An ancient fortified village from the 12th and 13th centuries, the Carrapateira Islamic Settlement reveals Muslim history and marine resource harvesting on the Vicentina Coast.
Perched atop a hill overlooking Bordeira Beach, the Islamic Settlement of Sítio do Castelo dates back to the 12th and 13th centuries (Almohad period). It operated as a fortified rustic community focused on agriculture and the Atlantic Ocean.
Archaeological excavations uncovered rectangular housing structures, storage silos, and artifacts proving intense fishing, shellfish gathering, and herding activities, making it a rare surviving example of a coastal Muslim village in the Algarve.
The archaeological site is outdoors and freely accessible, seamlessly integrated into the landscape and easily visited along the Ponta da Carrapateira coastal trails and boardwalks.
