Praia de Odeceixe – the complete guide
Praia de Odeceixe is a beautiful beach in the muncipality of Aljezur and part of the Costa Vicentina natural park. It is known for its horseshoe pattern, being surrounded by the Ribeira de Seixe river. The combination of good waves with a beautiful lagoon makes this beach popular among both surfers and families. In 2012, this beach was chosen as one of the 7 wonders of Portugal in the category ‘cliff beaches’. Some publications even call this one of Europe’s top hidden treasures. After reading this article you will know why Praia de Odeceixe is worth visiting.
Watch it in 4K
Praia de Odeceixe is a real gem. Watch the video below to see the beauty of the beach and its surroundings.
The beach
Praia de Odeceixe is a beach in the form of a horseshoe and stretches for about 330 metres. The Ribeira de Seixe river wraps itself around the beach, until the river mouth debouches into the ocean. The green/blue colour of the water forms a beautiful background against the golden sand of the beach. Near the entrance to the beach you can find some houses.
The area is unspoiled and the landscape surrounding the beach is stunning. On the northern side of the beach there are steep cliffs. On the west side of these cliffs is a big rock that looks like the fin of a shark. This rock is a landmark which makes it easy to recognize Praia de Odeceixe. When looking from the entrance of the beach, you can sometimes not even see the river on the other side of the beach, especially during low tide.
Another great thing about Praia de Odeceixe is that small lagoons appear in the sand during low tide. These lagoons are great for kids to play in. Also, you can find some rock pools on the northern side of the beach.
Praia de Odeceixe is mainly popular with families and surfers, although the beach is usually not crowded. There is enough space for everyone. Old travel guides will tell you that you will see many hippies near Praia de Odeceixe. Nowadays you can still see them occasionally, but not that much.
Make sure to watch the sunset from the top of the cliffs. The sunset here is especially beautiful.
If you like hiking, there are some great walking trails nearby. You can also find part of the long-distance Rota Vicentina trail here. This route takes you to amazing places and stunning viewpoints.
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Ribeira de Seixe
The Ribeira de Seixe river is partly what makes Praia de Odeceixe so beautiful. On one side of the beach there is the ocean and on the other side is the river. Ribeira de Seixe actually separates the regions of Algarve and Alentejo. You can swim in both the sea and the river, although the water in the river is warmer. Moreover, swimming in the river is safer since there are no waves. The sea near Praia de Odeceixe can have strong waves and dangerous currents. Also, there might be plenty of surfers in the sea, which is not great for swimming.
You can actually rent a canoe on Praia de Odeceixe and paddle up the Ribeira de Seixa river. This is highly recommended. You can see otters and many birds here. The area of the river is great for birdwatching. If you have some binoculars, make sure to bring them.
Surfing
Praia de Odeceixe is a great beach for surfing and bodyboarding. There are many waves on the ocean side and usually there are plenty of surfers in the water. Two surf schools are based on Praia de Odeceixe: Odeceixe Surf School and Surf Seixe Academy. They give classes for all skill levels, including beginners. If you don’t need classes but just need surf equipment, you can also rent it from them for a fair price.
If you wonder how it is to surf near Praia de Odeceixe, then check out the following video.
Praia das Adegas
On the southern side of Odeceixe beach is a small cove, where you can find another beach. This beach is called Praia das Adegas. You can walk to this beach during low tide. If you like to tan everywhere, this is the place to be: Praia das Adegas is one of the few official nude beaches in the Algarve.
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 Odeceixe is quite easy to reach by car. Coming from the south, drive on the EN120 to Odeceixe. When you reach Odeceixe, just follow the signs to the beach. The beach is located about 3 kilometres from the village of Odeceixe. You can park your car on the southern cliffs. If there is no space, you can park your car on the side of the road.
Restaurants
There are some restaurants near Praia de Odeceixe. Our favourite ones are:
- Bar da Praia. This bar on the beach offers tasty food, homemade juices, cocktails and other drinks. From the bar, the view is also great. This is our favourite bar near the beach.
- Restaurante-Cafe Dorita. This restaurant offers fresh fish and seafood. Prices are reasonable and the service is good. From the restaurant you have a spectacular view over the beach and the bay.
Hotels
If you wish to stay near Praia de Odeceixe, we recommend any of the following hotels:
- Carlos’s Beach Hostel. This hostel is located right near Odeceixe beach. There are private rooms, as well as beds in a mixed dormitory room. The rooms are clean and comfortable. Moreover, the owner is very friendly.
- Odeceixe Hostel. This hostel in the village of Odeceixe only offers beds in mixed dormitory rooms. There is a shared kitchen, so you can cook your own meals if you want to. The vibe is very chill and the hostel is highly rated.
- Sol Mar. This guest house on the edge of Odeceixe town has everything you need. There is a shared lounge and some rooms have a balcony or a terrace. Great breakfast as well.
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 Odeceixe beach. By changing the date of your holiday, the map will show you the current prices.
Facilities
Praia de Odeceixe is a blue flag beach and there are plenty of facilities near the beach. There are lifeguards in Summer overlooking both the beach and the river banks. There are some restaurants nearby and you can rent a sunbed if you want to.
Facilities in Praia de Odeceixe:
- Restaurant: yes
- Bar/club: no
- Toilet: yes
- Shower: yes
- Water sports: yes
- Sunbeds: yes
- Parking: yes
- Lifeguards: yes
- Blue flag beach: yes
