Bensafrim

Bensafrim is an inland retreat in the Algarve, a town that firmly resists the coastal rush and retains a core of genuine, Portuguese rural life. Located just a short distance north of Lagos, its atmosphere is one of peaceful isolation, rooted in the fertile valley of the Ribeira de Bensafrim.

Its name is a whispered reminder of its deep history, possibly derived from an ancient Arabic phrase meaning "son of the sorcerers", hinting at a past that stretches far back into the centuries. Here, the land speaks more loudly than modern development; the town is surrounded by the typical Algarvian Barrocal-rolling hills dotted with almond, fig, and olive trees, with patches of native cork oak forest.

While serving as a home base for those who work in the nearby city of Lagos, Bensafrim maintains its own distinct rhythm. Its traditional core of whitewashed houses, often trimmed with colored bands around the windows, still centers on the local market and the ancient roads that once made it a vital crossroads connecting the coast to Monchique and Aljezur. For those seeking the "real" Algarve, Bensafrim marks the end of a demanding section of the Via Algarviana hiking trail, offering hikers a quiet haven of authentiicity after days spent exploring the region's preserved interior landscapes.