Carrapateira: Bordeira and Amado Beaches

Carrapateira is a tiny village on the Algarve’s west coast with two of Portugal’s most spectacular beaches: Bordeira, a vast expanse of sand and dunes, and Amado, a famous surf beach. A clifftop route between them has some of the best coastal views in the country.

Quick answer: Carrapateira is about 40 minutes from Lagos, between Aljezur and Sagres. Walk the boardwalk across the dunes to Praia da Bordeira, surf or watch the surfers at Praia do Amado, and drive or walk the Pontal da Carrapateira clifftop loop for views. See places to stay in Carrapateira.

Things to do

• Praia da Bordeira: a huge beach with dunes and a river lagoon, reached by boardwalk.
• Praia do Amado: one of the Algarve’s best surf beaches, with several surf schools. See surf lessons.
• The clifftop loop: a road and trail around the headland between the two beaches, with viewpoints over sea stacks and coves.
• The village: a small museum about life on the land and sea.
• Hiking: sections of the Rota Vicentina. See Costa Vicentina.

Tips

• Waves and currents: swim only with lifeguards.
• Wind: the west coast is often breezy.
• Sunsets from the cliffs are spectacular.

More: Aljezur, Sagres and surfing in Portugal.

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