Praia de Odeceixe is an incredible beach on the north-west coast of the Algarve. It’s a beach at the small river mouth of the Seixe River. That same river forms the natural border between the Algarve and the Alentejo region to the north of it. The incredible beach falls on the Algarve side of the border, and the beach is regarded as one of Portugal’s natural wonders.
Where is Praia de Odeceixe?
If you’re travelling from the north, Praia de Odeceixe is the first beach in the Algarve you’ll come across. Or if you’re travelling from the south, it’s the very last Algarvean beach. The beach is at the mouth of the Seixe river, which gives it some unique characteristics you won’t find at other beaches nearby.
Praia de Odeceixe – One of Portugal’s Seven Beach Wonders
In 2012, the Portuguese public voted on what they considered to be the seven beach wonders of Portugal (7 Maravilhas – Praias de Portugal). Praia de Odeceixe won one of the awards, alongside nearby Furnas Beach in Vila Nova de Milfontes, and Praia da Zambujeira do Mar. Odeceixe was the only winner of the award in the Algarve!
Odeceixe Beach
Odeciexe beach is a unique horse shoe shaped beach that’s wrapped with a small gently flowing river. It’s around 300m (1000 feet) in width so there is plenty of space for bathers and beach activities.
Praia de Odecixe is roughly split between the river side (Odeceixe-Rio), and the Atlantic ocean side (Odeceixe-Mar). The river sides are typically much quieter and are often used by families who prefer the lack of waves in the gently flowing Seixe river. It’s also a popular spot for kayakers and stand up paddle boarders.
The Atlantic side is your traditional beach with all your usual facilities. You’ll find a small beach bar, sun bed and parasol rental. On the Atlantic side, there’s also several surf schools and its a popular spot to learn to surf. During the summer bathing season it’s also life guarded.
What’s the difference between Odeciexe, Praia de Odeceixe Mar, and Praia de Odeceixe?
Confusingly, the names of these three distinct places are very, very similar and are often used interchangeably. However, to be specific they do refer to 3 different places all located a very short distance from each other.
Praia de Odeceixe is the incredible beach.
Praia de Odeceixe Mar, refers specifically to the Atlantic ocean facing beach.
Odeceixe – The small town of Odeceixe is much bigger than the seaside village and is located 3km inland along the river. Odeceixe has a wider variety of restaurants, hotels and services.
This guide is about the beach, if you’re looking for specific information on the beach, read our related guide to Odeceixe village.
What to See and do near Praia de Odeceixe?
Around 3km (2 miles) inland along the river is the charming village of Odeceixe. It’s a picturesque Portuguese village, with a few historic features and the famed slow paced life of the Algarve. It also has a few more shops, restaurants and cafes than the very small community right on the beach. So it’s well worth stopping by.
How to Get to Praia de Odeceixe
Odeceixe is actually off the usual tourist route in the Algarve, which means for people relying on public transport, it can be a bit difficult to get to. There is one Algarve bus route, the Vamus bus 79 which runs from Lagos to Odeceixe. However, it is infrequent and only operates on weekdays, it takes approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes.
By car, the journey is around 1 hour from Lagos, around 1 hour from Sagres, and 2 hours and 35 minutes from Lisbon. Odeceixe is a popular stopping point for people taking the coastal route between Lisbon and the Algarve. Alternatively, you can take an express bus from Lisbon to the center of Odeceixe, but if you want to visit the beach you’ll need to find onward transport, or be prepared to walk the 3km along the river.
Hiking around Praia de Odeceixe – Rota Vicentina Trails and Odeceixe Circular Routes
For hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, you’ll find several incredible hiking routes that pass through Odeceixe beach, the cliffs, and the Seixe river. The most famous is the Fisherman’s trail of the Rota Vicentina.
The Fishermans trail runs almost entirely alongside the coast, and it has a total length of 226.5km in 13 stages. It officially starts in Sines, in the Alentejo and follows the full legnth of the coast to Lagos in the Algarve.
The section near to Odeceixe heads along the Seixe River, through the village of Odeceixe and back towards the beach. The Rota Vicentina is one of the most incredible hikes in Portugal, and even the smaller sections are worth it.
Odeceixe Circular Route
Alternatively, there is a circular route the number 14 – Odeceixe to the Sea route. This walking path is around 15km (9 miles) in length and takes around 4 hours to complete. It’s made up of a small cliff section, before it turns inland towards Odeceixe the village, from the village it follows the Seixe river to the sea.
Should you Visit Praia de Odeceixe?
For anyone looking for a stunning beach surrounded by incredible scenery, Praia de Odeceixe is well worth visiting. The nearby village is a great place to base yourself if you want to complete longer hikes, and families will love all of the beach facilities available!
