Benagil Caves & Coast from Portimão on an Eco-Friendly Catamaran

The Fort of São João do Arade, sometimes referred to as the Castle of Arade, is a medieval fortification. The first fortification on the site consisted of a watch tower erected in the reign of King John II of Portugal. Later, following the settlement of Ferragudo (around 1520), it is believed that the castle was encircled by a defensive wall (built on the rudimentary walls of the older walls). The origins of the Fort of Arade date back to the Philippine Dynasty, to defend the coast of the peninsula from attacks by pirates and privateers in service to the Crowns of northern Europe.

The lighthouse, of unusual design, consists of a small square turret attached to a one-story caretaker's house. It supports a red lantern on its terrace. The house, often compared with the appearance of a small schoolhouse, is painted white, with exposed stones and a red tiled roof. It is located on a promontory, used since prehistory for pagan rituals, on the eastern side of the entrance to the port of Portimão. The Ponta do Altar Lighthouse was first proposed by Ricardo Peyroteu on June 21, 1884. It started operations of 1 January 1893. The tower is 10 meters high and 2.7 meters wide. The original light was white and used oil as the fuel source. It combined with two smaller lights at the ends of the two moles at the entrance to Portimão harbour.

This small islet, with an area of just 0.16 ha, is classified as IBA (Important Bird Area), due to its importance as nesting site for ardeids (herons). This place is especially interesting during spring, due to the existence of a colony of Cattle Egrets and Little Egrets - at this time of year the top of the islet is full of white dots, which are the herons in their nests.

Torre da Lapa was perhaps built in the 16th century as part of the watchtower system that helped defend the Algarve coast. For hundreds of years, up there, the men from the neighborhood took turns watching the coast, always keeping an eye on the boats of corsairs, mostly from North Africa. In case of danger, it was also up there that a bell was rung, smoke signals were made or, at night, a fire was lit, so that people had time to put their possessions and lives in a safe place.