Why Are There Flat Roofs (Açoteias) on Algarve Houses?

If you have already walked through the streets of Olhão, Tavira, or other towns in the eastern Algarve (Sotavento), you have probably noticed white houses with completely flat roofs. These are the traditional açoteias, one of the most curious elements of Algarve architecture.

What is an açoteia?

An açoteia is a flat, accessible roof at the top of a house, similar to a terrace. Instead of the traditional sloped tiled roof, part or all of the building's roof is transformed into a space that could be used in daily life.

They are frequently accompanied by parapets, exterior stairs, and watchtowers (mirantes), creating the image so characteristic of several Algarve towns.

What were the açoteias used for?

These roofs had a very practical function. In the Algarve, they were used to dry food in the sun. There are records of the use of açoteias to dry figs and, in fishing communities, fish as well.

In Olhão, for example, the açoteias and watchtowers are deeply linked to the city's history. The terraces were used for drying fish, while the watchtowers allowed people to observe the sea.

Why are they so common in the Sotavento?

It is in the eastern Algarve (Sotavento) that this type of architecture became especially prominent. Olhão is probably the best-known example, with hundreds of flat roofs that help create the famous appearance of a city formed by white cubes.

We also find traditional açoteias in towns such as Castro Marim, frequently associated with white houses, colorful parapets, and intricate chimneys.

Are the açoteias an Arab legacy?

The word “açoteia” has Arabic roots, which has contributed to the association of these structures with the Islamic presence in the Algarve. But the history is more complex.

Studies on traditional Algarve architecture indicate that the terraced roofs currently recognized as açoteias do not appear significantly before the 18th century. Therefore, it is not correct to simply assume that they are structures preserved directly from the Islamic period.

Olhão, the city of açoteias

Olhão remains one of the best places to observe this architecture. Seen from above, the houses look like overlapping white cubes, interspersed with açoteias, watchtowers, chimneys, and parapets.

It is details like these that show that the traditional architecture of the Algarve holds stories that often go unnoticed by those who look only at the beaches.

Continue discovering the stories, traditions, and curiosities of the region at Algarve 365.