EXPLORING THE WHOLE ALJEZUR IS AN IRRESISTIBLE INVITATION. AFTER ALL, ANY TIME OF THE YEAR, THE RETURN IS JUST PERFECT. 
In the west coast of the Algarve and in the heart of Southwest Alentejo and Costa Vicentina Natural Park is located the municipality of Aljezur. In an unparallel beauty, it preserves awesome and unforgettable landscapes in a unique symbiosis between mountains and sea, combined with a vast and valuable natural and cultural heritage.
Arrifana fortress
Aljezur was founded in 10th century by the Arabs who left here a vast legacy of traditions, habits, and customs, as well as a precious architectonic heritage, the castle of Aljezur, of which remain some sections of walls, a tower with a circular plan and the “algibre” (water reservoir), having been built in the 11th and 12th centuries, some housing structures and two silos. During this stage, the fortification must have integrated the Almohad defensive system of the region of Silves, having been conquered by the Christians in 1249. On the 12th of November 1280, Aljezur gets its first town charter in the reign of King Dinis, which has been reformed by the charter given by King Manuel I, on the 1st of June 1504. During this historic period, the population lived from agriculture, being its productions shipped through the river port of the Aljezur system, at the time still navigable.
From north to south, between Odeceixe and Carrapateira, the municipality provides countless reasons to visit: monuments, archaeological traces of high interest, museums, windmills, waterwheels and watermills, cultural landscapes, historical-cultural and environmental circuits, and marked pedestrian and bicycle paths, quality gastronomy and local products, important regional and national festivals.
Odeceixe mill
Village of Aljezur
Old port of Zimbreirinha
The coastline is cut out in a unique way by the nature where, in a coast with nearly 25 miles there are beaches for all tastes, from Odeceixe, voted as one of the 7 Wonders – Beaches of Portugal, until Amado, a world-famous beach for the practice of surfing. Sought throughout the year, anyone visiting them is deeply marked, either by the sun and the sea, or by the sport practice, or even by a simple walk by the sea.
Amado beach
Monte Clérigo beach
Aljezur offers a quiet holiday, involving sport and leisure, always in harmony with the natural values. Here you will find the ideal place for the nature tourism, for the practice of Walking & Cycling, with observation of flora and fauna, surfing and bodyboarding, sport fishing, horse riding orientation. Delight yourself by making “Rota Vicentina”, “Via Algarviana”, the Historical-cultural and Environmental Circuits, the Cultural Route of the Village of Odeceixe, Pontal da Carrapateira, Route of Al-Mutamid and Eurovelo absorbing everything provided by these circuits.
Aljezur, of countless charms and nooks, with fine quality products, some from the sea like the fish (bream, seabream, or seabass) and the seafood (barnacles, mussels, limpets, sea snails, sea urchins), others from the ground, like the sweet potato, peanuts, vegetables, and others processed like the arbutus brandy, the honey, or the excellent local sweets, assigning the gastronomy with one of the strongest appeals to visit the region.
Aljezur also provides an excellent network of accommodations for all tastes: from the distinctive tourist resorts in the rural space to the pleasant hotel establishments, or the inviting local accommodations, in villas, apartments and lodging establishments. Also noteworthy are the countless and recent hostels, mostly intended for the younger people, or Pousada da Juventude (Youth Hostel) at Arrifana and the attractive camping and caravanning park and the motorhome service area (ASA) at Francelhos.
Enjoy one of the most preserved and attractive destinies in Europe and spend here your dream holiday… or come here just for the pleasure of exploring Aljezur.
