Praia de Nossa Senhora da Rocha Beach, also known as Praia da Lagoa, is situated in Lagoa, Portugal, particularly in the Algarve region, and is a breathtakingly beautiful beach front famous for its natural beauty and rich history.
Exploring this scenic, serene beach, with its very clean waters, soft sand, and beautiful cliffs, can be considered quite spiritual. In this article, you will learn about Praia de Nossa Senhora da Rocha, discover its unique characteristics, explore the chapel situated on the cape, and receive some recommendations for your visit.
1. Praia de Nossa Senhora da Rocha
Praia de Nossa Senhora da Rocha is quite small compared to other famous Cap Verdian beaches, which have approximately 100 meters in length and 40 meters in width. Despite its small size, the beach stands out for its stunning locations and unique fine ochre sand, which perfectly interlocks seashells. This small beach is situated some 3 km to the west of Armação de Pêra, where a small cove protected by cliffs provides a certain amount of privacy and shields from the wind.
The aforementioned beach offers a safe environment for swimming and other boat riding activities, such as windsurfing and water skiing. Although the water is shallow, if you are a diving enthusiast who enjoys observing underwater life, the clear water in the shallow areas is perfect for snorkeling.
2. The Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Rocha
A Rich History on a Cliffside Obviously a very distinctive feature of Praia de Nossa Senhora da Rocha is the rocky bluff on which stands a small medieval chapel—the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Rocha. This small square-perched chapel to ''Our Lady of the Rock'', which dates back many centuries, can be seen as a significant historical and religious structure. Although the origins of this civilization remain unclear, historians assert that it has been in existence since the 8th century.
Like many other structures in the region, it has endured both man-made disasters, such as the great earthquake from 1755 and 1969, and other harsh activities of mother nature. The chapel's sparsely decorated interior welcomes tourists, showcasing figurines of the Virgin Mary and Christ. Every year, on the first Sunday of August, the custom entails transferring the statue from the chapel to the nearby beach.
The promontory offers one of the most breathtaking views of the area. From this vantage point, you can see the entirety of Algarve's coastline, with the neighboring town of Albufeira in the background. Sunset is absolutely amazing from here, with the colors pink and orange in the sky as it sets over the Atlantic Ocean.
3. Exploring Neighboring Beach Armação de Pêra
Armação de Pêra is one of the oldest tourist destinations that has developed from a simple fishing village in the 15th century. The name Armação is a reminiscence of the construction of a fence that fishermen utilize to catch tuna, whereas Pêra is borrowed from the name of a neighbouring settlement, Pêra.
Thus, over the years, the village developed, and following the fishing, truthfully, it also grew with the help of tourism, which started in the middle of the twentieth century. Armação de Pêra has retained its traditional look and feel but, at the same time, holds a lot of modern amenities for tourists to enjoy.
4. Cliff hikes and scenic trails
Praia de Nossa Senhora da Rocha, one of the best sites for hiking and scenic walks, serves as the starting point of one of the most amazing cliff trails in the Algarve region. This coastal trail heads west in the direction of Praia da Marinha, another of the Algarve's most photographed beaches.
With the aid of the camera, one can enjoy breathtaking views due to the contrast between the blue of the sea and the rock cliffs.
The trail is moderate and therefore should appeal to most visitors and clients. However, it's advisable to avoid wearing soft shoes as the trail may occasionally have uneven surfaces. This is one of the best Algarve spots for natural photography, so bring your camera.
5. The Traditional Fishing Boats of Praia de Nossa Senhora da Rocha
You can find small boats of fishermen on the beach, adding to the beauty of Praia de Nossa Senhora da Rocha. Traditionally, this was a favorite spot for local fishermen because of the natural protection provided by the cliffs at the beach's back. These rousing boats are still in use, providing Algarve tourism with an insight into their past fishing way of life.
One of these boats allows you to cruise around the surrounding coastlines. These usually take people to isolated beaches, as well as, of course, the Caves of Benagil, a sea grotto with a hole in the roof. It is the best way to get up and personal with the beautiful rock formation that defines the coastline of the Algarve.
6. Dining at the beach
The Vilarinho RestaurantWhen you arrive at Praia de Nossa Senhora da Rocha, you tend not to venture far for a meal. The Vilarinho Restaurant, a more intimate eatery specializing in seafood, also serves the beach. Treat yourself to tasty barbecue fish and seafood rice while viewing the beach and the sea.
Of course, the food here may be a little more costly than it is in town; however, this alone makes for the beautiful view. Remember to carry some cash with you, as the restaurant only accepts cash and prefers payments in euros.
Getting There
The easiest way of getting to Praia de Nossa Senhora da RochaThe best way to reach Praia de Nossa Senhora da Rocha is by car; it is located in the civil parish of Porches in the Lagoa municipality. If you are on a national road (the EN125), just look for the sign that says Porches and proceed to the beach. There is a free car park adjacent to the promontory, but it tends to be congested, particularly during peak visitor periods.
We highly recommend this mode of transportation for individuals without a car, despite its higher cost compared to the previous two options, as it provides greater flexibility for exploring the Algarve. Or you can arrange for a transfer from Faro Airport to any car rental service, which will then take you to your accommodation near or within the beach area.
9. Where to stay:
Best Western Plus Salvador Waterbay Hotel, Fisher Hotel, and Villa Del Sol Salvador.Top Honeymoon Hotels Near Praia de Nossa Senhora da RochaIf you are going to be in the area longer, a number of fine hotels and resorts are available within simple walking distance of Praia de Nossa Senhora da Rocha.
Here are a few options:
Pestana Viking Beach & Spa Resort: This 4-star hotel is 200 meters from Praia de Nossa Senhora da Rocha and comes equipped with two swimming pools, a spa and direct access to the beach.
Vila Vita Parc Resort & Spa: A best 5-star luxury resort built to cater for the needs of the well-to-do with a health/hygiene-focused service provision with an accent on spa and restaurant services and strategically located spacious, modern individual and group rooms.
Be Live Family Luxury villas : This is a four-star family all-inclusive resort with swimming pools, a fitness center, a recreation desk, and other amenities that are perfect for families.