Armacao de Pera is a small beach resort on the Algarve, in the municipality of Silves. It sits at the eastern end of one of the longest stretches of sand on Portugal's south coast — a wide, pale beach that curves around a sheltered bay. The old village part, around a small fortress and chapel on a headland, retains some character, though much of the surrounding area has been built over with holiday apartments and hotels.
The main draw is the beach, and Armacao's version is excellent: accessible, lifeguarded in summer, and backed by limestone cliffs that give way to dramatic sea caves a few kilometres east at Praia do Benagil. The diving and boat-trip industry centred on these caves is now a major part of the local economy.
Faro Airport is 40km east — about 35 minutes by car. The resort is compact and walkable once you are here, though a rental car is useful for exploring the wider Algarve.