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West |
Algarve |
Carvoeiro - Luxurious white beaches sheltered by breakwater |
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Ferragudo - This wide expanse of sandy beach lies opposite Portimão on the other side of the Arade estuary just on the outskirts of the charming fishing town of Ferragudo.
The beach is accessed down a flight of steps from a parking area on the cliff-top, just up the hill to the left of Joe’s Bar, an excellent little watering hole (looks like a shed in a car-park- but don’t be fooled, it has a wonderful atmosphere and some of the best toasted sandwiches around.) Ferragudo, Praia Grande, is a luxurious white beach with four beach bar/restaurants affording excellent views over the Arade estuary towards the Atlantic Ocean. Try dining there as the sun is going down on a hot summer evening – surely this is what living in the Algarve is all about!
As far as swimming goes, the water remains shallow for quite a distance, affording safe swimming for children and the elderly. And, because the beach is protected from the Atlantic waves by the breakwaters of the harbour, the waves tend to be somewhat gentler than at many of the other beaches in the area. There is a water sports centre at the beach with equipment for hire along with sun beds and sun shades. |
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Marinha - Very popular with the people of Silves, Lagoa and Portimão, Praia da Marinha lies to the east of Carvoeiro and is to be found by following the signposts, having taken a left turn, off the main Lagoa-Carvoeiro road.
Marinha is accessed via a descending, stepped, pathway cut into the cliffs. There is a generous gravelled parking area at the top of the pathway and cliff-top picnic tables taking advantage of the excellent view over the Atlantic.
On the beach itself, there is a beach bar and some spectacular sandstone coves to explore. Marinha belongs to a group of four charming adjacent beaches east of Carvoeiro, the other three being the sheltered coves of Carvalho and Benagil, to the west of Marinha, and Albandeira to the east. |
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Senhora da Rocha - Praia Nova and Senhora da Rocha are two delightful beaches on the coast of the county of Lagoa and are separated by the small rocky outcrop upon which stands the chapel of Nossa Senhora da Rocha.
You can pass from one beach to the other by means of a tunnel cut through the cliffs without getting your feet wet. The chapel dividing the two beaches is of considerable historical interest since it incorporates stones from former Roman, Visigothic and medieval structures; there is a Visigothic capital visible in the narthex of the chapel dating at some point between the 6th and 8th centuries, but the precise date of construction of the building continues to remain a mystery for historians and archaeologists.
Nearby is the luxurious sheltered beach of Praia das Gaivotas with the Sofitel Vilalara Thalasa Hotel up on the cliff top. |
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