Aljezur
A quiet hill town on the western Algarve coast, used as a base for surf beaches and coastal walks.
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Aljezur is a hill town in the western Algarve, in the Faro district of southern Portugal. It climbs a slope below a castle ruin of Moorish origin, and the Aljezur river runs through the valley beside it. The town lies on the Costa Vicentina, the western Atlantic coast, and the surf beaches of Arrifana and Monte Clérigo are a drive away. Parts of the Rota Vicentina coastal trails pass nearby.
People come for the beaches and walks, and the town is a quiet place to stay between them. The beaches are spread out, so expect to drive between town and coast, which is why a car makes the trip simpler. Spring and early autumn suit walking and surfing best. Two or three nights leaves room for the castle, a beach or two and one coastal walk.
Aljezur in five
- Base yourself in town and drive to the beachesThe old and new parts of Aljezur sit by the river, a short drive from the beaches. Arrifana, Monte Clérigo and Amoreira are each a separate trip, so a rental car saves a lot of time.Costa Vicentina guide
- Check the Atlantic before you swimThese beaches face open ocean with rip currents and strong swell. Swim only where a lifeguard flag is posted, and note that surf schools run lessons on the beaches rather than in town.
- Use the Rota Vicentina for walksThe Historical Way is listed at 263 km in 13 sections, and the Fishermen's Trail runs on the coast. Pick one stage as a day walk rather than committing to a long route.Rota Vicentina trail page
- Book lodging early for summer and EasterAljezur has a limited number of guesthouses and rural stays, and many fill early in summer. Booking ahead also lets you ask about parking and the distance to the nearest beach.Where to stay
Things to do in Aljezur
See all attractions in Aljezur
Need to know
- Airport
- Faro (FAO) or Lisbon (LIS); both need a rental car or transfer
- Getting there
- Car or bus from Lagos; check coach and local bus timetables
- Getting around
- Car for the beaches; walking in town
- Best base
- In or near Aljezur town for shops and a car park
- Time needed
- 2 to 4 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh14°Low7°Mild, swellJanuaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 67 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, swell
- FebruaryPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh15°Low8°Mild, swellFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 57 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, swell
- MarchPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh16°Low9°WildflowersMarchPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 116 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wildflowers
- AprilPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh18°Low10°Mild, walkingAprilPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 68 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, walking
- MayClear6 rainy daysHigh22°Low13°Warm, walkingMayClear
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 40 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, walking
- JuneClear5 rainy daysHigh25°Low15°Warm, clearJuneClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 16 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, clear
- JulyClear1 rainy dayHigh29°Low17°Warm, windyJulyClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 2 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, windy
- AugustClear0 rainy daysHigh29°Low18°Warm, busyAugustClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- SeptemberClear4 rainy daysHigh26°Low16°Warm, walkingSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 20 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, walking
- OctoberClear7 rainy daysHigh23°Low15°Mild, walkingOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 70 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, walking
- NovemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh17°Low11°Rain, swellNovemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 72 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain, swell
- DecemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh15°Low9°Mild, swellDecemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 83 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, swell
Average daily high and low in Aljezur, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Aljezur
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
20
- Feels like
- 21°
- Humidity
- 69%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Aljezur
08:48 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today24°14°0%Monday: Clear. High 24°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue22°13°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 22°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed20°13°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu19°11°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri21°11°10%Friday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Sat22°17°51%Saturday: Rain. High 22°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 51%.
- Sun21°19°86%Sunday: Thunderstorms. High 21°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 86%.
Updated 05:18 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- Apr–OctInternational Sand Sculpture FestivalSilves, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Carrapateiraby car along the coastDunes, surf beaches and cliff walks in a small village.Read the guide
- Lagosby car or road transferA walled old town and sea cliffs, with trains to Faro.Read the guide
- The Fishermen's Trailby walking one stageCliff paths and empty beaches on a marked trail, best September to June.Read the guide
Before you go to Aljezur
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Rules for Aljezur, checked
- Check the entry rules for your passport on the official Portuguese government portal before you book. Portugal is in the Schengen Area.Source
- Carry your passport or national identity card. Police can ask to see it at any time.
- The drink-drive limit in Portugal is 0.5 g/l of blood alcohol, and police run roadside checks, so do not drive after a lunchtime glass of wine.
- Swim where lifeguards are on duty and follow the flags. The Atlantic coast near Aljezur has strong currents and large waves.
- Tipping is not expected. Rounding up the bill or leaving a few euros in a café or restaurant is the usual custom.
Plan around Aljezur
Cliff trails and wild beaches
Read the guideCarrapateira travel guideSurf and dunes to the south
Read the guideLagos travel guideThe closest town with a train station
Read the guideAlgarve overviewCliffs, caves and beaches by region
Read the guideOdeceixe travel guideA river-mouth village at the Alentejo border
Read the guideAll of PortugalCities, coast and entry rules
Read the guideAljezur FAQ
Is Aljezur worth visiting?
Yes for quiet beaches, cliff walks and a small hill town. It is not for travelers who want nightlife or a walkable beach resort.
How do you get to Aljezur?
Most visitors drive from Faro or Lagos, and local buses and coaches also serve the town. Check timetables in advance, as services are limited, and plan for a car or taxi to the beaches.
How many days do you need in Aljezur?
Two to four days cover two or three beaches and a cliff walk. Add days if you want to walk several Fishermen's Trail stages.
What are the best beaches near Aljezur?
Arrifana, Monte Clérigo and Amoreira are the best known, each with a different feel: surf, a small cove and a river mouth. All face the Atlantic, so check the swell and flags.
When is the best time to visit Aljezur?
April to June and September to October for walking and calmer beaches. July and August are warm and windy, and winter is mild with swell and rain.