Altura is a coastal parish of Castro Marim, with 2 106 inhabitants across 11 km², on the bay of Monte Gordo in the eastern Algarve.
The village has two parts: Altura itself, to the north along the EN125 road, and Alagoa, beside the beach. It is the smallest parish of Castro Marim by area.
History of Altura
Until a few decades ago, the area was made up of farms and fishermen's houses. Behind the dunes lay a wetland and a small coastal lagoon, recorded in the 19th century, and the higher ground was used for dry farming.
Tourism turned the area into a seaside resort, and Altura became a parish of its own on 11 June 1993, separated from the parish of Castro Marim. Its coat of arms shows a fishing net and a crow.
Beaches in Altura
- Praia da Alagoa: also called Praia de Altura, a long golden beach backed by a wide belt of dunes, with excellent water quality, four beach concessions with lifeguards, a sports field for football and beach volleyball, and conditions for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Three of its four access points are raised boardwalks, and it is certified as an accessible beach, with facilities for people with reduced mobility.
- Praia da Lota: beach to the west, at the mouth of the Ribeira do Álamo, where artisanal fishing boats still work from the sand.
- Praia Verde: beach to the east, backed by stone pines.
- Praia do Cabeço: beach further east, towards Monte Gordo.
Nature in Altura
- Dunes of Alagoa: dune belt within the Natura 2000 network (Ria Formosa/Castro Marim), with native coastal plants such as sea holly and sea daffodil, and the chameleon, a protected species.
- Ribeira do Álamo: stream at the western edge of the beach, whose banks attract many bird species.
Fishing in Altura
- Artisanal fishing: fishermen once sold their catch on Praia da Lota. The boats still land there, and the fish is now sold elsewhere.
Gastronomy of Altura
The restaurants of Altura and Alagoa serve fresh fish and seafood, including conquilhas à algarvia, small wedge clams cooked in the Algarve style.
Places near Altura
- Castro Marim (6 439 inhabitants · 301 km²): the municipal seat, with its castle above the Guadiana.
- Vila Nova de Cacela (3 873 inhabitants · 46 km²): parish 3 km to the west, with the village of Cacela Velha.
- Monte Gordo (3 197 inhabitants · 4 km²): beach town 4.5 km to the east.
Places to visit in the Algarve
