WHY SAGRES ?

WHY SAGRES ?

We came to Sagres by accident in 2007

We had never been to Portugal before

We bought an apartment in 2007

Since them it has never let us down

Its wild coast and  deserted beaches

Sunsets  fresh air

and clear blue skies . It has never failed to lift our moods.

THE MAP

THE MAP

MY SAGRES GUIDE

I am going to start with some Bar /Cafe and Restaurant information . I have avoided the word "review" on purpose , this is more a guide to whats there . You will come across all levels of service and prices , and there is no shortage of places to try .Some may appear uninviting at first ,they did for me when I first arrived but my advice is to give it ago, even if its only for a coffee or a cold beer . I am sure they need the business .Opening times vary but as a rule its 9 am till late , some close one day a week . Its usually Monday for restaurants , and some restaurants will close altogether in low season . You will however find somewhere open from very early in the morning till very late at night , and opening times will be on the door.By the way PUXE means PULL. Due to the economic climate places close and new ones open up on a regular basis .

Ancora bar now closed unfortunately 

SNACK BAR OLIVEIRINHA (small olive tree) NO 1 (TOUR 1 )

THIS IS TOUR NO. 1 IT COVERS  6 ESTABLISHMENTS AND GOES PRETTY MUCH IN A CIRCLE COVERING LARGE AREAS OF SAGRES .ITS A GOOD WAY TO GET YOUR BEARINGS  .THERE ARE PLENTY OF SHOPS AND OTHER CAFE'S TO TRY ALONG THE WAY .

SNACK BAR OLIVEIRINHA 

 Snack Bar Oliveirinha is at the entrance to Sagres . You honestly can't miss it , so its a great starting point .

This shot was taken early in the morning, but the chairs outside get the sun in the evening and it is a very pleasant spot for a beer/glass of wine or a coffee . It is a nice stop on an evening walk . There is a small bar/ coffee shop selling drinks and snacks on one side and a restaurant on the other . The bar advertises karaoke but I have never been . We went in the restaurant for lunch and it was busy with locals. The restaurant serves typical  Portuguese dishes . We were made very welcome and the service was good . I decided on the  Bacalhau  off the set menu, it was rather bony . I would go again but would try something else. It was very reasonably priced with the price including the bread and olive's starter , main course and desert plus a glass of wine . This set price is fairly common in the local restaurants but be warned what you get is what you get, its a set price for a set meal , if you start asking for extras you will probably be charged , and they will wonder why you ordered off the set price menu in the first place . The tourist restaurants are more expensive and generally you will be charged per course, unless a set price menu is advertised. If they place bread / olives and cheese on the table and you eat one piece of bread one olive and one slice of cheese you will be charged for it all separately . If you leave the cheese you will only be charged for the bread and olives . Eat none of it and they will take it away and you will not be charged . Get It ! My advice for Snack Bar Oliveirinha is to have a drink and a nosy and see what you think .

CAFE ZAMBUJO ( Casa da Moreia) NO 2 (TOUR 1)

CAFE ZAMBUJO

About 100 meters from the Oliveirinha is Cafe Zambujo , just head towards the center, take first left and you will see it . I looked up Zambujo and it is the name of a Portuguese Fado artist . Whether it is the name of the owner as well I don't know . I will ask him . Casa da Moreia is house of the Moray Eel , and yes they sell Moray Eels as a snack . In fact the whole place has a fishing theme and it opens very very early to serve the early morning fishermen . It is large and very clean inside , smoking is allowed as a ventilation system has been installed .Very few places allow smoking as I bet the cost of the system is high , but I imagine it is a very good selling point with the fishermen . It sells  snack's , I had a Bifana and a coffee. Traditionally the Portuguese drink a Bica which is basically an espresso. I find a Galao (Gallon) the best choice ,an espresso with milk usually in a glass.I have asked for a coffee with milk and got a Bica (tiny cup) and some milk . Not really what I wanted but its trial and error and part of the fun . I have only been in a couple of times but I think I will call again .

A CURVA CAFE NO 3 (TOUR 1)

        

A CURVA CAFE

Turn right and head up the hill on leaving Cafe Zambujo keep left at the first junction , pass the now closed Ancora Bar on the right and after the children's playground you will see A Curva Cafe on the curve of the junction . 

 Inside is a bit too 'local' for me but the outside area is a lovely spot and gets the sun as it sets at the end of the day . Its a nice place to watch people come and go .

SNACK BAR *A SEREIA * ( The Mermaid ) NO 4 (TOUR 1)

                                                     SNACK BAR *A SEREIA *

 So this is where we are heading next  . A bit of a walk from A Curva but easy to find.Exit A Curva turn left then right go  past the old Residencial building on the left ( please knock it down !) keep left at the roundabout and the road intersects the main high street of Sagres (Restaurante Carlos on the corner)Turn left at Restaurante Carlos and from the sharp right bend at the bottom of the road you will be able to see the harbour and Doca Pesca . Make your way to the harbour either by going down the steep steps or follow the road . The Porto/Doca  is signposted from Cafe A Curva by the way .

         For future reference if you turn right at Restaurante Carlos you will be heading down the main street past a strip of bars popular with surfers and it leads to a square at the top with more restaurants and cafe's . I doubt I will have time to go in them all but there are plenty of places to try . You may/will find it more expensive .

So here it is not an over spectacular cafe but it has a viewing area for the fish auction and I always visit this cafe to catch a glimpse of the different species of fish being sold, and to watch the boats come in .

Maybe allow plenty of time for visiting the harbour certainly if you like wandering onto jetties looking at boats and watching people work .