{"id":32523,"date":"2025-03-25T17:04:47","date_gmt":"2025-03-25T14:04:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.journeys6senses.com\/algavre-the-best-beaches-in-portugal\/"},"modified":"2025-09-09T11:22:26","modified_gmt":"2025-09-09T08:22:26","slug":"algavre-the-best-beaches-in-portugal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.journeys6senses.com\/en\/algavre-the-best-beaches-in-portugal\/","title":{"rendered":"Algarve – the best beaches in Portugal"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beach season on the Algarve coast<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The season starts in June<\/strong> and ends in October<\/strong>. The Algarve coast is quite hot in summer, with temperatures rising to +40\u2103. 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In June, you can already try swimming. In July and August<\/strong>, the water is +20\u2103, and the maximum temperature is +23\u2103. 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\u2103.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Recommend to read about my experience: Algarve in November \u2013 active holidays on the ocean<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Beaches on the Algarve coast and their features<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I advise you to read: When is the best time to go on a trip to Portugal<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Or for those who want to see the grottoes and beaches hidden from tourists, which can only be reached by kayak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sagres <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The small town of Sagres<\/strong> 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<\/a><\/strong>. In the evening, in the common living room, it was very interesting to watch movies about surfers together with the beginners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Praia do Beliche beach<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Praia do Beliche beach <\/strong>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<\/strong>. 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Praia da Mareta beach<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are more people and tourists on the Praia da Mareta beach<\/strong>, 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Praia do Martinhal<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Near the marina there is a very similar beach, Praia do Martinhal <\/strong>, 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where to stay in Sagres:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tonel Apartamentos Turisticos\u226b<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sagres Sun Stay \u2013 Surf Camp & Hostel\u226b<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I stayed at a great surfer hostel. \u2013 The Lighthouse Hostel<\/a><\/strong>. 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Salema<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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I am sure that almost no one has heard of the town of Salem<\/strong>a. 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where to stay in Salema<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Salema Eco Camp \u2013 Sustainable Camping & Glamping\u226b<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luz<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Luz<\/strong> is a suburb of Lagos<\/strong>, which is a very popular resort in the Algarve<\/strong>. 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I recommend the hotel<\/strong> Club House CVL<\/a>.<\/strong> It is very convenient if you do not have the energy and desire to cook yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are different beaches in Luz: the main city beach is Praia da Luz<\/strong> with fine sand, sun loungers and cafes, and the neighboring one, which is located behind the Rocha Negra (Black Rock<\/strong> ), is the beach for surfers, Praia de Porto M\u00f3s<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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