Localização

Praia da Arrifana

Parque Natural da costa Vicentina SW

The Costa Vicentina is the Western coast of Algarve, Portugal. Stretching from Odeceixe to the North right down to Burgau on the South the area is a protected Natural Park. It covers over 74,000 acres of rolling hills, marshland, imposing cliffs, rocky coves and broad beaches. Declared a protected area in 1995, the park has a hugely rich fauna and flora that varies according to proximity to the ocean. Here peace and tranquillity reign supreme. The most usual background sounds are birdsong and the crashing of waves on the pristine beaches. The area is also a surfer’s paradise. The unbroken waves rolling in from the Atlantic are perfect for beginners and for more advanced surfers that want to perfect their surfing skills. Even in the height of the summer season you can find almost deserted beaches along this coastal paradise.

Aljezur

Situated in the Costa Vicentina, Aljezur is a small market town with two parts divided by a fertile river valley, an area well known for it´s sweet potato crops. Its hilltop Moorish Castle offers a spectacular view to the surrounding countryside. Several spectacular, almost unspoiled beaches are located in the vicinity.

You can easily reach, Monte Clerigo, Canal and Arrifana, by the national road that passes through Aljezur. Aljezur is ideal for a relaxing holiday in the countryside, where you can enjoy surfing, walking, cycling, or just relaxing at the beach with a good book. The “alternative” Algarve.

Distances:

Aljezur – Lisboa – 240 Km

Aljezur – Lagos – 30Km

Aljezur – Faro – 110Km

The nearest airport is in Faro.

Surf spots

Praia da Arrifana:

Arrifana is just 15 minutes away from Aljezur and it boasts a really long narrow crescent of sands backed by black cliffs. It is a more sheltered beach, in terms of wind and swell. The beach is incredibly popular among surfers because when there is too much wind or swell, it is one of the few places where you can get decent surf. There is a fantastic view from the top of the cliffs, where you can see for miles out to sea. On the beach there is a restaurant, with fresh fish, supplied daily by the many fishermen that live around Arrifana. The beach is great for surfing, due to the reasons we already pointed.There is a narrow road running down to the beach, providing access for cars to park at the bottom. In summer parking down at the bottom is quite difficult because the beach is so busy, so you may find yourself having to park at the top and walk down. It is supervised during the beach season.

Praia do Monte Clérigo:

Monte Clérigo is one of the most northerly beaches on the western Atlantic coast and is about a 10 minute drive from Aljezur. When arriving in Monte Clérigo there is a fantastic view of the coast and a handy layby on the corner before you descend to the beach where you can stop and admire the view. There are just a handful of houses and beach bungalows around the back of the beach, a generous car parking area with toilet facilities, and a couple of cafe/restaurants looking directly over the beach. Access to the beach is easy by way of a paved path from the car park directly onto the beach. The bay is deep and sandy with a scattering of large rocks on one side, making it a lovely place for families as well for surfers. The waves break in many different places due to the constant change of the sandbanks; it is also a popular spot for fishing on the rocks. It is a supervised beach during the summer.

Praia da Amoreira:

Another beautifully located beach close to the town of Aljezur, here you can take a swim in the sea and in the river. It has an extensive beach and dunes and is becoming more and more frequented. It has a restaurant that is open all year around. Try to appreciate the detail of the black rock at the northern top of the beach, reminding a reclining giant. It is also a surfer´s beach, with some dangerous rips on connection of the river that flows there to the sea, creating a strong flow of water especially on high tide. It is a supervised beach during the summer.

Praia do Vale Figueiras:

Located 15 km south from Aljezur, Vale Figueiras, is an extendsive sandy beach backed up by high cliffs. It is still little frequented, where you sometimes can find quality waves with few people out. The access is made through an unpaved trail. It´s a very naturist beach, a good alternative if you are searching for a more relaxed venue.