Aljezur

Aljezur is a small market town divided into halves. The first half is dominated by the ruins of its hilltop Moorish Castle from which there are exceptional views over the surrounding countryside. It was initially settled by the Moors in the 10th century and finally conquered by Christian forces in 1246. The oldest surviving building, apart from the castle, is the Misericordia Church built in the 16th century and rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake.

The newer half of the town is separated from the older by a fertile river valley. There are several really spectacular, unspoilt beaches in the vicinity. The most accessible are Amoreira, Monte Clerigo and Arrifana, easily reached from the riverside village of Odeceixe, 18 km north of Aljezur on the N 120.