Highlights of the Day
On our way to the Algarve, we made a stop at Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of both Portugal and mainland Europe, where the sunset views are legendary. We then explored the Évora region, famous for its cork oak trees, and marveled at the largest cork oak still in use today. Évora is also renowned for its acorn-fed black pigs, and we indulged in a delicious meal of roasted suckling pig. The region’s rich history is on display at the Roman Temple of Évora, one of the Iberian Peninsula’s best-preserved ancient structures. Our visit concluded with a stop at the Chapel of Bones, a somber reminder of life’s fleeting nature.
Logistics
Accommodation: Tivoli Carvoeiro (highly recommended)
Transportation: rental car
Travel Journal
Our first stop was Cabo da Roca, known as the “edge of the world,” the westernmost point of both Portugal and mainland Europe. Watching the sunset here is a popular draw, though we arrived during the day. Despite this, the view at Cabo da Roca was still breathtaking, offering a grand spectacle of rugged cliffs plunging into the Atlantic Ocean, where the sea stretches endlessly into the horizon. The powerful waves crashing against the rocks and the vast, unbroken expanse of the ocean evoke a sense of awe, reminding us of the timeless beauty and raw power of nature.
While Portugal is famous for its Port wine, it is also the world’s largest producer of cork. The Évora region, in particular, is known for its cork oak trees. We made a point of visiting the largest cork oak in the area, which is still in use today. These trees can be harvested every nine years, with the bark stripped from the lower trunks to create cork products. Along our journey, we passed numerous cork oaks with freshly harvested bark in varying shades, and I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sympathy for them.
I recalled a visit to a winery in Porto, where the guide explained that silicone is now used to make barrel tops. Curious, I asked what was used before silicone, and she said it was cork. When I asked why they switched, she explained that silicone is breathable and helps wine age better by allowing oxygen to seep in. It made me realize just how effective cork is at preserving wine.
The Évora region is also famous for its black pigs, which forage on acorns. The local delicacy, acorn-fed ham, is shared with Spain. We were fortunate to find a highly recommended restaurant serving roasted suckling pig, and the tender, savory flavor was unforgettable. Though I didn’t confirm if it was from the black pigs, I know I’ll have the chance to enjoy that specialty another time. We only found out when we arrived at the restaurant that reservations were required in advance. Fortunately, we were lucky enough to find an available table, so we didn’t miss out on lunch today.
Not far from the restaurant lies the Roman Temple of Évora. The Temple was built in the 1st century AD and known as the Temple of Diana. It is one of the Iberian Peninsula’s best-preserved Roman monuments. While the Corinthian columns have weathered over time, the temple’s high base and foundation still evoke its ancient grandeur. Situated at the highest point of the city, it was once part of the Roman Forum and remains one of Portugal’s most iconic Roman structures. The use of granite for the columns and local marble at the ends adds to its historical significance. Legend has it that the temple was once part of a castle, but only the temple remains today.
Finally, we made our way to the Chapel of Bones, a hauntingly beautiful and solemn reminder of human mortality. As we stepped inside, we were greeted by the eerie sight of walls and ceilings lined with human bones—some meticulously arranged, others scattered in intricate patterns. The sight was both unsettling and deeply thought-provoking, a stark visual representation of the inevitable passage of time. The chapel’s somber atmosphere seemed to whisper a powerful message: that all lives, no matter how grand or fleeting, eventually return to dust. It was a poignant moment of reflection, urging us to pause and consider the fragility of life, the impermanence of our existence, and the importance of living with purpose and mindfulness in the face of such transience.
We arrived in the Algarve quite late, and as we made our way to Tivoli Carvoeiro, the streets grew narrower with each turn. We couldn’t help but wonder if we were heading in the right direction. But as soon as we entered the hotel, all our doubts vanished. The beauty of the place was beyond words. Under the night sky, the double-circle swimming pool lay quietly, its still waters reflecting the soft, warm lights from the buildings around it. Pool chairs rested peacefully by the edge, waiting for daylight to return. The endless darkness of the Atlantic Ocean stretched beyond the horizon, its vastness almost palpable in the quiet of the night. The atmosphere was serene, almost dreamlike. I couldn’t resist capturing the moment, snapping a photo to hold onto the memory of this unforgettable view.
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