Carrapateira
Surf beaches, large sand dunes and the Pontal headland cliffs on Portugal's western Algarve coast.
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Carrapateira is a village on Portugal's western Algarve coast, in the Faro District. It sits inside the Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park, about 35.6 km by road northwest of Lagos and 110 km northwest of Faro. Go for the surf. Praia da Bordeira, north of the Pontal headland, is often regarded as one of Portugal's best beaches, with rugged limestone cliffs and large dunes. Praia do Amado, south of the village, is very popular with surfers. The Carrapateira Surfhouse offers surf courses for beginners and guided surf tours.
The Pontal headland has high reddish limestone cliffs, and a fast southbound current there once made it dangerous for sailing ships. A small fort on a hill above the coast was built in 1673 to protect against Barbary pirate raids and was rebuilt in 1742. Ruins remained by 1792. The parish church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição mixes Algarvian design with 16th-century Manueline traces.
Carrapateira in five
- Bring a car or a transfer planCarrapateira is a village with a few shops, restaurants and stays, and the best beaches are a drive from the center. Without a car, plan taxis or a base at the coast with luggage transfers.Car and rail options
- Choose Amado or Bordeira by the swellPraia do Amado is the main surf beach with schools and a car park above it, and Bordeira is a long open beach behind high dunes. Both face the Atlantic, so check the flags and the forecast.
- Respect the dunes and the trail rulesVehicles are banned in the dunes, and the Rota Vicentina asks walkers to stay on marked paths in a fragile ecosystem. Pick up litter, keep to the boards and do not camp outside a campsite.Rota Vicentina rules
- Walk the Pontal cliff path earlyThe short coastal loop at the Pontal gives sea cliffs and wide views, with little shade. Start in the morning in summer and carry water.
Need to know
- Airport
- Faro (FAO) or Lisbon (LIS); both need a rental car or transfer
- Getting there
- Car from Lagos or Aljezur; public transport is limited
- Getting around
- Car or walking; a car is needed for the beaches
- Best base
- In or near the village; lodging is limited
- Time needed
- 2 to 3 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh16°Low11°Mild, swellJanuaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 49 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, swell
- FebruaryPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh16°Low11°Mild, swellFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 49 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, swell
- MarchPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh17°Low12°WildflowersMarchPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 85 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wildflowers
- AprilPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh18°Low13°Mild, walkingAprilPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 42 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, walking
- MayClear5 rainy daysHigh21°Low15°Warm, walkingMayClear
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 23 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, walking
- JuneClear3 rainy daysHigh23°Low17°Warm, clearJuneClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 10 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, clear
- JulyClear0 rainy daysHigh25°Low18°Warm, windyJulyClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, windy
- AugustClear0 rainy daysHigh26°Low19°Warm, windyAugustClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 0 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, windy
- SeptemberClear3 rainy daysHigh24°Low18°Warm, walkingSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 13 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, walking
- OctoberClear6 rainy daysHigh22°Low17°Mild, walkingOctoberClear
Good
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 53 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, walking
- NovemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh19°Low14°Rain, swellNovemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 59 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain, swell
- DecemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh17°Low12°Mild, swellDecemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 65 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, swell
Average daily high and low in Carrapateira, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Carrapateira
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
18
- Feels like
- 17°
- Humidity
- 75%
- Wind
- 12 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Carrapateira
08:48 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today23°14°0%Monday: Clear. High 23°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue21°15°3%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Wed20°13°3%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Thu20°13°5%Thursday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Fri22°13°42%Friday: Cloudy. High 22°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 42%.
- Sat21°18°51%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 21°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 51%.
- Sun21°19°86%Sunday: Thunderstorms. High 21°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 86%.
Updated 08:31 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- Apr–OctInternational Sand Sculpture FestivalSilves, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Aljezurby car along the coastA hill town, a castle ruin and beaches such as Arrifana.Read the guide
- Lagosby car or road transferOld town, marina and sea cliffs with trains to Faro.Read the guide
- The Fishermen's Trailby walking a stageA marked cliff trail along the coast, best from September to June.Read the guide
Before you go to Carrapateira
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Carrapateira, checked
- On the Fishermen's Trail the Rota Vicentina bans wild camping, asks walkers to stay on marked paths in a fragile ecosystem and bans vehicles in the dunes.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around Carrapateira
The whole wild coast and its trails
Read the guideAljezur travel guideA hill town to the north
Read the guideLagos travel guideThe nearest bigger town with trains
Read the guideAlgarve overviewCliffs, caves and beaches by region
Read the guideSagres travel guideThe cape and surf beaches to the south
Read the guideAll of PortugalCities, coast and entry rules
Read the guideCarrapateira FAQ
Is Carrapateira worth visiting?
Yes for surf, dunes and quiet cliff walks. It is not the place for a lively evening, a long list of restaurants or many shops.
How do you get to Carrapateira?
By car from Lagos or Aljezur is the simplest. Public transport is limited, so a taxi or a pre-arranged transfer is the usual alternative.
Is Carrapateira good for beginner surfers?
Praia do Amado has surf schools, but the Atlantic swell can be strong. Book lessons with a school, check the flags and avoid solo practice when the swell is high.
How many days do you need in Carrapateira?
Two to three days cover a surf or beach day, a cliff walk and a sunset. Add days if you want to link several Fishermen's Trail stages.
When is the best time to visit Carrapateira?
April to June and September to October for walking and calmer beaches. Surf is strongest in winter, while July and August can be windy and busy at the beach car parks.