The best beaches of Algavre in Portugal are wild and touristy, easily accessible beaches hidden from tourists in the south of Portugal. Tips for those who want to take a vacation on their own during high and low season.
Beach season on the Algarve coast
The season starts in June and ends in October. The Algarve coast is quite hot in summer, with temperatures rising to +40℃. Therefore, the best time to relax is the second half of September: the water is still warm and the air is not so hot. But let’s not forget that there is an ocean here, so clouds can come and make it cooler.
In June, you can already try swimming. In July and August, the water is +20℃, and the maximum temperature is +23℃. Yes, this is not the same water temperature as in the Mediterranean – let’s not forget that this is an ocean. But in other parts – near Lisbon or Porto – the water is colder, sometimes not rising above +17℃.
Recommend to read about my experience: Algarve in November – active holidays on the ocean
Beaches on the Algarve coast and their features
The Alhavre coast stretches from Cape San Vincent to the east to the border with Spain. The water in the ocean in this part of Portugal warms up better than near Lisbon or Porto, because the Gulf Stream does not reach here. The further east you go, the warmer the water.
The capital of the Algarve is the city of Faro, which has an airport for low-cost airlines and charter planes. That is, you understand that a vacation in this part of Portugal in the summer means beaches packed with tourists and high housing prices. But there is also good news – there are a lot of beaches here, they are quite different, so there is a place for everyone.
I advise you to read: When is the best time to go on a trip to Portugal
The beaches of Alhavre differ in landscape – there are very long sandy ones, and small patches of sand hidden among the yellow picturesque rocks. There are also beaches where there are no tourists – these are beaches for surfers who learn to ride waves.
Or for those who want to see the grottoes and beaches hidden from tourists, which can only be reached by kayak.
The Algarve beaches are also divided into tourist beaches, which are equipped with infrastructure, sun loungers, and umbrellas. And there are a lot of wild beaches where there are few people, but no lifeguards, so the responsibility for safety lies entirely with those who rest on them.
That’s why the Alhavre coast is so valuable: here you can find everything your heart desires – from a sun lounger with a cocktail, a crowd of partying parties, to seclusion among the picturesque rocks.
Sagres
The small town of Sagres is located near the famous Cape San Vincent, where there is a lighthouse and ocean waves hit the rocks. The beaches in Sagres have been taken over by surfers – there are many surf schools, surf hostels, and a very cool atmosphere in general. I stayed in exactly the right place. It’s the Lighthouse Hostel The Lighthouse Hostel. In the evening, in the common living room, it was very interesting to watch movies about surfers together with the beginners.
Praia do Beliche beach
Praia do Beliche beach is the place where boys and girls with surfboards gather. There are waves here, but they are not as big as on the west coast at Cape San Vincent. The beach is sandy and surrounded by steep cliffs. You can go down to the beach via concrete stairs, which are very steep, so it definitely doesn’t qualify as inclusive. There is a small cafe with drinks in the left corner of the beach, and surfers often hang out in the left part.
The beach is divided into two parts by an arch, through which you can walk barefoot knee-deep in the ocean surf. The right side is more suitable for swimming and relaxing – the beach is wider here, and the surf does not reach everywhere. There are practically no tourists here. And if you do see a couple of umbrellas, it’s not a critical amount for those who want to relax at sea without a crowd.
Praia da Mareta beach
There are more people and tourists on the Praia da Mareta beach, which is located near the city center and protected from waves by Cape Sagres. There is a gentler slope, a wider strip of sand, a restaurant on the beach, and straw umbrellas. There are a lot of people, but there is a free place to be apart from other vacationers.
Praia do Martinhal
Near the marina there is a very similar beach, Praia do Martinhal , which is practically no different, maybe only a wider strip of sand. It is also not very popular because there are more frequent waves here than in the resorts located closer to Faro. Surfers ride here more often than tourists swim.
Praia do Tunnel is a beach exclusively for surfers, because the wind is always blowing here. This small beach offers some of the best waves in Europe and there is a surf school right on the beach.
Where to stay in Sagres:
Tonel Apartamentos Turisticos≫ – The apartments have very spacious rooms and bathrooms. There is also good heating. Comfortable beds, a small fridge and free tea and coffee. Excellent value for money.
Sagres Sun Stay – Surf Camp & Hostel≫ – Clean private rooms very comfortable and spacious with good bathrooms. Good breakfasts offered. Very close to bus stop, supermarket, on the direct road to Cabo de San Vicente.
I stayed at a great surfer hostel. – The Lighthouse Hostel. In the evenings in the common living room it was very interesting to watch movies about surfers with beginners. There is a kitchen where you can cook dinner, the hostel provides breakfast. The rooms have 4-6 beds. There are also 2-bed rooms for couples or travelers with separate beds.
Salema
I am sure that almost no one has heard of the town of Salema. Because Salem is a small fishing village that you don’t often see in guidebooks. But there are also wonderful sandy beaches and a wide range of apartments where it is convenient to relax with your family. Every morning, you can buy freshly caught fish that fishermen bring in on boats.
The large beach is traditionally surrounded by yellow rocks. There is a promenade with a couple of small cafes. There are umbrellas and sunbeds, but only in one corner. The entire beach is free – you can relax anywhere but where there are fishing boats. There are villas above the beach – there are few hotels here, but a large selection of family housing. Many villas have their own swimming pools, which is very convenient with small children.
Where to stay in Salema
Salema Eco Camp – Sustainable Camping & Glamping≫ – The cheapest accommodation option in Salema, a camping-glamping in the countryside, a little further from the beach. Here they offer overnight stays in a private, comfortable, well-equipped tent, ideal for an overnight stay. Keeps the temperature inside.
Luz
Luz is a suburb of Lagos, which is a very popular resort in the Algarve. But there are many hotels with breakfast, swimming pools, and other amenities that package tourists love. There is also a large selection of apartments and the necessary urban infrastructure – shops and various services that make it convenient to relax on your own. But still, you don’t feel like you’re in a city, you feel like you’re in a real resort.
I recommend the hotel Club House CVL. It is very convenient if you do not have the energy and desire to cook yourself.
There are different beaches in Luz: the main city beach is Praia da Luz with fine sand, sun loungers and cafes, and the neighboring one, which is located behind the Rocha Negra (Black Rock ), is the beach for surfers, Praia de Porto Mós.
- Praia de Luz is very convenient for a seaside vacation, almost inclusive – a regular asphalt road leads here.
- Praia de Porto Mós is fantastically beautiful, especially from the hiking trail that goes on top of the cliffs. See the black specks on the waves? Yes, these are surfers riding the waves. Getting here is a little more difficult – there are stairs to get down from the top, and you can also walk here from Lusatia at low tide, when the water recedes from the rocks of Roša Negra.
Where to stay in Luz:
I recommend the hotel Club House CVL. I stayed there for a day in November, because in addition to breakfasts, it had a buffet dinner for 12 Euros. Very convenient if you don’t have the strength or desire to cook yourself.
Lagos
Lagos is one of the most popular resort cities on the Algarve coast. I liked it here because there is an old town with old buildings covered with azulejo blue molding, cafes and restaurants. The beaches in Lagos are a special treat, as there are amazingly beautiful rocks with small lagoons of yellow sand between them. There is a lot of entertainment here, unlike many other resorts in the Algarve, very good transport interchange – there are trains and buses that you can take without being tied to car rental.
The beaches in Lagos stretch from Cape Ponta da Piedade to the promenade, which stretches along the mouth of the Bensafrim River, which flows into the ocean. The cape itself and its surroundings are a separate attraction worth spending a few hours admiring the views from this place. By the way, from the lighthouse you can take a walk along the walking trail to Lush to see the same surfer beaches and rocks I wrote about a little bit above.
- As for me, the best beaches in Lagos are Praia do Camilo, with its picturesque steep cliffs and yellow sand. A wooden staircase, almost traditional on this coast, leads to the beach, and you need to bring your own umbrellas.
- Near it, there is a wilder and even less accessible Praia da Balança. A very steep dirt path leads here, but there are much fewer people here.
- And on the opposite side of the river is a completely different beach, Praia Meia, a long and wide strip of sand with gentle slopes. This is a classy tourist beach where adults and children relax, and it’s easy to get to, so it will be convenient for those who can’t walk up stairs or climb paths.
Where to stay in Lagos:
- Boutique Taghostel — This is a nice hostel with mixed and female rooms, located in the city center. Guests have access to a shared kitchen, a rooftop terrace with sea views, and a living room.
- 3 Marias Guest House – This is the highest rated bed and breakfast in Lagos with a lovely rooftop terrace. The rooms are simple but extremely clean and comfortable. A good breakfast is available.
- Alto Mar Inn – The recently renovated bed and breakfast offers air-conditioned rooms and free on-site parking.
Portimão
The Praia da Rocha beach, which is located at the outlet of the Arade River, was formed thanks to this river, because rivers always bring sand to the coast. my hotel. As the time approached sunset, I headed to Fort Santa Catarina, which offered an even more beautiful view of the coast.
The Praia de Alvor beach is located to the west and looks like a classic Portuguese northern beach with large dunes of sand, wooden fences trying to keep the sand from moving towards residential areas. This beach stretches for several kilometers and there will be enough space for hundreds of tourists who won’t even feel the crowds.
But as for me, the most beautiful beach in Portimão is Praia da Prainha – the rocky shore begins again, rocks-islands decorate the sea, a lagoon in which it is pleasant to hide from the wind when lying on the sand. There are very beautiful rocks with arches and grottoes, and much fewer people.
Where to stay in Portimão:
- FÉRIAS PRAIA DA ROCHA – PORTIMÃO≫ – wonderful apartments in a multi-storey complex with a private pool. There is a private kitchen and everything you need for cooking, a washing machine, a bedroom and a living room with an extra bed if you come with children. Location nearby Praia da Rocha.
- RR Hotel da Rocha≫ – hotel on the first coastline near Praia do Rocha beach. The rooms have all the amenities in the room: shower, hairdryer, two TVs, microwave, kettle and even a mini stove.
Benagil
These are my favorite beaches in the Algarve – you can get here by car because there are no big cities near them. And this is why they are valuable. And also, because it is fantastically beautiful, and sometimes almost inaccessible. Some beaches can only be reached by kayak, such as the famous Benadil Beach. That’s what I did with my traveling companion in Portugal, and the memories will last a lifetime!
But there is an already accessible and also beautiful beach nearby, Praia da Marinha, which is the hallmark of Algavre and is featured in all tourist guides. It’s really beautiful, but it’s very hyped. That’s why there are a lot of people here during the season, but in September there is more free space on the sand.
A little to the west, there is another iconic place – a natural double arch carved into the rocks by wind and water. It is located near the Praia da Mesquita beach.
Accommodation near Benahil Beach
- Hakuna matata≫ – Quiet, cozy apartments in nature! Fully equipped. Very warm and welcoming hosts. Very close to Benagil Cave and Carvalho Beach.
- T0 Junto a Praia de Vale Centeanes / Carvoeiro≫ – Great location, beautiful, homely apartment with good amenities close to Carvoeiro beach.
- Гостьовий будинок O Quintal – This is a cute, light-filled bed and breakfast in the center of Carvoeiro. Guests have access to a shared kitchen, lounge, and terrace.
Albufeira
Albufeira is a fairly large resort with a long sandy beach. There are many hotels and apartments in the city, but it doesn’t feel like a seaside resort. I liked it here, but it was low season. Albufeira has a colorful center with several nice cafes and restaurants serving seafood. The beach can be reached on foot or by elevator, which is located in the western part of the city.
But besides the city beach, there are also many beautiful places around Albufeira. One of them is São Rafael Beach, located 4 km from Albufeira. The beach looks very natural, but there is a convenient descent along an asphalt path. There is a restaurant on the beach, as well as a kayaking club, where you can book a sea adventure – kayaking along the cliffs and wild beaches.
There is another cool beach on the east side of Albufeira – Praia da falésia. This is a long sandy beach surrounded by colorful colored rocks, which stretches for 5 km along the ocean. It will definitely be spacious and relaxing here even in high season. That’s why I highly recommend it.
Where to stay in Albufeira:
- Guest House Dianamar – A lovely boutique hotel, close to the beach and good restaurants. Clean and comfortable rooms with balconies overlooking the ocean.
- Auramar Beach Resort – Three star hotel with high quality! Perfect value for money. Delicious food, beautiful grounds, located 1.5 km from the center of Albufeira, but a 5 minute walk to the beach. Incredible ocean and beach. Several pools, one of them heated, mini golf and billiards.
- Hotel Sol e Mar Albufeira – Adults Only –The hotel is located right on the ocean, away from the noisy streets of the city. You can go down from the room to the beach by elevator. The beach is very beautiful, about 2 km long, one of the best in Portugal. The rooms are new, comfortable. The staff is very nice. Good breakfast. You have to expect that on the beach you have to pay for sun loungers and an umbrella, 20 euros for two sun loungers and an umbrella per day. There are cafes and bars on the beach.
Conclusions for those who choose beaches in the Algarve
- If you decide to go to the Alhavre coast in the summer, don’t hesitate and go. Because at this time the water here is the warmest. And empty beaches without crowds can be found even in high season.
- Rent a car and don’t be tied to one place – it will do it! Because Algarve is very diverse and you can see different places and beaches in one trip.
- If you choose a package tour to Algarve, it is better to choose Lagos or Luz. There is good public transportation here, so you can see other locations on your own.
- Algarve has many inclusive beaches. So when you look at photos of rocks and stairs leading to the beach, don’t be intimidated. Look for beaches with gentle slopes and elevators (I described some above).
I highly recommend a vacation on this coast. It’s beautiful, delicious seafood, lots of activities, and a huge selection of beaches to suit every taste and budget.
Useful articles and links:
- 10 tips for those traveling to Portugal for the first time
- Beaches near Lisbon – where to relax, walk and surfing
- The best beaches near Porto
Booking of hotels and apartments – Booking.com
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