Ferragudo, Portugal is one of the prettiest places to visit in the Algarve. This small fishing village is perched on the edge of the Arade River, where the river meets the Atlantic Ocean.
As Ferragudo is a pretty small town, you can easily see it all in an hour or two. If you love cute little villages, it's a must to include on any Algarve itinerary. We included a stop in Ferragudo in the morning and visited nearby Carvoeiro in the afternoon.
In this Algarve travel guide, I'll show you some glimpses of this vibrant town in Portugal. I'll go into detail about the best things to do in Ferragudo so you can plan your day there.
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Best Things to Do in Ferragudo, Portugal
Once you're in Ferragudo and you've found a parking space (there are spaces available on the street and in parking lots, as noted on Google maps), it's time to explore Ferragudo, Portugal.
This village is best discovered by walking around on foot. There are many narrow, meandering streets that ascend up into the surrounding hills. There's also a lively town square, an old medieval fortification, a lighthouse, and stunning beaches facing both the Arade River and the Atlantic Ocean.
Walk Around the Awe-Inspiring Streets
One of our favorite things to do in Ferragudo was simply wander the cobblestone streets. When we visited on a morning in mid-October, there were hardly any other people around. It was the perfect time of day for taking photos.
The homes and streets of Ferragudo sit on a gradual incline, so you will need to either climb some stairs or walk up some ascending paths. It's well worth the effort. As you gradually reach a higher point, you can gaze out across the orange rooftops.
There are many whitewashed houses with colorful trim in a range of pastel shades. Don't miss walking down R. Dr. Luiz António dos Santos, a street with a natural archway of blooming bougainvillea.
Some of the staircases and buildings feature intricate Portuguese tiles. There are also some little works of street art here and there that you might stumble upon, especially if you're looking for it.
Admire the Forte de São João do Arade
The Fort of São João do Arade (Forte de São João do Arade) is a fortification that looks like a castle. Therefore, sometimes it is referred to as the Castle of Arade. It was built in the late 1400s.
This majestic, terracotta fortress is located at the mouth of the Arade River, dividing the two beaches, the Praia da Angrinha and the Praia Grande. It's pretty cool that you can relax on the beach with a view of a castle-like fort!
Unfortunately, we weren't able to visit the Castelo de São João do Arade as it is not open to the public. It is privately owned by the Portuguese businessman and millionaire, Vasco Pereira Coutinho.
Farol da Ponta do Altar
Farol da Ponta do Altar is an idyllic lighthouse that sits on the edge of the cliff, facing the Atlantic Ocean. It's about a 25 minute walk from the fortress to the Ferragudo lighthouse. This is a beautiful walk, but you also might want to drive down if you're short on time.
The lighthouse was built and in use by 1893. It has an unusual design that looks a bit like a schoolhouse with a red lantern at the top of its facade. It's rather short for a lighthouse, though it's perched high at the cliff's edge. The lighthouse keeper used to live here back in the day.
To visit, park your car at Praia do Pintadinho and walk to the lighthouse. You can visit the lighthouse property and surroundings, though you can't go inside. The lighthouse is completely automated nowadays.
Relax on Ferragudo's Beaches
While many beach-goers opt for Carvoeiro's beaches, the popular Marinha Beach or Praia da Rocha on the other side of the Arade River, Ferragudo has its own stretches of soft, sandy beaches.
Praia da Angrinha is a beach situated on the river. You can also admire the castle from this beach, too. While the beach is large and great for sunbathing or a stroll, it's not the best water for a swim. Boats and freighters navigate these waters and dock here, so the water isn't as clean as farther south towards Praia Grande.
Praia Grande is a huge beach in Ferragudo and likely the one you'll want to visit. There's ample room to place your towel on the sand, and the intriguing castle adds to the epic scenery. The ocean and river waters combine here, though the sea is pretty calm and great for families.
Praia do Pintadinho is a favorite beach among Algarve locals. It's very scenic and surrounded by golden cliffs, caves and rock formations. Twinkling turquoise waters, a nearby beach restaurant and sunbed rentals make this one a favorite among locals and tourists alike.
Praia dos Caneiros is a lovely, smaller beach with limited parking. The views are made more impressive with the Leixão das Gaivotas rock formation off in the distance. While it can get wavy here sometimes, it is possible to swim out to this sea stack, especially during low tide.
Praça Rainha Dona Leonor (Main Town Square)
Praça Rainha Dona Leonor is the main town square in Ferragudo. It's full of restaurants, cafes and bars and there are several patios in the middle of the square.
This is where most people come to dine, enjoy a beer, have a cup of coffee, or simply chat with your travel buddies or people watch.
Like much of the Algarve and Portugal, many restaurants in Ferragudo are known for their seafood dishes. As I follow a vegan diet, there are quite a few vegetarian and plant-based dishes at restaurants in the main square.
We visited early in the morning and I'd already had my morning coffee. Many restaurants hadn't even opened yet when we were in Ferragudo.
If you're looking for vegan eats, I suggest checking out Portarade for some veggie options like a vegan burger. Sikandar is an Indian restaurant and there are several dishes that can be made vegan upon request. O Barril serves traditional Portuguese food and has some vegan dishes as well.
If you visit Ferragudo in the evening, you might find that there's live music in Praça Rainha Dona Leonor, providing a laid back nightlife atmosphere.
Tours From Ferragudo, Portugal
While we loved Ferragudo most for its adorable small town vibes, it's also possible to book day tours and excursions from Ferragudo. Some of the meeting points are located in nearby Portimão.
Want to experience Ferragudo from out on the water? Rent a kayak or standup paddleboard in Ferragudo. This is a self-guided trip that's great for beginners.
Take a boat cruise to the famous Benagil Cave, roundtrip from Portimão. You'll have the chance to spot dolphins and marvel at many intriguing rock formations on the way.
Have a second day in Ferragudo and looking for a full day adventure? This adventure tour takes you across land and water in the Algarve. Venture off road in 4WD Jeeps to discover the beautiful landscapes of the region. After lunch, it's time for a scenic cruise on the River Arade.
Getting There
The closest airport is the Faro airport, though you can also fly to Lisbon and drive down to the Algarve.
Here's where you can find great prices on flights to Faro or great prices on flights to Lisbon.
Pick up your rental car in Faro or Lisbon at the airport. We always use Discover Cars to find the best prices on car rentals.
Where to Stay in the Algarve
We stayed at an apartment for the week called Casa Aurora in the nearby town of Lagos. This is a large apartment with two bedrooms, two full bathrooms, a huge kitchen with every appliance imaginable, a living room, a laundry room and more.
This luxury apartment in Lagos is perched at the edge of Dona Ana Beach. The apartment comes with its own private balcony and easy access to the beach down below.
We loved staying at Casa Aurora and it felt like our own luxurious home away from home. Book your stay at Casa Aurora.
Accommodations in Ferragudo, Portugal
Would you rather stay in Ferragudo? It makes for an amazing home base as it's positioned between Lagos and Albufeira. Just keep in mind that traffic can get quite busy through this region during the prime summer travel season.
Please feel free to use the handy map below to compare properties all in one place. Enter your travel dates for more acccurate results.
More Algarve Travel Guides
Looking for more travel guides and itineraries for the Algarve? Here are the travel guides we wrote after visiting to help you plan your trip:
Want more travel tips and inspiration? Follow me on Instagram! I share daily adventures, whether I'm at home in Ontario, Canada, or halfway across the world!
Don't forget travel insurance!
Heading out of the country? Don't forget to get travel insurance. It's best to be covered in case of an emergency, cancellation or accident.
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