House to over 100 seashores, the Algarve has a few of Europe’s most stunning shoreline. Portugal’s southernmost area options loads of well-known resort cities (Albufeira, Lagos and Vilamoura chief amongst them), however you’ll discover a wide selection of glowing shores in each a part of the area.
You possibly can go to discreet coves hidden amid golden cliffs, lengthy undeveloped islands and dramatic western-facing oceanfronts pounded by waves. You’ll discover kid-friendly seashores with calm seas, romantic spots for a sundown stroll and distant getaways neglected by {the summertime} crowds. The problem is simply deciding the place to start. Right here’s our choose of the ten greatest seashores within the Algarve.
Praia da Falésia, Albufeira, is ideal for sundown strolls
This lengthy straight strip of sand 10km (6mi) east of Albufeira affords one of many area’s most spectacular first glimpses of the coast as you descend from the clifftop parking zone. It’s backed by gorgeous cliffs in white and several other shades of ochre, gouged by climate into intriguing shapes and topped by typical pines. Whereas pretty at any time of day, round sundown, you’ll see the cliffs mild up in fiery hues because the rocks seem to glow from inside. The sands close to the parking zone get packed in summer season (particularly as excessive tides cowl a lot of the seashore), however the seashore is greater than 6km (4mi) lengthy so it’s simple sufficient to seek out loads of respiration house.
Praia da Marinha, Lagoa, is the perfect seashore for dramatic surroundings
The south coast of the Algarve boasts a number of seashores with photogenic limestone rock stacks produced by erosion and dissolution. Their orangey-brown colours make them good for morning or night images, however additionally they present a spectacular backdrop for beachside lounging at any time. Our favourite is Marinha, 8km (5mi) southeast of Lagoa, the place the cliffs have been chopped and turned into a sequence of pinnacles, crevasses and caves. It will come as no shock that it usually ranks among the many greatest seashores in Europe.
For those who’re driving, go early to get a spot within the small parking zone. Essentially the most scenic approach to get right here, nevertheless, is on foot alongside the picturesque cliff-top path that begins close to Carvoeiro.
Praia de Odeceixe, Odeceixe, is the Algarve’s greatest seashore for households
Driving down from Lisbon, the primary seashore you attain within the Algarve is without doubt one of the area’s greatest. Praia de Odeceixe is a tongue of sand at a river mouth flanked by imposing darkish and jagged schist cliffs. It’s a very good possibility for households, as smaller kids can paddle on the peaceable river aspect of the strand whereas older youngsters deal with the waves on the ocean aspect. Close to the seashore is a surf faculty and several other interesting eating places with terraces overlooking the sands. You’ll discover extra eating choices and easy-going guesthouses within the fairly village of Odeceixe, a half-hour stroll alongside a captivating nation highway. The Rota Vicentina, a long-distance strolling path that leads proper to the southwestern tip of Portugal, passes via right here, and there are nice day walks within the neighborhood.
Ilha de Tavira, Tavira, is a prime island getaway
The jap coast of the Algarve is characterised by the estuaries and sand islands making up the Parque Pure Ria de Formosa, an vital habitat for hen and marine life. A sequence of spectacular island seashores sits offshore: Ilha de Tavira, simply reached by boat from the historic city of Tavira, has plenty of sand to discover (it’s 11km/7mi lengthy), providing large, lonely stretches of seashore, an anchor cemetery, a nudist zone, birdlife, sociable restaurant–bars and lagoon-side paddling for young children. There’s a campsite right here and a few vacation leases, so you’ll be able to keep over and declare the island as your individual.
Meia Praia, Lagos, is the seashore with the perfect get together vibe
Stretching for 4km (2.5mi) alongside the energetic surfer get together city of Lagos, this can be a enjoyable, social seashore that fills up with households, locals and backpackers, however all the time has loads of spare sand on which to snooze away the hangover. There are a number of good bars and eating places on the seashore itself, so you may make a day of it right here earlier than heading again into city to hit the bars and do it yet again.
Praia de Cacela Velha, close to Manta Rota, is nice for heat water swimming
Lonely and beautiful, this bow-shaped spit of sand is split from the mainland by an estuary. One of many least crowded of all of the Algarve seashores, Praia de Cacela Velha affords loads of house to get pleasure from a distant stretch of shoreline. In contrast to seashores additional west, this one has a shallow gradient that makes for reliably heat waters. Other than frolicking within the ocean, you’ll be able to take a look at the dune ecosystem backing the seashore, take lengthy walks on the sands and search for birds and marine life (together with the odd dolphin simply offshore). There’s a low-key LGBTQI+ scene right here in summer season.
Praia de Cacela Velha might be reached by strolling a few kilometers (round a mile) west from Manta Rota seashore or by hiring a ship throughout the estuary from Fábrica, close to the postcard-pretty village of Cacela Velha. Throughout low tide, you may also wade via knee-deep waters throughout from Cacela Velha – however don’t try this at excessive tide.
Praia da Arrifana, Aljezur, is without doubt one of the Algarve’s greatest surf spots
Stretching alongside a large cliff-backed expanse on the west coast, Arrifana is without doubt one of the Algarve’s greatest browsing locations. Surfers of all ranges flock to this dramatically set seashore 10km (6mi) southwest of the city of Aljezur, with varied surf camps providing classes and lodgings. After a day within the waves, you’ll be able to retreat to the clifftop eating places close to the ruined fortress up above, which affords breathtaking vistas – particularly round sundown.
Praia da Amoreira, Aljezur, isn’t crowded
The river meets the ocean at Praia da Amoreira, a large seashore backed by dunes on one aspect and the Ribeira de Aljezur on the opposite. Children can safely swim within the delightfully heat waters of the river, whereas these looking for waves can log on or bodyboarding off the Atlantic. In contrast to seashores of the central Algarve, Praia da Amoreira by no means actually will get crowded, and its huge measurement means you’ll be able to all the time discover a enjoyable spot within the solar. It’s also possible to observe the sandy riverbank upriver looking for herons, kingfishers and even otters.
Praia de Vale Figueira, Carrapateira, is the Algarve’s greatest secluded seashore
On a distant pocket of the west coast, the Praia de Vale Figueira is an extended golden-sand seashore backed by cliffs. Its remoteness ensures you’ll by no means discover a crowd right here. The seashore lies 15km (9mi) northwest of Carrapateira and is reached by a tough, partly paved highway, on the finish of which you can find no services. The seashore faces due west and has fairly dependable surf, particularly when a southeaster is blowing. It’s a type of lonely, romantic seashores that’s even nice to go to on cloudy days.
Praia da Ilha Deserta has the perfect island seashores to discover
Although Faro doesn’t sit on the oceanfront, the city lies close to some picturesque sandy getaways, a few of which you’ll attain solely by boat. Top-of-the-line seashores close to Faro stretches for some 7km (4mi) alongside Ilha Deserta (“Desert Island”), which can be referred to as Ilha da Barreta. Right here you’ll be able to escape the crowds whereas exploring the island’s distinctive aspects. Take a stroll alongside the Santa Maria boardwalk previous salt marshes with views over the Ria Formosa lagoon, then cease for a swim off scenic Cabo de Santa Maria, the southernmost level on the Portuguese mainland.
There’s only one restaurant on this in any other case undeveloped island, and it’s a great one. E book forward or plan to carry a picnic. Ferries depart each half-hour or so from Faro in the course of the excessive season and fewer often exterior of summer season.
