Praia de Armação de Pêra

Armação de Pêra is located just in the center of the Algarve,50 km from Faro Airport and 40 km from Lagos. Set in one of the wider bays in the Algarve. You won’t be surprised that Armação de Pêra is something of a beach-lovers paradise, there are resorts, many cafes, bars, restaurants, supermarkets, and more than a few watersports spots like Stand Up Paddleboard, Surf, dive center, Kayak tours, jet ski, boat tours, and more, Praia de Armação de Pêra is more than a typical fisherman village.

The main strip of sand forms an amazing bay from the western edge all the way to Praia da Galé 3,5km away. As well as this long crescent of sand there are a series of caves to the west, up to Carvoeiro all naturally carved into the limestone cliffs that are so typical of the Algarve coast. 

Like other Beach villages in the Algarve, there is a mix of the old and the new in Armação de Pêra, although it might be a little bit of a challenge to find too many reminders of the village’s past, as it was once known. still are the fishing boats pulled up on the beach (Praia dos Pescadores) one main attraction of this beautiful beach. With no harbour, this is where the fish is still landed before making its way onto the tables of local restaurants and the village population

If you do find yourself in Armação de Pêra there are a few sights worthy of mention. In the cobbled streets along the seafront in the old part of the village, you will find the 16th century fort (Fortaleza de Armação de Pêra) which was built to defend the town and fishing fleet from the North African Barbary pirates. Whilst there isn’t much more to the fort than an entrance and an outline there is a good view out over the beach and along the coast. Set inside the fort’s low whitewashed walls is a diminutive little chapel, the Capela de Santo António das Areias, which dates back to around 1720.

The village’s main church is set in a small square just off from the beachfront. The Igreja de Nossa Senhora dos Navegantes or Igreja Matriz de Armação de Pêra as it is more commonly known is a relatively new church only built in the late 1950s. With its typical Algarvian styling and set amongst the trees in this central square, the church is quite a pleasant spot even if these days it is surrounded by apartment blocks.

One of the best spots close to Armação de Pêra is the headland of Nossa Senhora da Rocha, About 2km along the coast, past the beaches of  Praia dos Beijinhos, Praia da Cova Redonda, Praia dos Tremoços the unique cliffs here are home to a medieval fortress and on top of it a tiny chapel named Nossa Senhora da Rocha(Chapel of Our Lady of The Rocks). The chapel here is set within the Old fort’s walls both of which command spectacular views up and down the coast. Below the headland are beaches to either side – the quiet Praia Nova to the west and the charming little praia da Senhora da Rocha to the east. The highlight spot is also the start of a popular coastal trail leading west along this amazing, fascinating coastline.

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