Cacela Velha is not found in every Algarve guidebook, but its beach, views and history is hard to beat. The village is located on a hill above the Ria Formosa natural park and the sea. From its walls you will find one of the most beautiful panoramic views of the Algarve. There is a fort, a 16th century church, clusters of traditional blue and white Algarve houses, and a single eatery. A series of steps leads to a clean and massive sand beach - with great views and a handful of fishing boats.
Set in the most charming part of the Ria Formosa, Cacela is a beautiful walled townoverlooking the estuary and the barrier islands. It was a point for Greek and Phoenician navigators, and according to some authors it was Cunistorgis, the ancient capital of the Cúneos. The Romans enlarged it and the Arabs gave it walls. Cacela fell in 713 to the Moors.
Cacela became an important settlement, defended by a castle from the 9th-10th century. D. Paio Peres Coreia took the town for Portugal in 1240, and it is said to be one of the castles in Portugal's coat of arms. With the earthquake of November 1, 1755, the town was damaged and rebuilt. Today is it a hidden gem on Portugal's Algarve coast.
According to legend The seven castles on the shield of Portugal are traditionally considered a symbol of the Portuguese victories over the Moors, under King Afonso III who is said to have captured seven enemy fortresses in the course of his conquest of the Algarve in 1249.The first was Mértola, the last Cacela.