Praia da Oura

Praia da Oura
Beach
Praia da Oura
Flag
Country	Portugal
State	Faro District
Region	Algarve
District	Barlavento Algarvio
Municipality	Albufeira
Location	37°5′06.9″N 8°13′20.8″W / 37.085250°N 8.222444°W
Material	Golden fine sand, rock formations creating recesses
Location of Praia da Oura

Praia da Oura is a blue flag beach^[1] within the Municipality of Albufeira, in the Algarve, Portugal.^[2][3] The beach is in the eastern district of Albufeira in the neighbourhood called Areias de São João (Saint John's Sands). Its flanked by Praia dos Aveiros to the west and Praia de Santa Eulália to the eastern side. The beach is approximately 900 meters in length and is 450 meters wide at low tide.^[4]

Description

The beach is in a small bay and has fine gold sand and some rock formations. The central section is very popular in the summer but the eastern end of the beach, also known as the Praia dos Bicos, is quieter and has less facilities. The rear cliffs at the eastern end feature some jagged rock formations called the Pedra dos Bicos^[5] and are topped with pine woodland with small meadows. The central and western end of the beach are dominated by several large beach resort developments and with a short promenade^[6] which runs across the back of this section of beach.

Facilities

Parking close to the beach is limited and may prove difficult during the busy summer season. During the summer months the beach is patrolled by lifeguards.^[7] There are several licensed bar, restaurant concessions along the beach. there are toilet and shower facilities and there are opportunities to hire parasols and sun loungers. ^[8]

Commercial area

Praia da Oura has a commercial area to the rear of the middle of the beach in the Rua Ramalho Ortigao. The shops and business consist of beach shops, supermarket, popular bar cafes, restaurants, and hotels, many of which have views of the beach. There is also a public telephone.

Gallery

Welcome sign on the promenade to the rear of the beach  The pine woodland with and flower meadow at Pedra dos Bicos on the cliff tops above Praia da Oura.  Looking along the beach towards the east  The cliff tops at the western end of Praia da Oura  the eastern end of the beach is alternatively called Praia dos Bicos.  Looking west along the beach at low tide  The small rounabout on the Rua Ramalho Ortigao, behind the middle section of the beach.  Part of the Commercial area on the Rua Ramalho Ortigao behind the middle section of Praia da Oura.

Neighbouring Beach locations

References

1. "Blue Flag - Oura". Praia da Oura's listing on the Blue Flag listing site. The Foundation for Environmental Education. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
2. The Algarve. Sheet Map showing the Praia da Oura’s location – Grid L6. Rough guides – Penguin Group. 2010. ISBN 9781848364981.
3. "Spain & Portugal 2012, Tourist and Motoring Atlas. Pub:Michelin, 2011, ISBN 978-2-06-717415-3
4. "Map - Praia da Oura" (PDF). Map of the extent of Praia da Oura with a scale - PDF format. Instituto da Agua - Portuguese Environment Agency. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
5. "Praia da Oura". Reference to the cliffs and rock formations of Pedra dos Bicos - In Portuguese. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
6. "Praia da Oura - Albufeira.com". 360° Panoramic view of the beach showing the promenade/Boardwalk - also contains a list of the beach facilities in the form of symbols. Albufeira.com. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
7. "Instituto de Socorros a Náufragos". information on the Portuguese Lifeguard Service. International Life Saving Federation. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
8. "PRAIA Da OURA". list of the beach facilities - In Portuguese with symbols. Serviço de Apontadores Portugueses – SAPO – na Universidade de Aveiro. Retrieved 16 April 2015.