Places in the South West Algarve

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More : -    Praia da Luz and Burgau - Espiche and Almádena
              The Barões de São Joåo and São Miguel  - Portelas
              Val de Boi, Budens and Boca do Rio - Figueira, Salema and Raposeira - Vila do Bispo, Sagres and Cape St. Vincent

Barão de São João

Much further inland than the other villages described here, Barão de São João nestles under the range of hills known as the Espinhaço de Cão, on the edge of the National Forest. A delightful starting point for an exploration of rarely travelled tracks on which you can reach the west coast or get totally lost. Either way there are some exceptional views!
There are several restaurants, and bars in and around the village, as well as small local Mini-Markets.
Once a month there is a Car-Boot sale at the Community Centre, when local handicrafts are also on offer.
On St. John's Day, and during the week leading up to June 24th, there is a grand village celebration of their patron saint, with folk-dancing, clay-pigeon shooting, 5-a-side football, other sporting competitions and dancing in the evening. As well as Chicken and crisps, Caracois, the local version of 'Escargots', are consumed in quantity (they are rather small!) with the aid of a spike from the Agave cactus leaf.

Some pictures of Barão de São João.

Barão de São João from the Espiche road	Picnic in the Forest
The Church	The Public Fountain

Barão de São Miguel

A small traditional village, of not much note, on the road between Budens and Barão de São João, with tracks that lead into the forest and across the countryside.