Praia da Bordeira: Escape to the Wild and Beautiful Bordeira Beach
Last Updated on June 3, 2023
Portugal’s wild Western Coast, known as the Costa Vicentina, is home to ruggedly beautiful beaches that are still undiscovered by much of the world. Praia da Bordeira is one of the region’s best, a favorite of surfers and nature lovers. Learn why Bordeira Beach is an essential stop on your next Portugal road trip.
The hilltop village of Carrapateira has the picturesque whitewashed, tile-roofed homes found throughout Portugal. If you climb steps to the small Carrapateira church, you can see over village rooftops to a traditional windmill and Bordeira Beach just beyond. The beach is just a few minutes’ drive away, although it takes more time to walk from the car park to reach the water!
Praia da Bordeira is both wide and long, with a river that loops around forming a calm lagoon on its southern side. This forms a more protected area for families with kids, while the strong waves of the main beach draw both aspiring and experienced surfers.
A boardwalk and viewpoint above the beach offer a spectacular sunset setting, as well the start of a loop trail frequented by hikers and nature lovers. Bordeira really has something for every beach lover.
Will Praia da Bordeira be your favorite Portugal beach? I’ve got all the tips you need to decide: how to get here, visit tips, where to stay, and nearby restaurants. Plus tons of photos to fuel your beachy wanderlust!
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In this Guide to Praia da Bordeira | Bordeira Beach
Getting to Bordeira Beach | Visiting Bordeira Beach | Praia da Bordeira Surfing | Ribiera da Carrapateira | Bordeira Boardwalk Viewpoint | Pontal da Carrapateira Hiking Trail | Village of Carrapateira | Where to Stay in Carrapateira | Carrapateira Restaurants | When to Visit
Getting to Bordeira Beach
Although Bordeira is only about 1.5km away from the village of Carrapateira, it’s best reached by car so that you can explore other beaches in the region. I rented a car in Lisbon from Zest; it was a really smooth experience, and I recommend checking them out. (Particularly compared to the poor reviews you can read on TripAdvisor regarding other Portugal car rental options.)
There are two parking areas at Bordeira, a lower lot just beyond the O Sítio do Rio restaurant, and an upper lot that you can reach by continuing on the same road up the hill. At Vicentine Coast beaches, it’s often required to park RVs and large campervans in a lower lot or an area separate from passenger cars; keep an eye out for signage if you have a camper.
To get to the beach, it’s a little bit of a haul! From the lower lot, cross through the dunes and beach grasses and wade through the river. Follow several minutes along the river and continue through the dunes to reach the beach.
From the upper lot, there is a boardwalk and wooden steps down to the beach. Depending on the tide, you might need to wade a little through the river to get to the main beach.
The sand is very soft, which gets tiring to walk in, so plan accordingly if you have kiddos or lots of beach gear. I hiked in from the lower lot on my first visit, but found it easier to reach the beach from the upper steps on return trips.
Car Rental in Portugal
Thinking of renting a car for your trip? I’ve driven in Portugal many times and find it relatively easy, except in cities where roads can be narrow and parking limited! Another issue is that car rental agencies sometimes try to add on extra fees at the pickup counter or damage charges at the end of your trip. My last few trips I’ve booked with Zest, a car rental aggregator, to find the best availability and pricing. It’s also another level of customer service in case of issues, plus the agencies want to keep their good star rating on the platform. Be sure to read recent reviews from other travelers about their experiences with individual companies, but Zest is the website that I use and recommend for renting cars in Portugal.
⫸ Search Portugal rental cars on Zest
Visiting Praia da Bordeira | Bordeira Beach
Bordeira Beach really looks like something out of a movie! It has rugged limestone cliffs on either side, and an expansive beach with softly rolling sand dunes in the middle.
The current here is very strong and the main beach is not recommended for swimmers. But you’ll see kids and happy pups playing in the small lagoon created by the river (Ribiera da Carrapateira).
Because Bordeira is large and off-the-beaten-path, it’s never crowded and you won’t have trouble finding a spot for your towel. There are no restrooms here or facilities, only a beach bar in season in the middle of the wide beach (usually May – October). So bring everything you’ll need for your day.
There are some rock formations buried by sand and below the waves, so keep an eye out if walking during low tide. The current is stronger on the north side of the beach, which is less protected.
Praia da Bordeira Surfing
Bordeira is considered one of the best beaches in the region for surfing. The Carrapateira Surf School. located right on the beach, offers lessons and equipment rentals. You can also rent equipment from surf shops in town or even pre-book a board and wetsuit online.
Book Online: Group Surf Lessons (Two in One Day)
Ribeira da Carrapateira | Carrapateira River
The Carrapateira River is really more of a large stream (no offense to the river!). It loops around behind the beach from and flows to the sea on its southern side during high tides.
The river forms a warm-water lagoon which is calm for swimming. Keep an eye out, though, as the tide comes in and joins the lagoon.
Bordeira Boardwalk Viewpoint
The viewpoint over Bordeira Beach is one of my favorite sunset spots in Algarve! The rugged red cliffs and turquoise waters provide the perfect setting for photos. The light here is especially pretty at sunset.
Pontal da Carrapateira | Point of Carrapateira Hiking
Pontal da Carrapateira is a moderate 6.4 mile (10.5km) loop trail that begins and ends in Carrapateira. It follows high cliffs overlooking the sea and continues to Praia do Amado before looping back to the village. It can be hiked or biked, and is part of the larger Rota Vicentina Trail.
You can also join the trail from the upper parking lot, then follow a section around and back down to the lower parking lot. Be aware that cars are also permitted along this section of the trail.
Along the way there are coastal views but little shade, so be sure to bring sufficient water and wear sunscreen. This trail is recommended from September – June.
Planning Your Visit to Praia da Bordeira
Village of Carrapateira, Aljezur
Carrapateira is the closest town to Bordeira Beach. It’s part of the municipality of Aljezur, in the province of Faro. This sleepy village has a few surf shops, restaurants, and hotels. A cute whitewashed church, Nossa Senhora da Conceição, sits overlooking the town with a view to the beach.
If you visit, take a few minutes to walk up the steps and through the town’s streets to reach the vista. The church is within the remains of a 17th-century fort, which was built for its protection. There is an unexpected but clean public restroom in the tiny park just below the church.
Carrapateria also has a small museum, The Museum of the Sea and the Land of Carrapateira, with exhibits tracing the history of the region.
Where to Stay in Carrapateira | Near Bordeira Beach
Portugal is full of charming farmstay, boutique hotels, and vacation rentals. There are several options with online booking and great reviews near Bordeira.
My top pick: Monte da Vilarinha. This farmstay outside of Carrapateira has a stunning, peaceful setting and amazing breakfast. I stayed here solo, although it’s quite popular with families and has a lovely pool and hiking areas. The road to get here is a little difficult, though, and I recommend arriving before sunset.
- Casa da Horta is the closest accommodation to the beach, just a 5-minute walk away, with sea views and breakfast included.
- Carrapateriamar Guest House is less than 10 minutes walk to the beach. Rooms feature kitchenettes and there is a shared pool.
- Casa de Estela is a top-rated budget stay in the village with a shared kitchen and Estela’s warm hospitality. This is a great pick as a stop along the Rota Vicentina.
- If you need space for a group or family, check out Villa Carrapateira or Casa na Carrapateira.
Carrapateira Restaurants
O Sito do Rio is the closest restaurant to the beach (other than the beach bar). Microbar is a bistro located in the village square, while Alecrim has the best pizza, Italian fare, and vegetarian options. Be sure to check out the chocolates and goodies at Marina Mel.
There is a small market in Carrapateira, the Minimercado Irene.
More Things to Do in Carrapateira
If you’re looking for things to do at Praia da Bordeira and beyond, there are several day trip options in Carrapateira. Check out options for a mountain bike tour of villages, a beach horseback riding tour, a sea grotto paddleboard tour, or a grottoes kayak tour.
When to Visit Praia da Bordeira
The months of April, May and October have the best weather and few crowds, with pleasant average temperatures between 68 – 77 degrees F (20 – 25 degrees Celsius). The hottest month, July, has an average high of 84 degrees F (29 C). January, the coldest month, has an average maximum temperature of 60 F (16 C).
Average high and low temperatures by month
For surfing, the winter months are the best time to visit. Specifically, October is cited as one of the top months with the best waves. More surf info for Bordeira.
Average water temperatures by month
Keep in mind that Portugal’s beaches are on the Atlantic Ocean waters. The waters of the Western Coast are generally several degrees cooler than beaches on the Southern Coast. Water temperatures in the summer months average around 68 degrees F, while winter temps in February drop below 60 degrees.
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