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Praia dos Três Castelos

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Praia dos Três Castelos

Portimão

The beach, whose name refers to the rocky ledges that are stubbornly standing firm in the face of the receding coastline, lies next to the promontory where the Três Castelos viewpoint is located. One of the accesses to the beach is via the staircase leading down from the viewpoint. It affords a splendid view over the very craggy rock formations on this beach, where you can see arches, caves and rocky ledges that birds such as falcons, herring gulls, black-headed gulls, pigeons and swifts find extremely appealing.

On the gentler slopes, you will see mastic trees and plants that are resistant to sea spray, especially saltwort and Mediterranean saltbush. At the base of the cliffs, the roots of these plants serve as host to a small, very rare parasitic plant with a suggestive common name (piça-de-mouro) that alludes to its phallic appearance and its restricted geographical distribution (it is only found in the Mediterranean Basin). The colours here are mostly warm and there are some quieter sections on this long beach as you head westwards.

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Note: Since there is a possibility of rockfalls or stones coming loose and falling on to the beach, you should keep a safe distance from the cliffs, and take care if you are walking along the cliff top, staying well back from the edge.

Pedestrian access is via the city of Portimão and along the cycle route connecting Amado to the viewpoint (Miradouro). Road access is from the Avenida das Comunidades Lusíadas (Portimão), heading towards Praia da Rocha / Miradouro (viewpoint). There is plenty of organised parking around 150 m from the beach. Support infrastructures include restaurants, WC, information and recreational facilities, and there are lifeguards on duty in the summer holiday season. Orientation: south-west.

GPS: 37° 7'2.10"N 8°32'39.99"W

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