At a glance
- Character
- Small fishing village on a hillside by the river
- Best for
- Couples and families who want a quiet village with beaches and restaurants on foot
- From Faro Airport
- About 50 minutes by car on the A22
Ferragudo is a small white village on the east bank of the Arade river, looking across at Portimão. It is quieter than its neighbour, with a riverside square of seafood restaurants, a 17th-century fort at the river mouth and the Blue Flag beach of Praia Grande within walking distance. Praia dos Caneiros is a few minutes' drive away.
Ferragudo has been a fishing village since at least the 14th century, and in the 20th century it also lived from its fish canneries. It became a town on 3 May 1999. Today the boats still tie up along the river, and the old houses climb the hill from the water to the church at the top.
What to see
- Praça Rainha Dona Leonor, the main square by the river, lined with restaurants serving grilled fish and seafood.
- Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceição, the church at the top of the village, with views over the river and Portimão.
- Forte de São João do Arade, ordered in 1640 to defend the mouth of the river. It is privately owned and not open to visitors, but it is a fine sight from the beach.
Beaches
- Praia Grande: the long beach at the river mouth, next to the fort, with a boardwalk, a Blue Flag in 2026 and lifeguards from 1 June to 30 September.
- Praia da Angrinha: a small river beach in the village. It is not for swimming.
- Praia dos Caneiros: a Blue Flag cove a few minutes’ drive away, with a path at low tide to the secluded Praia do Torrado.
Getting there and around
- By car: about 50 minutes from Faro Airport on the A22, which has been toll-free since January 2025.
- To Portimão: by road over the Arade bridge, or in summer by water taxi across the river, about 10 minutes. From there, Praia da Rocha is a short ride away.
See Do you need a car in the Algarve? and where to stay in the Algarve.
Parking
The streets of the old village are narrow and steep. Park near the river or on the edge of the village and walk in.
Questions people ask
Can you visit the fort in Ferragudo?
No. The Forte de São João do Arade is privately owned and not open to the public. You can see it from Praia Grande and from the river.
How do you get from Ferragudo to Portimão?
By road over the Arade bridge, or in summer by the small water taxi across the river, which takes about 10 minutes.
Can you swim at Praia da Angrinha?
No. Angrinha is a river beach in the village, pleasant for a walk or a drink but not a bathing beach. For swimming, walk on to Praia Grande.