Armação de Pêra has everything you need for a lovely holiday – a wonderful beach, playground, shops, supermarkets, restaurants and bars. It is also ideally placed for a day out at Zoomarine sea-life park at Guia, a trip to ‘Algarve Shopping’ mall, water parks at Alcantarilha and Lagoa, golf courses, horse riding, and beautiful coastal walks.
It was once a sleepy fishing village which over the years has grown into a small town. The old part stretches up from the fishermen’s beach towards ruins of the old 17th century fort with its chapel, and along to the church, spreading out behind. Here it is a maze of narrow streets with traditional whitewashed houses and many Portuguese restaurants.
Towards the western end there is a mix of new and old buildings and a wide promenade fringed by a mix of restaurants, cafes and shops.
You can see the fishing boats out on the water at night and, if you get up early enough, you can see the catch being brought in! The fishermen also ply their trade along the beach in the summer, offering boat trips to the amazing rock formations along the coast.
The stunning beach stretches all the way to Guia and Albufeira in one direction and to Senhora da Rocha in the other. From May to early October there are supervised areas with sunbeds available for hire as well as the usual water sports equipment. You will also find a choice of beach bars and restaurants right on the water’s edge.
Along with those on the beach, the choice of eateries include many traditional Portuguese fish and grill restaurants, Indian, Chinese, Japanese and Italian choices, ice-cream parlours, cake shops and many cafes and bars serving snacks and light meals.
If you prefer to cook for yourself, there is a daily market selling fresh produce, small bakeries selling fresh bread and cakes, butchers shops and a variety of smaller supermarkets as well as a larger Continente and Lidl supermarket in walking distance, There is a large open air market every Saturday morning with stalls selling all manner of food. More supermarkets can be found on the main road towards Senhora de Rocha and at Algarve Shopping.
Nightlife centres around the many restaurants and a few bars, with the promenade being the place where people meet and walk. You can find something more lively within easy reach at Carveiro, Lagos or Albufeira. This website gives up to date information about what’s happening in the Algarve: http://www.cultugarve.com/wp/
Car hire is not essential as everything is within walking distance in the town. Minibus transfers are available through most airlines and the drop off point at the Holiday Inn is only five minutes’ walk from the apartment. Buses or taxis are available to the water parks, Algarve shopping and the main resorts and towns along the coast.