Aljezur in the Algarve is located along the beautiful Atlantic coast and offers a mix of history and nature. From Aljezur, you have access to some of the most beautiful beaches in the entire region. This makes it the perfect destination to visit during a travel to the Algarve. For that reason, we put together our personal travel recommendations of what to do and see in Aljezur.
The famous Aljezur Castle on the hill
Important to know is that Aljezur is divided into two parts: the old town and the new town. The old town is characterized by small streets that takes you up to the impressive ruins of a 10th-century Moorish castle. While we walked through the small streets up to the castle, it really feels like time stands still for a while.
Although most parts of the Aljezur Castle were destroyed by the earthquake in 1755, the castle ruins still offer fantastic views of the surrounding countryside and Aljezur itself. Especially, the view over the cork oak and pine forests as well as the ocean view from afar are worth seeing. The good thing is that you will barely find people at the Aljezur Castle, so that you can enjoy the views over the Algarve on your own.
What to do in Aljezur in the Algarve?
When you cross the small bridge over the river of Aljezur, you’ll reach the new town. This part of Aljezur was built in the 18th century after an earthquake destroyed a large area around Lisbon. However, it still features the cathedral Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Alva in the main area, which was built in the same century. Right in between the old and new town, the Mercado Municipal de Aljezur is definitely worth a visit. While visiting the market, you will find great regional food as well as some upcoming food brands that might let you try their latest product innovations. It’s such a great place, when you spend a few days in Aljezur in the Algarve.
Apart from the cathedral, you’ll also find several shops, cafés and restaurants in the new town, as this part of Aljezur is more lively and vivid. Here, we can warmly recommend visiting KŌYŌ Speciality Coffees. Besides their delicious coffee, their matcha latte, homemade ice creams and cakes are also worth trying. Sometimes they even have fresh cinnamon buns from WYLD which are absolutely incredible. But be aware that this place can become quite crowdy during peak times.
Most beautiful beach in Aljezur Algarve
Aljezur is also very close to one of the most beautiful and tranquil beaches of the entire Vicentina coast. Therefore, we can recommend the beach of Praia Amoreira with its rock formations, beautiful sand dunes and the river that flows inland. When you walk to the southern end of the beach, you can observe the Ribeira de Aljezur river flowing into the ocean and sometimes even the ocean flowing into the river. A really unique and natural spectacle in the Algarve!
Furthermore, the river at Praia Amoreira is pleasantly warm compared to the cold Atlantic Ocean. Because of that, it makes it to an excellent spot for swimming or stand-up paddling during summer. On top, Praia Amoreira is perfect for surfing, hiking along the river or just relaxing on the sand.
Aljezur Fisherman’s Trail in the Algarve
If you love hiking, the Fisherman’s Trail that goes through Aljezur is a must-do. This trail takes you along the Vicentina coast, where you pass right the town of Aljezur in the Algarve. This part of the Fisherman’s Trail is especially known for its breathtaking views over the natural landscape of the southwest coast of the Algarve.
Is it worth visiting Aljezur?
Alejzur stands out as a highlight and secret tip on the southwest coast of the Algarve. For us, this area was one of the highlights during our trip along the Atlantic coast. Even though it’s completely different from the South of the Algarve, we enjoyed our time here a lot. It’s a quite area that gives you more space to relax and breathe. The combination of historical town and tranquil beaches is unique and therefore, we can more than recommend to visit Aljezur.
If you’re looking for some great places of where to eat in Aljezur, check out this article. Even though these tips are gluten free recommendations, they still belong to some of best places to eat in Aljezur. No worries, these restaurants and cafés in Aljezur also offer great food with gluten.
