Alvor: the fishing village and the boardwalks over the lagoon
Alvor keeps the feel of a fishing village despite sitting close to larger resort areas. Its small centre, with narrow streets, slopes down to a calm lagoon that separates the village from the sand.
The old centre
Alvor’s streets rise and fall around a Manueline-style parish church, with an elaborately carved stone doorway. It is a small area, easy to explore on foot, with views over the harbour and the lagoon from several spots.
The boardwalks over the lagoon
A network of wooden boardwalks crosses the Alvor lagoon, a protected area with birds and typical marsh vegetation. It is one of the easiest, flattest walks in the region, good to do in the late afternoon, when the light softens.
The harbour and the beach
The fishing harbour still has working boats, next to a stretch of sand running west. Alvor beach is wide and gives easy access to the water, with dunes separating it from the village in some stretches.
Food in the area
Being a fishing village, freshly grilled fish remains the backbone of Alvor’s dining, often caught by the very boats seen in the harbour.
Getting there and parking
Alvor is a short drive from Portimão, also reachable by a secondary road from Lagos. Parking in the centre is limited; there are larger car parks near the beach and the boardwalk area.
Best time to visit
Spring and autumn are good times to walk the boardwalks without excessive heat and with more birds visible on the lagoon. In summer, the beach and the centre get busier in the late afternoon.
Where to stay and what to book
Alvor has small and mid-sized accommodation, near the centre or by the beach. To find accommodation and experiences in the region, such as walks around the Alvor lagoon, visit Algarve Férias, and to see the ratings of homes and experiences, Algarve Reviews.
Frequently asked questions
Are the lagoon boardwalks accessible for reduced mobility? Part of the network is flat and made of wood, but check conditions on the day, as some sections can be under maintenance.
Is Alvor a good base without a car? It can be, since the centre, the beach and the lagoon are close together on foot, but visiting other beaches usually needs your own transport.
Videos from our channel
The Algarve Video channel has filmed this place. Watch it here:
