Great tips on the beach and the sea
There is no shortage of beaches in Portugal. The country offers the entire range of beautiful beach landscapes on around 850 kilometers of coastline: from bizarre cliffs with embedded bays to long, gigantic sand dunes and lagoon beaches. The west coast is rough, because the Atlantic often has choppy waves even in summer, which is particularly noticeable on open bays and beaches, swimming is not possible in heavy seas. Portugal's south coast is calmer and the water temperatures are usually a bit higher on average than on the west coast.
In general, the Atlantic water is still of good quality compared to other waters. The algae plague, such as in the Mediterranean, is still unknown here. Portugal is one of the countries with the highest number of “blue flags” per kilometer of coast in all of Europe. These are awarded by the EU for good beach / water quality.
The Algarve is known for its beautiful beaches. The most popular are west of Faro. They are all sandy, some are endless, some are hidden between rugged rock formations, others are bordered by red, steep cliffs. Most of the beaches are well attended in the high season. But there are still small bays everywhere that can only be reached by boat.
You can rent deckchairs and parasols at almost every beach during the summer months - prices vary. It is often cheaper to buy a parasol in one of the small souvenir shops.
You can recognize guarded beaches by the bathing flags, the meaning of which you should definitely take seriously:
Red flag: Danger, bathing prohibited / never go into the water.
Yellow flag: Caution, swimming is prohibited / bathing in shallow water is permitted.
Green flag: Swimming allowed.
Beaches from West to East
Beliche / Sagres:
Around 5 km north of the fishing village of Sagres. A path leads about 200 m down to the beach. Very good surfing opportunities. Suitable for children.
Santa Mareta / Sagres:
Left hand from the lighthouse. Sandy beach without rocks, flat, suitable for children.
Martinhal:
Pronounced children's beach, about 2 km from Sagres, with dunes.
Salema:
A small village on the long beach, good surfing area.
Burgau:
Can be reached directly via the EN 125. Good children's beach.
Praia da Luz:
Easily accessible via the town of Espiche. Water sports center.
Praia de Dona Ana:
Located west of the center of Lagos. There are steps down to the approx. 200 m long beach, which is divided by rocks. A good children's beach, but also very busy.
Pinhal Beach:
About 500 m from the center of Lagos. Short sandy beach under high cliffs, nice shady spots in the afternoon.
Ponta de Piedade:
The best way to get there from Lagos is by boat, high cliffs with eroded grottos.
Stone beach:
Main beach of Portimão and classic bathing beach, nice beach walk possible through the pretty rock formations. Suitable for children.
Ferragudo:
About 5 km behind the old Portimão bridge, turn right through the village. Sheltered beach, wide and sandy.
Carvoeiro:
Many small bays sheltered from the wind. A picturesque fishing beach in the middle of the village.
Centianes / Carvoeiro:
Narrow romantic bay, accessible via a long staircase. Good surfing area.
Carvalho / Carvoeiro:
About 5 km outside of Carvoeiro. To be reached through a small tunnel. Also known as the “smugglers' beach”.
Pear Frame:
Through the town you can get to the very long beach that extends as far as Albufeira. Good for kids.
Praia de Gale:
Next to the Armação de Pêra beach, very wide and flat, suitable for children.
Praia do Castelo:
Pretty little bay, quiet and sheltered, next to Praia de Galé.
Praia de Sao Rafael:
Around 3 km outside Albufeira in the direction of Pêra. Protected rocky bay. Popular picnic area.
Baleeira Beach:
Behind the exit of Albufeira. Ideal diving area.
Praia Grande:
About 5 km west of Albufeira. Accessible via a high path. Shortly before Praia Grande, there is a particularly interesting section of rock called the “Biblioteca” because differently colored layers of rock stand vertically “like books”. Praia Grande is a bay with red rocks.
Reservoir:
The sandy beach can be reached through a tunnel near the hotel "Sol e Mar". It is about 800 m long, but completely overcrowded in summer. A rock outcrop separates the bathing beach from the fishing beach. From there, a long beach continues in an easterly direction that extends to Praia de Oura.
Praia de Oura:
The small golden beach is just as full as the large city beach. But it lies nicely. There is good snorkeling nearby. The cliffs reach into the water even at low tide, rocky bottom, not deep, many octopuses live here. A nice little fishing village with a small beach.
Falesia:
Between Albufeira and Vilamoura. Red rocks on the flat, long, fine sandy beach. The path leads through the settlement of Aldeia das Açoteias. Parking on the cliff. You go down a flight of stairs to the beach. Good surfing area and ideal place for children.
Falésia / Vilamoura:
In Vilamoura, to the right of the marina, the Falésia beach ends. Far, partly with dunes, sometimes a bit windy. Good for surfing and for kids.
Praia da Marina / Vilamoura:
A beach for small children and with calm seas.
quarter:
The beach is right on the main road behind the hotels, about 20 m wide. Good children's beach.
Valley of Lobo:
Luxury beach, very well maintained. Signposted from Almancil, very wide and with fine sand.
Dunas Douradas:
Nice, clean beach right next to that of Vale do Lobo.
Ancao Beach:
Beautiful dune beach, always going in the direction of Vale do Garrão you can get to the beach via a dirt road.
Quinta do Lago:
Signposted from Almancil. You drive through a wide area of pine trees and over a wooden bridge you reach the dreamlike long beach, which is never overcrowded. Surf area.
Pedras d'el Rei:
The holiday complex can be reached from the EN 125. To get to the beach, which is on a sandbank, you can take a little tourist train across the lagoon.
Tavira:
The beach is on an island that is larger than all the others (approx. 11 km). Here boats go over the river Gilão to the island, the departure is behind the old market hall.
Cabins:
Dunes in front of the beach. Open and clean beach, a small fishing village.
Manta Rota:
Signposted from the EN 125, an approx. 10 km long sandy beach, protected by dunes. The water here is said to be warmer than elsewhere due to its protected location. A good children's beach. It extends as far as Monte Gordo, a popular holiday resort just before the Spanish border, which is protected by a pine forest.
Monte Gordo:
In the south-eastern part of the Algarve. Flat sloping, long, spacious beach, protected by dunes. Beach vacation for families.
