Praia da Bordeira – the complete guide
Praia da Bordeira is a beach on the west coast of the Algarve, located in the Costa Vicentina natural park, near the villages of Carrapateira and Bordeira. The beach is very big and has a remote feel to it. It is mainly popular with surfers and nature lovers. After reading this article, you will know why to visit Praia da Bordeira.
Watch it in HD
If you would like to see the beauty of Praia da Bordeira, then watch the short video below.
The beach
Praia da Bordeira is a big beach: it stretches for 3 kilometres. This makes it the longest beach in the municipality of Aljezur. Moreover, the beach is quite wide as well. The length of the beach makes it great for long beach walks.
The sand on the beach is nice and soft. However, the beach is very open and wide and thus exposed to the wind. This means that it can be quite windy at times here.
The waves of the Atlantic Ocean are very wild here. Moreover, the currents can be strong here, so watch out when swimming. The temperature of the water is usually very cold as well. That is why it is best to wear a wetsuit when going swimming or surfing.
Praia da Bordeira is backed by sand dunes and rugged limestone cliffs. Behind the beach there is a forest of ancient pine trees. This wild natural setting makes it one of the most beautiful beaches of the west coast of the Algarve. The best thing about the beach is that it is relatively unspoiled. Praia da Bordeira is usually quiet, with not a lot of people. This is because the beach is secluded and located far from the touristic towns. Because of the beach being so remote, it is actually listed as an unofficial nude beach in the Algarve.
From Bordeira beach there is actually a beautiful walk to the south along the cliffs, all the way to Praia do Amado. This hike is highly recommended.
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Surfing
Praia da Bordeira is a popular beach for water sports, mainly surfing and kitesurfing. The winds and waves on this beach are quite consistent, which is great. The beach faces northwest and the sea here has a lot of swell. Depending on the time of year and the swell size, the waves range from beginner friendly to waves that are only for experienced surfers. Especially in the winter, the waves can be rough. On days when the waves are rough, it is not recommended for beginners to surf here.
Also note that the right side of the beach is for experienced surfers, as the waves here are even bigger. However, watch out for some rocks in the water. If you would like to go surfing on Praia da Bordeira, there is a wooden hut on the beach, where you can rent surfboards and other equipment.
To get an idea of the waves at Praia da Bordeira, check out the following video.
Ribeira da Bordeira
Praia da Bordeira is bordered by a river on the southern side, which forms a lagoon. The water in the lagoon is calm and shallow. Children usually love to play in the water here. Also, the small river is used by migrating birds as a stopover. The river, known as Ribeira da Bordeira, eventually ends up in the sea.
Viewpoint over the beach
When you arrive on Praia da Bordeira, you will see wooden walking trails to get to the beach. From here you already have a good view over the beach.
However, if you follow the walking trail to the left, there is a viewpoint on top of the cliffs. This is a beautiful spot, where you can sit for hours and just watch the waves of the sea crash on the beach.
Beware that part of the walking trail is gone. This happened during a severe storm a couple of years ago.
Cliffs near the sea
The cliffs near the sea at Praia da Bordeira are known for their inaccessible fishing spots. Sometimes you see fishermen standing on crazy locations just to catch their meal. The waves here crash very hard against the rocks. On the rocks surrounding the beach you can also see many seabirds.
How to get there
The easiest way to move around in the Algarve is by car. If you don’t have one, make sure to rent a car. With a car, getting to Praia da Bordeira is relatively easy. Just drive to Carrapateira and then follow the signs. There is a car park on top of the cliffs. Parking is free of course. From here, just follow the wooden trail down to the beach.
Restaurants
There is a beach bar on Praia da Bordeira, which is only open during the Summer months. Here you can get refreshments, coffee and snacks. If you would like to get a proper meal, we recommend any of the following restaurants:
- O Sitio do Rio. This restaurant has great fresh grilled fish and other Portuguese cuisine. It offers very good value for money.
- Micro Bar. This bar has many delicious salads and offers friendly service. The menu is quite healthy and has a lot of vegetarian and vegan options as well.
Hotels
If you would like to stay near the beach, we recommend the following options:
- Casa Fajara. This hotel has a nice sun terrace with swimming pool. The setting is very peaceful and the staff is friendly. Good breakfast as well.
- Carrapateira Lodge. This guest house in Carrapateira has everything you need for a great holiday on the west coast of the Algarve. You can also rent a bike here, which is a great way to explore the area.
After the busy summer season of last year, we recommend to book your hotel now, as it will probably sell out. Below you can find a map with the location of hotels in Carrapateira. By changing the date of your holiday, the map will show you the current prices.
Facilities
There is a beach bar on Praia da Bordeira, where you can get refreshments and snacks. During Summer, there is a lifeguard on duty. Other than that, there are relatively few facilities here.
Facilities in Praia da Bordeira:
- Restaurant: no
- Bar/club: no
- Toilet: no
- Shower: no
- Water sports: yes
- Sunbeds: no
- Parking: yes
- Lifeguards: yes
- Blue flag beach: no
