An informative website for your stay in Eastern Algarve Portugal
Cacela Velha
See map below for route and location
A mini village with a beautiful view over the Atlantic Ocean
How do you get there?
By car: follow the N125 until the signs for Cacela Velha
What is there to do?
The small streets and the layout of the village are very quaint. Many of the houses are typically white, with blue, orange or yellow accents. Here you will find a mix of both Arabic and medieval influences.
Extra information
The fort is still in use by the GNR, so you cannot visit it
At the Fort you have a beautiful view of the easternmost lagoon of the Ria Formosa
About this place
Cacela Velha is perhaps the smallest village on the coast of the eastern Algarve, but with the most beautiful view! The old fortress, which unfortunately you cannot enter, offers a viewpoint with a breathtaking view over the Ria Formosa. You may have guessed it already, but you can take beautiful pictures here at sunset.
And what else?
There are two restaurants here where you can eat well and enjoy Portuguese cuisine. These are Casa Velha and Casa Igreja.
Another restaurant close to Cacela Velha is Fabrica do Costa, a fish restaurant where you can enjoy a delicious meal and enjoy the view over the Ria Formosa.
What's fun to do?
Next to the church is the Fort of Cacela Velha. It was originally the site of an Arab castle that protected the entrance to the Ria Formosa. The opening here was deep enough to allow ships to enter and sail towards Tavira and Faro. As such, it was an important bottleneck to defend these cities from would-be raiders and pirates.