Ferragudo
About Ferragudo
Ferragudo is smaller and more traditional than its neighbour, Portimão. Located across the river estuary of Rio Arade, Ferragudo is a beautiful village and has been tipped to be one of the Algarve's new hot spots. The whitewashed houses tumbling down the hillside towards the river front and people sitting outside the cafes around the village square, passing the time of day give a real feel of the traditional Algarve.
Ferragudo town is embraced by palm-fringed gardens, which run alongside a narrow riverlet up to the main cobbled square, where you can sit in one of the many cafes for a delicious pastry and a coffee for a breakfast in a morning, or something more substantial at lunch. Take a walk around the corner onto the quay and there are some more restaurants offering delicious, fresh fish dishes with beautiful views across the Arade.
If you make your way down to the beach nearest to the village (Praia da Angrinha) you will see the Fort of São João de Arade, one of the Ferragudo landmarks. It began life in the 15th century as a lookout tower and then was extended in 17th/18th century as part of the fortifications protecting the mouth of the river.
There are some lovely beaches in Ferragudo, Praia Grande and Praia do Pintadinho being just two, but it is worth exploring, either by car, or by foot. For a relaxing holiday - good beaches, plenty of places for an evening meal and scenic walks - then Ferragudo is hard to beat.
If you are a golf enthusiast, then there are numerous golf courses nearby. One course has been designed by Nick Faldo and the other by Christy O'Connor Jnr. If tennis is your game the Carvoeiro Clube de Ténis at Sesmarias is conveniently positioned between Ferragudo and Carvoeiro as well as a thriving club (open to holiday makers as well as locals) at Rocha Brava resort in Carvoeiro.