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Leisure activities in the Western Atlantic Algarve area
- Surfing: The beaches of the Western Atlantic coast are a surfer's paradise! There are numerous surf schools that will arrange lessons for the novice and often arrange transport from your resort or can arrange accommodation locally.
- Fishing: This area is also good for fishing, whether 'off the rocks' or deep sea fishing trips.
- Diving: 'Diverscape', Porto da Baleeira, Sagres,
- Eco-karting: On the main road between Sagres and Vila do Bispo. Enjoy the amazing thrill-packed new sport of Eco-Kart Landsailing!
- Golf: 'Parque da Floresta' is the nearest golf course.
- Horse riding: Herdade Beiçudo Riding, Carrapateira. Tel: 282 975 184
- Slide and Splash water park near Lagoa - operates from the beginning of April to the end of October. It opens daily at 10am and closes between 5pm and 6pm depending on the time of year
- Parque Zoológico de Lagos (Zoo Lagos) - a beautiful zoo, just on the outskirts of Lagos. It is a fantastic day out for all ages, with lots of lovely animals.
Open all year round, 7 days a week.
Winter (from the 1st of October to the 31st of March) 10.00am – 5.00pm
Summer (from the 1st April to the 30th September) 10.00am – 7.00pm
Quinta Figueiras – Sítio do Medronhal
Barão de S.João
8600-013
Tel: 282 680 100
- Guided visits to the Historical Centre of Aljezur
Contact:
Associacão de Defesa do Património Histórico e Arqueológico de Aljezur,
Rua João Dias Mendes,48, 8670 Aljezur
Tel: 282 991 011
Alternatively contact:
Câmara Municipal de Aljezur,
Rua Capitão Salgueiro Maia, 8670 Aljezur
Tel: 282 998 102
Areas of interest in and around the Western Atlantic Algarve
- Take a trip to the working windmill above the village at Odeceixe and watch the age old traditional grinding of the grains. It also offers fantastic views of the surrounding countryside and the river Seixe.
- The windmill at Arregata - just a short distance from Rogil. You can see the various implements used for grinding the cereals.
Opening hours: 14.00 to 18.00. Closed Saturday, Sunday, Monday and holidays.
- Cabo de São Vicente (“Cape St. Vincent”) - The point was named after the body of St. Vincent was taken there to protect it from the invading Moors and became a place of pilgrimage for centuries. In 1173, the first King of Portugal, Afonso Henriques, had the remains of St.Vincent transported to Lisbon. There is a powerful lighthouse on the point and the view is amazing across the Sagres coastline.
Churches in the Western Atlantic Algarve area
- Bordeira church- possibly predates the earthquake of 1755 and is of quite a simple architectural style outside but the inside is quite different with intricate baroque style woodwork
- Igreja da Nossa Senhora da Conceição, Carrapateira: originates from the 16th century
- Igreja da Misericórdia, Aljezur: originates from the 16th century but rebuilt after 1755.
- Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Alva, or Igreja Nova (the New Church) which is centrally situated in the 'new' half of Aljezur, was finished at the end of the 18th century. Nossa Senhora da Alva is the patron saint of Aljezur.
- The parish Church of Odeceixe - 19th century
- Capela de Nossa Senhora da Graça - is located within the fort on Ponta de Sagres and thought to have been built in the time of Prince Henry.
- Igreja Matriz de Vila do Bispo - from the end of 17th century and is also home to the Museum of Sacred Art
Galleries and Museums in Western Atlantic Algarve
- Adega-Museu de Odeceixe : Cellar museum which reconstructs the atmosphere of a traditional winery and cellar of the early 20th century. A social meeting place for business to be discussed!
- Municipal Museum: Largo 5 de Outubro, Aljezur
Opening hours: 09.30 to 13.00 and 14.30 to 17.30 Closed Saturday, Sunday and holidays
- Municipal Art Gallery: Largo 5 de Outubro, 8670-053 Aljezur
Tel. 282 995 019
Opening hours: Monday to Friday - 9.30 to 13.00 and 14.30 to 17.30 closed on Sunday, Monday and holidays.
- Espaço Mais gallery: Rua da Escola, 8670-130 Aljezur
Tel. 282 997 181
Opening hours: Monday to Friday - 10.00 to 17.30
- Casa-Museu Pintor José Cercas, Aljezur: The home of the 20th century artist has been turned into a museum with collections of china, sacred art, sculptures and works of art by himself and other artists.
Opening hours: 09.30 to 13.00 and 14.30 to 17.30. Closed Saturday, Sunday and holidays.
- Museu Antoniano: Originally the building was the chapel of Santo António of Aljezur, which was constructed in the 17th century. After being used to live in during the 19th century it was finally turned into a museum and now displays books, old engravings, coins, medals and other curiosities of the time.
Opening hours: 09.30 to 12.30 and 14.00 to 17.30. closed Saturday, Sunday and holidays.
- Museum of Sacred Art is housed in an annex of Igreja da Misericórdia, Aljezur. It is named after it's patron, a local man - Monsenhor Cónego Manuel Francisco Pardal.
Opening hours: 09.30 to 13.00 and 14.30 to 17.30. Closed Saturday, Sunday and holidays.
Historical remains in the Western Atlantic Algarve area
- Arrifana has remains of a 17th fort on the hill overlooking the harbour.
- Carrapeteira has remains of a fort dating from the late 17th century and was built to protect the area from corsairs and pirates. It enclosed the local Church that was already in existence dedicated to Nossa Senhora da Conceição
- Castelo de Aljezur, 10th century Moorish Castle:
Entrance is free - well, there's not a lot of it left and no gate to collect the money -but the view is fantastic! The castle is signposted to the left of the bridge as you come into Aljezur. The road is very steep in some places and quite narrow, but it's easier than walking! There is a small area where you can park just outside and the road carries on past the castle, down a hill and rejoins a main road - we found this the easiest way down.
- Fort do Beliche - The remains of the 16th century fort which was built to protect the local fishing fleet still stand on the cliff top near Praia do Beliche. It was destroyed by Sir Francis Drake in 1587 and subsequently rebuilt in 1632. Inside the fort is the chapel of Santa Catarina.
- Fortaleza de Sagres - originating from the 15th century and generally reputed to be the site of Prince Henry's School of Navigation. It was destroyed by Sir Francis Drake in 1587 and subsequently rebuilt in 1793.
Opening hours: 10.00 to 18.30 and from May to September: 10.00 to 20.30, closed 1st May and 25th December.
- Wind Compass at the Fortaleza de Sagres: The 39m-diameter wind compass, (“Wind Rose”) is an impressive, yet puzzling sight.
- Fortaleza do Cabo de São Vicente, near Sagres, was constructed during the reign of King João III -to defend the coast from the pirates and corsairs. The lighthouse was built in 1904 in the centre of the fortifications on the site of an old convent
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