can get to know Portugal as it really is.
Our house is located on a hillside at the edge of the village so that you have a long view towards the ocean without actually seeing the water. Here you can experience impressive cloud formations of the coastal landscape and the unique colours of sunrise and sunset. Nowhere else we experienced them as powerful and intense as in Portugal. When looking at your holiday photos it seems that everything in Portugal is a little bit more yellow or more orange - as if looking through a color filter. The unique colors of Portugal und the special fragrance of Algarve - a mixture of eucalyptus, rosemary, oleander and oranges - make up the incomparable atmosphere of the Algarve.
Raposeira is a functioning community where you can buy everything you need.
Fetch fresh rolls from the "Ali super" supermarket , enjoy Portugese cusine at one of the small restaurants, drink a small "Cerveza" in the evening and meet the friendly locals - and all within 200-300 metres. Just go to the village square towards the church. For larger purchases go to Budens (5 minutes by car ) or to the Shoppingtour in Lagos (15 minutes by car).
You will hear the fish man's horn between eight and nine o' clock in the morning and can buy fresh fish from the van, which you can barbecue for lunch as is the custom in Portugal.
If you prefer a more cultivated meal you can visit the beach restaurant in Zavial or Ingrina.
View from the terraced restaurant Praia do Zavial: Portuguese noble cusine; try fresh fish, or a "Cataplana".
Beach restaurant in Ingrina: Excellent home cooking and a picturesque view of the Ingrina bay. Try "Amejoas" (the small shell fish) or "Lulinhas" (grilled squid).
Portugal has undergone many changes in recent years. Traditional, multicolored donkey carts have been replaced by cars and simple terracotta ceramics are now sold alongside modern tableware. The old and the new exist side by side. Take a walk round the village and experience the interaction of traditonal and modern - the combination of mediterranean and historical impressions with the vibrance of real life and open hearted villagers.
After a busy sight seeing trip or a shopping spree you will be glad to return to a place of peace and relaxation in the evening - which is what Rapoeira is. Be inspired by the Portugese attitude - the lifestyle which avoids all stress and bother - as they say:
"Tranquillo - take it easy."
