⚓ Have You Visited Portugal's Beach with an Anchor Graveyard Yet?

Happy Sunday, beautiful people 😎

I've come to believe that living in Portugal is just one long masterclass in unexpected expenses. Just when you think you've finally figured out the bureaucracy, your cat decides it's time to introduce you to the Portuguese veterinary system.

One of our adopted stray cats has unfortunately become a regular at the vet, and one of our recent bills was so eye-wateringly expensive that I still haven't told my husband. (Sorry, Wayne. You'll sleep better not knowing.)

That little adventure sent me down another rabbit hole: pet insurance in Portugal. Is it actually worth it? What does it cover? Which companies do expats trust? I've spent the week researching it all, and next Sunday I'll share a complete guide. If you have pets in Portugal, I'd love it if you could answer the quick poll at the bottom of today's newsletter. Your responses will help shape next week's article.

On the travel front, Marga is taking us south to one of the Algarve's most unique beaches: Praia do Barril. If you've never heard of it, you're in for a treat. And if you have, her photos and local insights might just convince you it's time for another visit.

We're also sharing why we built Documentos (the app we wish we'd had when we first arrived in Portugal) along with another bite-sized Portuguese lesson from our wonderful language tutor, Mia Esmeriz.

Right... let's dive in, shalll we?

Why did we build this app? Let me tell you the story...

I wish it had been under different circumstances that we handed over €250 to the lovely police at a roadblock in Alcobaça, but sadly it wasn't an act of generosity. We'd completely missed that our van's IPO (roadworthiness inspection) had expired two months earlier. Between my husband's hospital emergencies and life generally doing what life does, it simply slipped our minds.

The van was perfectly roadworthy, fully serviced, and in great condition, but deadlines don't really care about excuses. We were told the fine could have been €1,000, so apparently €250 was the bargain option. Lucky us.

The truth is, this wasn't the first important renewal we'd forgotten, and we realised there wasn't a simple system to remind expats about all the little deadlines that can turn into expensive mistakes.

So we built one.

Documentos costs 8.3 times less per year than the fine we paid for missing our IPO, and we'd much rather spend that money on literally anything else. If peace of mind sounds like a better investment, give it a try with a 7-day free trial.

➡ Try Documentos today

Today's local travel tip is brought to you by Marga from Discover Portugal. Last time, she took us to the peaceful Buddha Eden gardens in Bombarral, proving that some of Portugal's most memorable day trips are often the ones you least expect.

This week, Marga is taking us south to the eastern Algarve to explore Praia do Barril, a beautiful beach that's home to one of Portugal's most unusual landmarks: a graveyard of over 100 rusty anchors. Along the way, she also shares why nearby Tavira, Cacela Velha, and the Ria Formosa Natural Park deserve a spot on your Algarve itinerary, making this guide perfect whether you're planning a summer holiday or a weekend escape.

And if you're anything like me, don't just read the article, click through. Marga's guides are always packed with practical tips, hidden gems, and beautiful recommendations that help you discover a side of Portugal you might otherwise miss. ☀️🌊

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Some beaches in Portugal are beautiful because of the sea, the sand, and the colour of the water. And then there are beaches like Praia do Barril, where you get all of that plus something completely unexpected: a graveyard of rusty old anchors in the dunes.

Praia do Barril is located on Ilha de Tavira in the eastern Algarve, close to Tavira and within the Ria Formosa Natural Park. It's one of those places that feels like a proper beach day, but with a little bit of history and curiosity added in.

We love Tavira Island and try to visit the beaches whenever we're in this part of the Algarve. Praia do Barril is especially fun because getting there is part of the experience.

The main reason many people visit Praia do Barril is the Cemitério das Âncoras, or anchor cemetery.

As you arrive near the beach, you'll see more than 100 enormous rusty anchors standing in the sand dunes. They look almost sculptural now, but they were once part of the local tuna fishing industry.

This area was once an important tuna fishing spot, and the anchors were used to secure the nets. When the industry declined in the 1960s, the fishermen left the anchors behind on the beach. Over time, they became a memorial to the region's maritime past.

It's beautiful, a little eerie, and very photogenic. Definitely one of the more unusual things to see in the Algarve.

→ Read the full Praia do Barril guide here

Praia do Barril isn't a beach where you simply park next to the sand and walk straight in. First, you head to Pedras d'el Rei, a small village about 10 minutes from Tavira by car.

From there, you cross a little bridge through the Ria Formosa and choose between walking or taking the small tourist train to the beach.

We walked on the way there, which takes about 20 minutes along a flat path next to the train tracks. After a few relaxed hours at the beach, we took the train back. And honestly, that felt like the perfect combination.

The train itself also has history. It was once used by the local tuna fishing community to transport fish back towards the mainland. Today, it's mostly used by beachgoers, and it's especially handy if you're visiting with children or carrying beach bags.

If you're planning to visit Praia do Barril, Tavira is one of the best places to stay nearby.

Tavira has a completely different feel from some of the busier Algarve towns. It's still popular, of course, but it has a softer, quieter atmosphere with cobbled streets, whitewashed houses, tiled buildings, churches, a castle, the Gilão River, and easy access to the beaches of Ilha de Tavira.

It works well for a day trip, but we think Tavira is even better if you stay for two nights or more. That gives you time to enjoy the town, visit the beaches, eat properly, and use it as a base for the eastern Algarve.

From Tavira, you can explore Praia do Barril, Cacela Velha, the Ria Formosa Natural Park, and even Faro without feeling like you're constantly rushing.

→ See our full Tavira travel guide here

One of the best things about this part of the Algarve is how close you are to the Ria Formosa Natural Park.

This protected coastal lagoon is full of salt pans, marshes, barrier islands, sandy beaches, birds, and little villages. It's a dream if you like nature, boat trips, gentle walks, birdwatching, or quieter coastal places.

Cacela Velha is one of our favourite nearby stops. It's a tiny whitewashed village with beautiful views over the Ria Formosa, a fortress, a church, cobbled streets, and access to a gorgeous beach. At low tide, you can walk across to the sand. At high tide, local fishermen usually offer small boat crossings.

Faro is often treated as just the airport city, but it's worth more than that.

You can visit Faro as a day trip from Tavira, or stay there if you prefer a larger base with more restaurants, transport links, and excursions. The Old Town is lovely for a wander, and Faro is also one of the main gateways for boat tours into the Ria Formosa.

So if you're planning an eastern Algarve trip, you could easily combine Tavira, Praia do Barril, Cacela Velha, Ria Formosa, and Faro into one relaxed itinerary.

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With thanks to our collaborator for today’s travel article. Marga is a Dutch travel writer, photographer, and Portugal expert who founded Discover Portugal after falling in love with the country during a 2019 visit and relocating to Lisbon permanently in 2021. With over 25 years of travel experience and a background in tourism, aviation, and tech—including nearly eight years as an international flight attendant—Marga combines her storytelling skills, local insights, and photography expertise to help travelers discover both Portugal's famous sights and hidden gems. Through her website and personalized services, she offers travel planning assistance, Lisbon photography sessions, and authentic stories from her ongoing exploration of every corner of Portugal, helping curious travelers experience the country like a local rather than a tourist.

A quick check-in on real expat life. 👇

Help me build next week's guide! If you have pet insurance that you'd recommend (or one you'd avoid!), leave a comment with your provider and why. Your experiences will help other expats make an informed decision.

How to say "I hope to see you again soon." in European Portuguese. Do you know it? If you want to find out the most natural way of saying it in Portuguese, check out this new video.

🗣 Want to learn more phrases like this? Check out Mia’s free Portuguese course “Kickstart Your Portuguese - The Basics”.

💡 Mia from Mia Esmeriz Academy is a Portuguese teacher from Porto with more than 15 years of experience teaching foreigners. She helps expats become fluent in Portuguese in a clear and practical way. Alongside her courses, she also shares free content on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

Thanks for reading! 💌

Hustle on!

Angelique🧞‍♀️

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