This small resort was, until a few years ago, just a beachside depot for the local fishing fleet. Like many other villages along this stretch of coast, the economy relied heavily on the tuna fishing industry for nearly five hundred years. Now the tuna shoals have moved on, and the tourists have moved in. As Armação de Pera has one of the finest stretches of beach in the whole of the Algarve this tourist influx is no surprise.
The beach runs from Praia dos Pescadores (Fisherman’s Beach) to Salomão Beach, and is blessed with golden sand, backed by rugged cliffs with wind-eroded arches and pillars, and clean, crystal- clear sea.
The resort itself is crowded in the summer; blocks of apartments and restaurants have replaced the wooden shacks where previously the fishermen stored their boats and fishing equipment.
To the west of the town, in the direction of Praia de Rocha, there has been great development with the creation of several self catering holiday complexes on the cliff top, and modern hotels such as the Pestana Levante and the Hotel Garbe which provide panoramic views from their terraces, and direct access to the beach below.
The villas and apartments in these developments have been sympathetically designed to reflect the architectural style of the Algarve’s Moorish heritage, with roof top patios and elaborately patterned chimney pots.
Armação de Pera’s central town property consists mostly of apartments; villas are to be found to the east and west, and are priced to suit most budgets. The resort is hectic for three months in the height of the summer, but with a pleasantly warm climate during the rest of the year, the location is popular with those wanting to escape a northern winter.
With good golf courses in the vicinity, cliff top walks and a winter temperature rarely dropping below 15c (59f), Armacão de Pera is an ideal place for an off-season holiday.
Most of the new town properties have been built with all- year- round occupation in mind, and have open fireplaces and central heating for the chillier evenings which are common in an Algarve winter. There is a wide choice of newly built apartments and villas for sale, either on the outskirts of the resort, or in the hills to the rear. Older property, such as abandoned farmhouses are to be found in the quiet countryside around Armação de Pera, and whilst they may require complete renovation there are still some bargains to be had.
