Cabanas is a relatively recent addition to the brochures of the tour operators and a lot of maps fail to show it at all. Situated at the western end of a long beach that reaches all the way to Monte Gordo (17km east) and the Spanish border. If you are trying to find Cabanas on a map then look for Tavira as this is the closest town. Car hire is essential.

The beach actually next to the resort is rather small with the main one offshore, just across a short stretch of water (via a small ferry). In the mid '90s, Cabanas was undeveloped and was often associated with the "nearby" (9km east) area of Manta Rota. This is situated where the offshore and land based beaches meet. Today (February 2003) the developers have started to arrive and construct apartments and villas for both Portuguese and overseas visitors (for instance Quinta da Gomeira). These are reported to be of high quality but as yet some of the underlying infrastructure has still be upgraded to match and the main village has still retained it's peaceful charm. There are now at least four golf courses close to Cabanas (5 minutes drive) and these are said to be of a high standard matching those in the western Algarve.

The following reports show a little history and that things are improving, but there is still a lot to do...

To quote a visitor (Summer 1996) "We thought we were in a slum!! The stench was nauseating. No street lights on, groups of people stood on street corners. It was very intimidating". "take plenty of Antihistamines, insect repellent, and nose clips".

A more recent comment (1999) agrees about the smell, though made the point that it was only around the Golden Nascente Apartments. This reviewer also made the point that Cabanas is not for Albufeira fans. This improved view has been echoed several times since including in 2000 "Cabanas is an undeveloped, untouched, friendly place and I would recommend it to anyone"

Regretfully in 2002 (August) the situation had not really improved as one visitor reported...

"What a disappointing place.  Very dirty is an understatement.  From the smell of sewage wafting through the air, the dog faeces on the pavement,  the generally unkempt appearance of the shops, and the grumpy proprietors, you would be forgiven for believing you were in the middle east".

To say all reports about Cabanas were bad would be unfair and I quote from an email received in September 2002...

"I have spent a few holidays in cabanas with my parents and I was extremely shocked to read the awful comments made by people that the place was dirty and intimidating. Cabanas is a wonderful little village and extremely suitable for teenagers .There are no big clubs in the village but its only a five minute drive to Tavira were there are great clubs and bars. The beach is spotless and never overly crowded. The restaurants are very reasonable but be prepared to wait a while!!! Over the years a lot of people who my parents have met there would agree that they feel that the village is very safe for families with teenagers".

In summary, this is a developing area that still contains some of the old Algarve. It is some 10 to 15 years behind the tourist hot spots, which means things are not as polished or "international" as some would like but this is a big plus for the person who wants to see the Algarve and not tourist centres!.

See also the adjacent area of Tavira which is highly recommended and well worth visiting.

Accommodation (A-Z)

• Few Entries - can you help?
   
• Golden Nascente - 1996 AVOID
  (1999) "agree about the smell".
   
  (1996) "The Golden Nascente Apartments in Cabanas are not for the faint hearted, claustrophobics, or people with a fear of cats". Nose clips would also be advisable since there are two sewerage treatment plants directly behind the apartments. The stench gets even worse from all the overflowing dustbins around the area. As for the cats... "Around the apartments cats were roaming, and not nice cats. These had scabby runny eyes, encrusted and full of fleas. In one group I counted 14. Our only guess was that these were allowed to roam freely to keep down the rat population".

Eateries (A-Z)

• Carlos Bar - 2000
  (2000) "Carlos`s bar is great...Carlos comes from South Africa and speaks good English. He is friendly and will cook ANYTHING to order. Food, drink and service GREAT".

• Europa - 2001
   (2001) "up the main street from the front at Couzimodos bar, first major street on the right, keep going, its on the left, fantastic food, cheap"

• The Piano Bar - 1996
  (1996) Owned by an English couple who employ German waitresses. The food and service excellent for a bar and extremely friendly. The proprietor's wife hates August as the place becomes infested with Portuguese tourists. The German waitresses were the friendliest foreigners encountered, which speaks volumes about the Portuguese!

• Pedro's - 2000
  (Sept 2000)"Pedro`s was friendly, had huge portions and had an overall good service".
  
  (1999) "usually the service and the food are just spectacular and it is considered the best restaurant in the Cabanas and Tavira areas".

  (1996) "Very clean, service without a smile and small portions. No atmosphere, just eat and be scowled at".

• The Terminal Restaurant/Bar - 1996
  (1996) The head waiter - Braulio - is quite a character. Be prepared for quite a wait for food which comes in large portions. If you want a quiet meal take ear plugs. Food is reasonable, especially if you're very hungry after a long day out.