I stopped there for a while and ended up just watching the seagulls flying overhead. Behind me, the bars and restaurants were full of people, while in front of me there were fishing boats, calm water and dozens of birds circling above the estuary.

What I didn't realise until recently is that this is also one of the Algarve's best places for spotting birds. The end of the street is right next to the Ria de Alvor Nature Reserve, a protected estuary that is home to more than 200 bird species throughout the year.

If you have a little extra time, you can continue walking along the Passadiços de Alvor, the wooden boardwalk that stretches through the estuary. The walk takes you past salt marshes, mudflats and dunes, which attract a wide variety of birds. Early mornings and late afternoons are usually the best times to visit, when the area is quieter and the wildlife is most active.

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Along the way you'll also come across a birdwatching point where people often stop with binoculars to look across the estuary. If you're lucky, you might even spot flamingos. Herons, egrets, spoonbills and plenty of seagulls are regular visitors too.

I believe that this is one of the things people enjoy about Alvor. Within just a couple of minutes, you can leave the busy cafés and restaurants behind and find yourself surrounded by nature and beautiful views.