6 Best Things to Do in Ferragudo, Portugal
Are you looking for the best things to do in Ferragudo? This picturesque, small fishing village offers fantastic photo opportunities and is the perfect destination on your trip to the Algarve. You can easily spend a few relaxing hours in the village or use it as a base to visit the nearby beaches and towns.
Wondering what to do in Ferragudo? Explore the Old Town and its colorful streets, enjoy fresh seafood, see the gorgeous stone castle, relax at the beaches, and take a boat trip.
This ultimate guide includes the best time to visit, how to get there, where to stay, and the best things to do in Ferragudo, Portugal.
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Best things to do in Ferragudo
Ferragudo is a traditional fishing village with whitewashed houses, cozy narrow streets, vibrant flowers, and charming boats, where we enjoyed walking and eating locally caught fish while admiring the stunning ocean view.
1. Enjoy the view of Ferragudo’s old town
If you are looking for the best photo spot, then visit this viewpoint, which offers a stunning view of the charming fishing village and its small harbor. We arrived by motorbike from Lagos and parked for free on the side of the road, and then walked for a few minutes to reach the viewpoint.
There are a couple of benches in the shade where you can rest and enjoy the view.
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Use a zoom lens to bring the background closer, and you will get much better pictures.
After we had taken enough pictures, we set off to explore the old town on foot.
2. Wander the Cobbled Streets
Stroll through the narrow, cobblestone streets, lined with traditional whitewashed houses, colorful doors and windows, offering fantastic photo opportunities.
You can also take a picture with the vibrant bougainvillea flowers on R. Dr. Luiz António dos Santos. This street is like a postcard come to life, and we loved it.
We visited the picturesque village at the end of September and were lucky enough to still see the flowers. But in our opinion, it is even more beautiful in spring when the bougainvillea starts to bloom.
Read our → Algarve Guide
3. Take a Boat Trip
Take a boat trip on a traditional Algarve fishing boat that departs from the Ferragudo quayside and takes you to various locations along the Arade River.
But for the best experience, don’t miss the boat trip to the Benagil Sea Caves, a true natural wonder in the Algarve. At the top of the Benagil Cave, a unique hole allows the sun’s rays to penetrate, illuminating the sandy beach with a soft light.
Book your tour through Viator or GetYourGuide.
4. See the Castle (Fort of São João do Arade)
One of our favorite spots during our visit was the Fort of São João do Arade. The historic fort was built in the 15th century to protect the coastline from pirates, and also served to protect the Arade River estuary and the city of Portimão.
Unfortunately, the castle is privately owned and not open to the public, but it offers fantastic photo opportunities.
There is a large parking lot nearby where you can park for free, and from there you can easily reach the castle and beautiful beaches such as Praia Grande and Praia da Angrinha.
5. Eat fresh Fish or Seafood
One of the best things to do in Ferragudo is eat freshly caught fish, trust us, you won’t regret it. Many restaurants in the Old Town offer traditional Portuguese food, grilled fish, seafood, pizza, and vegetarian options. So, have lunch at one of the restaurants and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and delicious food.
Best Restaurants in Ferragudo
- O Velho Novo (Perfect for dinner)
- Restaurante Borda do Cais (Riverside restaurant with a magnificent view of Portimão)
- O Barril (Delicious seafood)
- Club Nau Beach Club & Restaurant (Near Praia Grande Beach and the castle)
We had lunch at Pontarade and then visited the stunning beaches nearby.
6. Relax on the Beaches
There are two sandy beaches in the village, Praia da Angrinha and Praia Grande, which are perfect for relaxing. These beaches are separated by the castle and are free to visit. But several beautiful beaches in the Algarve region are a short drive away, such as Praia do Camilo, Praia dos Caneiros, Praia de Benagil, and Praia da Marinha.
Good to know
The water in Portugal is cold almost all year round. But if you visit the Algarve when the weather is warm, you can enjoy a refreshing swim.
If you’re looking for more beaches during your stay, check out our post on the best beaches in the Algarve.
Where to Stay in the Algarve
Most people only spend a few hours in Ferragudo, and we think a short visit is enough. But if you are charmed by the charming atmosphere of the village and are traveling with family or a group of friends, One2Seven could be a good choice. If you want to stay near the historic center, choose Ferragood House, which is affordable.
However, the Algarve has small towns to stay in, and most people typically stay in Lagos, Carvoeiro, or Portimão during their first visit.
- Lagos, Portugal, is one of the most atmospheric towns and one of the most popular, perfect for first-time visitors who want to stay close to the beautiful beaches.
- Carvoeiro is a good choice if you want to visit the nearby Benagil Cave or the famous Praia da Marinha beach.
- Portimao is a lovely town near Ferragudo, from where you can easily visit the village, even with a short water taxi ride.
But if you want to dive into where to stay in the Algarve, read our post.
Best hotels in Lagos, Portugal
- Luxury: Lagos Atlantic Hotel
- Mid-Range: Apartamentos Pinhão or Villas D. Dinis – Adults Only
- Budget: Lagos Village
How to Get to Ferragudo
The village is located between Carvoeiro and Portimão, on the southern coast of Portugal, in the Algarve region. It is just a 50-minute drive from Faro International Airport (FAO) and a 40-minute drive from Lagos.
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Use Skyscanner to find cheap flights to Portugal.
The most convenient way to get there is to rent a car or motorbike and explore the nearby beaches and towns at your own pace.
Alternatively, take the train from Faro to Portimão, the town across the river from Ferragudo, and from there take a 10-minute water taxi. For the latest information, we recommend visiting the TaxiFerryFerragudo site.
Best Time to Visit Ferragudo, Portugal
Portugal is a perfect destination all year round, with beautiful and sunny weather. But the best time to visit is from May to September. The weather is sunny and dry during these months, perfect for swimming, taking boat trips, and exploring the charming towns.
The summer months are the peak season, meaning hotel prices are higher and attractions are more crowded. In high season, we strongly recommend booking accommodation and tours in advance! Alternatively, you can visit the Algarve in winter if you have a low budget or want to avoid crowds.
We hope our list of the best things to do in Ferragudo will help you plan your next trip to Portugal. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.
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