Cacela Velha, in VRSA - the most beautiful pearl of the Ria Formosa

Cacela Velha is one of those picturesque places that easily seduces you. Its tranquillity, preservation of the image of a nostalgic past and full integration with the natural beauty of the Ria Formosa are irresistible. 

Contrary to what many people think, the village belongs to the municipality of Vila Real de Santo António and not to the neighbouring municipality of Tavira. However, since you're in Vila Real, take the opportunity to discover 20 must-see places in Tavira.

Cacela Velha is a poem of few verses: four streets flowing into a square under the walls, the church, the cemetery right there. The dead boo the living.
Aloof, the sea seeks out the land. Its fruits squirt juice over those of the trees lying on the ground.

Teresa Rita Lopes

For many years, this village in the Algarve went unnoticed by visitors to the region. In fact, it is still unknown to many Portuguese and foreign visitors. Perhaps this discreet profile is the reason for its preservation.

A unique character seduced men and women of letters such as Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen, Eugénio de Andrade or Adolfo da Conceição Gago.

Long before modern tourists, Cacela Velha was inhabited by the Romans, had defence walls and even became a town by order of King Dinis. For many years, fishing and fish-salting activities were the livelihood of the local inhabitants. 

However, the silting up of the Pedra Alva stream and the dunes of the Ria Formosa became too much of a problem. The last straw was the earthquake of 1755, which devastated what little remained and forced many of the population to leave to form another town in the surrounding area: Vila Nova de Cacela. 

Now, Cacela Velha is a small village of single-storey whitewashed houses. There are still a few monuments worth seeing, a few restaurants where you can eat well (if you have the patience to wait in line), a fort, a viewpoint and a beach that receives compliments from everyone who visits.

Cacela Velha - what to visit in Vila Real de Santo António's most beautiful village

Parish church of Cacela Velha

The church dates back to the 16th century, but was built on top of a 13th century temple and was rebuilt after the great earthquake of 1755.

Probably a tribute to Our Lady of the Assumption, the church features a Renaissance-style portico with busts of St Peter and St Paul, as well as a treasury inside.

Fortress of the Knights of Santiago de Cacela

Dating back to the 18th century, the fortress of Cacela Velha is the image you almost always see when you search for Cacela Velha. 

It's on that side of the summer, where boats pass by early in the morning, surrounded by lime.
From the deserted dunes it has perfection, from the pigeons the rumour, from the light the difficult transparency and rigour.

Eugénio de Andrade

The fortress (or Cacela Fort) was part of a group of fortifications that protected the coast and was also used as a logistical base for the conquest of Tavira, Silves and Aljezur. 

Like other structures, it was damaged by the earthquake and rebuilt afterwards. Many now visit it to enjoy one of the most sublime landscapes on the Algarve coast: the Ria Formosa. When you visit Cacela Velha, you really must go there. As well as going to the other beaches of Vila Real de Santo António and Castro Marim.

Poetry and inspiration

Every year, an unusual festival is organised in Cacela Velha: Poetry in the Street. The event takes as its starting point the poetic legacy of Ibn Darraj al-Qastalli, a native of Cacela who is considered one of the greatest Arab writers of the 10th century.

As well as book sales, there are reading sessions for children and poetry recitations. Cacela Velha was also inspired by writers such as Eugénio de Andrade and Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen. In fact, there are references to these Portuguese writers on the façades of some of the houses.

Historic centre

Although it's a very small town and the historic centre is quite concentrated, there are details worth paying attention to as you walk through the streets of the village.

Strong squares were conquered
By their power and were besieged
The cities of the sea for wealth
But Cacela
She was desired only for her beauty.

Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen

Walking around, you can see the cisterna (old nora), which used to carry and store water for the local population, as well as the well-kept streets and white houses with vibrant blue and yellow bars, decorated windows and typical Algarvian chimneys. While you're in the Algarve, take the opportunity to visit Santa Luzia, the village of Barril and the Ria Formosa.

Praia da Fábrica (Factory Beach)

Praia da Fábrica (or Praia de Cacela Velha) is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Algarve and has even been considered one of the best in the world by the Spanish version of Condé Nast Traveler and also praised by the British newspaper The Guardian. Perhaps it was partly this landscape that inspired writers so much.

The beach with its fine sand and warm waters can only be reached on foot (at low tide) or by boat. The journey is short and costs around €1.5 for adults and €0.5 for children aged between 4 and 10. To get to Praia da Fábrica, follow the signs for "Fábrica" along the EM 1242, next to Marisqueira Fábrica do Costa. 

Ria Formosa Natural Park

One of the 7 natural wonders of Portugal, the Ria Formosa is where the locals of Cacela Velha go to swim. At the end of the day, the golden landscape and the sun's rays reflected in the waters romanticise this section of the estuary. 

This is where thousands of birds, molluscs and fish find food and live, while other (migratory) birds use the Ria Formosa as a place to pause on their long journey between Europe and Africa. The Ria Formosa stretches for 60 kilometres from Praia do Ancão, on the outskirts of Quinta do Lago, and ends in Vila Real de Santo António.

Next articles

Planning a trip to Namibia - essential information

What to see in Samarkand, the pearl of Uzbekistan

Ljubljana, the Slovenian capital with so much to see