Moments from the Iberian Peninsula

Now and then you take a photograph that captures the zeitgeist of the moment. Here are some of our favourite images from our recent travels.

Sep 19, 2024

We live and breathe music and art and when travelling love to deep dive into the culture from a local as opposed to a tourist perspective. Enjoy.

Alcochete // Portugal

The historic town of Alcochete founded by the Moors is located on the south bank of the River Tagus, only a half-hour drive from our home in Samora Correia. It is known for its bullfighting tradition, salt production and proximity to the Vasco da Gama Bridge - the second-longest bridge in Europe. It has also recently been confirmed that the new airport for Lisbon will be built in the area on the site of an old military base, scheduled to open in 2034.

Alcochete has a really chilled atmosphere, good restaurants and ice cream shops with very few tourists: a perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon walking along the banks of the Tagus.

A lamposts on a pier with boats on a river at sunset — Alcochete

People dining in a restaurant — The Alcochetano, a typical Portuguese restaurant - great fish, but watch the bill

Cadiz // Spain

Founded 3,000 years ago by the Phoenicians, Cádiz is the oldest city in Western Europe.

We were meeting up with music producer Paco Loco, who runs a residential recording studio near the city, so we decided to spend a couple of days exploring.

Simon and I wandered along the many cobbled streets with what felt like a tapas bar on every corner. It was a friendly place with some cool markets and you could feel the history in the architecture. The coastline and beaches were cool with a Game of Thrones feel to the piers.

Alcohol botttle and Disney figures in a shop window — Disney and distilled spirits?

Five men in a café — A staff birthday celebration at Casa Pepe

The coast in Cadiz — Very Game of Thrones

Simon Campbell and two labrador hounds with graffiti behind — Graffiti and hairy beasts - and Simon ;)

Alcácer do Sal // Portugal

We pass through this charming town when travelling down south to Algarve and always like to stop off for a break and a light lunch.

Crowned by castles and towers with medieval cobbled streets alongside the banks of the Sado River, the many houses with their wrought-iron balconies look out over the river and underneath them dwell a variety of cafés and restaurants.

“Founded by the ancient Phoenicians in the sixth century BC. Under Roman rule, it was called Salacia and was a significant trading port. Goods such as wheat, olive oil and wine left Alcácer do Sal and exported throughout the Roman world. Alcácer grew into one of the most important cities in Iberia and celebrated for salt production, curing and the manufacture of fish sauce. The Moorish occupation started in the 8th century. Alcácer became the regional capital of the Al Qaşr province (meaning "Castle"). The Moors rebuilt the Roman walls and built the first incarnation of the town's castle.” // Mad About Portugal

It’s fascinating to see the way the buildings speak to you about their history as you pass by.

A town with a river on the left — Alcácer do Sal

A bridge over a river — The bridge over the Sado river

Bar Alkazar

What a fabulous hidden gem we discovered when we walked through the front door of Bar Alzakar, situated on the banks of the Sado River.

It looks a little run down from the outside but don’t let that fool you - as with the majority of Portugal outside of the major cities come to think of it. The bar houses a shop selling fabulous local produce and there are tables both inside and out for you to experience their treasure trove of goodies - the atmosphere is magical.

We were warmly greeted by Helene, a vivacious and friendly retired school teacher whose family are at the heart of the town. Before we knew it, we were presented with some delicious local cuisine washed down with refreshing local vinho tinto.

If you are ever passing, do pop in for a light snack, or buy some excellent locally-produced goods and please pass on our love.

Helene will even teach you a few Portuguese words if you’re up for it ;)

A shop full of wine, a counter and produce — Spot Helene - proprietor of Bar Alkazar

A treasure chest full of wine bottle — Vinho is the real treasure

Inside a bar with wine bottles, produce and a table of the right — Inside Alkazar

A man with local produce and wine — Local produce at bar Alkazar

Lisboa

We love it when friends come to visit and we were so happy to meet up with our great friends Jo and Liz from Manchester who were in Lisboa to celebrate Liz’s birthday.
They were great company and we spent the day wandering the cobbled streets of the city (remember the city is built on seven hills so combined with the cobbles high heels are a no-go).

In the evening we went for dinner at a Fado music restaurant!! Fado is the traditional music of Portugal, both sad and dramatic.

Great fun with wonderful friends. We are hoping to make this an annual event and why not?

Buildings in Lisbon with a blue sky — Lisboa

A lady singing in a restaurant — An evening of Fado and fine food

Two smiling geezers at a restaurant in Lisboa — Birthday celebrations with our wonderful friends Liz and Jo in Lisboa

Joana Vasconcelos at MAAT (Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology), Lisboa

We love visiting galleries and exhibitions.

Plug-in was a solo exhibition by Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos, which brought together unpublished works, some iconic pieces produced by the artist since 2000, and also works from the EDP Foundation Art Collection, establishing a dialogue between the heritage of electricity, technology and the plastic arts.