Armação de Pêra was for centuries a fishing village, a focal point for fishermen attracted by the abundance of fish, especially sardines and tuna. This industry continues today, although nowadays many other businesses also support the town. Like most of the coastal towns in the Algarve tourism plays an important part in its survival but it does not appear to intrude on the every day life of its some 4,000 permanent residents. Armação de Pêra is a very traditional town despite a number of large apartment blocks which have been built on the outskirts and is a temporary home to the many, mainly Portuguese, holiday-makers during the summer months. From a distance it looks unappealing but only a short walk from the apartment blocks is the older quarter with its cobbled streets bordered by colourful little houses. Armação de Pêra boasts one of the longest beaches in the Algarve, some 3km of golden sands backed by rolling sand dunes. The nightly fishing trips from Fishermans Beach provide the local restaurants with a plentiful supply of many varieties of fish. In the 17th century a wealthy owner of a fishing fleet constructed a small fort in order to provide protection against pirates and corsairs, these remains can be seen today forming part of a terrace overlooking the sea with sweeping views along the magnificent coastline. Set on the terrace is a tiny white-washed chapel of Santo-Antonio which also dates back to the 17th century. Other buildings of interest are the Casino, now sadly in disrepair as the Government contemplates its future, the main Church and the impressive Chalet das Palmeiras (Palm Tree Chalet), a red-painted house which overlooks the beautiful beaches of Armação de Pêra.