Fortaleza de Cacela
Fortaleza de Cacela
4.5
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70 within 3 miles
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21 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
86 reviews
Excellent
52
Very good
27
Average
3
Poor
2
Terrible
2
VSZ
France101 contributions
Oct 2021 • Couples
Tiny village with very colorful houses. Very nice view on the large beach and sea. Quiet place. Small parking area at the entrance.
Written October 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
sandrabolinhas
Lisbon, Portugal152 contributions
Aug 2021
Is not easy to find a place to park your car...but is worth it
Amazing restaurants with sea food, traditional real Algarve villa
Must go
Amazing restaurants with sea food, traditional real Algarve villa
Must go
Written August 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Stichting S
7 contributions
Feb 2021
I have been coming to Cacela Velha for nearly a year now. Each time, the light is different, the tide is different, the vegetation is different ... All I need to do to feel good is wander up and down the river beach, to Fabrica or Manta Rota, or wade across the shallows to the ocean. It is truly a magnificent place!
A word of warning! At the top of the stairs leading off the beach, there is a romantic looking house offering possibly the best view of all of the Algarve. Contact details for the owner are in the window. Don't make the mistake of renting it if you value a stress-free and pleasant stay in your accommodation. The owner, Claudia, is a horrible bully. Her mother lives across the street and reports on your every move, down to the washing drying on the line. The husband is a police man who checks out your visitors and their car registrations. They take no responsibility for the upkeep of the accommodation. Everything that goes wrong, or breaks, is your fault. In my case, for example, the bedroom door jammed shut. I ended up sleeping on the sofa covered only by a towel, horribly cold and uncomfortable. When I complained, I was told I shouldn't have shut the bedroom door ... During the month I stayed, I was granted maybe 10 days without a barrage of abuse.
A word of warning! At the top of the stairs leading off the beach, there is a romantic looking house offering possibly the best view of all of the Algarve. Contact details for the owner are in the window. Don't make the mistake of renting it if you value a stress-free and pleasant stay in your accommodation. The owner, Claudia, is a horrible bully. Her mother lives across the street and reports on your every move, down to the washing drying on the line. The husband is a police man who checks out your visitors and their car registrations. They take no responsibility for the upkeep of the accommodation. Everything that goes wrong, or breaks, is your fault. In my case, for example, the bedroom door jammed shut. I ended up sleeping on the sofa covered only by a towel, horribly cold and uncomfortable. When I complained, I was told I shouldn't have shut the bedroom door ... During the month I stayed, I was granted maybe 10 days without a barrage of abuse.
Written March 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Taxidevil
Glasgow, UK2,998 contributions
Feb 2020
Cacela Velha is so lovely and well worth a visit but it would be lovely if the fortress was open to visitors - it wasn't when we visited in February. Still very god for photos.
Written March 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Andy-S60
London, UK1,964 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Fabulous looking fortress ... from the outside. That’s because it is locked up and you can’t get inside to the presumably spectacular coastal views from over the old battlements. Such a great opportunity lost. It looks wonderful, tempting, and almost ‘wanderlustful’ enough to just risk it and climb over the walls to peek inside, but at the risk of getting shot, and my wife having to find her own way home to Blighty, I resisted. Go on Algarve tourism, open it to visitors!!
Written February 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Garden3
Sandy, UK480 contributions
Aug 2018 • Family
Lovely place to visit for an hour or so. Spectacular views from the fort. Plenty of free parking but fills up quickly in the summer months due to people going to the beach.
Written October 20, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ted k
Bristol, CT51 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
What a quaint and exciting beach to visit. The walk to the shore is different and rewarding. Enjoy a drink and bite to eat when you walk off at the offerings in town, you will not be disappointed. The fort and church are lovely
Written July 23, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jochen K
Buchs St. Gallen, Switzerland927 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
Inevitably on your way around Cacela velha you'll pass by the old fortress. Once beeing used in summer by the King of Portugal, also rumoured to have been home to some pirates ages ago, it now hosts the tax and border police and is this - unfortunately - not open for visitors.
The location is great - turning east one can see Spain and - at night - the lighthouse fire of Vila Real Sto Antonio, on the portugese side of the border to Spain. Towards the west, you see the Rio Formosa and in the distance Cabanas.
The location is great - turning east one can see Spain and - at night - the lighthouse fire of Vila Real Sto Antonio, on the portugese side of the border to Spain. Towards the west, you see the Rio Formosa and in the distance Cabanas.
Written July 9, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sabine d
Rotterdam, The Netherlands116 contributions
Jun 2017 • Family
This place is your time worth for taking a look. There is such a nice view over the sea. U also have the chance to take the chairs to the beach. However we have been there for the second time and i dont think that u can go inside the fort. But the view and the atmosphere u see and feel is so much worth your time!
Written June 22, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Eric C
Verwood, UK67 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
The smallest of small villages, historic church and fort which unfortunately you can not enter. The views of the Formosa and out to sea are just stunning. Sit on the wall and soak it up. But beware, one of the small gardens that appears to belong to a small house has a sin in the garden warning beware of the snakes?. Didn't see any and it is all paved so no problem there. There was one tapas bar and a restaurant that was closed but it is a truly nice place just to visit for half an hour.
Written May 17, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Fortaleza de Cacela (Vila Nova de Cacela) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Fortaleza de Cacela
- We recommend booking Fortaleza de Cacela tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 5 Fortaleza de Cacela tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Fortaleza de Cacela:
- Walking in Tavira: The Venice Of Algarve (Self-guided) (From $645.69)
- Discover Cabanas de Tavira & Cacela Velha: Electric tuk tuk tour (From $66.74)
- Full Day Tour Eastern Algarve - Private Tour (From $255.02)
- Tour Portugal 12 days (From $3,089.16)
- Tour Portugal 14 days (From $3,514.03)
- Hotels near Fortaleza de Cacela:
- (1.19 mi) Robinson Quinta Da Ria
- (1.66 mi) Conversas De Alpendre
- (2.71 mi) Quinta dos Perfumes
- (3.83 mi) Octant Hotels Praia Verde
- (0.55 mi) Casa Castor, Fabrica, Cacela Velha
- Restaurants near Fortaleza de Cacela:
- (0.04 mi) Casa da Igreja
- (0.05 mi) Casa Velha
- (0.07 mi) Casa Azul
- (1.46 mi) Pizzaria Pizzadela
- (1.53 mi) Chá Com Água Salgada