Beaches

The Algarve is one of Europe’s most popular holiday destinations and not surprisingly so. Pick up any Portuguese brochure and see the pictures of a blue Atlantic ocean, clear skies and unspoiled beaches Algarve.

After all, you could spend weeks, months and even years exploring all the beaches in the Algarve. From west to east there’s a stretch of coastline – over 200 kilometers of it – to suit everybody, from sheltered dunes to rocky coves, from tiny bays to vast stretches of open sands, from shallow lagoons to the crashing surf of the wild Atlantic. And from sunrise to sunset, in brilliant sunshine or welcoming shade, and throughout the seasons, there’s a beach just for you.

Various Beaches Algarve

Some may like the more populated beaches Algarve like Praia da Rocha (just south of Portimao, one of the oldest and most well-known) or one of Albufeira’s beaches Algarve, which has all amenities nearby. Although busy during summer, there is always plenty of room for everyone. For those of us who want to experience an exuberant nightlife with trendy, fashionable beach bars, these are the places to go… You may want to avoid the crowds and like to experience more peace and quiet and have a beautiful strip of white sand all to yourself, have a look at the Sagres area. Here you’ll find the more secluded beaches Algarve with rugged shorelines and spectacular sea views.

Safe Beaches Algarve

Supervised beaches in Portugal have a system of coloured flags to let the public know about the swimming conditions

Family Beaches Algarve

As a rule of thumb, the beaches get wilder and windier the further west you go. Large stretches of flat sand, with shallow water ideal for toddlers and those who aren’t strong swimmers, therefore tend to be east of Lagos, and include Meia Praia, Alvor, Praia da Rocha, Praia Grande (Salgados), Galé, Pescadores, Falesia and Ilha de Tavira. Most of the major beaches have lifeguards, and as always, common sense applies – follow the flags, watch the weather, and keep an eye on the kids.

Food at the Beach

A change in the law a few years ago saw the disappearance of many of the summer-only beach shacks, to be replaced by permanent restaurants complete with showers, toilets and lifeguard facilities. On some of the larger beaches in particular, it’s hard to distinguish between the lookalike ‘pods’ – many serving the same, often fairly average, food. There are however some great beach restaurants, many of them long-established. Among the best are Bahia (Meia Praia), Rei das Praias (Caneiros), Arte Nautica (Armacao de Pera), Carlos (Praia Grande, Salgados), Evaristo (Evaristo), Sao Rafael (Sao Rafael), A Sardinha (Arrifes) and La Cigale (Olhos d’Agua). 

Surf Beaches Algarve

Head for the wild west. Sagres is the Algarve’s ‘surf city’ with a wide selection of training schools and surf shops supporting the best surfing beaches in the region. There’s not much in the way of development once you ‘turn the corner’ past Cabo de Sao Vincente, but the waves get even better. Top surfing beaches include Carriagem, Amoreira, Monte Clerigo, Arrifana, Carrapateira, Amado, Castelajo, Beliche, Tonel, Mareta, Zavial and Lagos.

Watersports

Get the ultimate adrenaline rush of kitesurfing, parasailing, waterskiing or jet skiing. Hop on board a banana boat and splash through the waves. Hire a motor boat or pedalo and head off to explore the multitude of picturesque bays, secluded coves, tiny inlets and towering cliffs scattered along the coastline. Snorkel for fun and check out the marine life or even learn to dive – you’ll never get a better chance, or enjoy it more, than in the clear blue waters of the Algarve. There are watersports concessions on most of the larger beaches, especially around Albufeira, Vilamoura, Lagos and Quinta do Lago.

Naturist Beaches Algarve

There are currently three official naturist beaches in the Algarve – Adegas in Odeceixe, Ilha Deserta just off the coast of Olhao, and Barril on the Ilha de Tavira – but dozens more where nudity is accepted, or where all or part of the beach has become naturist in practice. They include Vale Figueira, Bordeira, Murracao, Barriga, Cordama, Beliche, Barranco, Zavial, Furnas, Cabanas, Pinheiros, Meia Praia, Prainha, Caneiros, Afurada, Praia Grande (Salgados), Armona and Cacela, as well as many secluded, unnamed coves and inlets

West Coast

The beaches Algarve of the west coast are a stark contrast and is more rugged with wild and majestic high cliffs that make access to the beach difficult though challenging. However, the steep trails that go down to these beaches Algarve are well worth the effort. The entire west coast known as Costa Vicentina is protected, which limits the construction, making it a treat for those visitors who seek the naturally isolated beaches, without all the action of the south coast beaches.

Accommodation

All our rental villas are located in the Algarve Portugal. All our holiday villas are not further than 30 minutes drive from the Algarve beaches. Some are located only a 100 meters from the beach Algarve, others have magnificent views of the beaches Algarve. It is your choice! But the beaches Algarve are always nearby!