Monte Gordo (Vila Real de Santo António)
| Monte Gordo | ||
|---|---|---|
| Parish | ||
| ||
  Monte Gordo | ||
| Coordinates: 37°10′48″N 7°27′11″W / 37.180°N 7.453°WCoordinates: 37°10′48″N 7°27′11″W / 37.180°N 7.453°W | ||
| Country | Portugal | |
| Region | Algarve | |
| Subregion | Algarve | |
| Intermunic. comm. | Algarve | |
| District | Faro | |
| Municipality | Vila Real de Santo António | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 4.22 km2 (1.63 sq mi) | |
| Population (2011) | ||
| • Total | 3,308 | |
| • Density | 780/km2 (2,000/sq mi) | |
Monte Gordo is a town and a freguesia of the municipality of Vila Real de Santo António, the southeasternmost of the Algarve, Portugal. The population in 2011 was 3,308,[1] in an area of 4.22 km².[2] Formerly a fishermen's town, Monte Gordo's economy is nowadays oriented to tourism due to its long white sand beaches, trails in the surrounding pine woods, sand dunes, and the daily availability of fresh seafood gathered by the local artisan fishermen.
Monte Gordo beach is known for its calm sea and warm waters. Another particularity of this beach is the fact that during the low tide one is able to walk 10 to 30 meters into the sea. These conditions make it ideal for beach goers to collect clams lightly buried in the sand (locals call "conquilhas" to the local variety of clams).
Though most tourists are Portuguese during the summer, in the winter Monte Gordo is mostly visited by foreigners from Northern Europe looking for warm weather, tasty seafood, and a safe and peaceful vacation destination. Not surprisingly, the local commerce has adapted to demand and now there are several Dutch and Irish bars as well as restaurants (most of then owned by foreigners from those countries).
Monte Gordo is a small town but it has all services and amenities one may need, from pharmacies to banks, as well as several hotels and apartment rentals.