Tucked away on Portugal’s southwestern coast, Burgau is a charming fishing village often called “the Portuguese Santorini.” Unlike its Greek namesake, however, Burgau offers a quieter, more authentic experience with stunning cliffs, sandy beaches, and a rich culinary scene, all without the crowds.
The village is centered around Rua 25 de Abril, a street that sometimes disappears under a golden layer of sand when the wind blows. Colorful houses and traditional fishing boats line the area, reflecting the village’s history. Burgau, with a population of about 400, dates back to the 16th century as a tuna fishing settlement, a tradition that continues today. Visitors can still watch local fishermen mend their nets patiently, a glimpse into the past.
Morning by the Sea
Start your day with breakfast at Ermelinda’s padaria (Rua Principal, 24), a tiny bakery offering rustic breads and freshly baked pastéis de nata. With a coffee to go from nearby Os Amigos (Rua da Praia, 12), you can enjoy a morning meal by the 400-meter-long Burgau beach. The Atlantic waters are always cold, but the morning freshness and calm waves make it perfect for a quiet stroll or letting kids play in the sand.
Burgau is also a hotspot for dolphin watching. Algarve Dolphin Lovers, founded by marine biologists Rodrigo Clímaco and Ana Amaral, takes visitors almost daily on trips along the coast. Their success rate is impressively high: dolphins are spotted in 99 out of 100 trips. Occasionally, lucky guests may even see orcas, minke whales, or rorquals, the second-largest animals on the planet, sometimes visible right from the beach.
Exploring the Village and Surroundings
The village itself is a maze of narrow cobbled streets lined with whitewashed houses, bougainvillea, and hidden viewpoints. A short walk up Rua da Fortaleza offers panoramic views of the coast and ruins of a 17th-century fort built during the reign of João IV, giving visitors a tranquil spot to admire the Atlantic.
Outdoor enthusiasts can follow cliffside trails to the east, reaching Praia da Luz and the architectural marvel Casa Elíptica by Mário Martins. Westward, paths through pine forests lead to Cabanas Velhas beach. These routes are bike-friendly and showcase the Algarve’s rural charm, with almond trees, fig groves, and ochre-colored fields.
Dining in Burgau
Burgau’s gastronomy is as inviting as its scenery. SUL, opened in 2024 by Sara Madeira and Rafael Reis, offers traditional Algarve dishes like caldeirada (fish stew) and monkfish, paired with natural wines. Nearby, Esquina serves the local specialty cataplana, while O Clube focuses on sardines, and Pielas Bar is the village’s oldest bar with excellent cocktails. For a mix of international and local flavors, Love Burgau serves pizzas and cocktails, and Miam attracts mainly British tourists with its blue-and-white terrace that recalls Santorini.
Sunsets and Evening Relaxation
End the day with a walk to the old Burgau Guardia Fiscal, a mid-20th-century building by the beach. Here, you can enjoy a lemon or tangerine ice cream from Brizze Ice Cream, watch locals at A Prateleira, or sip a Sagres beer, a glass of wine, or sangria while the sun sets over the Atlantic. The sky turns brilliant shades of orange, providing a perfect backdrop for photography or simply savoring the relaxed pace of life in this small Algarve gem.
Whether you’re drawn by the beach, the dolphins, or the delicious piri piri shrimp, Burgau offers a memorable blend of nature, history, and gastronomy, all wrapped in the charm of a traditional Portuguese village. It’s an ideal destination for travelers seeking authenticity without sacrificing comfort or beauty.
