In this blog post I will share my thoughts and photos of the naturally wild and rugged beach in Portugal called Praia do Castelejo during our February visit.
While holidaying in the serene sleepy fishing village of Salema resort recently, we took a trip to the Cape of Saint Vincent to see the Land’s End of Portugal and mainland Europe (the most southwesterly point).
Before returning to our holiday home in Salema, we decided to have a quick pitstop at a beach on the western coast of the Faro district for a quick beach walk and to check out some scenery on the opposite side of the coast from where we were staying.
The beach we decided to visit was called Praia do Castelejo. What would we find there? Let’s see!
Discovering Castelejo Beach in Portugal
Praia do Castelejo, also known as Castelejo Beach, is a stunning beach located in the municipality of Vila do Bispo, in the westernmost part of the Algarve region, Portugal. It is known for its natural beauty, wild and rugged character, and excellent surfing conditions!
Without researching the beach before our visit, I had no idea what to expect, making the adventure all the more intriguing. The winding road along a sheer drop into the valley below with stunning landscapes was the first to catch my attention. It already felt like a mystical adventure and this didn’t change once we reached the beach.
Being February there was a sea mist in the air, almost bringing a fog over the beach and the black hills in the distance giving a mysterious and moody feel to this beach.
Living along the coast myself in Cornwall, this is the one thing I always notice about beaches; they can be so different and have such different moods each time you visit them. From high-tide to mid-tide and low, from sunny days to rainy days to misty days, the same beach can feel so different depending on the time of day, year and even the weather. So while the beach felt misty and moody on my visit, in stark contrast to Salema Beach where we were staying, I have seen other photos of the Praia do Castelejo looking bright, sunny, vibrant and so different!
It wasn’t just the mist that evoked a moody atmosphere, but the backdrop of black schist cliffs added to this ambience. Their dark rock faces create a dramatic contrast to the golden sand and blue sky, adding depth and character to the landscape. Although, close to the car park, many of these cliffs were so hill-shaped they almost looked like a mound of black dirt not dissimilar to that which you’d see at a building site.
At the end of the beach, to the eastern side as you look out to sea, were some incredible large rock formations, including some intricate geometric patterns which I could have admired for hours.
The sea was crashing in against these rocks as the tide was coming in and we climbed to get some amazing photos of the next beach which was accessible at low tide, but we could sense the sea coming in so it wasn’t an adventure we could take this time.
Despite its natural beauty, Praia do Castelejo remains relatively undiscovered, making it the perfect retreat for those seeking solitude. Our visit was in the winter season of February, out of season for many tourists and the beach was very quiet, we only passed one other family and saw a surfer by his car keenly looking out to sea to assess the surf!
The beach itself is around 500 meters wide and has golden sand. We walked from the geometric rocks to the end of the beach before returning to our car and the resort we were staying at, Salema.
More about Praia do Castelejo:
- Natural Beauty: The beach boasts a dramatic setting, with golden sand, impressive black schist cliffs, and strong Atlantic waves. It’s a true gem within the Costa Vicentina Natural Park, known for its unspoiled and remote landscapes.
- Surfing Paradise: Praia do Castelejo is a popular surfing destination, especially loved by experienced surfers due to its consistent waves but challenging conditions.
- Beyond the Beach: For the adventurous traveller, the surrounding cliffs offer stunning hiking trails with panoramic views of the coastline.
- Size and Facilities: The beach is quite large, stretching for about 500 meters. While not overly crowded, it offers basic amenities like a restaurant practically on the beach called Castelejo which has good reviews on Google scoring 4.1/5 stars.
- Accessibility: Praia do Castelejo is located roughly 15 minutes from Sagres, 6 minutes from Vila do Bispo and 19 minutes drive from Salema. It’s not accessible by public transportation, so renting a car or using a taxi is necessary or add it to your Algarve coastal hike list and walk from nearby across the many meandering paths of the Natural Park! The road leading down to the beach is narrow and winding, but there’s a spacious parking lot at the end.
Overall, Praia do Castelejo is a perfect choice for nature lovers, experienced surfers, and anyone seeking a beautiful and off-the-beaten-path beach experience in the Algarve.
Praia do Castelejo FAQs:
- Is Praia do Castelejo crowded? Generally, no. Due to its remote location, the beach is less crowded compared to other popular tourist destinations in Portugal.
- What are the best things to do in Praia do Castelejo? Enjoy the scenic beauty, explore the rock formations, go for a swim or sunbathe, try surfing or bodyboarding, hike the surrounding cliffs.
- What is the best time to visit Praia do Castelejo? The beach can be enjoyed year-round, but the water temperatures are most comfortable during the summer months (June-August). However, spring and autumn offer pleasant weather and fewer crowds. We went in mid-February and the beaches in the region felt like private beaches to us, they were so quiet!
- Are there any amenities at Praia do Castelejo? There are limited amenities directly on the beach other than one restaurant. However, the nearby village of Vila do Bispo, a 6-minute journey by car, offers cafes, restaurants, a Lidl supermarket and basic shops.
- Can I swim at Praia do Castelejo? Swimming can be possible, but the currents can be strong, so it’s important to exercise caution.
Before you go…
Discover where to find the dinosaur footprints in Salema!
See how we fit one week’s worth of clothes in a Ryanair personal bag each on our budget family holiday to the Algarve!
And find out is Salema Portugal worth visiting or not?