Ferragudo is a characteristic fishing village at the mouth of the tidal Rio Arade river on the beautiful Algarve coast. In a cosy mix, some three thousand Portuguese and “foreigners” from all over the world live here. In and in the immediate vicinity of the village, which is built around the lively central square with cafés and restaurants, all desired amenities are available. Within walking distance there are several beaches with restaurants, beach clubs and water sports activities. From Ferragudo’s quay, there are boat tours along the coast with the caves, further out to the ocean to see dolphins and up the river to the historic town of Silves. Several times a day, taxi boats operate between Ferragudo and various parts of the city of Portimão on the other side of the river. Just a few kilometres from Ferragudo, there are 18-hole golf courses and sports complexes including gym activities, tennis and padel. Ferragudo has everything for holidaying here or living here permanently. Healthcare is of a high standard, there are several international schools and there are large supermarkets and shopping malls nearby. The international airport in Faro is 65 kilometres away and can be reached via motorway within 45 minutes.
Some two thousand years ago, the Romans also resided here. On the beaches, fish tanks were used to make the fish sauce “Garum”, which was transported in amphorae to all corners of the Roman Empire. In 1520, Ferragudo was founded with the approval of the Portuguese queen Dona Leonor. Traditionally, Ferragudo was a fishing village that lived off the proceeds of the sea. With the rise of the canning industry, where fish was canned, at the beginning of the last century, Ferragudo became a prosperous village. These good times ended in the 1970s and 1980s with the decline of the Algarve’s fishing industry. From then on, international tourism became the Algarve’s main economic sector. With a wonderful Mediterranean climate and as many as 300 days of sunshine annually, the Algarve is one of the popular holiday destinations in Europe. Thanks to the influence of the Atlantic Ocean, the summer months here are warm without being extremely hot.