ALTURA
N 37º 10' 24'' ; W 7º 29' 51''
Altura is a Portuguese parish in the municipality of Castro Marim, with an area of 11.1 km² and 2106 inhabitants (2021). Its population density is 189.7 inhabitants/km², which allows it to be classified as a Low Density Area.
Geography
It comprises part of the coastline of the municipality of Castro Marim, which includes Praia da Alagoa, part of Monte Gordo Bay.
It includes the older and now-defunct community of Alagoa.
The village that today is known as Altura comprises two contiguous areas: one north, next to Estrada Nacional 125 (Altura itself), and another on the side of the beach, called Praia da Alagoa.
Around four decades ago, the entire region that currently corresponds to the town of Alagoa/Altura consisted of some agricultural farms and fishermen's houses. The region adjacent to the dune range was formed by an extensive wetland and a small coastal lagoon, of which there are references in the 19th century, in the Monograph of Vila Real de Santo António (work by Ataíde Oliveira), whilst at higher elevations Agricultural land dedicated to rainfed agriculture and citrus fruit production predominated. However, urban development in recent decades has turned this Algarve town into one of the main seaside resorts in the Algarve.
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Praia de Alagoa / Altura
(Altura / Castro Marim)
(P)37.171759, -7.498302
Coastal bathing water area included in the Natura 2000 Network: Ria Formosa/Castro Marim, characterized by an extensive golden beach and a wide dune range, where typical vegetation abounds, such as starling, sea thistle, beach lamb and the sand daffodil; and indigenous/emblematic species, such as the chameleon, which must be preserved.
Its bathing water is of excellent quality and mild temperature, and is supervised by lifeguards at the 4 bathing facilities and recreational facilities. Conditions are offered for practicing sports, with a games field (soccer and beach volleyball) and suitable conditions for windsurfing and kitesurfing, these activities being developed in the coastal areas adjacent to the bathing area.
Alagoa/Altura Beach has two car parks and four accesses to the beach, three of which have raised walkways to the sand.
As an Accessible Beach, it has three walkways, six parking spaces in the main organized parking lot and two bathrooms with capacity for people with reduced mobility. In addition to these conditions, Bathing Units 3 and 4 also have an amphibious chair, to support citizens with reduced mobility.
Also known as Praia da Altura, Praia da Alagoa is a long beach that stretches for more than two kilometers. It therefore offers plenty of space to practice sports on the sand, such as volleyball (there are nets next to the main entrance) and football, or simply to relax on the sun loungers in the shade of the palm trees available for hire during the bathing season. It is also possible to rent equipment for water sports, such as kayaks and pedal boats, and it is also a destination for windsurfing and kitesurfing. For these reasons it attracts local families and groups of young people, but also some tourists who stay in nearby hotels.
Access is via a walkway, and the concession area with equipment for rent is on the east side, while the west side is for those who bring a hat or just want to spread out their towel. The walkway, in addition to protecting the dunes, makes the beach accessible to people with reduced mobility. Next to the beach and in the town of Altura there are several restaurants.
The sea is normally calm, shallow and safe. The water temperature is higher than on the beaches in the central and western Algarve. This is a Blue Flag beach, a symbol of environmental quality, and during the bathing season it is monitored by lifeguards.
Location: Castro Marim
Perfect for: Families, Sports
Guarded: Yes
WC: Yes
Hat Rental: Yes
Bar or Restaurant: Yes
Accessible: Yes
Parking: Yes
How to get to Praia da Alagoa
By car: Praia da Alagoa is less than 10 minutes from Monte Gordo and Cacela Velha, and 15 minutes from Castro Marim, via the N125-6. There is ample parking next to the beach.
By public transport: Vamus bus 43 runs between Carrapateira and Vila Real de Santo António, and has a stop in Altura, about a 5-minute walk from the beach. However, this service only operates during the week and is infrequent, so going by car is the best option.
Beaches near Praia da Alagoa
Verde and Lota beaches share the same stretch of sand with Praia da Alagoa. This sand stretches from the Cacela Velha peninsula, to the west, to Vila Real de Santo António, to the east. It is possible to walk to these beaches. To the west is Praia da Lota, a beach frequented by families and similar to Praia da Alagoa. To the east is Praia Verde, surrounded by a pine forest and with restaurants overlooking the sea. The beautiful Cacela Velha beach is the most recommended in the region, and is less than 15 minutes away by car via the N125.
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