Moving into the Algarve
February isn't the best month for a nude holiday, even in the western Algarve, Portugal, about as far south as you can get in Europe. But it is my favourite part of Europe and I was helping my Friend Carol (ck123 here) and her husbandmove into the naturist guest house they are opening there. It is very close to their previous guest house so I know the area well. I also know them well after the warm welcome they gave me on my very first nude holiday. They gave me confidence as a nudist and I've never looked back.
You can see why I like the place, with so many recognised nude beaches concentrated in that part of the Algarve, a stunning coastline with rugged cliffs broken by perfect sandy beaches and unspoilt countryside beyond the tourist traps (more of that later). And the views from the guest house cover the south coast stretching east from Sagres to Salima with beautiful sunsets to the West.
This is an official map of nudist beaches.
The house
A sunset
There were a few jobs to do to help them settle in. Mostly I was fixing lights but there was also furniture to fix:
Things to hang on the walls:
And an overgrown hedge to trim:
I was staying with two nudist friends, one of which hadn't been to this part of Portugal before. So we took a break from the chores to show him some of the nearby nude beaches. Today we would work along the South coast. The coastline is rugged, being mainly high cliffs (with wonderful views) broken by coves and inlets with flat, clean, sandy beaches. I said February isn't the best time for outdoor nudism, even here. The sun shone brightly but there was a biting wind. Most of the beaches are sheltered by the high cliffs. So they would be comfortable.
Our first stop was Zavial. Unfortunately the beach bar was closed (reopening in March) and the tide was in. But we still enjoyed a stroll to the nudist part at the far end. The beach was deserted, it being winter, but it is never overcrowded even at the height of summer:
We moved on to Furnas, a smaller beach at the end of a track. Here the entire beach is clothes-optional. We stayed a while, scrambling on the rocks at one end and playing in the cave. As the tide was still in we could not get to other sandy stretches, fascinating rocks and caves I had been to previously. But we enjoyed the sun.
We then had lunch in the charming little seaside town of Salima. It is a delightful little resort with a choice of cafes and restaurants. We chose one overlooking its long, sandy, textile beach. After lunch we came back to the tiny beach of Figueira to round off the day. It is small and reached by a path from a nearby car park. Though not listed as a nude beach I knew it to be used by nudists in the summer.
We had the beach to ourselves.
Next day we decided to show my friend the nude beaches in the other direction, starting at Sagres and working up the west coast. Sagres is close to the extreme south-west corner of Europe - Cape St Vincent. Both the town and the Cape St Vincent lighthouse are clearly visible fromCarol's guest house.
We went on to Beliche beach, the most western beach on the south coast, being midway between Sagres and the lighthouse. It is reached down a long flight of steps from the cliff top with a small cafe at the bottom. The beach itself lies in two small bays below the cliffs The nudist part being in the farthest bay, reached only when the tide is below half-tide. The headland between has an interesting two-entry cave and the cliffs at the far end are curiously perforated. 
Being February I was the only nude on the beach, causing a mild surprise when stripping to climb the cliff. In the summer this beach is very popular with nudists.
We then moved on to the west coast. Twin beaches of Cordama and Castelejo are reached on a narrow road from Villa do Bispo (follow the Praia signs from the town centre). Each has a cafe but the one on Cordama beach (the nudist beach) was closed for the winter. So we had lunch at Castelejo. On the beach we found these stones delicately balanced on a post.
The west coast cliffs would be fascinating to geologists. Multiple thin layers of rock have been pushed and folded, sometimes running almost vertical. There are good examples here.
We them moved up the west coast to Carrapteira and a loop of coastal track joining (textile) Amado beach to Bordeira beach. All the beaches are popular with surfers and Amado is particularly so. The coastal track winds along the cliff top through protected habitat. It gives stunning views of the coastline. 
First stop along that route is an ancient fishing village. Hare I had to be careful not to be seen naked. But who could resist such a photo-opportunity?
The track bends round to just above Bordeira beach, A very long sandy beach which we had visited many times before. Although not marked as a nude beach we had happily been nakedand joined other nudists there.
The beachis reached across a (now shallow)backwater and sand dunes. It was getting late (and a little cold to wade through a back water) so we headed for home.
There was one nude beach we hadn't visited. It is the nearest, Barranco beach, about 30 minutes walk from the guesthouse along a clearly marked path.I walked there naked but remembered to carry a wrap in case we met someone on the way. The countryside is unspoilt with shrubs and low trees and grazed by cows wearing cow-bells. A short cut soon took us to the beach.
There we spent time sunbathing and taking photos. Unusually this beach isn't sheltered by high cliffs but stone windbreaks do the job.
We spent a while relaxing in the sun, then headed home. (There are more photos in my profile)
We had visited seven nude beaches in the last few days. The next day we chose to go to Cabanas Velhas beach, near Burgau on the scenic coastal road roughly half way between Salima and Praia de Luz. The beach is overlooked by the ruined Forte de Almadena.
As with the others, the beach has lovely clean sand and is sheltered by high cliffs. A large cafe /bar sits at the mid point and nudists tend to use the far ends. We settled down for some peaceful sunbathing.
We then Went on to Luz for lunch at Praia de Luz, a look round the resort and some shopping. I was reminded it was winter when I saw the other shoppers in their thick overcoats. And just an hour before we had been naked on a nearby beach.
By now it was time to return home and trim some more of the hedge. It was easy to forget we had come to do some chores - to help our friends move in.
The fun was not over. The following evening we played naked pool on our host's pool table.
No one seems to have chimed in. I guess just 'dumb struck'! Beautiful trip with naturist friends. The most beautiful scenery and to have been able to appreciate much of it naturally is splendid! I'm certainly envious. Glad your having such a good time.
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