St

eastoffaro.com holidays in the Eastern Algarve, Portugal

St. Luzia

St Luzia is a small fishing village close to Tavira famous for one thing: octopus. Its from here that the octopus fishing fleet sets out to haul the thousands of pots which lure the unlucky cephalopods to your table. The main street is the waterfront on the Ria Formosa, which is an ever-changing panorama of tides and boats and light, and in summer, a never ending cat walk of people. Behind the waterfront, the old town of square houses sits squashed together in its narrow streets. Behind this in turn, a 'new' town of holiday apartments has mushroomed in the last few years.

As a visitor, you're most likely to experience St Luzia through the stomach, as it is home to many good restaurants, most specialising in seafood, including, predictably, octopus.

St Luzia also has two great beaches, which are actually different stretches of the Ilha de Tavira. 'Terra Estreita' beach you reach on the bizarrly named 'Safari Boat' from the waterfront. Barrill beach is just west of the town along the Ria.

The town becomes one big playground for a week in August for the annual 'festa' on the waterfront. There are rides, stalls and a programme of entertainment that stretches long into the night.

St Luzia highlights

Octopus dishes.
Sea food in restaurant 'Capelo' - the best.
Peppered steak on the roof terrace of restaurant 'Canto Azul'.
A stroll and a beer along the prom.