Praia de Monte Clérigo – the complete guide
Praia de Monte Clérigo is a beach near Aljezur, on the west coast of the Algarve. It is part of the Costa Vicentina natural park. The beach is popular among locals, but you can also find surfers here. In this article you will discover why this beach is worth visiting.
Watch it in HD
If you would like to experience the beach of Praia de Monte Clérigo, then watch the video below.
The beach
Praia de Monte Clérigo is a relatively big beach, which stretches for about 500 metres. The beach is backed by a combination of cliffs and dunes. The cliffs are on both sides of the beach, and are gently sloping to sand dunes in the middle part of the beach. It is relatively unspoiled and one of the best beaches in the area. The sand on the beach is soft and golden.
The water here is clear, which is good for snorkeling. However, the water is very cold. If you do decide to get in the water, it is recommended to wear a wetsuit. Furthermore, watch out for some rocks in the water. It can be easy to hurt yourself against them. Also beware that the sea here can be ferocious on some days and that the current can be strong here.
Praia de Monte Clérigo is characterized by the small fishing village of Monte Clérigo. This village has lovely colourful houses, which are located on a hill on the southern side of the beach. It also has a very chill vibe to it. The view of the beach with the village in the background is just beautiful.
Praia de Monte Clérigo is popular among local families, partly because of the pools you can find near the rocks during low tide. You can also find some surfers here. Usually it is one of the more quiet beaches in the area. During Summer, the beach is visited by more people. However, it never gets really crowded and there is enough space for everyone.
From the cliffs on the northern side you have a great view over the beach. You can actually walk north from here to Praia da Amoreira, which is only a short walking distance away. It is also great to see the sunset from the top of the cliffs here.
When you walk around in this area, you will find that there is plenty to explore. For example, you can find some amazing but strange looking rock formations nearby.
Near the cliffs on the southern side of the beach, you can find a variety of marine life betweens the rocks. You can see many crabs, starfish, shrimp and even octopus here. It is great to come and explore these places with kids. If you walk up the cliffs on this side you also have a beautiful view over Praia de Monte Clérigo.
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Surfing
Praia de Monte Clérigo is a popular spot for surfing. The swell here is strong and more exposed to the northern swells than Praia da Arrifana. This means that waves here are generally higher than in Arrifana. Additionally, beware that the sand banks often move places, which also causes current to change frequently. Surfing here is best when the wind is from south/southeast.
Praia de Monte Clérigo is a good surfing beach for all skill levels. During high season (July, August and September) you can take surf classes here from Boa Onde Surf School. It is a great beach to learn how to surf. However, when the sea gets ferocious here, this place is only for experienced surfers.
Rock pools
At low tide, you can see rock pools near the water. At some places during low tide, the water stays between the rocks, forming a small lagoon. Kids love to explore these pools and it is part of the reason why this beach is so popular among families.
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. Praia de Monte Clérigo is located a bit more than 8 kilometres from Aljezur and is actually quite easy to reach by car. When coming from the south, drive on the N120 towards Aljezur. Before you reach the village, turn left and follow the signs towards Praia da Arrifana and Monte Clérigo.
There is a car park behind the beach. Parking is free of course. From the car park you can walk towards the sea and reach the beach via one of the two wooden boardwalks.
Restaurants
The good thing about Monte Clérigo is that there are several restaurants within a short walking distance from the beach. We recommend the following ones:
- A Rede. This Portuguese restaurant is a good place for lunch. The food is tasty and prices are reasonable. The staff is great: they do their best to make customers happy.
- O Sargo. This fabulous restaurant is the perfect place for a lovely dinner. The menu is creative and the food looks awesome. Prices are slightly higher than other restaurants, but you also pay for the experience.
Hotels
If you wish to stay near Praia de Monte Clérigo, we recommend the following options:
- Utopia Guest House. This guest house has two outdoor swimming pools and a large garden. Some rooms also have a balcony. The place feels really cosy and the owner does everything to make you feel welcome.
- Amar o Mar Guest House. This guest house has everything you need for a great holiday in this part of the Algarve. The owner is very friendly and will give you lots of local tips. There is a kitchen so you can cook your own meal if you want to. Located between Praia de Monte Clérigo and Praia da Arrifana. Highly rated.
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 near Monte Clérigo beach. By changing the date of your holiday, the map will show you the current prices.
Facilities
Praia de Monte Clérigo is a blue flag beach, which means it complies with international standards regarding safety and facilities. There are lifeguards overlooking the beach here during Summer. Between the car park and the beach you can also find public toilets. Furthermore, the beach is also accessible to disabled people.
Facilities in Praia de Monte Clérigo:
- Restaurant: yes
- Bar/club: no
- Toilet: yes
- Shower: yes
- Water sports: yes
- Sunbeds: no
- Parking: yes
- Lifeguards: yes
- Blue flag beach: yes
