Bordeira: Coast, Trails and Cultural History

If you are considering a stay in Bordeira, you can choose between coastal scenery, trails through woodland and lake areas, and cultural themes. The following highlights offer ideas for what you might want to focus your trip on: beach and sea, a route on foot or by bicycle, or the history of buildings and former ways of life.

Coast and scenery

Near Bordeira is Praia da Bordeira, at the mouth of the Ribeira da Bordeira. The sandy beach is about 3 km long. It is easy to access via wooden walkways; afterwards, a shallow body of water must be crossed on foot. Take this crossing into account when planning your visit, and check the conditions beforehand.

Another coastal feature nearby is Baía das Três Angras. This stretch of coast is formed by the cliffs of Pontal da Carrapateira. Its geology includes Upper Jurassic marls and limestones with predominantly coral-like macrofauna. The coastal features described here are therefore distinct: the beach can be understood in terms of its approximate length and access, while Baía das Três Angras is defined by its cliffs and geological features.

Routes and water sports

An approximately 11 km route leads from Bordeira to Praia da Bordeira and can be covered on foot or by bicycle. This route should be distinguished from the length of the sandy beach: the approximately 3 km refers to the beach, while the roughly 11 km refers to the route from Bordeira to the beach. These two figures help you consider the size of the beach and a possible route separately.

The circular trail “Endiabrada e os Lagos Escondidos” offers a different way to explore the landscape: it passes through a cork oak forest and by two lakes created by earthen dams. Near Bordeira, surf and bodyboarding schools at Praia do Amado offer lessons and holiday programmes for these sports. Beach access, a route on foot or by bicycle, a circular trail through cork oak forest, and water sports lessons are different ways to shape your trip.

Architecture and local history

The Paróquia da Bordeira was built in 1746 and badly damaged by the 1755 earthquake. Its documented features include a Manueline baptismal font. The Igreja Paroquial de Bordeira features Baroque carvings on the main altar, triumphal arch and side altars. A detail beside the church entrance has also been described: the portal of the cemetery next to the main entrance of the Igreja Paroquial de Bordeira is designed in the Manueline style. The details about the baptismal font and cemetery portal thus complement the Baroque work in several areas of the church interior.

Near Bordeira, the permanent exhibition “O oceano, a nossa terra” at the Museu do Mar e da Terra da Carrapateira presents local fossils as well as marine and terrestrial flora and fauna. The museum also showcases the history and traditional activities of farmers, fishers and shellfish gatherers. For those interested in cultural history, it brings together themes from nature and depictions of human work.

The area’s themes also include archaeological and maritime history. The archaeological site Povoado Islâmico da Ponta do Castelo lies on a cliff facing the Atlantic. It bears witness to an earlier settlement by communities who combined fishing and shellfish gathering with farming and livestock raising. The old fishing harbour Porto da Zimbreirinha lies on the southern slope of Pontal da Carrapateira; it sheltered boats from the north winds. Together, these places offer different perspectives on the coast and ways of life: an earlier cliff-top settlement, traditional activities, and a harbour with a specific protective function.

Discover more destinations: Maria Vinagre, Rogil, Monte Ruivo, Aljezur and Odeceixe.

Go to the main travel overview: Aljezur.