A brief recap: Since arriving at Ocean Villas Luz in August 2020, writer David Lugg has been experiencing all aspects of Luz Life. This blog (#60) is his review of September 2025:
As you might imagine, we are rather proud of our little town of Luz. Plenty of praise has been proffered for both the town and the west Algarve in general. Yet, there is a danger that these glowing eulogies could easily come across as being superficial. In a world of fake news, we are all searching for authenticity. So, as we would never wish to be labelled as ingenuine, this month we’re going to balance the positivity with some good old-fashioned cynicism. (Don’t worry, it’s nothing too serious).
First off, the weather here is an absolute disgrace. With over 300 days of sunshine a year, it feels relentlessly pleasant. We never have the opportunity to complain about the rain or wear our favourite gloves and scarves. If your favourite colour is grey, then the constant blue skies are frankly boring. Our wellington boots have never even left the cupboard.
And then there’s the beaches. They’re a real let-down. Just miles and miles of stunning golden sand and crystal-clear water. With so many options, the choice can feel so overwhelming that you might as well just stay at home and draw the curtains. It’s like looking at a menu in a fabulous restaurant but deciding to go home and eat toast. Choosing your favourite beaches can be a real drag.
The people, too, are a huge problem. The Portuguese are some of the kindest people you could ever wish to meet. It’s virtually impossible to feel miserable here – which is terribly inconsiderate. If your preference in people is a grimace or a grunt, then prepare yourself for a rude awakening. Plus, if you’re choosing the west Algarve to write your next melancholic novel, then you might have to change your destination.
Next up, a word of warning about the Algarve wine. It’s ridiculously cheap. But it’s also really good. If you absolutely insist on paying over the top prices then the Algarve is not the place for you. You’ll have to suffer through endless glasses of delicious, affordable Portuguese wine. What’s more, you’ll barely earn any points on your credit card as you won’t spend enough money. Very sad.
And if you’re the kind of person who enjoys a bit of excitement, then prepare for disappointment. There’s virtually nothing to do. Apart from surfing, hiking, golf, exploring historic towns, yoga, cycling, boat trips, kayaking, kitesurfing, scuba diving, horse riding, wakeboarding, skydiving, fishing, windsurfing, waterparks or relaxing by the Ocean Villas Luz pool…the place is dreadfully boring. You’ll be constantly searching for something to fill your time, only to be met with another charming cobblestone street or a breathtaking coastal path.
Worst of all, the west Algarve forces you to relax. The tranquil pace of life and convivial atmosphere will make you forget all your worries. It’s a real shame. The constant pressure to chill out, unwind, and enjoy yourself can be quite exhausting. You’ll find your stress levels dropping, and your shoulders will stubbornly refuse to tense up.
And finally, just when you think that things can’t get any worse, the sunsets in the west Algarve are ridiculously over-the-top. There are so many spectacular displays of pinks, oranges, and reds that, quite frankly, it’s just showing off. If you need an exhibition of natural fireworks in the sky, what’s wrong with waiting till new year’s eve?
So, there you have it! A cynical view of the west Algarve to offer a little more balance. If you’re not a fan of sunshine, beaches, kind people, good wine, fun activities and glorious sunsets, it’s probably best to stay away. For the other 99% of you, we’ll see you very soon.
David Lugg
@davidluggwriter
All photo images owned by David Lugg