Aljezur
A hillside village under a tenth-century Moorish castle on the Algarve's wild west coast, and sweet potato country.
Updated 22 October 2026
Aljezur is split in two: the old village climbing a hill under the ruins of a castle built by the Muslim rulers of the Algarve in the tenth century and taken by the Order of Santiago in 1249 - among the last places in the Algarve to fall - and a newer settlement on the flat across the stream, laid out in the eighteenth century when a bishop tried to move the population off the malarial hillside. The castle is a walled enclosure with two towers and a cistern, free to enter, giving views over the valley to the Serra de Monchique and out towards the coast. The valley below grows sweet potatoes, which have protected status here and get their own October festival. Aljezur is the base for the western beaches - Arrifana, Monte Clérigo, Amoreira, Bordeira - and for the Rota Vicentina, and it stays modest despite that.
History
The territory has been inhabited since prehistory, and Aljezur was founded in the 10th century by Berbers, who built its castle. Paio Peres Correia, Master of the Order of Santiago, took it in 1249 under Afonso III, King Denis gave it a charter on 12 November 1280, his first in the Algarve, and on 1 June 1504 King Manuel renewed the charter and gave the town the title Noble and Honoured (Wikipedia, Aljezur).
What's there
- The castle - a tenth-century Moorish enclosure with towers and a cistern, free to enter.
- The two villages - the old hillside and the eighteenth-century settlement across the stream.
- The valley - sweet potato fields with protected status and an October festival.
- The base function - access to Arrifana, Amoreira, Monte Clérigo and the Rota Vicentina.
When to go
April to October. Half a day for the village and castle. October brings the sweet potato festival.
Good to know
The climb to the castle is steep on cobbles. The castle is a ruin - walls and views, little else. The village is small with limited restaurants outside the season. Parking near the old village is tight.
Nearby
Praia da Arrifana and Monte Clérigo are on the coast west; Odeceixe is north.
Key facts
Source: Wikidata, item Q986095, read on 18 October 2026.
What to pack for Aljezur
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Reef-safe sunscreen - High SPF that will not bleach the coral you are swimming over. Find on Amazon
- Comfortable walking shoes - Sightseeing means kilometres of pavement and cobbles daily. Find on Amazon
- Quick-dry towel - A microfibre towel packs small and dries in minutes. Find on Amazon
- A slim anti-theft daypack - Zips that close properly; keep it in front in crowds and on transit. Find on Amazon
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