Praia do Castelo

Praia do Castelo is a beach[1] close to the village resort of Sesmarias which is within the Municipality of Albufeira, in the Algarve, Portugal.[2] This beach is located 4.0 miles (6.4 km) by road to the west of Albufeira old town centre and is 31.9 miles (51.3 km) west of the regions capital of Faro.[3][4] This beach is one of sixty nine[5] blue flag beaches[6] (2012) in the Algarve.

Praia do Castelo
Praia do Castelo
Location of Praia do Castelo
LocationAlbufeira, Algarve, Portugal
Coordinates37°4′23.59″N 8°17′55.17″W
GeologyBeach

Description

Praia do Castelo or Castle Beach is in fact made up of one main beach and several small satellite beaches and coves. The main beach is small and made up of gold sand and is 200.00 metres (656.17 ft)[7] long and is sheltered by 30 feet (9.1 m)[7] high jagged cliffs. Spreading in each direction from the main beach are several small coves, interspersed by rocky outcrops. The beach gets its name from the Watchtower which once stood here. The watchtower was built in the mid-16th century[7] to monitor this stretch of the coast for attacks by Barbary pirates coming from North Africa. The remains of this watchtower can be found close to the access point to the beach.[7]

Access

On the cliff top there is a small car park which is reached from the resort village of Sesmarias along a small lane which is signposted Praia do Castelo with a brown Tourist sign (Rua da Torre Velha). From the car park the beach is reached by descending a set of wooden steps which also gives access to the beach bar and restaurant. The cliffs which back the beach are subject to erosion and it is recommended that great care be taken whilst below as there is a possibility of falling rocks and stones.

Facilities


There are toilets and a shower. During the summer season the beach is patrolled by lifeguards[7] who also man a medical post. Also in the summer season there are Loungers, and parasols which can be hired. There is also a public telephone.[7]

  • Praia do Castelo
  • View to the west from the cliffs above Praia do Castelo.
  • View to the east from the cliffs above Praia do Castelo.

References
  1. AA Algarve – Spiral Guide.Author: Murphy, paul. Publisher:AA Publishing, 2003 edition. Work: Page 82, Six of the Best beaches around Albufeira. ISBN 0 7495 3209 2
  2. Portuguese civilian survey: Sheet 52B Albufeira. Publishers: Instituto Geográfico Português (Portugal Civilian Survey). Scale:1:50,000. ISBN 972 8867 11 5
  3. "Spain & Portugal 2012, Tourist and Motoring Atlas. Pub:Michelin, 2011, ISBN 978-2067174153
  4. "Tours around the Algarve – ROTAS" (PDF). page 67(Page 34 in PDF format), references to beaches between Albufeira and gale. Turismo de Portugal-Algarve. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
  5. "General information for the Algarve, Portugal – Blue Flag Beaches". Information of details and number of blue flag beaches in the Algarve. Algarve Retreats – The Algarve Specialists. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
  6. "Praia do Castelo". Blue Flag listing for Praia de São Rafael – Blue Flag website. The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) ©2013 All Rights Reserved. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
  7. "Albufeira – things to do – Beaches". Reference and detail to beach and the watch tower. Albufeira Municipality © 2009 Board of Albufeira. All Rights Reserved. Retrieved 24 November 2013.
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