Fort of São João do Arade

This pretty, mid-seventeenth century fort, which surprisingly is privately owned, was originally part of the Santa Catarina de Portimao fortress, the major defence system at the mouth of the Arade River. The Sao Joao de Arade Castle is located between the two beautiful beaches of Angrinha and Grande. The best place to view this beautiful public monument is from Playa Grande, specifically from the cove next to the Escondido bar, where some steps lead to the fort. It is an impressive and sober walled construction in an dreamy enclave. Too bad that is not open to the public.