The Aljezur area has four main zones for accommodation. Each has a different vibe, different proximity to the surf, and different trade-offs. Here's what you need to know to pick the right base for your trip.
Aljezur town
The practical choice. Aljezur is the area's only real town — a quiet market settlement built along a valley with a Moorish castle on the hilltop. It has the most facilities: supermarkets, a pharmacy, banks, the Saturday morning market, and the widest choice of restaurants.
Pros:
- Most restaurants and shops within walking distance
- Best variety of accommodation (hotels, guesthouses, apartments)
- Saturday market is a highlight (local produce, cheese, honey, bread)
- Centrally located — roughly equidistant from all the surf beaches
Cons:
- You'll drive 10-15 minutes to any surf beach
- No beach within walking distance
- Quieter at night (though some would call that a pro)
Best for: Couples or groups who want evening dining options and don't mind a short drive to the beach each morning.
Arrifana
The surfer's choice. Arrifana is a tiny cliff-top village perched above the area's best all-round surf beach. The views are spectacular, the vibe is laid-back, and you can see the surf from your morning coffee.
Pros:
- Walk to the best surf beach in the area
- Stunning cliff-top setting with Atlantic views
- A few excellent restaurants right in the village
- Strong surf community atmosphere
Cons:
- Limited accommodation options (mostly villas and a few guesthouses)
- Fewer shops and restaurants than Aljezur town
- Can feel isolated if you don't drive
- Premium prices during summer
Best for: Dedicated surfers and couples who want to wake up, check the waves, and walk down. If surf proximity is your priority, Arrifana is the answer.
Vale da Telha
The family choice. Vale da Telha is a residential area between Aljezur town and Arrifana — a quiet urbanisation of villas, apartments, and holiday homes spread across a pine-covered hillside. It's the most common area for self-catering holiday rentals.
Pros:
- Largest selection of holiday rental villas and apartments
- Very quiet and safe — excellent for families with kids
- 5-10 minutes to Arrifana beach by car
- Good value compared to Arrifana village itself
- Several restaurants and a mini-market in the area
Cons:
- No walkable beach (you'll drive everywhere)
- Spread-out — not a village centre to stroll around
- Can feel too quiet for solo travellers or nightlife seekers
Best for: Families and groups renting a villa. The self-catering setup works perfectly with weekly surf gear rental — we deliver everything to your door, and your villa becomes base camp for the week.
Monte Clérigo
The laid-back choice. Monte Clérigo is a small beach village 6km west of Aljezur. It has a genuinely Portuguese feel — fishing community roots, a handful of restaurants, and one of the area's gentlest surf beaches right on the doorstep.
Pros:
- Walk to Monte Clérigo beach (excellent for beginners and families)
- Authentic village atmosphere
- Several good fish restaurants
- Less touristy than Arrifana
Cons:
- Very limited accommodation (a few guesthouses and holiday rentals)
- Fewer facilities than Aljezur town
- The beach faces west and can be windblown in summer afternoons
- 15-minute drive to Arrifana and other surf beaches
Best for: Families with young children who want a walkable beach and a village atmosphere. Also great for beginners — Monte Clérigo's gentle waves are ideal for first-timers.
Our recommendation
If it's your first time in the area and you want to surf every day, Vale da Telha or Arrifana are your best bets. Vale da Telha gives you the most space and value (especially for families), while Arrifana puts you right on top of the waves.
If you're more interested in the total experience — restaurants, markets, exploring — Aljezur town is the most complete base.
And if you're after something quiet and authentic with a walkable beach, Monte Clérigo delivers.
Wherever you end up, we cover the whole area. We deliver boards and wetsuits to accommodations in Aljezur, Arrifana, Vale da Telha, Monte Clérigo, Amoreira, Rogil, and Carrapateira — see our delivery areas or get in touch to book.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to stay in Aljezur for surfing?
Arrifana if you want to walk down to the waves, Vale da Telha if you want space and value. Arrifana sits on the cliff above the area's best all-round beach, but accommodation is limited and summer prices are high. Vale da Telha has the largest choice of self-catering villas and is 5 to 10 minutes from Arrifana by car.
Should I stay in Aljezur town or Arrifana?
Aljezur town if you want restaurants, shops and the Saturday market on your doorstep; Arrifana if surfing is the point of the trip. From the town you will drive 10 to 15 minutes to any surf beach. From Arrifana you can check the waves with your morning coffee, but you will drive for most meals and supplies.
Where should families with young children stay?
Vale da Telha or Monte Clérigo. Vale da Telha is quiet, safe and full of villas with kitchens and outdoor space, which suits a group that cooks. Monte Clérigo puts you within walking distance of a gentle, sandy beach that works well for first-timers and children.
Do you need a car if you stay in Aljezur?
Yes, unless you plan to surf one beach and stay put. Arrifana and Monte Clérigo have a beach on the doorstep, but everything else in the area is a drive. There is no train to Aljezur and no direct bus, and it is about 1.5 hours from Faro airport and 3 hours from Lisbon.
Can you walk to a beach from Aljezur town?
No. Aljezur town sits inland in a valley, and the nearest surf beaches are a 10 to 15 minute drive. That is the trade-off for having the supermarkets, pharmacy and the widest choice of restaurants within walking distance.
Do you deliver surf gear to all of these areas?
Yes, and free of charge. We deliver boards and wetsuits to accommodation in Aljezur, Arrifana, Vale da Telha, Monte Clérigo, Amoreira, Rogil, Carrapateira. Board only is €18 per day or €100 for seven days; board and wetsuit is €28 per day or €150 for seven days, with a three-day minimum.