Situated in the municipality of Tavira, in the middle of Serra Algarvia, the village of Cachopo is a living example of the traditional rurality of the Algarve. Its inhabitants maintain active various ancestral arts and crafts, which are part of the local identity. Among the activities include cork and wood crafts, weaving, basketry, rally agriculture, livestock and beekeeping. Honey production, in particular, deserves attention, being appreciated by its unique taste and purity, as referred to in the website.
The honey produced in Cachopo is one of the products valued in the Mediterranean diet, recognized by UNESCO as an immaterial cultural heritage of humanity. The municipality of Tavira played a key role in the candidacy that led to this recognition in 2013. The Mediterranean diet is based on the use of local and seasonal products, the diversity of ingredients and the predominance of fresh vegetables. Cachopic gastronomy integrates these principles, preserving a tradition transmitted from generation to generation.
The preservation of heritage is not only reflected in gastronomy, but also on the architecture of the village. The houses, built in shale and whitewashed, are distinguished by their simple contours, with doors and windows framed by yellow bands. The roofs are enriched by lavaged chimneys, a typical detail of the Algarve. Walking through the streets of Cachopo Pedra is like traveling in time, discovering a way of life that resists the passage of the years.
In the heart of the village, the church stands at the highest point, organizing the houses around it. The Cachopo Museum Center complements this trip through history, presenting objects and testimonies that help to understand the lives of the Serra people over the ages.
The Natural Cachopo surrounding is equally rich and invites exploration. The landscape is marked by windmills, ruins of ancient circular houses of prehistoric origin and a great diversity of flora and fauna. Many of the species found in this region are exclusive to the Algarve, making the place even more special for nature lovers.
Pedestrian paths are a great way to know this biodiversity. The Cachopo Biodiversity Station marks the beginning of a rail about 1,000 meters, which coincides with section 5 of the Algarvian road. Since 2021, this route includes several local flora and fauna informative panels, providing an educational and enriching experience for visitors.
The village of Cachopo became the first Algarve village to be classified as “Portugal village”. The distinction was attributed following a candidacy presented by the Municipality of Tavira to the ATA – Aldeia Tourism Association, in July 2021.
“The ‘Aldeias de Portugal’ brand distinguishes traditional rural villages with tourist potentialities, which excel in the preservation of a historical past expressed in material and immaterial heritage, in the building, traditions, uses and customs that have the ability to transmit this legacy, providing Visitors and tourists a ‘experience of rurality’ through a unique product that is the village itself, ”the Tavirense municipality explained at the time.
Having been distinguished as “village of Portugal”, Cachopo reinforces his statute as a reference tourist destination for those looking for an authentic and nature -linked experience. Whether for its gastronomy, craftsmanship, history or stunning landscapes, this Algarve village remains a treasure to discover.
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