Algarve Addicts - MEET the Algarve!

Nick Robinson
  • 5.0 (1)
  • PLACES & TRAVEL
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The mission of Algarve Addicts is to reveal what life is really like inside the Algarve and Portugal, as a foreigner living in the country. We want to help expats transition seamlessly and effortlessly into a normal, productive and integrated life in Portugal through the entertaining use of digital content.

  1. 4D AGO

    DNA Test Revealed I'm 35% Portuguese ft. Veronica Krestow | Algarve Addicts | S3 • 12

    Connect with Veronica:Website: VeronicaKrestow.comYouTube: Veronica KrestowInstagram: @veronicakrestow Coach and author Veronica Krestow moved from California to the Algarve after a DNA test revealed she's 35% Portuguese. The Atlantic Ocean literally told her "you belong here" before she even knew about her ancestry. After burning out at the peak of her coaching business in 2020, Veronica spent two years searching for home across North Carolina, Peru, France, and Italy. When she jumped in the water at Praia do Vau, her entire body unwound and she heard those three words. A saleswoman in California insisted she take a DNA test. Result: 35% Portuguese. Her body knew first. She shares the brutal reality of arriving during COVID when systems went online the exact day she needed her NIF, why hiring help immediately saves relationships (stress contributed to her 14-year partnership ending), managing thousands of snails as patience teachers, and discovering her spiritual teacher's ashram is an hour away. Her blood work is now perfect after restoring health through Portuguese slow living. Perfect for wellness-focused relocators, spiritual seekers, or anyone who believes your body knows where home is. ➣ CONTACT US for relocation assistancehttps://www.algarveaddicts.com/contact Check out our Instagram @algarveaddicts

    40 min

  2. JAN 16

    Dean of Economics Explains the Algarve ft. Luis Coelho | Algarve Addicts | S3 • 10

    Professor Dr. Luis Coelho is the Dean of the School of Economics at the University of Algarve and has been in the Algarve since he was 18 years old. He shares his journey from Beja (where zero of his graduating class returned after university) to studying economics at UAlg, secretly switching from business management without telling his father, and eventually getting his PhD at the University of Edinburgh.Luis breaks down the stark reality of the Algarve economy: 60% of wealth creation comes directly from tourism and real estate, with another 20-30% indirectly related.We discuss over-tourism concerns (not yet a major issue according to Observatory for Sustainable Tourism data, but red flags emerging around housing and beach access), the economic contribution of immigrants (positive overall, enabling Portugal's recent growth, but questions about 30% who aren't registered with social security), and why housing prices keep skyrocketing despite interest rate increases that should have slowed the market.Perfect for anyone trying to understand the economic reality of relocating to the Algarve, why housing is so expensive, what the future holds for the region, or how immigration actually impacts the economy.Chapters00:00 Introduction: Dean of School of Economics00:50 From Beja to the Algarve: Why He Chose Faro10:33 School of Economics13:58 How the School Impacts the Algarve Region16:56 Research Centers and Tourism Studies20:09 The Reality: 60% of Algarve Economy is Tourism25:13 Over-Tourism: Is It a Problem Yet?28:45 Immigration: Economic Boost or Drain?35:18 Tech Startups and Algarve Tec Hub38:57 Why Cost of Living Keeps Rising in Portugal41:51 Housing Crisis: Why Prices Won't Stop Rising45:10 Future of the Algarve Economy: Three Key Areas➣ CONTACT US for relocation assistanceGet on a free discovery call and we can outline how we can work with you.https://www.algarveaddicts.com/contactCheck out our Instagram @algarveaddicts

    47 min

  3. JAN 7

    Learn Portuguese the Practical Way ft. Liz from Talk the Streets | Algarve Addicts | S3 • 09

    Join our FREE Portuguese webinar with Liz Sharma on January 21st!Sign up here: https://luma.com/czavpk6p Liz Sharma is the founder of Talk the Streets, a Portuguese language learning platform that focuses on practical Portuguese in plain English. She studied Portuguese at university in Manchester, fell in love with the language, did an Erasmus exchange in Coimbra, and eventually moved to Lisbon nine years ago at age 30 when she was ready for a new chapter. Liz shares how she went from working in PR and traveling constantly to Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America, to deciding she wanted to put down roots in Lisbon. When the pandemic hit in 2020, she started a YouTube channel teaching European Portuguese, and it took off immediately because she was filling a gap in how Portuguese was being taught online. We discuss why you're missing out on 50-80% of experiences and connections in Portugal if you can't speak the language, even in big cities where everyone speaks English. Liz explains her PRO method: Pronunciation (so people actually understand you and don't respond in English), Real-life dialogues (not just colors and animals), and Only essential grammar (not pages of fill-in-the-gap exercises). You'll hear about the common misconceptions about Portuguese pronunciation, why native English speakers find language learning so daunting, and practical examples like students leaving notes in neighbors' postboxes that spark real friendships. Liz also shares stories of her students joining knitting circles, hiking groups, and clearing yards with neighbors because they made the effort to learn the language. Perfect for anyone considering relocation to Portugal who's intimidated by language learning, retirees moving to more remote areas where Portuguese is essential, or anyone frustrated that Portuguese people keep responding to them in English. Chapters 00:00 Introduction: Meet Liz from Talk the Streets01:08 Studying Portuguese at University in Manchester03:24 Moving to Lisbon Nine Years Ago at Age 3004:38 What Lisbon Was Like Before the Digital Nomad Boom07:15 From PR Travel to Teaching Portuguese08:23 Starting a YouTube Channel During the Pandemic10:38 Why Learning Portuguese Matters Even When Everyone Speaks English12:38 The Problem with Traditional Language Learning12:55 Stories of Students Integrating Through Portuguese15:37 The PRO Method: Pronunciation, Real-Life, Only Essential Grammar16:23 Why People Respond to You in English (And How to Fix It)18:16 What We'll Cover in the Free Webinar ➣ CONTACT US for relocation assistanceGet on a free discovery call and we can outline how we can work with you.https://www.algarveaddicts.com/contact Check out our Instagram @algarveaddicts

    20 min

  4. 12/24/2025

    Finding the Hidden Side of the Algarve ft. Chris Holt | Algarve Addicts | S3 • 07

    Connect with Raw Algarve Adventures:Website: https://www.rawalgarve.com/ Meet Chris Holt, a Canadian who runs Raw Algarve Adventures, showing visitors the hidden side of the Algarve that most tourists miss. Chris first visited Lagos in 2014, fell in love with the place, but couldn't see how to afford life here on hostel and bar wages. After teaching English in Madrid and returning every summer, he finally started his adventure tour business in 2018. Chris shares how he navigated setting up a business in Portugal as a foreigner, dealing with finances for the first time, and switching from a British to Irish passport after Brexit. We talk about why Lagos is the perfect base for exploring the western Algarve triangle, how the season has extended from just summer to nearly year-round, and what visitors miss when they only hit the greatest hits like Benagil. You'll discover the hidden beaches and interior spots worth exploring, why winter hiking in the Algarve is underrated, and how a group of hostel workers became a network of business owners in Lagos. Chris also shares practical advice on over tourism, the Via Algarviana trail, and why being willing to walk a bit and drive 30 minutes opens up completely different experiences. Perfect for people considering adventure tourism businesses in Portugal, relocators wanting to understand Lagos beyond the party reputation, hikers looking for less crowded trails, or anyone curious about building a life here starting from scratch. Chapters00:03 Introduction: Life in Lagos Since 201800:32 From Canada to France to Lagos01:20 The Hostel Friend Group That Became Business Owners01:51 The Four Years Before Starting Raw Algarve03:17 Setting Up a Business in Portugal as a Foreigner04:34 Switching from British to Irish Passport After Brexit05:23 Managing Your Own Business: Marketing and Guiding05:32 How the Season Has Extended Beyond Summer06:30 What Most Visitors Miss in the Algarve07:40 Lagos: Perfect Base for the Western Triangle08:12 Vetting People for Cliff Walks09:17 The Seven Hanging Valleys Hike10:42 Safety on the Cliffs: Darwin Awards and Selfie Deaths12:04 Dogs Wine Beach: The Unique Dog Shelter Partnership14:57 Meet Bento: Chris's Rescue Dog15:40 Wine Under Seven Euros: Portugal's Hidden Gems16:44 Adding History to the Tours18:07 The Moorish Influence on the Algarve19:38 Henry the Navigator and Lagos History20:24 How Salazar Changed Portuguese Architecture22:22 The 1974 Revolution's Impact on Portuguese Culture23:53 Social Responsibility and Leave No Trace25:26 Over Tourism: Are We On That Path?26:26 What the Government Should Focus On28:25 Meet Dolores: The 1999 Toyota Hiace31:22 What Relocators Should Know About Lagos32:25 Managing Mold and Real Life in Portugal33:38 Learning Portuguese: Why It Matters More Than Ever35:49 The Best Way to Learn Portuguese37:09 Making an Effort to Integrate39:39 What's Next for Chris40:46 Exploring the Interior: Hidden Restaurant Gems42:47 Via Algarviana and Winter Hiking44:21 Madeira: The Best Hike Outside the Algarve46:13 Future Collaboration Plans ➣ CONTACT US for relocation assistanceGet on a free discovery call and we can outline how we can work with you.https://www.algarveaddicts.com/contact Check out our Instagram instagram.com/algarveaddicts

    47 min

  5. 12/23/2025

    Lagos Entrepreneurship Scene Explained ft. Marta Dinis | Algarve Addicts | S3 • 06

    Connect with Marta and Fábrica do Empreendedor Lagos:Instagram (Fábrica): https://www.instagram.com/fabricadoempreendedorlagos/Instagram (Marta): https://www.instagram.com/martasofiacdinis/ Meet Marta Dinis, who works at Fábrica do Empreendedor in Lagos, a completely free resource funded by the city hall that helps people start businesses and find jobs. Located right in the Lagos marina, this organization supports entrepreneurs and job seekers without charging a cent for workshops, one-on-one consultations, or business development help. Marta shares what kinds of businesses people are actually starting in Lagos (spoiler: not all tourism related), the most common mistakes entrepreneurs make, and why you should never rent a space before checking with the city hall. We talk about legal requirements for home-based food businesses, how the Lagos entrepreneurial scene is growing, and why international entrepreneurs and Portuguese locals working together creates something special. You'll discover how to access free business support, what their training covers, and why Lagos is becoming a hub for tech events and entrepreneurship in the western Algarve. Marta also explains the partnership approach that makes things happen, from TEDx to DevFest, and why the city hall actually supports these initiatives. Perfect for anyone considering starting a business in Portugal, relocators wanting to understand the entrepreneurial landscape, or people curious about what free resources exist to help you launch successfully in the Algarve. 00:00 Introduction: From Lisbon to Lagos02:31 What Is Fábrica do Empreendedor?04:27 How It's Different From Government Employment Services06:13 What Kinds of Businesses Are Starting in Lagos07:12 Creating Community Among Entrepreneurs07:57 Partnership with Events: TEDx Lagos and DevFest14:54 How Many Projects Pass Through Each Year20:39 Most Common Reasons Projects Fail30:55 Is Entrepreneurship Growing in the Algarve?32:55 Why Lagos Is Where Things Are Happening34:47 How City Hall Supports Entrepreneurship36:10 Visit Them at the Marina ➣ CONTACT US for relocation assistanceGet on a free discovery call and we can outline how we can work with you.https://www.algarveaddicts.com/contact Check out our Instagram instagram.com/algarveaddicts - we'd love to connect with you there!

    36 min

  6. 12/17/2025

    Portuguese Culture: Slow Meals & Long Goodbyes ft. Mathias Explores | Algarve Addicts | S3 • 05

    Thumbnail image credits to Mathias: https://www.instagram.com/p/DQ4QjYMjAjW/ Connect with Mathias Explores:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mathias.explores/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mathiasexplores Meet Mathias Fernandes, the photographer behind Mathias Explores and the guy who earned the nickname "The Algarve Guy" for knowing all the best spots along Portugal's southern coast. With 80k Instagram followers, Mathias has built a thriving photography and videography business capturing the landscapes he calls home. Mathias shares how a simple trip to the Azores with his mom sparked a photography journey that went from casual hobby to full career. Through consistency and sharing his work on social media, opportunities naturally evolved into client work. We talk about how Instagram growth has changed over the years, why he's shifting focus to YouTube for deeper storytelling, and what keeps the Algarve fresh after shooting it for nearly a decade. But this conversation goes beyond photography. Mathias reflects on what makes Portuguese culture special, from the slow pace of meals to the 20-minute goodbye rituals with family. He explains why quality of life here beats the hustle culture elsewhere and why even after traveling the world for work, he always comes back grateful to live in the Algarve. Perfect for aspiring photographers building a business, content creators navigating social media changes, digital nomads considering Portugal, or anyone curious about what slow living actually looks like in practice. Chapters00:00 Introduction: The Algarve Guy00:24 How He Got That Nickname01:35 Photography Started on a Trip to the Azores02:41 From Action Cam to Full Frame Cameras04:04 When Hobby Became Career05:40 Growing on Instagram: Then vs Now08:04 80k Followers and Staying Inspired36:29 What He Tells People About Living Here38:22 The Portuguese Way: Slow Meals and Long Goodbyes41:16 What's Next: Focusing on YouTube43:38 Connecting With Fishermen in Ferragudo ➣ CONTACT US for relocation assistanceGet on a free discovery call and we can outline how we can work with you.https://www.algarveaddicts.com/contact Check out our Instagram https://instagram.com/algarveaddicts - we'd love to connect with you there!

    44 min

  7. 12/10/2025 · BONUS

    Is Portugal Still Worth Moving To in 2025? | Algarve Addicts | S3 • 05 (Webinar Special)

    Is Portugal still worth moving to in 2025? With rising property costs, changing visa policies, and concerns about overtourism, it's a legitimate question that deserves an honest answer based on current realities. Nick Smith, Commercial Director at Algarve Addicts and Chartered Surveyor (MRICS), provides an unfiltered assessment of Portugal's relocation landscape. This isn't a promotional session or cheerleading for Portugal. It's a straightforward analysis of what relocating to Portugal actually looks like right now. What we cover: • Financial reality: How Portugal's cost of living compares to other European destinations in 2025 • Immigration updates: What's actually changing with visa policies and how it affects your plans • Quality of life comparison: Portugal today versus five years ago • The "missed the boat" myth: Whether it's genuinely too late or just noise • Who should still move: The types of people for whom Portugal still makes complete sense (and who might want to reconsider) This webinar gives you the information you need to make an informed relocation decision for YOUR specific situation. About Nick Smith: Nick is a Chartered Surveyor (MRICS) with extensive property industry experience from London's global firms and boutique agencies. After making his own spontaneous move to the Algarve, he's helped countless families navigate their relocation journeys. As a family man himself, Nick understands that getting it right means more than just finding the perfect property - it's about the entire lifestyle shift. Ready to explore your Portugal relocation options? Contact us: https://www.algarveaddicts.com/contact Follow us on Instagram: / algarveaddicts Subscribe for more honest insights about relocating to Portugal! Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction and Overview of Portugal's Appeal 00:03:01 Cost of Living in Portugal: A Deep Dive 00:05:56 Visas and Immigration Policies: What's Changing? 00:08:52 Quality of Life: Then vs. Now 00:11:51 Housing Market Insights: Renting vs. Buying 00:15:03 The Future of Property Prices in Portugal 00:17:47 Navigating the Real Estate Market: Tips and Strategies 00:20:56 Q&A Session: Addressing Audience Queries 00:34:44 Navigating the Car Market in Portugal 00:39:45 Understanding Property Taxes and Insurance 00:42:54 Cost of Living Insights 00:44:29 Changes in Visa and Immigration Policies 00:50:10 Quality of Life: Then and Now 01:08:31 Who Portugal is For: Lifestyle Considerations 01:11:50 The Cost of Living and Quality of Life 01:13:36 Investment Opportunities in Portugal 01:15:12 Future Outlook: Is Portugal a Good Long-Term Choice? 01:17:01 Tourism Dynamics: The Summer Experience 01:20:51 Navigating Property and Legal Challenges 01:22:48 Final Thoughts #MoveToPortugal #PortugalRelocation #LivingInPortugal #AlgarveLife #ExpatLife #PortugalVisa #DigitalNomadPortugal #RetireInPortugal #PortugalRealEstate #Algarve

    1h 37m

  8. 11/19/2025

    How I Built 100k Followers From Albufeira ft. Coach Kat | Algarve Addicts | S3 • 04

    Connect with Coach Kat:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kat.cut.fit/Website: https://www.katcutfit.com/ Meet Coach Kat, an online mobility and flexibility coach who runs her thriving business from Albufeira. With over 100k Instagram followers, she helps people move pain-free and regain strength through her online coaching platform. Her approach to relocation? Just show up and figure it out as you go. Kat shares how she chose Albufeira simply because it was the first apartment she found, why she's stayed, and what makes the town work for entrepreneurs and digital nomads. We talk about the reality of getting your NIF and residency as an EU citizen, how she built community by starting "Walk and Talk" hiking meetups every Saturday, and why she learned Portuguese through one-on-one coaching instead of group classes. You'll discover what daily life looks like in Albufeira beyond the party reputation, how to find your people when you arrive, and why being present matters more than planning everything perfectly from abroad. Kat also shares her perspective on why the Algarve attracts people who want to build businesses while actually enjoying life. Perfect for digital nomads and online entrepreneurs considering Portugal, anyone curious about Albufeira beyond the tourist stories, or people who want practical advice on building community and learning Portuguese after relocating. Chapters00:02 Introduction: Turning People Into Supple Leopards01:12 100k on Instagram and Running Business From Albufeira01:40 How She Chose Albufeira (First Apartment She Found)02:52 What's Actually Good About Albufeira04:06 Getting Your NIF as an EU Citizen05:54 Building Community and Making Friends06:28 Starting the Albufeira Meetup Groups07:30 Creating Walk and Talk: Saturday Hiking Meetups20:13 Learning Portuguese: The One-on-One Approach23:08 What Makes Portugal Different From Other Countries25:38 Advice for Newcomers: Just Arrive and Figure It Out27:19 How to Connect With Coach Kat ➣ CONTACT US for relocation assistanceGet on a free discovery call and we can outline how we can work with you.https://www.algarveaddicts.com/contact Check out our Instagram @algarveaddicts - we'd love to connect with you there!

    28 min
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The mission of Algarve Addicts is to reveal what life is really like inside the Algarve and Portugal, as a foreigner living in the country. We want to help expats transition seamlessly and effortlessly into a normal, productive and integrated life in Portugal through the entertaining use of digital content.

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