Boca do Rio – nature and archeology
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Boca do Rio (river mouth) is the name given to the beach and to an important Algarve’s wetland formed by 3 small rivers (ribeiras): Budens; Vale de Barão; and Vale de Boi. Here you can find several aquatic birds and dragonflies, like Sympetrum fonscolombii - males are red and the females are yellow-greenish.
PAY ATTENTION: THE CLIFFS EAST TO BOCA DO RIO ARE AN AREA OF TOTAL PROTECTION SO THE ACCESS IS FORBIDDEN.
In the cliff, west of the beach, are visible remains of a Roman villa, whose buildings had frescoes and mosaics, changing rooms, warehouses and even a factory of salted fish and "garum", a fish and seafood paste much appreciated by the Romans, that it was then placed in amphorae. Several objects such as coins, statues and mosaics were collected here. It is believed that there would have been e a port here. In the area (37.0666667, -8.8077778) are also traces of 1755 tsunami.
On 2014, Boca do Rio Biodiversity Station opened here, a 2 km path with information panels.
Off Boca do Rio beach is sunk the ship L'Océan, interesting example of underwater archeology whose anchor is in a roundabout in Sagres.
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Boca do Rio (river mouth) is the name given to the beach and to an important Algarve’s wetland formed by 3 small rivers (ribeiras): Budens; Vale de Barão; and Vale de Boi. Here you can find several aquatic birds and dragonflies, like Sympetrum fonscolombii - males are red and the females are yellow-greenish.
PAY ATTENTION: THE CLIFFS EAST TO BOCA DO RIO ARE AN AREA OF TOTAL PROTECTION SO THE ACCESS IS FORBIDDEN.
In the cliff, west of the beach, are visible remains of a Roman villa, whose buildings had frescoes and mosaics, changing rooms, warehouses and even a factory of salted fish and "garum", a fish and seafood paste much appreciated by the Romans, that it was then placed in amphorae. Several objects such as coins, statues and mosaics were collected here. It is believed that there would have been e a port here. In the area (37.0666667, -8.8077778) are also traces of 1755 tsunami.
On 2014, Boca do Rio Biodiversity Station opened here, a 2 km path with information panels.
Off Boca do Rio beach is sunk the ship L'Océan, interesting example of underwater archeology whose anchor is in a roundabout in Sagres.
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Algarve
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Vila do Bispo
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Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina Nature Park
Identification and Access
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Yes
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Access to Boca do Rio from:
- Lagos by N125 direction Vila do Bispo follow to Budens. There turn south by M537 (direction Boca do Rio). After Almádena turn to M537-2 (direction Burgau). In Burgau go to Agrícola street, paralel to the seashore. After passing Barrancão, a little further, turn left to Boca do Rio.
- Vila do Bispo, by N125 direction Lagos follow to Budens. There turn right to M537 (direction Boca do Rio).
Base Characterization
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PTCON0012 Costa Sudoeste and PTZPE0015 Costa Sudoeste
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PTCON0012 Costa Sudoeste and PTZPE0015 Costa Sudoeste.
Imóvel de Interesse Público - Ruínas lusitano-romanas da Boca do Rio (Decreto n.º 129/77, de 29 de setembro). Zona Especial de Proteção da Estação Arqueológica da Boca do Rio - Portaria n.º 900/91, DR n.º 203/1991, Série I-B de 4 de setembro.
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Way
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Isolated.
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Public
Tips
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If you have one, bring with you a dragonflies and / or birds guide. In Vila do Bispo, in the Interpretation Center, see some of the materials collected in Lusitanian-Roman ruins.
The beach has no lifeguard, so be very careful.
