Towns and Villages

This ancient settlement was given a charter in the fourteenth century, although it was not until the eighteenth century that it began to be known as an important fishing port, when a large number of fishermen settled here and soon formed a tight-knit community.

The excellent beach, which is a most popular attraction in the summer season, was the main driving force behind the town`s development and it is now a busy resort offering visitors a full range of hotels, a golf course, a casino and excellent facilities for all kinds of sports.

In the surrounding region, the town of São Pedro de Rates, which was once the municipal seat, is well worth a special visit, particularly its Romanesque church built from the eleventh to the thirteenth century, as well as the eighteenth-century former town hall and pillory.