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Praia Grande

Accessible

Praia Grande

Silves

At Praia Grande, the sands stretch for over 2 km and the landscape is open and natural. Two wetland zones delimit the beach: the Alcantarilha Marsh to the west and the Salgados Lagoon, the latter being internationally renowned as a site for bird watching. The aquatic birds which can be seen here include important species such as the gracious black-winged stilt and the emblematic purple swamphen.

The prevailing vegetation in the robust dune system (it is 300 metres wide in places) consists of aromatic species such as the curry plant, with its distinctive scent.

On the central section of the beach, a wooden walkway affords a panoramic view over the Salgados Lagoon and the dunes, and you will be able to see fossilised dunes and the eye-catching spiny thrift.

There is another walkway around the inland section of the dune system, which goes around the Salgados Lagoon to the harbour area and leads to a viewpoint and bird observatory. In addition to the massive dune system, there is also farmland, especially fields sown with grain crops and dry orchards, and this is where you will be able to see old mills and the remains of hydraulic devices.

More information

Notes: You can go for a walk along a nature trail that goes along the beach the farmland, giving you the opportunity to discover the area’s various habitats.

The beach can be accessed on foot and by car through the village of Pera (next to the EN 125) or from the EN 269-1 (Armação de Pera), heading towards Albufeira/Guia. After roughly 3 km, the path becomes a dirt track for 1 km in the western section of the beach, and for 600 m in the central section. At the eastern end of the beach, you can get on to the sand by foot or via the neighbouring beach, Praia dos Salgados, by means of a bridge that crosses the lagoon.

There are informal parking areas on beaten earth. The support infrastructures include restaurants, WC and information and recreational facilities in the western section, and information facilities in the eastern section.
There are lifeguards on duty in the summer holiday season. The western section of Praia Grande is an accessible beach. Orientation: south-west.

GPS: 37° 5'42.19"N 8°20'33.74"W

Facilities

  • Blue Flag
    Blue Flag
  • Accessible Beach
    Accessible Beach

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