Hi Globalnomad,
Me and hubby will be in Cabanas 14th -28th Sept and have been going there for years. It is a real chill out place.
Firstly, the beaches...... the beach in Cabanas is accessed across the river by litle motor boat @1 euro return p.p. The beach is gorgeous and you can walk for miles.
If you want to drive further eastwards, 10 mins will take you to Altura and a further 10 mins will take you to Monte Gordo........both have magnificent beaches as well as being different places to visit.
As for trips, I wouls say Tavira (10 mins) by car or by local bus is a must. It has quaint narrow streets and Roman bridges, a castle and about 30 (maybe more ) churches.
You can also head from Monte Gordo ( another 10 mins) to Vila Real de Santo Antonio which has some really cheap shops and is the last town before Spain.
Another 10 mins or so from there will take you into Ayamonte which is just over the Spanish border and where there were lots of tuna factories.
If you fancy a 2-2 1/2 hours drive from Cabanas, you could go to Seville which is a fascinating city and well worth a visit.
Also head inland to Castro Marim which is a conservationist area and has some stunning scenery and views.
Hope this helps a little and if you want to know any good restaurants in Cabanas etc, just ask.
As for the horse riding, I'm sure there is something nearby but your hotel will have details of this.
Pat

As for the horse riding, I'm sure there is something nearby but your hotel will have details of this.

Pat,
Does this mean that,at last, we've found something that you don't know about Cabby? I think I can speak for everyone on the forum when I say that we're absolutely stunned and flabbergasted !!

Sagres,
As I sometimes find it hard to walk a straight line after the tinto......what chance would I have on the back of a horse........so it's "neigh" worth the bother finding out about for me!!!!
And, after all, no-one is perfect........not even you, Sagres.

Hi Pat - thanks a million for all that info. Looks like we'll be there on almost the same dates (we're 16th - 23rd Sept). Will certainly be checking out the beaches and some of the nearby towns you recommend. As for restaurants, I think others on this board have asked, and I've already copied down your replies, so thanks. Hey, and am glad to have caused some amusement by uncovering something you didn't know about. If I find out about horse riding when I go, will definitely post. Cheers!

Hi Globalnomad, this might be too late, but I'll post it anyway.

We spent 3 nights at the Cabanas Park Resort, and really loved it as well as Cabanas. The Park Resort is a large (but not too big iykwim) complex about 8-10 mins walk from the promenade of Cabanas. The complex is very clean and the apartments are spacious with 2 balconys, a large living area with modern kitchen (microwave/coffee maker aswell as your usual appliances). Bedroom is a nice size as is the bathroom. Aircon was a real bonus for us, as it was very very hot when we were there 26-29th August. The pool area is lovely and there is lots of room. The poolside bar/restaurant/terrace is very nice and reasonable. We would definately stay there again.

Cabanas itself is a lovely relaxing resort. It's small, but perfect for a chill out break. The journey to the beach is unique, having to get a small boat (free from the Cabanas Park), or 1 euro from the centre of Cabanas. The beach is fab!! White sand that stretches for miles. The sea wasn't as cold as I expected, and the waters are clear.

For the size of Cabanas, there is a good selection of restaurants. Coming from the Cabanas Park, as you reach the main street, there is a fish restaurant on your left (I can't remember the exact name but is was Piexe de ???) You have to leave your name, and wait for a table, but it is supposed to be excellent. We didn't actually get to eat there, as we left it too late in night Another restaurant we were recommended to visit by a local man was called Ideal. It's off a side street and doesn't look much, but he said it is excellent. Best to go before 20.30 hrs as it gets very busy. We ate twice in Europa, lunch and dinner. My husband had some gorgeous fish, while I had the piri-piri. It was really lovely and their house white is very good. We also enjoyed a pizza from a small restaurant on the prom.

There are a few bars, and one late night bar (quasimodos). Prices are much more reasonable in Cabanas, than the west. A large beer costs approx 1.80 euro. A bottle of house wine can be as little as 4 euro.

A trip to Tavira is well worth it. We spent a lovely afternoon walking around. It's a very pretty town, and so clean. We had a lovely cataplana lunch down by the harbour. Never tasted anything like it

Our only regret, was that we only had 3 days in Cabanas. Should have gone for 7 Hope you have a great time.

Dear AnnieK,

That's fantastic - thanks a million! We're off tomorrow, and I'm so glad you posted (had read 1-2 bad reviews of the Cabanas Resort about cleanliness but from last year, so I'm really pleased you've allayed my fears). I'm just about to print out your rec's for restaurants - think I might be putting on some weight this holiday! But hey, I can always walk it off on the miles of golden beaches you talk about - oh I can't wait. Will post any tips I find when I get back in a week's time.

GM

Just wrote a very long account of my hols, internet crashed and it all disappeared, so here's the condensed version:

Loved Cabanas - great beach, friendly people, didn't feel like a rip-off tourist place, but something more local and down to earth. An ideal place fora stress-free holiday, but would definitely hire a car.

Stayed at Cabanas Park Resort, which I'd definitely recommend if you're looking for a nice, clean base where you can relax and do your own thing. If you're looking for entertainment, kids' clubs, etc, don't go - try Golden Club next door, which looked much more geared up for that kind of thing. Pool was great, rooms were roomy with great kitchenette facilities.

As for the beach boat - taking the free one from the hotel gives you a longer walk at each end, but takes you to a more remote part of the beach where you can have it all to yourself. Taking the one from Cabanas town (Euro 1 for return) gives you a shorter walk but to a busier part of the beach (though hardly busy - it's all relative!). People with young kids might struggle, as sometimes the path to the beach floods to over the knee height, so small 'uns will have to be carried through that part. Beach was very clean, miles of long, golden sand, water warmer than expected (or I was braver than expected?), and a great place to go for loooong beach walks. Down side was it was very windy, the dunes providing little shelter, so often too cold to lie sunbathing for long even though it was 30 degrees. Instead we drove a couple of times to the beach in Spain, just over the border (about 30 mins drive in Ayamonte) called Isla Canella or something, which again was long stretches of sand, but more sheltered and great waves as well. And fun to be eating Spanish paella for lunch, Portuguese sardines for dinner!

Would definitely recommend Grelha Preixe restaurant in Cabanas - wonderful grilled fish, great atmosphere and nutty head waiter (walks around with a cork in his ear). Restaurant just next to it is by same owner but specialises in shellfish rather than fish, so you would probably get good food there as well.

Also really enjoyed Casa Algarvia, down one of the little side streets - owner very friendly, good English, and menu has a few things on it to distinguish it from the usual tourist menus.

Found O Monteiro to be cheap and friendly, but food less interesting.

Tavira is a great place to go to explore the cobbled streets, people watch from a local Pastelaria, eat ice cream as you cross the Roman Bridge. Would definitely recommend the Camera Obscura - fascinating. And the 15 mins tour by Pedro of the history of Tavira, from a real-time 360 degree camera lens view of Tavira, is great for appreciating the delights of the town.

Had a good day trip to Vila Real de Santo Antonio - wasn't expecting much from a border town, but it had a pretty town centre, a marina great for people watching, and some interesting shops.

Less impressed with Alcoutim - was very quiet when we went, exhibitions in the castle were all in Portuguese, and couldn't find an open cafe.

That's all for now - but thanks to Pat and Annie for their recommendations. Pat, I knew you were there at roughly the same time as us, so we kept looking out for you, which was a bit silly since I wouldn't know you from Adam. Hope you had great hols too!

Hi All,
Sooooooooooooo glad you all enjoyed your time in Cabby.
Globalnomad, did you ever find out about the horse riding
Glad you liked Grelha Peixe......we have nicknamed the crazy waiter "Corky", for obvious reasons!!!! The one next door is called Mariscos e Petiscos and is owned by Luis, the son of the Grelha Peixe owners. We stay in the flats above there!!!!!! The family have become great friends of ours.
If you had mentioned to us, we could have met........maybe next time????
You would have recognised me if you had heard a Scots accent, speaking or waving over to all the local Portuguese people (in Portuguese)????
Next visit 24th May - 7th June!!!!!
Pat

Hi Globalnomad, so glad to hear you enjoyed Cabanas It's such a lovely relaxing spot. We can't wait to go back there