When we travelled for one week around the Algarve, we fell totally in love with the beautiful beach of Cacela Velha. The Cacela Velha beach (also called “Praia da Fábrica”) is still one of the insider tips and secret places in the Algarve. There, you can enjoy the tranquillity of the beach and admire the landscape and nature of Cacela Velha far away from the tourist crowds.
One of the best beaches in the Algarve
What makes Cacela Velha beach one of the best beaches in the Algarve is its ever-changining sandy terrain, formed of wind and tide. Each day it shows a different natural arrangement of golden sands and adds an element of surprise to every visit. Besides that, the clear and comfortably warm water is inviting you to start swimming in the ocean. If you check the ebb and flow times of the tides, you can reach the beach easily by walking at low tide. Nevertheless, you also have the option to take one of the local boats from the village side to access the beach in the summer.
What we did: Instead of taking a boat trip to the beach side, we waited until the water was almost dry at ebb time. In the meantime, we decided to have a look at the small village of Cacela Velha and walked through it.
Cacela Velha: Small village with a history
The village of Cacela Velha itself is one of the smallest villages in the Algarve. Therefore, you can see everything what the beautiful and idyllic village has to offer in almost half an hour. Despite its small size, Cacela Velha harbours historical treasures. The 16th-century Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Assunção is the village’s only church and stands as a testament to its rich past. Next to the church lies the Fortaleza de Cacela, constructed in 1770 by Dom Rodrigo de Noronha to ward off pirates. Although the fort isn’t open for tourists nowadays, it serves as an office for the National Republican Guard. Finally, you can find many white houses with colourful accents inside the village.
For a breathtaking perspective of the Cacela Velha beach and its surroundings, we followed the wall to the village’s magnificent viewpoint. From this viewpoint, turquoise waters stretch as far as the eye can see and the sands take on an almost magical journey. It’s a place where time seems to stand still and invites you to enjoy the moment and to get lost in the beauty of the Algarve.
How to cross the ocean to the Cacela Velha beach
As the tide came out stronger, we walked on the left side from the Fortaleza of Cacela Velha down to the beach. From there, we started crossing the ocean by feet to access one of the small sandy islands. Having a walk in the refreshing water when it was nearly 30 degrees outside, was an amazing feeling. When we arrived on the island, we spend our time there enjoying the view over the ocean and back to the coast.
Later, we took our way back by feet and crossed the ocean again. Finally, we returned to the village of Cacela Velha and finished our trip here. However, it’s important to note that this beach does not come with the usual facilities as there are no cafés, lifeguards or restroom facilities. Be sure to bring your own provisions, including food, drinks as well as a sun umbrella. Dining options are found back in Cacela Velha, where you can find some local restaurants specialized in seafood.
Good to know: Cacela Velha overlooks the stunning Ria Formosa Natural Park which is located at the starting point of Ria Formosa at Praia de Cacela Velha. This park is one of Algarve’s hidden gems and is home to diverse plants and wildlife. A must-visit for nature lovers!
