West Algarve
Costa Vicentina
The Costa Vicentina natural Park extends from Odeceixe to Burgau, a broad sweep that takes in approximately 80 km of coastline. It offers an opportunity to appreciate, in their natural habitat, almost a hundred plants which have adapted to life in an atmosphere laden with salt and scorched by the sun, and thrive in environments ranging front the soft sand of dunes to the rocky fissures and poor soils of limestone and schist areas. For lovers of wildflowers, this is a paradise. The region is no less rich in animal life, in addition to foxes, wild boars, badgers, wild cats and rabbits, birds are the great attraction of the Costa Vicentina. More than twenty species inhabit the creeks and wetland areas; including herons, storks, kingfishers and water hens. The crags of the coast are home to ravens, rock doves, pigeons, gulls, magpies and many others. Birds of prey, such as eagles, falcons, sparrow hawks and owls share the skies with more than thirty other bird species, such as blackbirds, nightingales and finches.
The sea has carved tall cliffs from the schist hills along the coast where birds nest and wild flowers grow. Here and there in bays that face the sun and the ocean, are long beaches of dark sand.
Odeceixe - has a long beach, cut in two by the mouth of the Seixe creek. The resort is calm and family oriented with facilities for visitors. There are impressive views of the sea from the Miradouro da Ponta Branca.
Quebrada - is a narrow beach squeezed between the sea and the cliffs. Little visited.
Samouqueira, Vale dos Homens & Carriagem - Quiet, little frequented beaches.
Amoreira & Monte Clerigo - these two beaches lie next to each other, separated by rocks. There are facilities for visitors. The coast is punctuated by fascinating rock formations, ending at Ponta da Atalaia, which means Lookout Point.
Arrifana - a long stretch of sand sheltered by cliffs with a picturesque fishing port. Arrifana is linked to the historical figure of the Moorish prince and poet Ibn Caci (12th century) who lived here as a recluse. There are ruins of an old fort (17th century) built to defend the tuna fishermen and their gear. At the end of the cliffs Pedra da Agulha (literally Needle Rock) rises majestically from the sea.
Penedo, Vale Figueiras & Canal - beaches of great beauty that see few visitors.
Bordeira & Amado - long beaches In Bordeira stand the ruins of a former defensive fort built to repel pirate attacks (17th century). Near to Amado the so-called Pedra do Cavaleiro (Knight's Rock) stands amid the waves Between the two beaches lies the rock formation of Pontal, surrounded bays and high cliffs.
From Sagres to Lagos
Take a few days to tour the islets, rocky arches and caves bathed in the transparent waters of the western Algarve.
To start your journey, enjoy the fabulous sea view from the Atalaia viewpoint, up above Praia da Luz. Then in Lagos, where the Ponta da Piedade promontory protects the bay, take a swim and then explore the nearby caves.
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