Algarve beaches

The Algarve is paradise, the Portuguese paradise. Its beaches are the perfect summer postcard, the backdrop we all want to remember our holidays in the sun by.

All along the coastline it covers, the Algarve is dotted with beaches of every shape and size. And on each one you'll find things you like more, or less. There are small, barely visited coves, huge empty stretches of sand and others with more going on and more facilities.

For this post we've focused on natural beauty, choosing the beaches we think are the prettiest and most distinctive, the ones that make this Portuguese region one of the loveliest places in the country.

10 of the best beaches in the Algarve

The beaches in the Algarve don't disappoint. We'd always suggest visiting more than one. Here are six of the most popular.

1. Praia da Dona Ana

The rock formations moulded by the elements make this beach a landscape all of its own. When you arrive at Dona Ana Beach, as the name translates into English, you can look down from the viewpoint and take in all the splendour spread out below you. Crystal-clear water, pale sand and a shoreline shaped by the cliff that frames it. There's rich marine life here too, and you barely have to make an effort to see it.

Location: Lagos
Facilities: restaurants, toilets, a bar, steps down to the sand, parking, sun umbrellas and water sports equipment hire.
Hotels near Praia da Dona Ana

 

2. Praia Três Irmãos

This pretty "Three Brothers" beach takes its name from the rock formations that shape its shoreline. It sits right next to Alvor beach, which is more open, while Três Irmãos is better sheltered from the wind thanks to those big rocks.

Towards the western end of the beach you'll find long stretches of sand, and to the east some lovely little coves you can explore at low tide.

Location: Alvor, Portimão.
Facilities: There's parking next to this beach and a few good restaurants.
Hotels near Praia Três Irmãos

3. Praia do Barril

Praia do Barril sits within Tavira Island (see the link for how to get to the island), and you reach it by crossing a footbridge over the lagoon (or by taking the tourist train). After that there's a walk of roughly 1 kilometre. Perhaps it's that walk that keeps this beach less crowded during the high season. The sands are wide and open, and if you carry on a little further you'll come to Praia do Homem Nu, or Naked Man beach, which as you'd imagine is an officially naturist beach. One very well known image of this beach is the old anchors laid out on one of the dunes. They belonged to the tuna boats that once came ashore on this side of the island.

Location:  Tavira Island, Tavira.
Facilities: Toilets and a restaurant. Lifeguards during the high season (the surf can be a little strong). If you walk on to Praia do Homem Nu you won't find any facilities there.
Hotels near Tavira Island (there is only a campsite on the island itself)

 

4. Praia da Arrifana

Praia da Arrifana lies in the municipality of Aljezur, and consists of a broad stretch of sand running for 500 metres. Behind it and towards the north, a huge rock shelters it from the "nortadas", the traditional northerly winds, and gives the whole place a lovely look. It's one of the Algarve's favourite beaches for surfing.

Location: Aljezur
Facilities: Restauran

ts, toilets, surf lessons, parking and walkways
Hotels near Praia da Arrifana

5. Praia de Odeceixe

Also in the municipality of  Aljezur, and part of the Costa Vicentina, you'll find the beach at  Odeceixe. Getting there means following green, leafy paths that gradually give way to marshy ground. This beautiful Blue Flag beach was voted, some years back, one of the wonders of Portugal. The River Seixe runs down and meets the sea at the northern end of the beach, creating small pools of warm water that are perfect for children to play in. To the south lies Praia de Adegas, officially naturist (or you can also wearing a micro bikini).

Location: Aljezur
Facilities: Restaurant, toilets, first-aid post, information point, sports equipment hire.
Hotels near Praia de Odeceixe

6. Praia de Albandeira

The Praia de Albandeira is beautiful, one of our favourites in the Algarve. It's small and tucked away, which means few tourists make it here. You'll find it between Carvoeiro (Lagoa) and the beach at Armaçao de Pera, in a small rocky cove that forms part of the village of Vale de Engenhos. The rocks shelter the beach, and in fact split the sand in two, so the calm water is perfect for swimming.

Location: Lagoa
Facilities: Bar, car park and toilets
Hotels near Praia de Albandeira

 

7. – Praia de Carvoeiro

Voted European Best Beach 2018. This lovely fishing village sits in Lagoa and is a popular family destination in the Algarve.

Location: Lagoa
Facilities: Bar, car park and toilets
Hotels in Carvoeiro

8. – Praia de Camilo

Praia de Camilo, to give it its proper Portuguese name, is one of the prettiest beaches along Ponta da Piedade. To reach it you have to walk down a long flight of steps, so it isn't a good choice if you have mobility problems.

Location: Lagos
Facilities: Restaurant and car park
Hotels in Lagos

9. – Praia de Cacela Velha

In the eastern Algarve there's a little slice of paradise. The kind you can hardly bring yourself to tell the world about, because you'd rather keep it secret forever.

This time we've decided to tell you about it, on the condition that you keep it as spotless as it is now. In the small village of Cacela Velha you'll find Praia da Fábrica (Praia da Fábrica), or simply known as Praia de Cacela Velha.

To reach it you have to cross the Ria Formosa, on foot at low tide, or by boat when the water is high.

Location: Vila Real de Santo António
Facilities: Parking and restaurants in the village. The beach itself is wild and undeveloped, as it sits within a natural park.
Hotels in Vila Real de Santo Antonio

10. – Culatra Island

To reach this little slice of Portuguese paradise you need to catch a boat in Olhão. From the marina you set off on a trip through the Ria Formosa, passing other islands such as Armona and Farol, both with lovely beaches of their own, before arriving at Culatra Island.

On Culatra you can swim on the ocean side or on the lagoon side. The public beach you can walk to is perfectly nice, but we'd recommend the ones reached by small boat, like those on the tours listed on our page for Olhão.

Location: Faro (though it's closer to Olhão)
Facilities: Restaurants in the village. The beach itself is wild and undeveloped, as it sits within a natural park.
Hotels in Olhão

A note for all visitors

We always recommend keeping well away from the larger rocks and the cliffs when you settle in on the beach. Every year there are landslides, and some have been fatal.

Please look after the Algarve and help preserve its beauty, its plants and its wildlife.

Have a look at our complete guide to the Algarve to find out more about this wonderful summer destination.