Fort of Our Lady of the Incarnation

The little fort sits on a rocky promontory at the eastern end of Carvoeiro's main beach, looking out over the cove and the Atlantic beyond. Built in the 1670s, it is a compact example of the low-profile coastal defences Portugal built throughout the Algarve after the Restoration of independence from Spain. The whitewashed chapel of Our Lady of the Incarnation stands inside the walls.

The fort is not a major attraction in itself, but it provides the best viewpoint over the beach and town, and the walk along the clifftop from the fort to the eastern end of the bay is one of the nicest short walks in Carvoeiro. The limestone rock formations below are some of the most dramatic on this stretch of coast.

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A story
The fort was built in the 17th century to protect the fishing village from North African pirate raids, which were a serious threat to coastal communities throughout the Algarve. It changed hands several times between Portuguese and Spanish forces and was eventually decommissioned and converted into housing — the small buildings inside are still privately owned.