Praia de Monte Clérigo

Praia do monte Clérigo
Beach
Praia do monte Clérigo
Flag Symbol
Country	Portugal
State	Faro District
Region	Algarve
District	Western Algarve
Municipality	Aljezur
Location	37°20′27″N 8°51′11″W / 37.34083°N 8.85306°W / 37.34083; -8.85306
Material	Gold fine sand
Praia do monte Clérigo

Praia do monte Clérigo is a beach within the Municipality of Aljezur, in the Algarve, Portugal.^[1] The beach is on the western Seaboard in the north west of the Algarve. The beach is 5.1 miles (8.2 km) north west of the village of Aljezur, and is 70.0 miles (112.7 km) north west, by road, from the regions capital of Faro.^[2] Praia do monte Clérigohas been designated a blue Flag^[3] beach (2012).

Description

The beach of Praia do monte Clérigo is inside the Vicentine Coast Natural Park,^[4] an area of outstanding natural beauty. The beach is near the village of Aljezur and is totally unspoilt by the ravages of tourism. The beach has good access points from the road and car park to the rear of the main beach area. There is a timber ramp and stairways down to the sand. The beach is of fine gold sand and is very clean. The southern end of the beach has unusual and extensive rock formations, amongst which visitors can observe a diverse marine life in the pools and gullies between the rocks. There is an abundance of starfish, crabs, Shrimps and Barnacles. Within the rock crevices at the tide line Octopus can be seen and in the deeper rock pools there are shoals of juvenile fish such as Sea Bream. When the tide is out a shallow lagoon is left on the beach. The lagoon is a safe popular stretch of water both for children and there parents, although in the lagoon visitors should take care as Weever fish can sometimes be found in these waters. These fish sting unaware swimmers if trod on, but the risk is minimal. The sea, when conditions are right, is a popular spot for surfing^[5] and bodyboarding, and in the season there is a surf school. Please be aware that there is a strong undertow and current just of the beach. Along the south east fringe of the beach there is an area of sand dunes. Beyond the dunes in the south there is a small settlement of mainly holiday homes. At the northern end of the beach there are panoramic views across this small cove.

Access for the Disabled

The local authorities of the beach have taken great steps to make this beach very accessible to disabled people. In the car park some places there are allocated parking bays for disabled drivers displaying a European blue badge. From the car park there is a boardwalk slope, down to, and along the beach which provides easy access for wheelchair users. There is also a Tiralo amphibious wheelchair provided, which makes the beach and the sea accessible, with support, for people with reduced mobility. There is no charge for this service (As of 2012) and allows people with a disability to go on the beach and even near the water (Available only in season between 10:00am to 7:00pm)

Facilities

During the summer season the beach is patrolled by lifeguards.Being an un-commercialised and natural beach here are no concessions for lounger or parasols hire so it is advisable to bring your own on hot sunny days. There are toilets and showers close to the car park. There is also a public telephone and a First Aid Post. Praia do monte Clérigo has good beach restaurants^[6] which are called Restaurants O Zé and a Rede.

Getting there

From the town of Lagos take the RN 120 road north towards Sines, Just before the village of Aljezur turn left, signposted to Vale da Telha, Arrifana and a brown sign posted to Praia do monte Clérigo. At the top of the hill turn right and follow the road round to the Praia do monte Clérigo.

Gallery

• 
  North end of the beach
• 
  The Beach
• 
  Rock formations on Praia do monte Clérigo
• 
  Rock formations on Praia do monte Clérigo
• 
  Map of the Vicentine Coast Natural Park

References

Beaches of the Algarve
Algarve (West to East)	Praia de Odeceixe Mar Praia das Adegas Praia da Baía dos Tiros Praia da Quebrada Praia de Samouqueira Praia do Vale dos Homens Praia da Carreagem Praia da Amoreira Praia de Monte Clérigo Praia da Pipa Praia da Arrifana Praia do Penedo Praia do Canal Praia de Vale Figueira Praia da Bordeira Praia do Amado Praia da Murracão Praia da Mirouca Praia de Mouranitos Praia da Barriga Praia da Cordoama Praia do Castelejo Praia da Ponta Ruiva Praia do Telheiro Praia de Beliche Enseada do Beliche Praia do Tonel Praia da Mareta Praia da Baleeira Praia do Martinhal Praia da Torre Praia da Ingrina Praia do Zavial Praia das Furnas Praia da Figueira Praia da Salema Praia da Boca do Rio Praia de Almadena Praia do Burgau Praia da Luz Praia de Porto de Mós Praia do Canavial Praia da Balanca Praia da Boneca Praia Camilo Praia Dona Ana Praia do Pinhão Praia dos Estudantes Praia da Batata Meia Praia Praia dos Três Irmãos (Prainha) Praia do Barranco das Canas Praia do Vau Praia dos Coreanos Praia do Amado Praia Três Castelos Praia da Rocha Praia Grande Praia do Molhe Praia do Pintadinho Praia do Vale da Azinhaga Praia dos Carneiros Praia do Carvoeiro Praia de Vale Centeanes Praia do Carvalho Praia de Benagil Praia da Marinha Praia de Albandeira Praia Nova Praia da Senhora da Rocha Praia da Cova Redonda Praia de Vale do Olival Praia de Armação de Pêra Praia Grande (Albufeira) Praia dos Salgados Praia da Galé Praia de Manuel Lourenço Praia do Evaristo Praia do Castelo Praia da Coelha Praia de São Rafael Praia dos Arrifes Praia do Túnel (Peneco) Praia dos Pescadores Praia do Inatel Praia dos Alemães Praia dos Aveiros Praia da Oura Praia Santa Eulália Praia da Balaia Praia Maria Luísa Praia dos Olhos de Água Praia das Belharucas Praia da Falésia Praia da Rocha Baixinha Praia de Vilamoura Praia de Quarteira Praia do Almargem Praia de Loulé Velho Praia do Trafel Praia de Vale do Lobo Praia Garrão Poente (Duno) Praia Garrão (Nascente) Praia do Ancão Praia da Quinta do Lago Praia de Faro (Mar) Praia de Faro (Ria) Praia da Barreta Praia do Farol Praia de Angares Praia da Ilha da Culatra Praia da Ilha da Armona Praia da Fuseta (Mar) Praia da Fuseta (Ria) Praia do Homem Nu Praia do Barril Praia da Terra Estreita Praia da Ilha de Tavira Praia de Cabanas de Tavira Praia do Lacém Praia de Cacela Velha Praia da Manta Rota Praia da Lota Praia da Alagoa Praia Verde Praia do Cabeço Praia de Monte Gordo Praia de Santo António Pego Fundo (interior)