Passeio Alegre is the main seafront square and the social centre of summer Póvoa. The square sits at the inland end of the boardwalk between the casino and the southern beaches, surrounded by Belle Époque hotels and outdoor cafes. In the evenings the entire town seems to flow through here.
The square is listed by the Portuguese heritage agency as an urban site of public relevance — meaning the layout, the iron benches, and the lamp posts are protected. A good place to start or end a beach walk.