The Algarve is a region of Portugal whose coastline exceeds 200km. You can therefore easily imagine that it won’t be trivial to summarize in a few lines the countless beaches of the Algarve and the panoramic points scattered over such a coast.
In this guide, we’ll therefore look at a selection of beaches in Algarve that you absolutely must visit during your stay, from the most popular to the less crowded, as well as a series of other beaches and coastal areas to explore for those who want to get off the tourist track and go on a total discovery of the Algarve! 🙂
Indeed, the Algarve has a large number of beaches to suit everyone’s tastes; besides being numerous, they are of various types: from very long, flat, and sandy beaches, sometimes located on elongated islets called “ilhas”, to smaller beaches studded with sea stacks or surrounded by sheer rock cliffs, making you feel almost inside a postcard.
Read also: Where it’s best to stay in Algarve
Map of beaches in Algarve
Let’s start as always with a map of beaches in Algarve, to better understand their location. Given the region’s expanse, you’ll need to zoom in on each area while reading.
The yellow pins indicate the beaches in Algarve that I recommend putting at the top of your list during your trip, all personally visited;
Orange pins indicate other Algarve beaches worth a visit if you have more free days available, as well as the two orange areas near Portimão and Armação de pêra which are for those who want to explore really small and uncrowded coves;
The route indicated by the blue line is the “Percurso dos sete vales suspensos” (Seven Hanging Valleys Trail), a several-kilometer trail along the clifftops, which we’ll talk about later;
Finally green pins are some long sandy beaches on the mentioned “ilhas”.
Before starting with the guide, some necessary disclaimers valid for all the beaches you’ll visit:
- to visit the beaches in Algarve (as well as the region’s other attractions) having a car is essential, given distances, slopes, and scarcity of public transport to the various beaches;
- many beaches in Algarve, very natural, lack facilities; always bring water with you (as well as some food if you don’t want to move when hunger strikes);
- what’s in front of you isn’t just a simple sea but it’s the Atlantic Ocean. The water will always be slightly choppy even on nice days, you’ll rarely find it completely flat. Nothing unmanageable, but pay attention to children and don’t stray too far from the shore, as currents could be lurking; the calmest beaches are normally those facing east. The seawater will also always be a bit colder than the Mediterranean.
- most of the beaches in Algarve (almost all those surrounded by stacks) are reached by descending a staircase similar to the one in the photo that you’ll see in a few lines. If you have particular mobility problems or large strollers, pay attention to this;
Beaches near Lagos
Let’s start with a look at the Algarve beaches found near the city of Lagos, predominantly rocky and surrounded by sea stacks.
Praia do Camilo
Rating : 9/10
Facilities : No, but there’s a restaurant just outside
Accessibility : Easy
Nearby accommodations : in the Lagos area, like this village from which you can also arrive on foot.
Praia do Camilo is one of the beaches in Algarve that you really can’t miss.
Not only for the view in the photo you just saw (which I think is already an excellent reason) but also for a peculiarity perhaps unique among Algarve’s beaches: at Praia do Camilo, there’s a tunnel carved into the rock, which will allow you to pass from one side of the beach to the other.
Some activities you may like, before going on with the article:
Once you’ve descended the main staircase of Praia do Camilo, look to your left and you’ll see the entrance to the tunnel, about fifteen meters long, which takes you to the other side. As you pass through it, if you’re taller than 1.80m, watch your head, as well as the view. 🙂
The seawater is clean and transparent despite the crowds and, being east-facing, it’s quite sheltered from ocean currents when the weather is good, so it’s also suitable for children and families, with precautions. Remember, you’re facing the Atlantic Ocean.
At Praia do Camilo, perhaps more than other beaches, the combination of underwater rocks and light reflections on sunny days gives the ocean truly special colors.
Don’t go to Praia do Camilo too late in the afternoon as after a certain hour it falls into the shadow (and the same goes for the other east-facing beaches near Lagos).
Ponta da Piedade
Type : Panoramic point
Rating : 9/10
Facilities : No
Accessibility : Easy from above, more difficult if descending
Ponta da Piedade is basically the headland that represents the most exposed “corner” of the coast in the Lagos area. In this case, rather than a beach, we’re talking about a truly remarkable panoramic point, perhaps to visit during a break between one beach and another.
After reaching this parking lot (which you’ll also find highlighted on the map above), walk towards the lighthouse and pass it, until the end of the path. From here, you’ll have the chance to see from above, up to almost 360 degrees, a whole series of magnificent sea stacks in the ocean.
From this headland, for the more adventurous, some staircases like the one you see in the photo let you down. In some cases, you’ll reach very small beaches like Praia da Balança, or you won’t find any beach but simple points where kayak tours and the like start or arrive.
Ponta da Piedade is an excellent panoramic point to be impressed by the beauty of Algarve: don’t go there when it’s cloudy (the colours wouldn’t be the same) or if it’s too windy. 😆
Praia Dona Ana
Rating : 8/10
Facilities : Yes, moderately
Accessibility : Easy
Nearby accommodations : in Lagos
Praia Dona Ana is another typical Algarve beach surrounded by sea stacks, located close to the center of Lagos, which you’ll find indicated with an orange pin on the map.
At Praia Dona Ana, depending on the season, you’ll also find sunbeds, limited to the area furthest from the water. In fact, at almost all the Algarve beaches I’ve visited, the umbrellas/sunbeds on the various beaches are in limited numbers (or there are none at all), thus not disturbing the aesthetics and always leaving plenty of free space.
Praia do Pinhao and Praia dos Estudiantes, also indicated on the map with orange pins, are two other very small beaches surrounded by rocks and sea stacks. These two beaches are very close to the center of Lagos and you could potentially even walk there if you’re staying in Lagos.
Furthermore, between Praia do Pinhao and Praia dos Estudiantes, there’s also a small Roman bridge that connects one end of the coast to an islet in front. I haven’t yet been able to verify if you can walk over it (I found out after leaving the area and there seems to be a private villa in front) but there are kayak tours that pass right under it.
I won’t dwell much on the water quality (it’s clean at practically all Algarve beaches) nor on precautions for those with children; the waters are quite calm if the weather is good, but it’s still the ocean, which requires more attention.
Finally, for those who prefer long sandy beaches over those surrounded by sea stacks, if you head west of the Ponta da Piedade headland instead of east, you’ll find the long Praia de Porto de Mos.
Beaches in Algarve near Albufeira
Praia da Falesia
Rating : 8/10
Facilities : Yes, in the main areas
Accessibility : Easy
Nearby accommodations : Between Albufeira and Quarteira
Praia da Falesia is a long sandy beach that, as its name suggests, has reddish-hued cliffs behind it along almost its entire length. It’s not easy to find beaches in Europe with the shades you’ll find at Praia da Falesia (and more generally, the other Algarve beaches surrounded by sea stacks are also quite unique in their kind).
As on most beaches in Algarve, given its width and extension, you’ll have no trouble finding a spot to lay down away from other visitors.
How to get to Praia da Falesia
This beach is over 5 km long, but public access points aren’t that many. To get to Praia da Falesia, you should head towards this parking lot (which you’ll also find on the map) and then descend the classic staircase. If you find the parking lot full, you’ll have to try your luck in the neighboring streets; but don’t mess with parking restrictions.
There’s also another parking lot a few kilometers further on, but the cliffs on this site are much lower and the view is less impressive.
Praia do Peneco
Rating : 6.5/10
Facilities : Yes
Accessibility : Easy
Nearby accommodations: right in the center of Albufeira, the “Old Town”
Praia do Peneco is basically the town beach of Albufeira, one of Algarve’s main centers and the most popular for nightlife, especially among British tourists.
At Praia do Peneco, you’ll have no trouble finding umbrellas, facilities, bars, and everything you could wish for.
However, the beach doesn’t get a very high rating because the view behind it consists of numerous buildings, especially on the west side. Similarly, in high season, it could become very crowded.
It could still be a good choice for a few hours’ break if you’re staying in Albufeira and don’t have enough time to go elsewhere, or if you want to see the famous elevator that takes you from the center down to the beach (at the western end of Praia do Peneco) and the escalators that take you from the center to the promenade, 500 meters further east.
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Praia Sao Rafael
Rating : 10/10
Facilities : Limited, a restaurant
Accessibility : Easy
Nearby accommodations : Residences/apartments in the western area of Albufeira, or properties like Sao Rafael Atlantico
Praia Sao Rafael is one of the most beautiful beaches in Algarve. Don’t leave the region without visiting it at least once.
I’m not just referring to the funny signs in the photo: at Praia Sao Rafael, you’ll find a combination of sea stacks, small caves, curious coves and arches that will keep you company for hours or could become your little sunbathing retreat, if someone hasn’t already took your idea. 🙂
At Praia Sao Rafael, as well as on many other similar beaches in the more central-eastern part of Algarve, you’ll find some considerable souvenirs on the sand (and my hand is not small):
So pay attention to their weight and size, if you step on one 😆
To get to Praia Sao Rafael, set your navigator towards this nearby parking lot.
If you like walking and exploring, by walking along the coastal paths overlooking Praia Sao Rafael, you can also reach (or at least see from above) some adjacent smaller beaches further west, such as Praia dos Piratas, Praia do Ninho de Andorinha and Praia da Ponta Pequena. Always bring shoes or watershoes in this case, as coastal paths sometimes have uneven or interrupted sections.
Praia do Castelo and surroundings
Rating : 8/10
Facilities : Limited + a bar/restaurant
Accessibility : Easy
Nearby accommodations : in the western area of Albufeira
If you liked this area of the coast, you can also easily reach other beaches like Praia do Castelo (park here).
Praia do Castelo in particular, being a bit more west-facing, could be interesting to visit in the late afternoon to see a sunset over the sea.
From Praia do Castelo, you can then also walk to the wilder Praia da Fradernidade and Praia dos Portenhos.
Still in this area, moving a short distance by car, you can also see Praia da Coelha and Praia do Evaristo (indicated on the map above).
Seven Hanging Valleys Trail and Benagil Cave
Type : elevated coastal path
Rating : 8.5/10
Accessibility : Medium-high if doing the whole thing, or easier if limiting to a fraction of the path
Nearby accommodations : eastern area of Carvoeiro
Do you like Algarve’s beaches but tired of just lying in the sun and would like to do something more active? The “Seven Hanging Valleys Trail” might be just what you’re looking for.
It’s a trail about 6km long (its approximate route is indicated by the blue line on the map), officially recognized and maintained, which runs along the headland rising above the coast a few km east of Carvoeiro.
Along this route, you’ll also see the famous Benagil cave from above, that famous beach in the cave “with the hole” that you’ve surely seen already in some ads about Portugal.
Find all details about this trail and the cave in the guide to the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail.
Praia da Marinha
Rating : 9/10
Facilities : limited, there’s a bar
Accessibility : Easy
Right at the end of the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail is Praia da Marinha, a beautiful beach notable especially for the shape of its various rocks and sea stacks, as well as some small arches that entice many passersby to take photos.
By this point in the guide, you’ve probably understood the type of Algarve beaches in this area: I won’t go into many words, but I’ll leave space for a photo taken just before sunset.
The “ilhas”
Moving east, towards the city of Faro and the border with Spain, the Algarve coast changes appearance.
The sea stacks and rocky coasts with headlands disappear: Algarve’s beaches give way to very long, flat sandy strips, which are sometimes located on narrow, long islets with a sort of lagoon separating them from the mainland: the so-called “ilhas“ (or islands).
Praia de Faro
Rating : 7/10
Facilities : Yes
Accessibility : Easy, by car
Nearby accommodations : directly on the Ilha, such as at hotel Aeromar
Praia de Faro is the first long, narrow Algarve beach located on one of the aforementioned “ilhas”.
This beach is probably the easiest to reach, directly by car driving across to the bridge connecting the ilha to the mainland, behind Faro Airport.
Praia de Faro has all the facilities, and there’s space for both those who want an umbrella and sunbed and those who want to lay down on their own away from everyone. For those who want to walk, there’s plenty to do, as the beach extends for over 5 km on both sides.
The beach faces southwest, so it’s a bit more prone to ocean current waves, so don’t expect perfectly flat waters (but no storms either).
Also, being near the airport, the approaches over your heads might not make Praia de Faro one of the best of its kind.
Ilha da Culatra – Ilha do Farol
Moving a few km further east, we find an ilha reachable only by ferry, but on which there are still two “Speedy Gonzales” style villages that are definitely interesting to see, one in the middle of the islet (which is called Ilha da Culatra) and one at the western end (Ilha do Farol).
This tour is a cheap way to visit them all without thinking about organization.
Leaving the villages and walking along the beach, you can experience what is a truly natural, sandy, and flat beach, on an islet that faces southeast and therefore statistically has calmer waves than the previous one.
Since I haven’t had time to visit this ilha yet, if you get the chance, tell me in the comments if you liked it! 🙂
Praia do Barril – Ilha de Tavira
Let’s conclude this guide to Algarve’s beaches by mentioning Praia do Barril on Ilha de Tavira, which, as its name suggests, is right in front of the town of Tavira.
It’s an islet similar to the previous ones, whose peculiarity is that it can be reached by a small open train traveling on a track of about 2 km, crossing the lagoon. Definitely a different experience from the others!
On the map above, you’ll find both the beach’s location and the location of the parking lot where to leave your car to reach the train.
Other beaches in Algarve
If you still have time to visit other beaches in Algarve, here are some others you could visit, which you’ll find marked on the map above:
- Praia de Nossa senhora da Rocha: a beach surrounded by rock headlands where, on one side, there’s a small church with a good view to see this beach and the next one on the list from above;
- Praia do Barranco: right next to the previous one, located at the mouth of a barranco (i.e., a small, actually dry, river).
As you’ve probably already understood, the beaches in Algarve (as well as the ilhas) are truly countless and aren’t limited to those described in this guide. If you feel inspired, just zoom in on the Algarve map to discover many more… and if you discover more beautiful ones, tell us in the comments! 🙂
Now that you know all about Algarve’s beaches, if you’ve already downloaded the very detailed MAPS.ME maps onto your smartphone, it’s time to discover where to stay in Algarve to be in a strategic position or to visit other areas like the city of Lisbon!
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