Best Guide to Carvoeiro, Porches & Ferragudo, Algarve

Two charming Algarvean towns and one of the region’s oldest fishing villages.

Formerly a traditional fishing village, Carvoeiro is now a busy coastal resort on the western side of the Algarve. However, it has managed to retain its original Algarvean charm, generally avoiding being developed into an area of high rise apartment blocks and hotels. With a small central beach and some of the most scenic beaches and coastline nearby (the famous and romantic Benagil cave is just a short boat ride away) this is a very attractive town, a long time favourite with summer visitors and year-round residents. Home to some excellent restaurants, including a Michelin star holder - see below. The center of the village is quite small, ideal for idle wandering, the perfect place for evening strolls, enjoying a drink or an ice cream at a beachside bar.

One of the Algarve's oldest working fishing villages, this picturesque little place absolutely oozes charm, with fishermen pulling in their nets along the harbor wall and a labyrinth of cobbled streets that rise up from the main square to the typical country church overlooking the ocean - it's magical (and a popular setting for destination weddings). Set across the Arade River from Portimão, in front of No Solo Agua club, Ferragudo is home to some outstanding seafood restaurants. There are water taxi services from Portimão and Praia da Rocha to Ferragudo.

Carvoeiro Lighthouse: The Farol da Alfazina stands 25m high just east of the town, on the cape of Carvoeiro. The scenery is breathtaking and the views are spectacular. Great for walks along the trails, part of the Seven Hanging Valleys walk - find out more about this walk.

Fort and Shrine of Our Lady of the Incarnation (Nossa Senhora da Encarnação: You can't miss the chapel and the remains of the fort on the cliff above Carvoeiro town. The Fort dates back to the 17th century. The chapel, which houses the shrine of Nossa Senhora da Encarnação was completely destroyed by the great earthquake in 1755, but was restored in 1942. In the light of the moon, it's a very romantic spot. The adjacent children's playground has the most amazing sea views.

Ferragudo Castle (Fort of São João de Arade): Situated between Praia da Arade (the fisherman's beach) and the main tourist beach, Praia Grande, this intriguing fort was built in the 15th century and overlooks the river estuary. It's privately owned, so you can't look inside, but it's worth seeing from the outside.

Where to eat