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View of the beach of Odeceixe – a small municipality in western Portugal.
Sometimes I feel really small on the way. Not in the sense of my height, because for a woman I’m oversized on average, but more emotionally. Do you know this feeling? When you suddenly realize how big the beautiful wide world is. And how vast and mighty the ocean. At least I get this feeling every now and then when I’m sitting on the beach, listening to the gentle noise, letting my gaze wander over the endless expanse and simply giving in to my thoughts. There I already had one or the other valuable idea, looked forward to insights and allowed inspirations. Exactly, you feel small in comparison to the somehow uncanny and big sea. Everything that weighed so heavily on your shoulders suddenly doesn’t seem so enormous anymore. And you will be amazed. Marvel at the power of nature and its incredible beauty.
That’s what happened to me once again on the wild coasts of Portugal. On these natural beaches with their rough cliffs and meter-high waves. This may not be for everyone, but – as I found out – to my liking. For me it was kind of England, but just in the south. I’ve told that to many, to whom I’ve raved in high tones. About the summer in Portugal, where there is always a little wind blowing on the coasts, which apparently causes goosebumps in normal summers, but is felt to be very pleasant during the current heat wave.
west before south
When I get into raptures, I see Portugal’s west coast in front of me. The much-praised Algarve in the south is beautiful – no question about it – but also very crowded. The west, which includes places like Sines or Vila Nova de Milfontes, is more deserted, more original and more authentic. Somehow also calmer and more relaxed. If you don’t drive up with your camper and spend the night directly on the cliffs, you can either stay in a small B&B in the town or look for a farm further inland where agritourism is practiced.
Small fishing villages, to which surfers make pilgrimages from everywhere, are part of the landscape here. There isn’t much in between: dusty roads lined with eucalyptus bushes and cork oaks. In between you drive – as one would say here in Switzerland – off-road. All paths somehow lead to the beach, you just have to dare to take the path. The driveways are not always tarred and getting there is an adventure.
You have to venture out onto these beaches, which Google says are difficult to access, requiring scrambling over rocks and sneaking through bushes. It’s not that bad after all. It’s a slightly more strenuous journey than you usually have on a day at the beach. Because there is a small price to pay for enjoying Mother Nature’s masterpieces: there is always a way down somewhere between the cliffs – of course you have to climb the incline again at the end of the afternoon. But it’s worth it, because a paradise awaits below for all those who want to feel particularly close to the sea in its original form. Who love meter-high waves that you can throw yourself into, just like when you were a carefree child.
Far away and yet so close
And: Portugal is in Europe! I’m convinced that you don’t always have to take long steps in summer. Sure, distant destinations are always cool: colorful Mexico, paradisiacal Mauritius, culturally rich Thailand – that’s all well and good, but you can save that for the really cold months. When it gets really icy again in Switzerland, it’s worth flying far away. But in summer? It’s just wonderful in Europe!
Whoever starts the journey to this country, which is somehow completely different from neighboring Spain and somehow also seems much further away than it actually is, will be rewarded with (still) untouched nature. Once again I entered a place as a stranger, only to leave a piece of my heart there at the end. Because that’s exactly how it is: Portugal, you touched my heart. You wonderful bijou with your wild beaches that cry out for adventure and are natural wonders.