While on holiday in Ferragudo in Portugal you will have the opportunity to discover its nine beaches and its secrets. Regardless of the season, Ferragudo’s beaches are always an excellent choice to enjoy the sunshine.
Due to the boat traffic in this area, it may not be the most suitable spot for swimming at a distance. However, if you´re interested in enjoying the beach atmosphere and perhaps dipping your toes in the water, this could be the ideal location for you. Moreover, during the peak season, this area is typically less crowded compared to the more renowned beaches.
Praia da Angrinha’s sand extends from Ferragudo’s pier, below the Our Lady of Conception Church, to São João do Arade Fortress.
In medieval times, the Ferragudo Castle, as some call it, along with the Santa Catarina Fortress on the other side of the river, had the purpose of securing the river’s entrance and protect Silves from invasion.
Nowadays, the Fortress is a well-preserved private property everyone can admire, but only from the outside. If you are a photography lover, the Fortress at dusk is a scenic landscape you don’t want to miss.
Praia da Angrinha is easily accessible by car since the parking is located a few steps from the sand. This is why families with small children or people with mobility issues enjoy this beach so much.
Although Angrinha is quite popular, there are no restaurants, lifeguards, umbrellas or sunbeds to be rented. If you wish to enjoy this beach, it is recommended you take your food and drinks and be aware of the river currents, as they might pull you in.
Since there are no cliffs around Praia da Angrinha, the beach is not protected against wind gusts, especially during summer afternoons.
This beach is located on the left riverbank of the Arade river, between the Fortress of São João do Arade and Praia da Infanta. Its calm and clean waters earned it a “Bandeira Azul”, a classification system used in Portugal to certify the beach follows strict standards regarding the water and sand quality, as well as regarding basic amenities.
In Praia Grande, you can go for a long walk on the sand, watch the boats sail, or simply find one spot to enjoy the tranquillity of the beach.
Near the beach access, there are well-identified parking places. However, during the busy months of July and August, you might find it difficult to park. If you find yourself in this situation, there is the option of parking close to Praia da Angrinha and walking on the paved road to Praia Grande.
When you reach the beach access, you will be presented with one of the most beautiful views of Ferragudo: the Arade river mouth stretching to the Atlantic Ocean, the piers closing in the river’s entrance, the beaches, and the lighthouses.
The stepped path built on the cliffs will take you down to the sand, where you will find three restaurants, bathrooms, showers, a playground, and a volleyball court. Other activities, such as sailing, bodyboarding or kitesurfing are also available. At the beach concession, there are sunbeds and umbrellas to rent in the summer season.
At Praia Grande, only a section of the beach is lifeguarded. However, if you feel comfortable in a secluded area without surveillance, walk to Praia Grande’s east side. There is only access via the sand, the cliffs, or from Casabela Hotel’s private path.
Praia da Infanta is the smallest along the Arade riverbank and the one with the most difficult access. A narrow path on the cliffs, between Praia Grande and Praia do Molhe, will lead you down to the sand. At high tide, the water will submerge the sandbank, leaving no space to lay down and enjoy the sun.
Due to its location and size, most of the time, Praia da Infanta is almost empty. If you wish to visit, be aware to use proper shoes while using the path.
Getting from your holiday apartment in the Algarve to Praia do Molhe is quite simple, as there is parking available close to the panoramic restaurant on the cliffs. However, getting to the sand might be a bit more difficult. A steep stairway leads to a section of loose rocks at the bottom of the cliffs – one of the reasons people avoid Praia do Molhe.
However, this beach is a good choice for families with small children, since they have the option of choosing between the warmer and calmer waters of the riverside or taking a swim in the ocean. The best time to enjoy this beach is at low tide, as the sandbank extends and you will have more space to place your beach towel.
The pier is also a known location for amateur fishermen and seafood gatherers, who collect goose barnacles, mussels, limpets and crabs.
Officially, Praia do Molhe is not recognized as a beach, therefore it is not lifeguarded, nor does it have any facilities such as showers, bathrooms, or sunbed rental.
The parking is within walking distance from the sand bank, and the best part is that there are no steps! For this reason, the elderly, families with children and people with mobility issues prefer Praia do Pintadinho.
This lifeguarded beach offers sunbed and umbrella rental services, a bathroom, showers and a volleyball court. The restaurant provides food and drinks all day long, during the summer months.
Praia do Pintadinho is a good choice on a windy day, especially if there are eastern winds. However, if the winds come from the south, west, or north sides, you might feel the gusts blowing your hair.
This secluded beach sits between Ponta do Altar promontory and Praia dos Caneiros. It is only accessible by sea or walking at low tide from the nearest beach. Even if you are a strong swimmer, swimming to Praia do Torrado is not recommended, since you might get pulled by the ocean currents.
At sea, in front of Praia do Torrado, a large round-shaped cliff emerges from the water. The cliff, named “Leixão da Gaivota” is a treasure for wildlife photographers and birdwatchers, since this is a nidification site for cormorants, seagulls, and egrets and it is classified as an IBA - Important Bird Area.
Since there are limited parking places available at Praia dos Caneiros, perhaps taking a taxi might be a good option to get from your Ferragudo accommodation to the beach.
Access is via a wooden promenade, shared with the beach restaurant. Once you step on the sand you will notice how thick it is when compared with the sandbanks from other beaches in Ferragudo.
Praia dos Caneiros is lifeguarded during the summer season, between June and September, and has sunbeds and umbrellas to rent, as well as bathrooms and showers.
If you wish to disconnect and still be close to your rental apartment, Praia dos Caneiros is the perfect place, since there is limited cell phone reception.
Access is by sea, by boat or kayak. As in other locations, since this beach is not lifeguarded, it is not recommended to swim there.
Praia da Afurada is visited by people looking for privacy, away from the summer crowds. This beach is considered a non-exclusive nudist-friendly beach, although it is not officially recognized.
Praia do Mato is a shell-shaped beach surrounded by tall cliffs, exclusively accessible by boat. The privacy, quietness, and isolation from the crowds are what draw its visitors.
On the west side, you can admire two natural arches forming the caves’ entrance. To the east side, there are heaped rocks at the bottom of the cliff, a sign of old landslips.