Praia Grande Beach

Walking around the Castle of Sao Joao de Arade near Ferragudo, you will discover the larger beach of Praia Grande where you can soak up the sun and enjoy a drink or lunch at one of the beach bars. The activity of leisure craft and the passing of the local fishing boats compliment the view of the prestigious yacht marina of Portimao.

Of archeological note, in 1981, in some of the vertical sedimentary rock layers on the south end of Praia Grande beach, a deposit of dinosaur footprints was discovered.

In these beds, formed nearly 106 million years ago in a seacoast environment of shallow waters, there are a set of 66 tridactyl footprints (animal having three toes, claws, or similar parts on each limb). By the size, shape, distance and the angle of the footprints it was possible to determine not only the species but also some features of their behavior at the time they were passing by.

The best time of the day to see these dinosaur footprints is near noon when the sunlight is almost vertical.

And please, the dinosaur footprints are geological aspects of great importance. Their conservation is crucial. If you visit this dinosaur track deposit, respect its integrity and try not to damage it.