Situated almost midway along the Algarve coast, 15 minutes from Albufeira on one of the Algarve's longest most glorious sandy beaches. A 45 minute drive from the Faro airport.
The central part of the beach is called the Fisherman's beach. Here, the small boats are still pulled up on the beach every morning, when the fishermen come in with their daily catch. Some of the boats are now pulled in by a small tractor (instead of by the fishermen themselves) but the traditional siren still rings each time a boat arrives to let the people know that more fresh fish will be going to adjacent market. It is amazing to see assortment of fish, crabs, eels, octopus and various water creatures the fishermen bring in their catch. By law they are not allowed to sell directly from their boats! ( but you do still see the odd plastic bag exchanging hands!). Often they will come by with a bucket of �clandestine' crabs for sale in buckets!
Walkers at anytime of year can enjoy the long walk along the beach all the way towards Gale . Or head out and walk across the marshes to see the wildlife in the
nature reserve . There is also a
cliff top walk along toward Carvoeiro , but be careful to stay well beyond the edges of the cliffs and avoid the potential of crumbling cliffs which can happen!
The old part of town, just behind the fisherman's beach has many tiny walking streets with sidewalk cafes, shops, restaurants and a cinema. In the off season some of them are not always open. However, always open, in normal shop hours, located just around the corner from Fisherman's beach, you'll find the lovely clothing shop "Collections' (see the writeup on Armacap de Pera FREEMAP for further details).
There is an interesting chapel at Senhora da Rocha to visit.
For a moonlight night, a walk along the beach is breathtaking. The ocean is lovely at night when it is dotted with the tiny lights of the bobbing boats when the fishermen are out.
In the winter when the seas can be rough on very windy or stormy nights the boats may not go out, otherwise the boats will go out every night except on Sunday, which is the fisherman's day of rest. So, beware if you go to the Markets on Monday as there is usually not that much fresh fish!
The GYPSY MARKET is every Thursday, location at the moment in question due to potential building works best to ask the locals or follow the people. Its called MARCADO IGANO.
The CAR BOOT SALE is the second Saturday of every month.
Just before Christmas, the main church in the square is decorated with a beautifully illuminated life size nativity scene.