The Algarve is home to over 100 beaches. Albufeira, Lagos and Vilamoura are some of the well-known resort towns in Portugal's southernmost region.
You can visit discreet coves hidden amid golden cliffs, long undeveloped islands and dramatic western facing oceanfronts. There are kid-friendly beaches with calm seas, romantic spots for a sunset stroll and remote getaways overlooked by the summertime crowds. The challenge is to decide where to start. The best beaches in the Algarve are listed here.
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One of the region's most impressive first views of the coast can be seen from the clifftop parking lot. It is surrounded by cliffs in white and several shades of ochre, which are covered in intriguing shapes and topped by typical pines. At sunset, the cliffs light up in fiery colors as the rocks appear to glow from within.
Several beaches on the south coast of the Algarve have limestone rock stacks. Their orangey-brown colors make them perfect for morning or evening photography, but they also give a spectacular backdrop for beachfront lounging at any time. Marinha is southeast of Lagoa and is where the cliffs have been chopped and turned into caves. It's no surprise that it's one of the best beaches in Europe.
You can get a spot in the parking lot early if you drive. The most scenic way to get here is on foot along the cliff top trail.
The first beach in the Algarve is located down from Lisbon. The tongue of sand at the river mouth is called Praia de Odeceixe. Smaller children can paddle on the river side of the strand while older children tackle the waves on the ocean side, which is a great option for families. A half-hour walk along a country road leads to more dining options and guesthouses in the village of Odeceixe. There are great day walks in the vicinity of the Rota Vicentina, a long distance walking path that leads right to the southwestern tip of Portugal.
Parque Naturalria de Formosa is an important habitat for bird and marine life on the eastern coast of the Algarve. Ilha de Tavira is an 11 km/7mi long beach that is easy to reach by boat from the historic town of Tavira. You can stay over here and claim the island as your own.
There is a fun, social beach that fills up with families, locals and backpackers, but always has plenty of spare sand on which to sleep. You can make a day of it at the beach and then head back into town to hit the bars and do it all over again.
This spit of sand is divided into two parts by an estuary. The Praia de Cacela Velha is one of the least crowded beaches in the Algarve. This beach has a shallow gradient that makes it warm. If you want to see birds and marine life, you can check out the dunes, take long walks on the sand, and look for dolphins just offshore. In the summer, there is a low-key scene.
If you want to reach Praia de Cacela Velha, you can either hire a boat across the estuary from Fbrica or walk a short distance west from the beach. Don't attempt this at high tide as you can wade through knee-deep waters across from Cacela Velha.
One of the Algarve's best surfing destinations is located on the west coast. Surfers of all levels flock to this dramatically set beach 10 km southwest of the town of Aljezur and various surf camps offer lessons and lodgings. You can go to the clifftop restaurants near the ruined fortress after a day in the waves.
The river and the sea meet at Praia da Amoreira, a wide beach with dunes on one side and the sea on the other. Kids can swim in the warm waters of the river, while surfers and bodyboarders can surf off the Atlantic. Praia da Amoreira is the largest beach in the central Algarve, so you can always find a spot to relax. You can follow the riverbank to look for herons and other animals.
The Praia de Vale Figueira is a beach with cliffs on it. It is remote so you won't find a crowd here. There are no facilities at the end of the road that leads to the beach. The beach has good surf when a southeaster is blowing. It is a great place to go on cloudy days.
If you want to reach some of the picturesque sandy getaways, you have to take a boat. One of the best beaches is along Ilha Deserta, also known as Ilha da Barreta, which is a 7 km stretch. It is possible to escape the crowds and explore the island. Cabo de Santa Maria is the southernmost point on the Portuguese mainland and is where you can take a walk along the Santa Maria boardwalk.
The only restaurant on the island is a good one. It's a good idea to bring a picnic. During the high season, ferries leave every 30 minutes or so from Faro.
The article was last updated about 2 hours ago.
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