People of the Sea
We provide itineraries to Fishing Villages of Western Algarve, aiming to value the cultural essence of these villages and to create a sustainable future for these fishing communities.
By briefly portraying these communities origins, while contrasting them with their current status, we hope to have picked up some of their deep maritime soul and to introduce another side of our Algarve with its wealth on traditions.
Come see our beautiful Fishing Villages!
Olhos d’Água
It got its name from the freshwater springs sprouting on the shore, locally called olheiros. These springs emerge even from the sea floor outside the tidal zone.
Armação de Pera
A fishing village whose name came from the abundance of fish on its coasts, leading to the establishment of a tuna trap in the bay of Pera, 400 years ago.
Senhora da Rocha
An ancient settlement, probably dating back to the Romans, whose main livelihood had always been fishing
Benagil
A beach in the municipality of Lagoa which holds registers of fishing activity at least since the 19th century.
Carvoeiro
It has been a fishing village since ancient times and it owes its name to Caboiere – a word with Arab-medieval origins.
Ferragudo
The origin of the name Ferragudo is uncertain. Some historians say it may have origins in an ancient iron pulley that once existed at Praia da Angrinha; this mechanism would have been used to raise fish and other goods from the docked ships.
Alvor
It’s current name of Alvor comes from the Arabic albur (heath, wasteland), dating back to the Muslim conquest in 716 d.C.
Praia da Luz
Located in the municipality of Lagos, in the village with the same name, Praia da Luz, formerly known as Senhora da Luz, is a flagship beach of the Western Algarve.
Burgau
Burgau is a fishing village in Budens, municipality of Vila do Bispo. It owes its name to the abundance of whelks, a gastropod mollusc, locally known as burgau or burrié, on its shores.
Salema
As its neighbour Burgau, Salema has a very rich and ancient history. The remains of an ancient Roman villa and a fish cannery confirm this long fishing tradition.
Sagres
In ancient times, Sagres was known as Promontorium Sacrum, a mythical place where the known world ended.
Carrapateira
The history of this village dates back to ancient human settlements linked to the sea and to fisheries. From Palaeolithic findings and until the Romans, many people dropped anchor in its stream, some of them settled here while travelling along the Roman via.
Arrifana
In the extreme northwest of the Algarve coast, between Carrapateira and Odeceixe, we can find Arrifana, a safe port, sheltered from the north winds.
