Small beach in Bordeira

Category: Nature > Beach

District: Faro > Aljezur > Bordeira > Prainha

Location and Access

Prainha at Bordeira is located at the southern end of Bordeira Beach, in the municipality of Aljezur, one of the most extensive and emblematic beaches on the Vicentine Coast. This specific location corresponds to the area where the Bordeira Stream meets the Atlantic Ocean.

Access to this part of the beach is largely via a wooden walkway. This walkway gently descends the slope from the parking area at the top of the cliff, facilitating arrival at the sand near the stream's mouth. At the top of the cliff, near the beginning of the walkway, there is a viewpoint that offers a privileged perspective on the immensity of the beach and the dynamics of the coastal landscape.

The Stream's Water Mirror

One of the most characteristic features of Prainha at Bordeira is the presence of the Bordeira Stream. At its meeting point with the sea, the stream can form a calm water mirror, a kind of lagoon, whose dimensions vary with the tides and water volume.

This more sheltered water area, with shallower depth and less current, offers an environment of tranquility, distinct from the open sea waters, which in this coastal area are often rough. It is a serene counterpoint to the ocean's force.

Immensity and Surrounding Dunes

Prainha is part of a vast and impressive natural system. From the stream's mouth area, one of the largest dune systems of the Vicentine Coast extends inland, shaping the landscape with its soft and constantly changing forms.

The feeling of vastness is striking in this place, with the large sandy beach merging with the dunes and being framed by the cliffs. It is a setting where nature presents itself in a wild and grand manner, inviting observation of the coastal and wind dynamics.

Environment and Perspective

The Prainha area, due to its location at the stream's mouth and sometimes being more protected by the dunes, can offer a slightly milder environment compared to the more exposed part of the sandy beach. The combination of the stream's fresh water with the sand and the sea creates a unique and visually interesting ecosystem.

The perspective one has from this area, looking north along the extensive sandy beach or inland towards the dune system, allows one to appreciate the scale of Bordeira Beach and its integration into the Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt