Aljezur is a town between the sea and the hills of the western Algarve, with 6 045 inhabitants across 324 km², known for its natural landscapes and its historical and cultural heritage.
The whole coast of the municipality lies within the Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina, a protected area of more than 100 kilometres between Porto Covo, in the Alentejo, and Burgau, in the Algarve. The park has plant and animal species found nowhere else, and coloured, steep cliffs above beaches with conditions for surfing. The coast faces the open Atlantic, with more wind and swell than the south coast of the Algarve, and is less built-up because it lies inside the park.
Beaches in Aljezur
Praia da Arrifana: beach in a cove sheltered from the north wind, with the Pedra da Agulha, a rock needle, offshore.
Praia de Monte Clérigo: wide beach beside a small summer village, with a rock platform exposed at low tide.
Praia da Samouqueira: beach with a cave that can be walked through at low tide.
Praia das Adegas: naturist beach.
Praia de Odeceixe: beach between dark cliffs at the northern border of the Algarve.
Praia da Bordeira: long beach where the Ribeira da Carrapateira meets the sea.
Praia do Amado: wide beach with parking and services, popular with surf schools and families.
Monuments in Aljezur
Castelo de Aljezur: castle of Islamic origin on the hill above the town, taken by Christian forces in the 13th century.
Igreja Matriz de Aljezur: 18th-century Baroque and Neoclassical church with a white facade and bell tower, holding the image of Nossa Senhora da Alva, the local patron saint.
Fortaleza da Arrifana: fort on the cliff above Praia da Arrifana.
Ribat da Arrifana: remains of a Muslim fortified religious retreat on the headland of Ponta da Atalaia, of high archaeological value.
Museums and culture in Aljezur
Museu do Mar e da Terra da Carrapateira: the role of the sea and the land in local customs and economy.
Gastronomy of Aljezur
The farming village of Rogil is known for its sweet potato.
Walking in Aljezur
Both long-distance routes of the Rota Vicentina cross Aljezur. South of Arrifana, the coastal path crosses an almost untouched landscape of dunes, heather, thistles and aromatic shrubs.
Fishermen's Trail (Trilho dos Pescadores): coastal stages from Aljezur to Arrifana and from Arrifana to Carrapateira, part of a route of about 226 km from Porto Covo to Lagos.
Historical Way (Caminho Histórico): rural stages from Odeceixe to Aljezur, Aljezur to Arrifana and Arrifana to Carrapateira, part of a 263 km route certified as a "Leading Quality Trail – Best of Europe" in 2016 and 2020.
Circular routes: shorter walks from villages and beaches, including Odeceixe to the sea, Odeceixe to the river, Amoreira, Amado, the Carrapateira hills and from Bordeira to the sea.
Parishes of Aljezur
Odeceixe (1 055 inhabitants · 42 km²): northern parish on the border with the Alentejo.
Rogil (1 165 inhabitants · 35 km²): parish north of the town.
Bordeira (370 inhabitants · 80 km²): southern parish with the village of Carrapateira.
