How to shoot the BEST sunsets in the Algarve

Did you know you can just Google “sunset” and it normally tells you the time of the sunset wherever you are? I’m pretty sure Siri can do it as well, but it’s pretty important when you’re trying to schedule a quick drone mission or a sunset paddle.

The best spots for an Algarve Sundown

  • Sagres – Cape St Vincent
  • Ponte Piedade – Lagos
  • Carvoeiro boardwalk
  • Praia Falesia (with all those RED cliffs!)

I thought I would get that out of the way and then explain that sunset isn’t necessarily a geographical thing. Naturally it’s great to have the Sagres lighthouse in your sunset photo but there are a host of other factors that play a part in a truly mind blowing sunset experience.

 

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Sunset clouds

Think about, if the sun is going down and the sky is clear, you’ll get a great glow, but it won’t be a mesmerizing event. Generally in the Algarve we enjoy our best crepuscular shows in the spring and autumn when there is a fair bit of cloud about. Obviously you can’t have too many clouds otherwise there won’t be a sunset at all! It’s a tough science to try and get a sunset shot with lots of cloud, because at the last minute the chances are that your beautiful glowing sun will disappear behind a bank of impenetrable cloud.

Where the sun is going to set

Always bear in mind where the sun is going to set. Look west (!) but it’s not always incredibly clear EXACTLY where the sun will set; especially if you’re new to the Algarve and are on a beach with a massive cliff to the west of you. You’ll have to move about for the best shot.

You can get a great sunset photo from anywhere, just bear in mind these points to make it a superb shot!

sunset Sao Bras de Alportel

Get there early and research your scene before settling in for that inexorable wait as the sun drips down into the ocean. Grab a cold beer (or a Gin and Tonic) and savour the experience!

Golf vlogging – we check out the PORTUGAL MASTERS!

The Algarve Addicts series of VLOGS (video blogs or video diaries) continues. This is the fifth in our video series that we are looking to ramp up and publish more frequently. The vlogs are designed to show you a slice of life in the Algarve, and what it’s like to live, work and play down here in Portugal’s southernmost region.

The Portugal Masters is the biggest event on the Portugal Golf calendar for the entire year and forms a part of the European Tour. I am not a golf expert and don’t follow it extremely closely so excuse the silly comment in the video, I am sure many of you would have loved to be at the tournament.

It was great to see UK pro golfer, Tom Lewis, winning the tournament for the second time and pocketing just over €300,000. Great job! Additionally, a record was broken with the first round under 60 in European Championship history as the Portugal Resident relates:

After the most unpredictable day in the tournament’s history, England’s Oliver Fisher is now forever etched in the record books of European golf. Astonishingly, the 30-year-old from Essex had begun the second day with the prime objective of making the cut. However, he carded the magic 59 with a scintillating performance, marked by his nerveless approach to the prospect of making history. “I was just trying to make the weekend,” he revealed afterwards, “but after birdieing the first three holes it was at the back of my mind.”

You probably already know this, but the Algarve is consistently rated as one of the best golf destinations in Europe with over 40 high quality golf courses. Surprisingly, that number is half of all of the golf courses in the whole of Portugal. There is tons more info at the tourism boards special golf site.

Did you go to the event, or would you have liked to go?

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