Passeio Alegre
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Passeio Alegre (formelly "Picadeiro") is a traditional sidewalk in the Portuguese city of Póvoa de Varzim between the beach and the city. It is considered a listed property of Public Interest in Portugal. Today it is built using Portuguese pavement.
Passeio Alegre has always been used by the population for social meetings, especially on Sundays and in summer. It is used by locals and visitors alike to take a walk along the beaches of the city. It is a popular nightlife area during the summer and weekends. Younger Poveiros meet at the night in the bars near Passeio Alegre, mostly in Passeio Alegre Square, but as well in the Carvalhido, Lagoa Beach and Lota, before going on to the discotheques, located in the two extremities of Passeio Alegre, very late at night, around 1-2 A.M.
Today the sidewalk has 2 km long, but the north extension to Aver-o-Mar is promised by the Mayor. This is wished by that parish president, and would represent the de facto integration of it in the city.
In Largo do Passeio Alegre (Passeio Alegre Square) there is an urban beach near the bars of the square that people can be used to cool off on hot days.
[edit] Beaches of Passeio Alegre
South to North:
- Redonda Beach (Praia Redonda)
- Carvalhido Beach (Praia do Carvalhido)
- Salgueira Beach (Praia da Salgueira)
With the North-extension of the sidewalk that the City Council is negotiation with the government, due to coastline laws and concerns on A Ver-o-Mar's coast, other beaches will also be made available by the sidewalk. Of several, the main ones:
- Verde Beach (Praia Verde)
- Lagoa Beach (Praia da Lagoa)
- Fragosa Beach (Praia da Fragosa)
Other political parties would like the entire coast to be run by this sidewalk due to its cultural importance and development of other parishes, but concerns over the sand dunes of Aguçadoura, new pressure for chaotic urbanization, and the cost of such ideas had stopped any such intentions for the near future, but will open if EU's funding for the sustainable development of Greater Porto is accepted by Brussels, respecting the sensible beaches, that can be found in Santo André, Aguçadoura, and Rio Alto.
[edit] Landmarks of Passeio Alegre
South to North:
- Paredão (literally, big wall) — historical wall dividing the beaches of Bairro Norte and Bairro Sul, also known as Paredão de D. Maria I - Wall of the Seaport, with azulejos of the city's culture and history and a panoramic view over the city in its tip.
- Hit Bar — club in the south tip of Passeio Alegre
- Largo do Passeio Alegre (Passeio Alegre's Square) — square with various pubs, Grand Hotel, statue of Cego do Maio and urban beach)
- Casino da Póvoa and Fortress of Póvoa (on Casino's Square)
- Diana Bar — Beach library. Historical writers meeting place
- Café Guarda-Sol — Historical caffe. Creator of the original Francesinha poveira.
- Esplanada do Carvalhido (Carvalhido Esplanade) — panoramic view over the ocean and the city's beaches; pubs within the esplanade.
- Buddha Bar — Club in the North tip of Passeio Alegre
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