A short line of houses and a chapel sit on the edge of the headland, looking out across the estuary toward Spain. Scale matters here. Nothing expands outward. Everything holds its position.

The village grew around defence rather than trade or population. Its elevated viewpoint allowed movement on the water to be monitored long before tourism reached this coast. Stone walls, open sightlines, and simple structures reflect that original purpose.

Today, the setting feels calm, though its role was once exacting. Fishermen cross the water. Walkers pause along the edge. The chapel remains central, both physically and socially, marking time more than ceremony.

Cacela Velha does not ask for attention. It remains where it is, shaped by geography, history, and restraint.