The South of Portugal is a popular destination, but it’s a big place. If you’re looking for somewhere to enjoy the beach, gorgeous views, and fun activities that are family-friendly, you might want to look into Praia da Arrifana.
Located 1h30 up the coast from Faro, or a 3h drive from Lisbon, this beach is in the Vicentine Coast Natural Park. With its surprising turquoise waters, Praia da Arrifana is surrounded by dramatic cliffs that provide a stunning view as well as protection from the elements – which makes it a perfect surf spot for all levels of surfers (find out more, including tide times, here). Bonus: it is wheelchair accessible.
Beyond that, explore other sights in the area and check out some of the adventurous activities available:
- Grab a bite at the Oceano restaurant if you’re into inexpensive yet delicious fish
- Walk around the ruins of the Fortress of Arrifana, the only example of a small Arabic fortification that exists in the country, and soak up the view
- The Castelho de Aljezur, a 10th century Moorish castle believed to have been the residence of a prince of the first independent Kingdom of Algarve (!)
- Aljezur is reputed to be the prettiest village in Western Algarve and is a mere 10km away from Praia da Arrifana
- Go adventure horse-riding with Yvonne, suitable for all levels
- Explore one of the many hikes available in the area, for example to nearby Monte Clerigo
Whether you prefer staying in a camping, hostel, or local guest house, between Praia da Arrifana, Vale da Telha, and Monte Clerigo, you will find a place that speaks to you (and your budget).
One option to look for a place to sleep is our sister website. Pure Portugal Holidays. Based on an initial search for the Praia do Arrifana area, we thought the following may be of interest:
This is one of the reasons we often say Portugal has it all!
And if you know Praia da Arrifana already, let us know what else is worth adding to the above list of recommendations by using the comment section below.
