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Visit the beautiful paradise beach at Cacela Velha Portugal
I had seen drone images of Cacela Velha before, but visiting this incredible place for the first time still made my jaw drop! The small town offers stunning views over Cacela Island, the beach and the Ria Formosa. When you visit the Algarve and love nature, remember to visit this beautiful place! You can see the whole town in less than an hour, but you will need more time to visit the beautiful beaches such as Praia da Fábrica and Praia de Cacela Velha.
What to expect at Cacela Velha Portugal
What to see at Cacela Velha Village?
Cacela Velha village is relatively small, but there are some sights to discover! The town has some whitewashed houses, cobbled streets, and local restaurants.
Cacela Velha has a rich history, and it was once under Moorish occupation. The village was once called Hisn-Kastala, Qastallat Dararsh, and later Cacetalate or Cacila, which is where the current name stems from. Before the Moors, the Greeks, Phoenicians, and Romans set foot in this idyllic spot.
You can see most sights in one hour, but visiting the beach is a must too! Let’s take a closer look at what there is to see.
The Fortress of Cacela Velha
Once upon a time, Fortaleza de Cacela Velha was a castle. It protected the Ria Formosa Natural Park entrance, and ships could sail from here to Faro and Tavira. Construction of the current Fortress of Cacela Velha started in 1770 and was finished in 1795.
The fort with two half bastions was given to the Brigada Fiscal (Fiscal Guards) in 1897. They were responsible for customs and border protection and worked as the maritime police. Currently, the fort is still used by the GNR (the National Republican Guard), so you cannot enter Fortaleza de Cacela Velha. But the views over the fortress make up for it!
Cacela Velha Church
Igreja Matriz de Cacela Velha is the only church in the idyllic village, and it was first contracted in the 16th century. During the 1755 earthquake, many sights in the Algarve and Portugal were destroyed, including the church. Both the fortress and church were rebuilt.
The church has a pretty sobre exterior, but if you look closely, you will see the two heads of Saint Peter and Saint Paul above the arch. You can also look inside the church, where you will find the Nossa Senhora de Assunção statue.
Remember to take a look at the cistern next to the church. This was once used as a water storage for the locals. Next to the church lies the Miradouro de Cacela Velha, a fantastic viewpoint that offers some of the best views of the Algarve! Next to the signage to ‘Sítio da Fábrica’ is also a cemetery you can visit.
Cacela Velha beach (Praia de Cacela Velha)
On the village’s western side, you will find a sign that says ‘Sítio da Fábrica’. You will find a steep path leading to Praia de Cacela Velha here. Next to the fort, on the eastern side, is also a footpath.
Cacela Velha Beach is huge and stretches between Praia da Manta Rota and Praia da Fábrica, opposite Praia de Cabanas. With low tide, you can easily cross the water towards the beach. You can catch a boat ride to Praia de Cacela Velha if the tide is high.
Many locals visit Praia de Cacela Velha, and there are no facilities. That makes this place even more unique, as you can fully enjoy the beautiful nature of the Ria Formosa Natural Park.
Bring a sun umbrella for protection, snacks, and plenty of water! Kids love swimming in the natural pools of the lagoon. Please beware that there are no lifeguards at Cacela Velha Beach.
Tip: The tides at Praia de Cacela Velha
For your safety, be mindful of the tides at Cacela Velha! At low tide, it is a short walk across to the island and the Atlantic Ocean. But when the tide is high, the water is too deep. Local fishermen offer a boat trip between the footpath and Cacela Velha beach, which costs only a small fee.
The seawater of the Atlantic Ocean is even pretty cold in summer! You can expect an average water temperature of around 21°C degrees (69.8 °F) in summer and 16°C (60.8 °F) in winter.
Cacela Velha restaurants
When visiting the beach, bringing something to eat is a great idea. But you can also enjoy a complete meal in the village! The Cacela Velha restaurants offer local Portuguese dishes with plenty of fish and meat.
Between the car park and the village, you can visit Casa Velha, for example. Casa da Igreja is a fantastic place to try seafood such as oysters and clams. Both restaurants can be very busy in the high season!
Hotels near Cacela Velha Algarve
If you want to stay longer, booking a hotel in this beautiful paradise is lovely. Check out the map below to find a hotel near Cacela Velha. Especially in summer, hotels in the Algarve get booked quickly, so ensure you make your reservations in time! I also selected three favourite spots for each budget!
📍The best affordable stay: Casa de Cacela has a swimming pool, stunning gardens and cosy rooms. It’s located in Vila Nova de Cacela near Praia da Manta Rota. A tasty breakfast is also included!
📍Mid-range beauty: For a local experience, Quinta Baltazar Casa Particular is fantastic! The house is in this typical Algarvian style, and the rooms are beautifully decorated. Outside you can enjoy the gardens and the pool.
📍A luxury stay in the eastern Algarve: Conversas de Alpendre is perfect for those looking for a modern-style apartment. The rooms are super charming, and breakfast is available daily. The Quinta da Ria Golf Course is a 5-minute drive, and you can rent bikes to explore the area. Aside from enjoying the swimming pool, you can book rooms with a private jacuzzi.
How to get to Cacela Velha
By car
Cacela Velha is located in the eastern Algarve and is easily reached by car. It is 50 kilometres from Faro city centre and will take around 50 minutes to drive. Follow the A22 and take exit 16 onto the N270, followed by the N125.
You can also drive to exit 17 and take the N125 to stay on the motorway longer. Just before reaching the old village, there are free parking spots.
We always rent with DiscoverCars, and for our last Algarve holiday, we rented a car with Sixt from Faro Airport. Their service is fantastic, and you can easily find affordable cars at trusted rental companies such as Europcar, Sixt, and Hertz.
By public transport
You can also reach Cacela Velha by public transport, but it is a little more complicated. The easiest way might be to take a train. The Algarve train route connects all small villages, and the nearest station is located in Vila Nova de Cacela Velha. For example, you can take a train from Faro, Tavira, or Vila Real de Santo António. The train journey takes around 1 hour from Faro.
It is a 2.5-kilometre walk from Vila Nova de Cacela Velha to Cacela Velha, which will take a little over 30 minutes. There are also buses between the towns. Alternatively, you can take a local taxi to avoid walking large distances.
With a guided tour
There are only a few guided tours to Cacela Velha, but the beauty is that you will see plenty more villages and sights in the eastern Algarve. Viator offers some fantastic day trips in the Algarve, and GetYourGuide offers a private guided tour from Albufeira. Or arrange a pick-up from your hotel to discover this area of the Algarve!
Things to do nearby
The Algarve is a beautiful region with many other places to see nearby. Cacela Velha is located directly at the Ria Formosa and is a paradise for nature lovers. There are incredible hiking trails, with eight routes to choose from, around Castro Marim, Vila Real de Santo António, and Ayamonte (in Spain).
Closer to Faro and Tavira, you can also explore the Ria Formosa boat, and many more trails are available. The Ludo Trail is a fantastic path near Faro airport, for example.
Tavira is another must-visit place! There are many historical sights, such as Tavira Castle, the Ponte Antiga de Tavira bridge, and Igreja de Santa Maria do Castelo. There are many churches to visit, actually! Next to Tavira Market, you can also take the ferry to Praia da Ilha de Tavira.
Faro also offers many sights, such as the famous skull chapel Capela dos Ossos, Arco da Vila, and the stunning old town. If you prefer visiting smaller places in the eastern Algarve, Olhão, Fuseta, Santa Luzia, and Cabanas are great. Or discover other nature spots in the Algarve such as Algar Seco.
FAQ
How to reach Praia da Fábrica?
If the tide is high in summer, you can take a boat to Praia da Fábrica. At low tide, you can cross the shallow water by foot. From Cacela Velha village, follow the sign that says “sítio da fábrica” to find the steep footpath down to the water.
Where is Praia de Cacela Velha?
Praia de Cacela Velha is located between Praia de Manta Rota Oeste and Praia de Cabana in the Portuguese Algarve region. It is one of the best beaches with turquoise waters and golden sand. You can reach the beach on foot during low tide or by boat when the tide is high.
Conclusion
Cacela Velha is a beautiful village at the eastern end of the Algarve. Although it is a small village, it has some of the best beaches in Portugal! You have direct access to the Ria Formosa, and nature lovers adore this area of the Algarve!
This part of the coast is a true hidden gem with few tourists. With low tide, you can walk to the beach, and kids love to swim in the natural pools of the lagoon. With hide tide, you can catch a boat for a small fee. Discover Praia da Fábrica towards the left side and visit the village’s Igreja Matriz de Cacela Velha church.
Discover more amazing places in the Algarve Region!
- 30x amazing things to do in Faro, Portugal
- 25x The best things to do in Lagos, Portugal
- 15x Best things to do in Tavira, Portugal
- How to visit the Benagil Cave Algarve + Best Tours
- Visit the beautiful paradise beach at Cacela Velha
- Visitor guide with tips for the beautiful Algar Seco
- The beautiful paradise of Ria Formosa Natural Park in the Algarve
- Beautiful views at Praia da Marinha beach Algarve
- Discover the beautiful town of Monchique
- Discover the colourful town of Ferragudo in the Algarve
- How to reach Praia do Barril Beach and the Anchor Cemetery
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