There will be 24 defibrillators installed throughout Lagos as part of a local defibrillation network, with public defibrillation courses available for everyone interested in learning

– February 8, 2024

The municipality of Lagos has started implementing a network of trained and certified personnel to use the Automated External Defibrillation (DAE), to be ready to respond to cases of cardiac arrest in the community, part of the initiative Programme of Automated External Defibrillation (PMDAE).

The aim of the project is to increase the chances of surviving a cardiac arrest, since “quick action is of paramount importance, as it increases the likelihood of a successful recovery of the heartbeat and reduces the likelihood of irreversible brain damage”. And a combination of early defibrillation and Basic Life Support (BLS) manoeuvres increases the survival chances.

Lagos’ Municipality has already trained more than 300 people.

The first four defibrillators have been installed in local schools (Júlio Dantas, Tecnopolis, Gil Eanes and Das Naus).

At the beginning of this year, security and rescue vehicles operating in the municipality will also have five pieces of equipment for the Civil Protection, Municipal Police, PSP, GNR and Marine Police.

The programme will also be extended to the Municipal Workshops (Chinicato), and three defibrillators have been provided in support of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lagos.

Defibrillators will also be placed in 11 public places, in Luz, Espiche, Almádena, Barão de São João, Bensafrim, Chinicato, Odiáxere and Lagos’s Praça do Infante, Mercado de Santo Amaro, Praça Gil Eanes and near the Edifício Paços do Concelho Séc. XXI.

Everyone interested in taking part in the project can sign this online form.

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Algarve Jazz Orchestra joins jazz singer Maria Anadon and German conductor Ferdinand Von Seebach for special concerto in Lagoa

Travel and train enthusiasts have unveiled a journey that would pass through 13 countries, starting in Portugal and ending in Singapore

– January 11, 2024

Taking the train from Lagos in Portugal all the way to Singapore has now become possible with the recent opening of the Boten-Vientiane railway in Laos.

According to a route created on Reddit by the user htGoSEVe, the journey would last around three weeks and take travellers through 13 countries, including Portugal, Spain, France, Germany, Poland, Belarus, Russia, Mongolia, China, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia and finally Singapore.

The route was first posted online two years ago and has since undergone a series of corrections, although it remains until today a talking point among curious travellers and train enthusiasts.

Mark Smith of seat61.com, a rail expert who assisted with trip calculations, said at the time that the trip would technically take 21 days to complete, including several overnight stops to factor in the time needed to process documents like visas, as well as securing seats at connecting trains.

Overall, the amount of money needed for train tickets alone would amount roughly to US$1,350 (around €1,233).

Some have since suggested that the train journey could be made even longer by starting in Vila Real de Santo António in the eastern Algarve.

The full Reddit page, which shows the map along with the most recent corrections and changes made to the route, can be found online.

Read more Algarve News:

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Underwater treasures

– December 14, 2023 | Text Michael Bruxo

An archaeological campaign carried out in the bay of Lagos between October 9 and 20 uncovered two bronze pulleys that are around 300 years old, with more underwater treasures still waiting to be recovered. After almost five hours at sea, a team of divers from the National Centre for Nautical and Underwater Archaeology (CNANS), together with partners from the Norwegian Maritime Museum, managed to retrieve the two pieces, despite the adverse weather conditions.

The pulleys are believed to have belonged to an 18th-century vessel and were used to carry goods via cables, archaeologist Gonçalo Lopes, who is coordinating the latest sea campaign carried out under the “Water World” project, told Lusa news agency.

The divers also found a lead stump belonging to a Roman anchor dating from between the 4th century BC and the 2nd century AD, which was not recovered due to the bad weather at the time. According to José António Gonçalves, coordinator of CNANS, these stumps are relatively common in sheltered areas of the Portuguese coast and often belong to anchors that may have been “sacrificed for the sake of manoeuvres or to speed up navigation”.

As the stump is “easy prey” for theft to be sold on the “parallel market” – even more so in this case, considering that the stump is located in a recreational diving area – the aim is to try to recover it as quickly as possible. Three other stumps of different types from the same era have already been recovered in that area, which indicates that it was an anchorage area, says Gonçalo Lopes.

As for the pulleys, they will be treated by the CNANS laboratory and undergo conservation and restoration works so that they can later become part of the Lagos Museum’s exhibition circuit.

Many of these findings were identified by Christiane Kelkel, a German diving instructor who has lived between Germany and Lagos since 1994 and has since made 3,500 dives in these waters. Over the years, the diver has been identifying artefacts on the seabed and reporting their location to the authorities so that they can then be verified, recorded, and, when possible, lifted from the seabed.

During the campaign, which was backed by Lagos Council, areas where shipwrecks had already been inventoried were mapped, this time being scanned by a sonar from the Norwegian Maritime Museum, archaeologist Morten Reitan told Lusa. In fact, one of the shipwrecks had a Norwegian flag and was torpedoed by a German submarine during the First World War, which caused a stir among Norwegian archaeologists.

“It’s fascinating to see how the ship is drawn on the screen as we use (the sonar), knowing that it has more than 100 years of history. It’s one thing to read about it, but seeing the traces gives you goosebumps,” said Reitan. However, the sinking of this ship had a happy ending: “We lost many ships in the First World War, but this was a gentleman’s sinking. It wasn’t brutal, the crew made it to Lagos, and everyone survived,” he said.

The team that took part in the campaign was made up of eight members, including archaeologists and conservator-restorers from CNANS and the Norwegian Maritime Museum, with the participation of the Institute of Archaeology and Palaeosciences of the New University of Lisbon.

The CNANS, which belongs to the Directorate-General for Cultural Heritage, is the entity responsible in Portugal for determining the scientific and heritage value of archaeological assets deposited in aquatic environments.

The archaeological work in the Bay of Lagos is part of the fourth and final campaign under the “Water World” project, which will come to an end in March 2024.

Fresh out of the oven

– December 7, 2023 | Inside Sponsored Content

The leaves are falling, and the air is cooler; winter calls for a cosy treat. To celebrate the season, there is nothing better than the cookies made in-house at Lagos Intermarché.

Produced exclusively in the shop and made with care by the talented team in the pastry section, these cookies are truly special – from the preparation of the dough to the attentive packaging. The pastry team at Lagos Intermarché can make more than 14kg of cookies in a single morning, without compromising on the quality of the product. The dough used as a base for all the cookies consists of flour, eggs, butter and sugar, without preservatives or any other additives.

These cookies are made with ingredients that capture the essence of the season, so this is the perfect time to enjoy a steaming cup of black, green or red berry tea that perfectly complements the sweet flavour of the cranberry and white chocolate cookies. If you prefer a cup of latte or an espresso, they are also perfect to go with the chocolate and walnut cookies or the triple chocolate cookies. The contrast between the coffee and the chocolate flavour makes for a delicious combination, whilst the flavour of the milk enhances the texture and taste of the almond cookies, creating a comforting snack.

For an even more special treat, you can make a “sandwich” with the chocolate and walnut cookies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, creating an irresistible combination of different temperatures and textures. The triple-chocolate cookies can also be crumbled and added as a topping to yoghurt for a quick and delicious dessert.

Tel: 282 780 760 | www.lojaonline.intermarche.pt

Life begins at 30: Celebrating its 30th anniversary, Lagos Marina has emerged from the Covid-19 pandemic stronger than ever

– December 4, 2023 | Text Michael Bruxo

Inaugurated in 1994, Lagos Marina quickly became one of the town’s main assets. Ushering in a new wave of nautical tourism, the 462-berth marina helped Lagos grow into one of the Western Algarve’s main destinations.

Martinho Fortunato, the marina’s director, discusses how the marina was able to navigate the Covid-19 pandemic and emerge from it even stronger: “Lagos Marina was affected differently in various aspects of its operation. The hospitality and commercial components (shops) faced significant challenges and went through periods of complete shutdown,” the director told us.

“Nevertheless, we managed to overcome this phase and ensure that all partner businesses remained operational after the pandemic. The marina itself (boats) remained active throughout, although with long periods without vessel entry and exit due to imposed restrictions. Throughout the pandemic, there were clients residing on the vessels, which required us to keep teams working to provide necessary assistance and maintenance,” Fortunato explained.

Despite the struggles posed by the pandemic, the marina persevered and maintained its status as an unmissable local landmark. “The marina, thanks to its fantastic location in the town centre and on the route of most maritime connections, boasts consistently high annual occupancy rates and a significant number of visitors from approximately 40 different nationalities,” he added.

One of the most important aspects of the marina is how it helps Lagos stay busy during the so-called tourism ‘low season’, given that October and November stand out as its busiest months of the whole year. Martinho Fortunato chalked this up to two main reasons: “Lagos’ attractiveness for off-season stays (from September to June), and the fact that many vessels travel to Lagos during the summer to cross the Atlantic at the most favourable time of the year (in November).”

Whilst the marina may have secured its place in the Algarvian sun, its administration refuses to become complacent.

“We always strive to keep the infrastructure updated and, whenever possible, innovate and improve. Some recent examples include the new events pontoon along Avenida dos Descobrimentos, created to enhance the marina’s connection to the city and showcase the impact of nautical events on the city,” said the director, who also mentioned the new BioHuts installed on the pontoons in 2023, with the “aim of increasing biodiversity in the marina”, essentially serving as small fish nurseries. “We work with a team from the University of Algarve (CCMar) to monitor the results of this installation over time. Substantial investments have also been made in solar panels for hot water production,” he said, citing “environmental sustainability” as essential to the marina.

The next big project will be the expansion of the marina to the fishing port, which will result in a “complete revamp” of the area.

“A new marina with 100 berths will be built, along with a dry stack for 100 boats, a Yacht Club with commercial and leisure areas, and an event square. This is a project we have been developing for more than 15 years and is finally coming to fruition,” Fortunato added.

‘Travia – Natural Wines & Food’ has become much more than a tapas restaurant

– December 2, 2023 | Text Alexandra Stilwell

Sustainable establishments are no longer a trend; they are essential. Using local resources to help the local economy whilst consuming wholesome products is undoubtedly the way forward. It brings the community together and allows it to thrive in every way.

Travia – Natural Wines & Food is the perfect example of this. Since opening its doors in September 2021 in downtown Lagos, it has become much more than a tapas restaurant. Today, it is a meeting point where diners discover the Algarve, its culture, flavours and small producers.

In the Algarve, ‘Travia’ means “the leftovers given to farm animals”, explains Maria Loureiro de Lemos, who founded the project with Lee Moulton, a Welshman with whom she shares a passion for travel, adventure and a good challenge.

It is a curious choice of name for a restaurant, which suddenly makes sense once we discover the project’s philosophy. Travia is a provocation, a statement, a way to create awareness.

The cosy restaurant, located on the corner of the Rua Marreiros Netto and Rua Cândido dos Reis, was a city symbol long before Travia came along. “It was one of the first cafés to open in Lagos and was known as the place to get together and mingle”, explains Maria, who fell in love with it and adds, “it is one of the most beautiful buildings in town”.

Despite never wanting to open a restaurant, her impulsive nature led her to rent the place. With Lee, who had also sworn he would never go into the restaurant business, she transformed it into the new place to get together, adding a cosy street-side terrace.

Travia clearly focuses on local gastronomy, wine, culture and art. Its whitewashed walls are dotted with shelves covered in natural wine bottles and books on sustainability, while a large mural on the back wall, painted by Portimão artist Inês Barracha, and a large bar covered in mosaics add colour to the room furnished with wooden tables and chairs.

Travia tells Maria’s story. Born in Lisbon, raised in Macau, and having lived right across the globe, she is a dynamic and down-to-earth entrepreneur. Although she has a corporate background, Travia is not her first gastronomic project. Following years abroad, Maria returned to Portugal, settled in Lagos and created various ambitious food-led projects, such as the Rota do Petisco – promoted by the Teia D’Impulsos association – and the Lagos Food Fest, now one of the largest street food festivals in the country.

She even set up her own food tourism company. “I like to eat and drink,” exclaims the entrepreneur with a smile. And this is how she discovered the local food community and created countless connections. Having all the pieces of the puzzle, she enjoys connecting them to create new business opportunities, such as a hop-on hop-off wine tour using the Algarve’s idle Vamus electric buses to take people wine tasting at the weekend.

With an impressive academic track record – a postgraduate degree in Consumer Behaviour and Behavioural Economics, a master’s degree in Marketing and an MBA in Management – she built solid foundations to deepen her knowledge of consumer perceptions, strategic thinking and business management. Incredible baggage that, together with her passion for food, enabled her to work with Turismo de Portugal to promote sustainable gastronomic tourism online during the pandemic.

It was around this time that she began to “think a lot about sustainability linked to gastronomy in the Algarve”, says Maria. And that is how Travia was born and how she proved that opening a sustainable restaurant without a cooking background is possible.

However, she does admit that she does not have the time, knowledge or availability to have a zero-waste project. She believes it is unsustainable. “Here, our perspective is to do our best. I buy all the vegetables from local farmers, and the wines are from small producers. I know the money I give to local producers is spent on local businesses, which has a major economic impact,” explains the restaurateur, who is also an astute boss. Her staff work seven hours a day, no more, and are well paid. She believes that, “a person who doesn’t have money concerns is 30% more efficient at their job”.

As for Lee Moulton, Maria’s client-facing business and life partner, he is “the only barman who doesn’t drink”, reveals Maria, “he’s the perfect host”.

With a background in electrical engineering, Lee is a free spirit, moved by new challenges. Following a stint in Australia, where he took a diving instructor course, followed by time in Thailand, he moved to Portugal, where he soon accepted Maria’s latest gastronomic challenge.

The menu at Travia reflects Maria’s taste and flavourful international experience. From India, she brought the Panipuri (€3.50) with tuna and chutneys served with goat cheese (€7.90) or potato pavé with mango (€3.50) and labneh from the Middle East. However, most of the ingredients are local or regional. Her oysters (€12.50 for four), served with passion fruit, come from the Ria de Alvor; the spicy medronho honey that accompanies the fried chicken (€4.50) is from Monchique, and fresh fruit and vegetables come from the local market.

The idea is to look for new producers, give them visibility and work with their products. “We work with small Lagos producers,” says Maria, who explains that she plans ahead with them. “They let me know what products they will have in three months, which gives me a couple of months to decide what we will make with each ingredient.”

The tapas and snacks change according to the seasons and product availability. Sometimes, it can change every three to four days. However, some dishes remain longer, like the smoked mackerel from Vila Real de Santo António with coriander and mint piso (€4.50) or the roasted carrots with labneh and pistachio (€9.50).

To pair with the tapas and snacks, the wine list features around 50 national natural and organic wine references – which can be ordered by the glass from €4 – and a special selection of small production labels.

Follow Travia – Natural Wines & Food on Instagram.

Premium plots by the ocean

– November 30, 2023 | Inside Sponsored Content

For those looking to build their dream bespoke home in beautiful surroundings, look no further than Reserva da Luz in the Western Algarve, Portugal. The location blends the simplicity of village life with awe-inspiring views. This well-established, quiet community has a number of oceanfront plots in its second phase for sale at highly competitive prices.

Large plots of 1,450 to 2,950m2, elevated and south-facing, are available at Reserva da Luz and better still all are oceanfront, with the option of a “turnkey offering.” Reserva da Luz Chairman Gerry Fagan has joined some of Portugal’s best service providers to ensure future owners can design and build their bespoke property while effortlessly being guided through local customs, laws, and planning regimes. 

Reserva da Luz has an exceptional turnkey service available for those who purchase plots to build the house of their dreams, with a local Portuguese team of architects, project managers, and constructors ready to deal with national laws and planning regimes. The peace of mind from not having to worry about bureaucracy or project approval is reassuring, as is not having to do everything by yourself. Collaborating with highly trained experts as you choose the best option for your dream home and how it can work with the environment is a rewarding experience.

Project Manager Rui Mateus, responsible for town planning, has dedicated the last 20 years to project management, liaising with clients, managing the land, potential, scheduling, and licensing. “Rather than handing people what we think they want, we provide the plots to let people design and construct exactly what they want,” Rui assured.

A native of the land, Rui combines his local knowledge with his understanding of management and architecture. With a Degree in Architecture, a Postgraduate in Construction Economics and Technology, and a Master’s in Economics Design for the Circular Economy, Rui provides relevant support throughout the process, starting with choosing the most suitable plot. “The priorities are always the client’s preferences and needs, from the construction details to the most suitable materials. We help them define their ideas and decide which project will best suit their objectives,” emphasised Rui.

All the preparation is done collectively, with the possibility of visualising the house in 3D; Rui believes that “a good project isn’t just about having a beautiful vision, it’s also about humanised design, quality technical work, and a focus on efficiency. We always choose sustainable options related to both water management and the landscaping itself”.

With Reserva’s team ready, it is now just a question of when and how you wish to take ownership of your new home.

Follow Reserva da Luz on Facebook and Instagram or contact via +(351) 967 336 914 or sales@reservadaluz.com.

The old station will be part of a project featuring two new hotels located next to Lagos’ marina

– October 25, 2023 | Text by Alexandra Stilwell

According to local news website Algarve Marafado, Lagos’ old and obsolete train station will be transformed into a restaurant and art gallery.

The property was sold to an investor with a rehabilitation project who “according to information obtained from Mayor Hugo Pereira, intends ‘to create a restaurant and café on the ground floor and an art gallery on the 1st floor’”, says the website.

Two hotels from the international Hilton chain are also set to be built on the surrounding land (ranging from the back of both the old and current stations to close to the Escola das Naus).

According to the information shared by the promoters some time ago, one of the hotel units will feature 180 rooms and the other 90.

The mayor revealed the process “is at a very advanced stage” and expects the work to start this year or the next.

The photographer is showcasing his work “Celebrating the Calçadas Portuguesas of Lagos” at the Mercearia Bio Café in Lagos

– October 14, 2023 | Text Alexandra Stilwell

Lagos-based photographer Paul Gerace is showcasing his collection of Portuguese calçada photography at the Mercearia Bio Café in Lagos until the end of November.

The Celebrating the Calçadas Portuguesas of Lagos collection highlights the unique black and white tile patterns found on the city’s pavements and large squares, which “often paying homage to the country’s maritime heritage and fishing industry”, points out Gerace.

Since his arrival in Portugal four years ago, the New York-born artist has been discovering this unique form of Portuguese art while “walking around Lagos and seeing how life takes place with those calçadas as a backdrop”.

“I was also able to visit and speak with the chief architect at the Câmara Municipal in Lagos about the history, designs, and concerns of those calçadas, which gave me a better understanding of what they mean to the country’s heritage and pride,” explains the artist.

About the artist

Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Paul Gerace retired to Costa Rica, where he lived for eight years before moving to Lagos in 2019. His love of photography began when he was a teenager, helping his father develop photos in hisbasement darkroom, where he learned the basics of photography, which he uses today.

Once the digital age of photography arrived, he began experimenting with different filters and techniques to helpcreate the artistic expressions of his photos, some of which are included in this exhibition.

Summer may be over, but everyone who knows the Algarve, knows the region’s beaches are still the perfect place to spend time and relax in the autumn

– October 13, 2023 | Text Michael Bruxo

The region is famous for its beautiful, golden beaches, but have you ever wondered which are the most popular on social media?

Holidu, a search engine for holiday rentals, has attempted to answer this question by scanning Google Maps and social media for the highest rated beaches in the Algarve with a minimum of 500 reviews.

Their system helped them create a top-20, with Praia do Camilo in Lagos coming in second on the list (behind Portimão’s Praia da Rocha) with 41,138 Instagram hashtags and 2.2 million TikTok views.

The Lagos beach is described by Holidu as a “hidden gem that captivates beach enthusiasts with its breathtaking beauty. Access to this small and secluded beach is through a staircase carved into the stunning cliffs, unveiling a paradise of golden sands and turquoise waters. Surrounded by imposing rock formations, Praia do Camilo offers a sense of serenity and tranquillity that enchants visitors”.

A great turn out for Algarve Triathlons.

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Following the huge success of the first Praia da Luz Triathlon last April, and with the Martinhal Triathlon following suit in October, both events are set to return this year. Organised by Algarve Triathlons, the second Praia da Luz Triathlon takes place on April 25 and includes two distances ­ Sprint and Olympic ­ which can be entered individually or as a team/relay. Now a fixture on the Algarve’s annual calendar, the race will be followed by an after-party with barbecue, live music and chill-out bar next to Fortaleza da Luz. The Martinhal Triathlon in Sagres will take place in November (date to be confirmed). www.algarvetriathlons.com