Located between Tavira and Castro Marim, the municipality of Vila Real de Santo António extends along a coastal strip marked by the serenity of the waters and the proximity of the Guadiana estuary. It is in this transition territory, between the Ria and the Ocean, that is an isolated sand that, although it has already been considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, has ceased to be the technical and functional sense.
The international mention dates back to 2015, when the traveler magazine edition elected the so-called Cacela Velha beach as one of the 15 best in the world, placing it alongside destinations such as the Maldives or Bora Bora.
A constant mining sand
What remains today is a temporary sand bank, conditioned by the tides and the dynamics of the Dunar cord of Ria Formosa. Located at the end of the island of Cabanas, next to Barra de Cacela, this beach depends on the geographical configuration of the moment, and the landscape is common throughout the year.
According to the Visit Algarve portal, access is only possible by boat, from the Cais da Sítio da factory, about 1.5 kilometers from Cacela Velha.
The route crosses the Ria channel to a sand that, although continuing to be sought by bathers, has no support or is officially classified as a watched beach.
Without bathing or surveillance
Today, the site does not gather the minimum conditions required to a beach. There is no surveillance, there is no bathing concession, no support structures. Access depends on the tides and local vessels, and the risks for those who are unaware of the land are real.
The absence of official bathing status makes the use of bathing possible, but advised against those who are not familiar with the area. Calling it “beach” is technically incorrect, even though the designation persists for some.
Velha Cacela: The village at the top of the Arriba
The historic village of Cacela Velha remains one of the most visited points of the leventy Algarve. With a panoramic view of the Ria, narrow streets and an architecture that preserves the traditional layout, is an example of the region’s cultural resistance to urban pressure.
According to the public, the parish of Vila Nova de Cacela has been capturing visitors interested in a more serene and less intervention Algarve, but the said “Areal de Cacela Velha” is no longer the idyllic beach that appears in old photographs or international mentions.
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A distinction that does not resist the time
Despite the distinction attributed by, the natural evolution of the lagoon system and the lack of bathing sorting removed the beach status. Recognition continues to be used in tourist leaflets and social networks, but does not correspond to the reality of those visiting the place today.
What exists there is a striking landscape scenario, with calm waters and sandy background, but without the minimum safety or infrastructure conditions that allow it to classify it as a beach. According to national legislation, it is not a watched bathing zone.
Recommendations for those visiting
Anyone who wants to visit the place should do so with precaution and responsibility. It is essential to check the tide schedules, ensure adequate river transport and bring everything needed: water, shade, sun protection and extra attention.
The absence of structures requires total autonomy. And, as local residents warn, the beach can partially disappear with the tide climb, creating risk situations for those who do not know the terrain well.
A beautiful place, but it should not be romanticized
The crystallized image of a paradise beach no longer corresponds to the current configuration. The site continues to have landscape and historical value, but is no longer a functional or safe beach for widespread bathing.
The classification of “one of the best beaches in the world” has marked a moment in its history, but today, those who visit Old Cacela should do so with the awareness that they are exploring a temporary and unstable beach, not a traditional beach.
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