Aljezur, is the first location in my “Out and About” series
where I review various towns and villages in the Western Algarve.
The sleepy town of Aljezur is now well and truly on the map since the British Prime Minister and his wife, Samantha, visited the local market to buy squid. It made me smile when I read the newspapers were more interested in reporting on David Cameron’s dress sense, than information about the town itself.
Aljezur, still has the rustic charm of a small Portuguese town as yet unspoilt by the ravages of mass tourism.
Directions:
Take the A22 motorway west, towards Sines and drive to the end. At the roundabout drive straight across, direction Sines (N120). Drive up the wibbly wobbly road for about 20 minutes and you will eventually reach the Moorish town of Aljezur. N.B. trust me, you won’t fall off the end of the world – there is life after Portimao and even Lagos.
Where to eat:
Piza Bica
Tel. (+351) 282 998 693
Cruz – Igreja Nova
8670-089 Aljezur
(On the road to Monchique)
Horário:
De Segunda a Sexta, 12:00H ~ 14:30H e 18:30H ~ 22:00H
Sábados, Domingos, Feriados, 18:30H ~ 22:00H
Restaurante PONT’A PÉ
Largo da Liberdade
8670 ALJEZUR
(near the taxi rank, by the bridge)
Tel. (+351) 282 998 104
Restaurante RUTH – O IVO
Tel. (+351) 282 998 534
Rua 25 de Abril
8670-088 ALJEZUR
Local Beaches:
Praia do Monte Clérigo – Western Algarve
Praia da Arrifana
Praia da Amoreira (closest beach to the town of Aljezur)
Useful Contacts
Câmara Municipal
Tourist information:
POSTO DE TURISMO DE ALJEZUR
Rua 25 de Abril, 62
8670-088 ALJEZUR
Tel. (+351) 282 998 229
E-mail: turismo.aljezur@turismodoalgarve.pt
Aljezur
Indoor Activities
COMPLEXO DESPORTIVO DE ALJEZUR
PavilhĂŁo Desportivo (Sports Centre)
Tel. 282 990 021 – Fax 282 990 022
Piscinas Municipais (Swimming Pool)
Tel. 282 990 023
Fore more information regarding opening times and a full list of activities, check out the Camara Website here.
Local Surf Schools
(Information to follow)
Cultural Organizations
Tertúlia – Associação Sócio-Cultural de Aljezur
Morada: Rua de Lisboa
8670 ALJEZUR
Tel: (+351) 282 998 870 / (+351) 969 979 550
Correio ElectrĂłnico: tertulia.aljezur@gmail.com
tertulia-aljezur.blogspot.pt/
Associação de Defesa do Património Histórico e Arqueológico de Aljezur
Morada: Rua JoĂŁo Dias Mendes, 48
8670 – 086 ALJEZUR
Tel: 282 991 011
Aljezur Market
Opposite School
3rd Monday (morning)
Aljezur market sells a variety of goods including a great selection of vegetable plants, clothes, hardware and underwear etc. Unlike some touristy markets you are unlikey to find dodgey DVD’s, fake designer brands. If you want a real insider tip about life in Portugal, why not mingle with the locals, and for lunch sample the delicious BBQ’d chicken and chips washed down with copious amounts of red wine served in beer glasses. Yes, you read correctly – beer glasses!
David Cameron (British Prime Minister) and his good lady certainly missed out on this experience!
Piglet in Portugal 
Love your idea for an “out and about” series. I look forward to seeing more of your adventures.
LikeLike
I want to live in a sleepy town just like this…One day if I manage to sell enough books this is what I am going to do.
LikeLike
I’m not sure I’d want to live in a sleepy town. I love the countryside and wide open spaces. Or I’d go to the other extreme as I get older and live in a hubble of activity. 🙂
LikeLike
That is a very impressive fishmarket!!
LikeLike
Hmmm but expensive. Still I will go back and treat myself
LikeLike
Fabulous market!
LikeLike
Yes, we enjoyed having a look round. Fish rather expensive, but you get what you pay for 🙂
LikeLike
Looks like a great market!
LikeLike
It was good as they also sold fruit and veg
LikeLike
Wow. Now it will get tourists, I suspect! 🙂
LikeLike
The the fun begins.
LikeLike
Were they there on holiday, or a State visit? It sounds like a lovely market.
LikeLike
Hi Sami
They were staying near Monchique which is close by.
LikeLike
‘Here today, gone tomorrow’ : doubt their visit will have much effect but it is great that you have such a market close to you with all that freshness just jumping off the screen 🙂 !
LikeLike
Hi Eha, no, not close to me unfortunately.
But I did go to a fish market once, and when I bent down to inspect one of the fish it began to wriggle it was that fresh! I screamed because I thought all fish were dead by the time they arrived at a market…
LikeLike
Kind of sorry for the fish ~ wonder whether they feel anything!!
LikeLike
“Aljezur, still has the rustic charm of a small Portuguese town as yet unspoilt by the ravages of mass tourism.”
Hopefully his visit won’t lead to its spoiling.
LikeLike
Time will tell. When we drove through in August (peak holiday season) the town was heaving with tourists.
LikeLike