Ferragudo holidays

Holidays to Ferragudo take you to a pretty Algarve village with a duo of beaches, authentic restaurants and laidback nights out.

One to watch

Peaceful Ferragudo is one of the Algarve’s best-kept secrets. It’s a picturesque little village on the eastern side of the estuary of the River Arade, with Portimao just across the water. Traditional fishermen’s houses spill down the cobbled streets, while the main square and quayside are the cosy hubs for restaurants and bars. And right on the coast, you’ve got a duo of sandy beaches with a clifftop fortress in between.

A double beach act

Ferragudo comes with two sandy beaches. The nearest to town is the smaller of the pair, Praia da Angrinha. Take a short walk past the 17th-century São João de Arade – a fort turned private residence – and you'll reach Praia Grande, a long wide beach with sunloungers and beach cafés. You don’t have to stop here, though. Next door is Praia do Molhe – you’ll need to bring a towel and sunshade for this little beach – and right after that is the sheltered cove of Praia do Pintadinho.

Daytrips to Silves and Lagos

It’s just 25 minutes' drive to the town of Silves, where the River Arade serves up scenic river walks. There’s also a well-preserved Moorish castle with steep cobbled streets leading up to it. Alternatively, just over half-an-hour gets you to Lagos. The old town is wrapped up in 16th-century walls, and there’s more history at the Ponta da Bandeira, a 17th-century fort, and the 18th-century Church of Santo Antonio.