Armação de Pêra was originally a small fishing village. Its name comes from the fishing tackle (armação) used to catch tuna back in the day. Although you can still see the colorful fishing boats standing in Praia dos Pescadores beach, Armação de Pêra is now a resort town and one of the most loved beach destinations in the Algarve. Set in a wide bay, it has calm waters and a golden sand beach, which makes it a popular destination for families with kids. Here's everything you need to know if you're visiting Armação de Pêra soon.
Armação de Pêra is located around 15 km from Albufeira and 52 km from Faro, where you will find the closest airport. The airport has connections to a bunch of cities in Europe so you won't have a hard time getting to this resort town in the Algarve. To get from the airport to Armação de Pêra, you can either book a transfer, rent a car - which will also be very helpful in order to explore other towns in the Algarve, or use public transport.
The best thing to do in Armação de Pêra is, of course, to explore its incredible beaches, such as Praia dos Pescadores and Praia de Nossa Senhora da Rocha. Take the time to relax, sunbathe, and go for a swim. The main strip of golden sand stretches all the way to Galé (around 3 km), so don't miss the opportunity of walking along the coast to appreciate its beauty.
If you want a little break from the beach, near Armação de Pêra you can find the Salgados golf course, located at Herdade dos Salgados. It is perfect for Nature lovers who enjoy golfing! In town, you will also find a variety of restaurants, bars, and shops that stay open until late at night, so head over there for a walk after dinner.
As most places in the Algarve, this resort town combines the old with the new. On one side of the town (the Old Town) you can still see the old, colorful fishing boats and walk through the quirky cobblestone streets, while the other side features high-rise apartment blocks built in recent years. That said, don't miss the opportunity of visiting the Old Town to get a glimpse of how the region used to be like.
Make sure you visit Nossa Senhora da Rocha, an iconic medieval fortress and a little chapel in Armação de Pêra. Here, you will not only discover a beautiful landmark of the town, but also an incredible view of the coastline. It's definitely worth visiting!
Along the seafront in the Old Town, you will find Fortaleza de Armação de Pêra, a fort built in the 16th-century as a way to guard the town against the pirates. Nowadays, you can only see the entrance to the fort but it is still worth visiting. Nearby, you can also find Capela de Santo António, a little chapel from the 18th-century. However, the main church in Armação de Pêra is Igreja de Nossa Senhora dos Navegantes, located in a small square not far from the beach. If it's open, go inside to take a look!
As in any of the towns in the Algarve, you have to try the fresh fish. And the fact that Armação de Pêra is a former fishing village, makes it even more mandatory. All around town, but mostly in the fishermen's district near Praia do Pescador, you will find tons of delicious fish restaurants well-loved by locals and tourists, such as Casa de Pasto Zé Leiteiro. However, if you're not into fish, there are plenty other restaurants you can choose from!
With everything you might ever need - amazing beach, delicious food, and tons of little shops and supermarkets - Armação de Pêra is a great holiday destination. However, if you have the chance, don't miss the opportunity of renting a car and spending a day exploring a nearby town. Head to Guia to visit the Zoomarine theme park, discover the incredible beaches in Albufeira, or visit one of the water parks in Lagoa, such as Slide & Splash for a fun day. The Algarve is a wonderful region of Portugal full of places to discover!