Travel stock photography of Portugal.

Portugal in April 2026: from the Algarve coast to Baixo Alentejo

We travelled through the south of Portugal, combining the Algarve coast with a route further inland through Baixo Alentejo. We visited places like Castro Verde, Serpa, Mértola and the former mining area of Mina de São Domingos and Achada do Gamo.

We also spent time along the coast, including Benagil, Faro and Salema. Together, these places showed very different sides of southern Portugal: white villages, quiet streets, church towers, orange trees, dramatic cliffs, beaches and the raw industrial remains of mining landscapes.

What stood out most to me was Baixo Alentejo. The region has space, silence and a slower rhythm. In places like Serpa, Mértola and Castro Verde, the whitewashed streets, old castle walls and open views create a calm but very photogenic atmosphere. The contrast with the Algarve is striking. Along the coast, at Benagil, Salema and near Faro, the landscape becomes brighter, wider and more open, with limestone cliffs, turquoise water and strong Atlantic light.

The real highlight of the trip was the area around Mina de São Domingos and Achada do Gamo. The old mine buildings, ruined industrial structures and orange-red or black water created a landscape that feels almost unreal. It is one of those places where history, nature and decay come together in a very visual way. For photography, it was one of the most impressive places of the journey and one of the most memorable landscapes I have seen in Portugal.

These photographs from southern Portugal bring together coastal scenery, historic towns and the unique character of inland Alentejo. They show the contrast between the Algarve and Baixo Alentejo, and why this part of Portugal is so rewarding to explore with a camera.

Stock images shot by Wilmar are sold directly via wilmar@wilmarphotography.com.

Travel photography in southern Portugal: Algarve and Baixo Alentejo
These travel photos were made during a road trip in April 2026 through southern Portugal, including Faro, Benagil, Salema, Castro Verde, Serpa, Mértola, Mina de São Domingos and Achada do Gamo. The series combines Algarve coast photography with inland Portugal landscapes, white villages, historic streets and the striking mining scenery of Baixo Alentejo

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