Ferragudo is a small town on the Algarve that lives simply and is simply beautiful. The first settlement in the known area of Ferragudo was a fortified hamlet under the supervision and control of the nearby town of Silves. When the Moors invaded the Algarve, it also took possession of Ferragudo. Upon the liberation of the Algarve, Ferragudo was declared to be a town that prospered until the great earthquake of 1755 that left most of Portugal leveled.

As a town unto itself, one of the most notorious sons of Ferragudo was the bandit Jose Joaquim Sousa Reis or more known as Remexido. In leading a band of followers, he made both good and bad legends, protecting and pillaging most part of the Algarve and the Alentejo district. Remexido was later arrested and was sentenced to die by firing squad for his crimes. The sentence of death was carried out in 1838 in Faro.

The town of Ferragudo is located to the west of Lagoa on the banks of the Rio Arade opposite the town of Portimao. It is located to the west of Lagoa with a total land area of 5.74 square kilometers. In 2001, the town had a population of 1,867 that makes the town a bedroom community as a majority of the inhabitants travel across the Rio Arade to find work in Portimao. Many of the homes built in the town still follow the traditional fisherman home design, as it seems to be terraced all across the hillside near the riverfront.

The town is surrounded by many palm gardens alongside a narrow riverlet that goes up the town square called Praca Rainha Dona Leonor. The square has a lot of cafes where one can enjoy coffee and a pastry or have a heartier meal for lunch. You can also take a walk in and around town until you reach the river quay where the view of the river can be enjoyed by the food offerings of fresh fish meals or barbecues from the many restaurants that dot the area.

The nearest beach to the village is the Praia da Angrinha where one can see the Fort Sao Joao de Arade. The fort was initially serving as one of the lookout towers in the Algarve to serve as the early warning system against invaders, marauders, pirates and corsairs. It also worked in tandem during the 17^th and 18^th centuries with the fort of Santa Catarina in Portimao to protect the Arade’s river mouth.

As you go inland into Ferragudo, there are many beautiful villas and a lighthouse that sit on the coast in the area called Ponta de Altar. You can reach this area as well as the farthest beach inland, the Praia dos Caneiros either on foot or by car. The lighthouse provides picturesque views of Portimao with the Monchique hills as the backdrop. The view also extends to the many beaches in and around Ferragudo namely Angrinha, Caneiros, Torrados, Infanta, Afurada, Joao Lopes, Molhe, Pintadinho and the Praia Grande. The other sites on the Ponta de Altar include many cliff faces, underground caverns, steep islets and vent chimneys.

There are many other sites located around Ferragudo that have become tourist habitués over the years. The first is the village of Estombar that was established during the Moorish occupation of the Algarve. The village was the home of the famed 11^th century poet Ibn Ammar of Arabia. Legend has it that there were subterranean passageways from the town to locations as far inland as twelve kilometers away to the Moorish capital of Silves. Another favored spot in the area is the Sitio de Fontes, popular as a swimming location because of the freshwater lagoon that is fed by springs. The lagoon then leads to the Rio Arade, which has been developed by the town council as park for performances and for picnickers.

Towards the east from Ferragudo was once the sleepy fishing village of Carvoeiro, which over time was developed into a locale of expensive villas, holiday apartments and golf courses. Also located near Carvoeiro is the village Porches, which was once the site of an ancient Roman castle and a parish church, dating back to the 16^th century. Unfortunately, only the foundations remain of these once majestic sites as they were destroyed in the great 1755 earthquake. Lagoa, the administrative town of the area also is located a few miles from Carvoeiro and Porches. Aside from its official functions, Lagoa is also home to the Slide and Splash Water Park that provides many fun-filled activities within its confines for one and all. On Portimao, you can rent a boat to travel up the riverfront and along the coastline to get great views of Cliffside caves or go dolphin watching along the coast.

If you don’t want to get your feet wet, then you can opt to hit the links in the many golf courses located in Ferragudo. One of the courses was designed by the great Nick Faldo while the other was drawn up by Christy O’Connor Jr. If you want a more controlled game, you can pick up your racquet and serve at the Carvoeiro Clube de Tennis in Sesmarias, which is located in between the towns of Ferragudo and Carvoeiro. For history buffs, then a day tour of the town of Silves will surely enrich your knowledge. The many Moorish styled and inspired buildings that lead up to the castle on cobblestone streets provide you an insight to the long historied past of the area. You can then relax in the many cafes al fresco as you drink in the sights and the sounds of the town as it breathes its everyday life.

As you can see, Ferragudo is a simple place of simple beauty. It has its history as well as its traditions but it thrives not only by itself but as a town nestled in the beauty and richness of the Algarve. Making Ferragudo one of your respites as you travel to Portugal is highly recommended as the simplicity of the town provides the simple pleasures that you as a tourist can well worth enjoy.