Activities Archives - Ferragudo Holiday Rentals

02/09/202102/09/2021Activities, Beach, hiking, Places to Visit, Views, walking

Algar Seco

The Algarve coastline is well known for its beauty and we are lucky to have some wonderful stretches very close to Ferragudo.

A visit to Algor Seco, just outside Carvoeiro is a must. Take a relaxing stroll along the boardwalk across the cliff top and take in the stunning rock formations and caves, carved out of the limestone bedrock. For the more adventurous you can descend the stone steps (a long flight) to the base.

At the base of the cliff you can enjoy a drink or meal at the Boneca bar, or stop off at the Algar Seco resort restaurant, overlooking the cliffs and ocean.

14/02/202115/02/2021Activities, hiking, walking

Spring Is Here!

So, after a couple of cloudy/rainy weeks (nothing compared to UK!!) spring is definitely here in Ferragudo!

We are so lucky in Ferragudo. Even with lockdown, we have so many lovely cliff-top and country-side walks. And just look at the amazing blossom, wild flowers and greenery all around us – amazing!

20/10/202020/10/2020Activities, Places to Visit, Tour

Dolphin Watching

It’s almost the end of the season, but we managed to book a trip with Wildwatch last weekend and had a great day out dolphin watching.

We had blue skies, sunshine and the sea was calm. We set out on the Ocean Explorer rib at a good pace – thankful we had taken staff advice and worn our jackets to guard against the wind. After around 30 minutes, we slowed and our marine biologist guide explained signs to look out for that might indicate dolphins. Sure enough we soon spied our first dolphins, who decided to entertain us. They swam alongside the boat, going from side to side and back to front. We had a brief glimpse of a shark, identified by its two fins. Then thought we saw another shark which was, in fact, a mother and baby dolphin swimming together whilst the baby was feeding – fantastic!

On the return trip we got an added bonus of a trip along the coastline from Alvor to Ferragudo, with close up views of some of the rocky outcrops and caves.

If you have already been on a dolphin watching trip, you will know what a great experience it is – and different every time. If you haven’t tried it yet, it’s definitely worth adding to your “must do” list.

Check out our video clip on Instagram.

09/10/202009/10/2020Activities

Beach Walk in Praia da Rocha

After a vigorous cliff top walk recently, we decided a change of pace was needed. After making sure the tide was low, we set off from the marina along the beach at Praia da Rocha.

When you think you’ve gone as far as you can along the main beach, an archway through the cliff leads on to a delightful walk along many coves, some with beach side restaurants and bars, with amazing cliffs, rocks and caves. You certainly get to see why it’s called the Beach of Rocks! It feels a million miles apart from the busy main beach and marina.

The beach walk alone is great, but if you feel a little more energetic or adventurous, when you really have gone as far as possible along the beach, take a walk up to the cliff top and see even more stunning views (and I don’t just mean of the naturist beach a little way along!). There is easy access to the top via a path behind the little car park.

This was a lovely walk, taking around two and half hours to cover a distance of 9.5km in a round trip back to the marina – just right to work up a thirst and appetite for lunch at NoSoloÁgua before catching the water taxi back to Ferragudo.

21/09/202021/09/2020Activities, hiking, Places to Visit, walking

On the trail from Ferragudo to Carvoeiro

So, armed with my new walking poles and in good company of a couple of friends, off we set to walk from Ferragudo to Carvoeiro. We set off early and the weather was great for a hike – not too sunny and a nice breeze. The first stretch across Praia Grande and up the path to O Molhe we’ve all done many times before. Great views back across the beach and over to Praia da Roche and not too taxing.

Then onto Praia Pintadinho, past the lighthouse and behind Praia Caneiros and onwards! Much of the route is fairly easy and there are magnificent views of the coastline, little beaches and coves. Amazing how close to the cliff edge some of the local fishermen sit!

Now here comes the but! Some of the terrain gets pretty hard going (well for me, anyway!) Some quite steep climbs and rocky descents – I was very glad to have my walking poles, that’s for sure. The route is marked with wooden posts, but in some places these are not easy to spot.

By the time we made it to Carvoeiro, it had taken around three and a half hours and we had walked almost 9km. We were all glad to sit down, have a cold drink and wait for our lift back to Ferragudo. Tired and legs aching a bit, but it was a great walk, very exhilarating and an excellent way to appreciate the wonderful stretch of coastline with its beautiful beaches and amazing rock formations.

As a guide, it took us around three and a half hours of steady walking and we met people along the route of various ages, going at different paces. Some people have told me they do the walk in two and half hours. We even saw some joggers!

06/08/202006/08/2020Activities

Bouganvillea Ferragudo!

If you’ve ever googled images of Ferragudo, you must have seen pictures like these – it’s got to be the most photographed bouganvillea in Ferragudo, if not the Algarve.

So, here are ours. It really is wonderful and perfectly situated on “pretty street”, the picturesque Rua Doutor Luiz António dos Santos in the old village…

16/06/202016/06/2020Activities, Food, Places to Visit, Restaurants

Visit Monchique!

A trip to the mountains is a real treat. There are a couple of routes from Ferragudo, but whichever way you go it’s a drive through lovely countryside with spectacular views as you wind your way up the mountain.

Monchique itself is a small market town about two thirds of the way up to the peak of Fóia. With plenty of cobbled streets, restaurants and bars, it’s worth a visit on its own, or a stop-off for a couple of hours on the way to Fóia.

Fóia is the highest point of the Serra de Monchique and, at a height of 902 metres, actually the highest point on the Algarve. As you can imagine, the panoramic views across the south and west coasts are amazing. On a clear day you can see from Cape St. Vincent in the west, to Faro in the east and even to the Serra da Arrabida (near Lisbon) to the north. Drinks and snacks are available from the cafe and lots of local/artisanal products for sale in the craft centre and store.

After soaking up the views, it’s great to meander back down the mountain and stop off for lunch – several restaurants with fantastic views. One of our favourites is the last restaurant on the right (going up) or first on the left (going down). The Paraíso da Montanha has plenty of inside seating, but what we really love is to be at a table on the terrace. We’ve never ordered from the menu, simply ask for chicken piri piri which is delicious and comes with plenty of fries and salad. Sample some local olives and cheese whilst you’re waiting and wash it all down with a crisp vinho verde – what could be better?!

10/06/202020/10/2020Activities, Transpost

Taxi Ferry Operating Again

Now the beaches have re-opened it’s great to see Taxi Ferry is also back in action. Catch this water taxi from Ferragudo village, just past the fishing boats and opposite Sueste restaurant. Just a few Euros will get you across the water to either Praia da Rocha (amazing beach and lots of restaurants, bars and shops) or over to Portimao town. Runs all day and very easy to book times for return journeys. What a great way to travel.

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