If you live here full-time, or at least for most of the year, August can be tough. It’s hot, it’s crowded, and you can’t get a table at your favourite beach restaurant unless you’ve booked well in advance. Let’s not even talk about the supermarket queues. So, this month, we’re focusing on where locals and residents head for to escape the crowds and rediscover a slower pace of life.

One of the easiest ways to do that is by heading inland. Just a short drive away from the busy coastline, you’ll find a completely different side of the Algarve. Rolling countryside, traditional villages, and hidden retreats offer a welcome break from the hustle and bustle.

Why not enjoy lunch somewhere a little different? Perhaps visit a farmhouse where you can buy a day pass for the pool and hammam at Solar Alvura, Moncarapacho. Alternatively, try the newly opened Alma do Vale in São Marcos da Serra, which offers a peaceful setting and a chance to experience a different side of Algarve hospitality.

If you’re looking for a tipple but would rather avoid the crowds, there are plenty of outdoor options to enjoy. Open-air cinema evenings at Morgado do Quintão, north of Lagoa, and Cabrita Wines, Silves, combine great surroundings with a relaxed atmosphere, wine in hand.

Morgado do Quintão

For those who prefer not to drink, an olive oil tasting, somewhere like Monterosa Olive Oil, Moncarapacho, offers the chance to learn more about one of the region’s most important products while sampling some exceptional local varieties. Or perhaps a visit to the salt baths in Olhão at Salinas do Grelha, could be the perfect antidote to a stressful summer schedule. Floating in mineral-rich waters is a wonderful way to unwind and recharge.

Passadiço do Barranco do Demo

If you’re looking for a nature hike away from the crowds, head to Passadiço do Barranco do Demo, a spectacular boardwalk suspended above the valleys of Monchique. Or, if you’d prefer your adventure on two wheels, rent a bike from Velochique and explore the surrounding area. They offer both electric and standard bikes, making it suitable for riders of all experience and skill levels.

Read more about Verity’s special finds in the August issue of AlgarvePLUS. Out now and in 150+ outletd.