Western Atlantic Coast - Algarve - Portugal

Welcome to Western Atlantic Uncovered! Guide to West Coast Algarve, Portugal!

Welcome to WesternAtlanticUncovered.com! Your tourist guide to West coast Algarve, Portugal! For tourist information about the West coast, its beaches, restaurants, bars, shops, things to do and in fact, all things Western Atlantic Algarve!

The western Atlantic coast covers an area that runs from Sagres in the south of the Algarve to Odeceixe in the north, the last town before the Alentejo. It is part of the protected 'Parque Natural da Costa Vicentina'. The coastline is much more dramatic and rugged than the southern coast and more exposed to the Atlantic weather - the reason that it is such a popular area for the surfing fraternity.

It is an area virtually untouched by tourism, with small hamlets and villages scattered here and there and many of the beaches are just that...beaches! No resort! This is what makes the region so special and enjoyed by those lucky enough to visit.

West coast Algarve falls under two municipalities (councils) - Vila do Bispo in the south and Aljezur to the north, with Sagres being the main town at the southernmost point and Aljezur town serving the northern end. There is only one route along this coast - the EN268 road goes from Sagres to Aljezur and then the EN120 to Odeceixe and beyond. To find the different beaches you need to watch for the signs. There are lots of seldom visited beaches (probably because they are quite inaccessible and not signposted!) along the way.

Odeceixe

At the northern most point is the pretty town of Odeceixe where the Seixe river winds it way through lush green pastures until it reaches the coast a short distance away at Praia de Odeceixe. The main part of the town is a network of cobbled streets in the bottom of the valley but there is a road leading up the hillside, past a church, to a windmill at the top (still operational) from where you can see the town layed out beneath you and the river winding through the fields to the sea beyond. It really is a very picturesque and peaceful town and although the centre looks as if it is a pedestrian area, as the streets are fully cobbled, it isn't! The 'road' winds past the little clusters of tables and chairs from the cafes, which are tucked around nearly every corner, and take you through to the road for the beach which is a couple of kilometres away at the mouth of the river.

Monte Clérigo

Monte Clérigo (just to the west of Aljezur) is a relatively small residential area on the hill above the beach. As you drive towards the beach, Praia de Clérigo, the views of the cliffs and the waves rolling in are really amazing - especially in springtime when the cliff tops are covered with flowers and foliage in all shades of green. There is a scattering of fishermen's cottages around the beach and a very popular beach bar/restaurant overlooking it.

Arrifana

Arrifana, to the north of Clérigo is a small fishing port with the main town perched on top of the cliffs where you can find a handful of cafés and shops as well as the remains of a 17th century fort which was built to protect the fishermen. There is a steep road down to the fishing port and the beach - a favourite with surfers! Arrifana is expanding with new building to the south and east which is inevitable considering the increasing popularity of the west coast Algarve.

Vale de Telha

Vale de Telha is a little inland from Arrifana, and is a popular residential area with a few shops and a smattering of restaurants and bars as well as several real estate agents! Everything is low rise, mainly single storey - the Algarve west coast is not an area where you will find high rise hotels and apartment blocks.

It is worth mentioning that as the whole of this coast is in a protected area, building regulations are, quite rightly, strict and it is really important (if you were thinking of buying property here) to make sure that all the appropriate licences and permissions have been obtained and adhered to. (From time to time there are 'issues' in the local papers regarding building in the Costa Vicentina park.

Carrapateira

Carrapateira is a small town on the hillside just behind the sand dunes of Praia da Bordeira (often mistakenly called Praia da Carrapateira) about 14km north of Vila do Bispo and just south of the village of Bordeira.

The pretty central square, Largo do Comércio, has 3 or 4 cafes, a restaurant, a surf shop that also has bikes for hire and internet access, a mini-mercado for everyday supplies as well as a market for fresh fruit and veg.

To really appreciate the ruggedness of the coastline there is a scenic, if a little rough drive along the clifftops to Praia do Amado from Bordeira beach - take the road to the left of the beach and follow it up the hill and you can drive along the cliff tops all the way to Amado beach. Although it is quite a rough road in places, you don't need a 4x4 to tackle it! It is worth it for the view and when you reach Amado there is another, better road that leads you back to the main road just south of Carrapateira.

Praia do Amado is just that...a gorgeous beach! Oh, and there are a couple of snack bars! The large sandy bay with red and gold cliffs at either end and green hills as a backdrop ...wonderful! Judging by the number of surfers that gather here - the surf's not bad either!