Barragem do Arade

Approximately 25 km. from Carvoeiro. Head towards Lagoa, continue to Silves, turn right after the bridge towards Messines and drive until you see the sign pictured on the left.

When you're ready to leave you can do so by crossing the dam, stay right and you'll end up at the same building, having seen the dam from two different locations.

The Barragem do Arade was built in the years between 1944 and 1956. It is one of the main reservoirs of water in the Algarve and is irrigating more than 2.300 hectares of citrus trees.

The water level is max.46 meters above ground and the dam itself is 246 meters wide

The dam also produces 1,35 GWh of electricity You can find more facts about the dam here [in Portuguese - opens in new window].

In a 4 wheel drive vehicle you can make some interesting excursions into the wilderness behind the dam, but please be careful as the tracks are extremely dangerous.

Auto campers is often seen on the parking area behind the dam and seems to be accepted.

The engineers house behind the parking area has been turned into a restaurant - read more on the next page...

You can have a lunch in the shade, amongst bird cages and plenty of childrens toys.

Tickets for the "Paradise Island" in the middle of the lake can be bought here. The island is open during the summer months [May-September depending on the weather].