Praia da Luz is a quiet little village on the Algarve. I didn't see any nightclubs or concert venues. For nightlife you need to go to Lagos or Faro or a larger city. So what do we do in Luz? Aside from walking on the beach, soaking up the sun, and relaxing and visiting with other tourists, our favorite activity is long dinners in the evening in one of Luz's really nice restaurants. The great food is always a plus, but the warm and friendly service and welcoming atmosphere of these restaurants makes our evenings out really special.

Alloro is one of our favorite dining spots . Located right next to the pool and tennis courts in our own apartment complex, it's not only convenient but very delicious! They specialize in Italian food, pizzas and pastas, but their fish dishes are delicious. The hardworking staff of young people are there long hours and always have a smile and a happy attitude. We really enjoyed Ana Dios, Nuno Silvestre, Andre Santos and Liliana who went out of their way to chat and share their lives with us. The patio at Alloro is one of our favorite places to spend the evening with a cocktail, a meal and some great conversation.
 
Another favorite is Chicca's restaurant. The owner, Francesca, is a cheerful and welcoming host as she bustled around the tiny dining room, always smiling and stopping to chat with customers. The menu is on large chalkboards moved around from table to table. They specialize in fresh, homemade pies and their pastry is out of this world. From the pumpkin mascarpone puff tart to the chicken vegetable pie and their huge selection of desserts, this is comfort food at another level . The plates are huge, and we always take half home for a midnight snack.

A Fabrica is a family run restaurant in Praia da Luz located in an historic building on the waterfront that used to be a fish factory where locally caught tuna and sardines were processed. It's now a lovely restaurant serving amazing meals and staffed by friendly and smiling people. We loved their Moroccan lamb -- so tender and succulent -- and the cod with risotto, creamy and succulent. Again we spent hours just relaxing, enjoying the wine and food and happy atmosphere.

Much as we love the people, sunshine and food in Portugal, it's time to move on for us. Our next stop is a month in Benalmadena, Spain. On the Costa del Sol, Benalmadena is known for its large marina hosting over 1000 boats and loads of shopping, dining and bars as well as beautiful beaches. We'll share later--so enjoy the pics below!