Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
North of Sagres
Heading north along the Algarve's western coast you'll find some amazing beaches,
backed by beautiful wild vegetation. Thanks to building restrictions imposed to protect the
Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina
, it's relatively well preserved. This protec-
ted area is rarely more than 6km wide, and runs for about 120km from Burgau to Cabo de
São Vicente and up nearly the entire western Algarve and Alentejo shore. Here there are
at least 48 plant species found only in Portugal, and around a dozen or so found only with-
in the park.
It's home to otters, foxes and wild cats, and some 200 species of birds enjoy the coastal
wetlands, salt marshes and cliffs, including Portugal's last remaining ospreys. Although
the seas can be dangerous, the area has a growing reputation for some of Europe's finest
surf and attracts people from all over the world.
Carrapateira
Surf-central Carrapateira is a tranquil, pretty, spread-out village, with two exhilarating
beaches nearby whose lack of development, fizzing surf and strong swells attract both a
hippy, surf-dude crowd and, more recently,
lisboetas
. The coast along here is wild, with
copper-coloured and ash-grey cliffs covered in speckled yellow and green scrub, backing
creamy, wide sands.
Sights & Activities
For surfing courses (with accommodation package) contact
Algarve Surf School
( 962 846
771;
www.algarvesurfschool.com
;
1-week incl breakfast & lunch, equipment hire, lessons from €485)
or
Amado
Surfcamp
(
927 831 568;
www.amadosurfcamp.com
; 1-week incl breakfast, equipment hire & lessons €395-475,
camping €325)
.
Carrapateira Land & Sea Museum
( 282 970 000; Rua de Pescador; adult/child €2.60/1.05; 10am-5pm winter, 11am-6pm Tue-Sat summer)
The
Carrapateira Land & Sea Museum is a must for visitors - surfers or otherwise. Its contem-
porary design space has small exhibits covering everything from the fishing industry to
daily life of the locals, and stunning photograph collages depicting Carrapateira of yes-
MUSEUM
