landmark
Tavira
Genteel riverside town of churches and a Roman bridge, a relaxed base for the eastern Algarve.
18 km · about 20 min drive
EuropePortugalFaro
Monte Gordo
Faro, Portugal · Europe
About Monte Gordo
Monte Gordo is worth a stop: 10 minutes from Altura, 39km from Ria Formosa Natural Park.
Monte Gordo is in Faro, Portugal, with about 4,300 people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is Altura, about 4 km away.
Monte Gordo is a town and a freguesia (parish) of the municipality of Vila Real de Santo António, in the southeastern corner of Algarve, Portugal. The population in 2011 was 3,308, in an area of 4.22 km2. Formerly a fishermen's town, Monte Gordo's economy is nowadays oriented to tourism due to its sunny weather, longRead more
white sand beaches, trails in the surrounding pine woods, sand dunes, and seafood. Furthermore, the adjacent natural reserve - Reserva Natural do Sapal de Castro Marim e Vila Real de Santo António - attracts tourists due to its diverse fauna, which comprises some 153 species of birds, including storks, avocets, sandpipers and flocks of flamingos, as well as more than 400 plant species and various reptiles, amphibians and mammals. Its strategic location is also a plus, given that is located adjacent to the cities of Vila Real de Santo António and Castro Marim, as well as other nearby touristic attractions such as Cacela Velha and Tavira.
Prior to the Carnation Revolution in 1974, Monte Gordo was a favorite destination for the Portuguese and Spanish aristocracies as well as famous people (e.g. Ingrid Bergman). Its Casino was built in 1934 and Hotel Vasco da Gama was the first grand hotel in Algarve (built in 1960). After the advent of democracy, Monte Gordo also became a favorite summer destination for the Portuguese middle class.
Monte Gordo beach is best known for its sunny weather all year round, as well as for its relatively calm and warm seawater. The average air temperature ranges from a low of 11 °C in January to a high of 26 °C in August, while the average sea temperature ranges from a low of 16 °C in February to a high of 22 °C between July and September, making this the maritime beach with the warmest sea in mainland Portugal. Another particularity of this beach is the fact that during the low tide one is able to walk 10 to 30 meters into the sea, making it one of the safest in Portugal for children. These conditions make it ideal for beach goers to collect clams lightly buried in the sand (locals call "conquilhas" to the local variety of edible Donax saltwater clams). Monte Gordo beach holds the Blue Flag quality certificate for more than 2 decades.
Though most tourists are Portuguese during the summer, in the winter Monte Gordo is mostly visited by foreigners from Northern Europe looking for a warm vacation destination. Given the nearby VRSA Sports Complex, accredited by IAAF and home of the Portuguese Olympic Committee, Monte Gordo is also a popular destination for international athletes during the winter.
The Monte Gordo Sand Race for motorcycles and quads takes place on the beach annually in November. The race is a round of the FIM Sand Races World Championship.
There are also several Dutch and Irish bars as well as restaurants (mostly owned by expatriates from those countries) alongside the traditional Portuguese venues.
The main festivity in Monte Gordo is the Nossa Senhora das Dores Procession, a catholic celebration held on the second Sunday of September. Its new year and carnival festivities are also well-known.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Monte Gordo?
Within an hour or so of Monte Gordo: Tavira (18 km), Ria Formosa Natural Park (39 km), Faro Cidade Velha (47 km), EN125 Coastal Road (49 km).
Are there any good drives near Monte Gordo?
The nearest famous roads are EN125 Coastal Road.
Where is Monte Gordo?
Monte Gordo is in Faro, Portugal, about 4 km from Altura.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 4,282
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- Portugal
- Region
- Faro
- Timezone
- Europe/Lisbon
- Coordinates
- 37.1819, -7.4523
Tags
Worth the detour from Monte Gordo
4 notable places within an hour's drive.
national park
Ria Formosa Natural Park
A lagoon labyrinth of barrier islands, salt marsh and flamingos stretching along the eastern Algarve coast.
39 km · about 45 min drive
landmark
Faro Cidade Velha
Walled medieval old town with cobbled lanes, a cathedral and a bone chapel, gateway to the Ria Formosa.
47 km · about 55 min drive
famous road
EN125 Coastal Road
The classic east-west Algarve artery linking the region's beach towns, villages and clifftop detours.
49 km · about 55 min drive
Driving roads near Monte Gordo
- 49 kmEN125 Coastal RoadThe classic east-west Algarve artery linking the region's beach towns, villages and clifftop detours.
Driving in Portugal
- Drives on
- the right
- Petrol
- ~€1.78/litre
- Motorway tolls
- ~€9.00/100km
When to drive here
April to October
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