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There are so many lovely interesting sandy beaches in the
Algarve that you will find amongst them a good selection
on which to enjoy your holiday. Everyone has their
favorites and these are often hidden away from the more
popular ones! When you see the sign “Praia” this means in
Portuguese “beach”.
They beaches vary from the small sheltered coves to broad
endless stretches of sea washed sand. Equally the sea bed
near to the beach can vary from a comfortable shallow shelve
to a more sudden drop! In general, the rule is that as you
travel from east to west along the coast, the beaches become
more subject to seasonal currents. As some excellent beaches
are not immediately accessible from the holiday towns we
recommend that these are very worthwhile to seek out.
The exception to the above is the coastline running from the
west point of Sagres up to the north. This coast is very
variable and being open to the winds and Atlantic Ocean waves
from the west it normally presents different conditions to
those found on the same day along the southern coastline. This
area has a rugged atmosphere and the at times the winds can be
biting. The sea is many times choppy with big waves and often
combined with a dangerous fast undercurrent.
All main beaches have in the season Lifeguards on safety patrol.
Many beach concessions offer all the usual water sports
facilities along with restaurant food and snacks. Out of the
approximately 150 named beaches some useful ones are listed
below. Other gems are left for the tourist to discover – please
use the detailed Algarve Map on our Site for locations of all
the beaches and check the photographs below for clues!
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PRAIA VERDE
Located to the west of Monte Gordo it stretches westwards towards
Tavira. This beach takes its name from the line of trees and bushes
that line the land side of the broad endless beach. Ideally suitable
for most families with their children. |
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PRAIA ILHA DE TAVIRA
To some this is the jewel in the crown of the eastern side of Faro.
It is also often locally referred to as Praia das Cascas. A few
minutes boat trip will take visitors from the jetty of Tavira located
just outside the town across to this attractive sandy bar. For visitors
with naturist inclinations there is an area reserved especially for
their needs which is about one kilometer walk to the west end of this
beach. |
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PRAIA DO BARRIL
This beach is really an extension of the above beach known as
Praia Ilha de Tavira. However, this section is easily reached
from the tourist villages of Santa Luzia and Pedras del Rey.
From the later village a small train takes the visitor across
the intervening water to the sandy island bar in a slow journey
which reminds everyone that they are definitely on holiday! |
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PRAIA DA ARMONA
The three Islands of Armona, Culatra and Farol act as a barrier
to the sea and on the inland side there are the extensive
lagoons forming the nature reserve of Ria Formosa. Reaching
these beaches can only be done by Ferryboat which leaves from
the fishing port of Olhão. The journeys can takes some 30
minutes and leave at about 15 minute intervals during the day –
in season each ferry with the destination to one of the three
islands. As you can imagine once you arrive at the chosen
Island you are going to find yourself as one of the limited
number of humans visitors. |
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PRAIA DA ILHA DE FARO
This beach is a long narrow sandy bar that is accessed by a
road traversing a lagoon just south of the Faro airport.
Being near to the principal town of the Algarve it is usually
very busy and there are many water sports faculties and plenty
of restaurants. |
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PRAIA DE GARRÃO
This beach fronts the chic area of the holiday resorts known as
Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo. This beach can now be easily
reached by road and one area popular for its beach restaurants
is a section know as “Julias” – a local lady and a character who
opened the first beach place at the time when access was either
by horse or by a very sandy road through the pine trees. |
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PRAIA DA FALÉSIA
This beach takes its name from the fascinating gouged red cliffs
that form a backdrop to the endless stretch of sand. As these
cliffs are not very tall it makes access convenient whilst acting
as a suitable barrier to any winds from the north during the
out-of-season. This beach is to be found west of Vilamoura before
reaching Olhos de Água. |
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PRAIA DA GALÉ
Another long sandy stretch but as there are no cliffs it has many
point of easy access by road. This beach is located to the west
of Albufeira and runs round the Bay of Armação de Pera to the town. |
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PRAIA DA ROCHA
This is probably the oldest and best know beach in the Algarve.
It is located just south of the main town of Portimão and was
originally much shorter in width and with a lot more charm. This
beach in the past has been seriously enlarged with the sand that
was pumped out during the dredging of the Portimão Harbor and at
the same time meeting the needs of the many visiting tourists to
this area. |
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PRAIA DE ALVOR
The beach is located and accessed from the old popular fishing
village of Alvor. It stretches just over two kilometers from the
village to the west in the direction of Lagos. This beach acts
as a sand bar creating an interior lagoon which acts as a form
of port for Alvor. Some twenty years ago a tourist could walk at
low tide by beach all the way to Lagos by wading across a small
sea the then shallow outlet from the lagoon. |
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MEIA PRAIA
This beach forms the other half of the previous walk from Alvor
to Lagos. It takes its name from being part of this walk as “Meia”
indicates the word “half”. The approach to this beach is from the
town of Lagos and it is easily accessed. This beach is popular
with windsurfers and surfers alike as it faces the open Bay of
Lagos and also protected to the west by the promontory of Ponta da
Piedade. The beach is possibly a little longer than that of the
Alvor and there are many small beach bars to satisfy the thirst
for those who wish to walk its length. |
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PRAIA DO MARTINHAL
This beach is located in the Bay of Baleeira close to Sagres.
Another windsurfers paradise and is a smaller beach in a
reasonably shallow bay that is shouldered to the west by Ponta
da Atalaia. It is recommended as a location if visiting the
area of Sagres. |
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PRAIA DO CASTELEJO
One of the few beaches on the west coast were it is safer to
swim due to the underlying dangerous currents. This beach is
located just to the north-west of the small town of Vila do
Bispo. It is one of the smaller beaches and has a completely
different atmosphere to those found on the southern coastline.
It may not suit everyone but those that do visit tend to return. |
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PRAIA DA BORDEIRA
This beach is on the west coast of the Algarve and can be
reached by traveling north from Vila do Bispo, then after
passing the small village of Carrapateira turn seaward where
there is a sign that reads “Praia”. Virtually a long sandy
beach with many sand dunes and very often virtually deserted
out of the season. Enjoy the feeling of being open to nature
and exploring the surrounding area on foot. |
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PRAIA DA ARRIFANA
This is a beach which also is considered to be reasonably safe
for swimming and a very special place with quite stupendous
views. Take the road north to Lisbon from Lagos. Just before
reaching the small town of Aljezur take the turning left when
you see the name “Arrifana”. On reaching Arrifana you will find
the beach on your left at the bottom of a very steep narrow road
with little or no parking area at the bottom. A visit to this
beach out of season is seriously recommended.
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