Algarve-Tourist.com

The best independent guide to the Algarve

Algarve-Tourist.com

The best independent guide to the Algarve

The Algarve’s best beaches for 2024

The Algarve is the stunning coastline of southern Portugal, and is one of Europe’s premier holiday destinations due to its glorious beaches.

The Algarve coastline extends for over 210km and comprises of so many varied beaches. There are vast sandy beaches, deserted sandbar islands, picturesque cove beaches and dramatic surfing beaches. Wherever you go in the Algarve, you will never be far from an outstanding beach!
This article will detail the best beaches in the Algarve.
Related articles: Where to go in the Algarve?Algarve top 10

algarve beaches

There are numerous scenic beaches within the Algarve

The best beaches of the Algarve

For our guide to the best beach in the Algarve, we have included a range of beaches, which will appeal to different tourist styles. There are pristine beaches with idyllic settings, wild and rugged beaches for surfing and family-friendly beaches with great amenities.

The best beaches in the Algarve are:
16) Meia Praia 15) Praia de Carvoeiro 14) Praia da Galé 13) Praia do Burgau 12) Praia dos Caneiros 11) Praia da Falésia 10) Praia da Torralta 9) Praia de Monte Gordo 8) Praia dos Pescadores (Albufeira) 7) Praia da Ilha de Tavira 6) Praia de Dona Ana / Praia do Camilo 5) Praia do Barril 4) Praia do Beliche 3) Praia da Ilha Deserta 2) Praia da Rocha 1) Praia da Marinha

The interactive map below shows the location of the beaches:

The following section details why each of the beaches deserves to be in this article:

No.16 - Meia Praia beach

The Meia Praia is the vast expanse of sand that extends eastwards from Lagos. This huge beach offers kilometres of golden sands, and this is fortunate as it is the main beach of Lagos, a bustling city which is popular with tourists.

Meia Praia is referred to as half (Meia) beach as it is divided into two by the Alvor estuary, with the opposite side (the Praia de Alvor) leading to the family-friendly resort town of Alvor.
Related articles: Lagos guide

Meia Praia beach lagos

It may only be half a beach, but it stretches as far as the eye can see

No.15 -Praia de Carvoeiro

The Praia de Carvoeiro is the delightful beach of Carvoeiro.

The beach is nestled between two of golden cliff headlands and is backed with traditional whitewashed houses, which now are bars and restaurants. This beach is pretty, sheltered, and ideal for families
Related articles: Carvoeiro guide

Praia de Carvoeiro beach

The Praia de Carvoeiro on a quiet day in April – don’t expect it to be this empty during the summer!

No.14 -Praia da Galé

The Praia da Galé is the wonderful beach close to the village of Galé.

This is another massive beach, which is surprisingly quiet considering its close proximity to the major resort towns of Armação de Pêra and Albufeira.

If the main beaches of the resort towns get too hectic for you, the Praia da Galé is where to head to.

Praia da Galé

The gorgeous beach of Praia da Galé

No.13 - Praia do Burgau

The far western Algarve is dotted with many scenic villages, each set around a sheltered sandy beach. Our favourite is the tiny village of Burgau which overlooks the wonderful Praia do Burgau beach.

The beach is beautiful, sandy and sheltered from the strong winds of the region, while the peaceful atmosphere of Burgau is ideal if you are holidaying with young children.
Equally good are the villages and beaches of Salema and Praia da Luz.

Praia do Burgau

The rugged coastline of the western Algarve and the pretty village of Burgau

No.12 -Praia dos Caneiros

The Praia dos Caneiros is a beautiful beach, positioned on the Ponta do Altar headland at the mouth of the Arade River. This beach is set within the characteristic golden cliff of the western Algarve, and overlooks a rocky islet, the Leixão das Gaivotas, 200m out to sea.

There is almost no development along the Ponta do Altar coastline, and Caneiros beach has a beautiful natural setting – unlike the over-development on the opposite side of the river.

Leading from the Praia dos Caneiros are many good coastal walks.

Praia dos Caneiros

The Leixão das Gaivotas rocky outcrop as seen from the Praia dos Caneiros

No.11 -Praia da Falésia

The Praia da Falésia is the largest beach of the central Algarve region and is a wonderful location for a day on the beach. This vast beach extends for 5km between Olhos de Água and Vilamoura and is unique for its orange-coloured cliffs.

These towering cliffs have prevented any development along the coastline, and this stretch of beach is some of the most unspoilt of the central Algarve.

Close to Vilamoura the cliffs lessen, and the Praia da Falésia is the main beach of Vilamoura.

Praia da Falésia

The cliffs are at their tallest close to Olhos de Água

No.10 - Praia da Torralta

At the opposite end of the Meia Praia is the stunning Praia da Torralta. This beach combines both a vast expanse of golden sands along with the distinctive sandstone cliffs of the central Algarve, and creates an almost perfect beach setting.

This is a beautiful beach if you are based in one of the sprawling villa complexes that surround Alvor.

Praia da Torralta

Looking along the Praia da Torralta from the cliffs towards Alvor

No.9 - Praia de Monte Gordo

The Praia de Monte Gordo is the finest and largest beach of the eastern Algarve. The Praia de Monte Gordo lies at the centre of an 8km continuous sandy coastline, and is backed by the modern resort town of Monte Gordo.

The seawaters of the eastern Algarve tend to be much calmer (no strong currents or large waves), as it is sheltered from the power of the Atlantic Ocean. A by-product of the calmer seas is that the beach sands tend to be softer and finer-grained than the western Algarve.

Monte Gordo beach

The soft sands of Monte Gordo beach

No.8 -Praia dos Pescadores (Albufeira)

The Praia dos Pescadores is the main beach of Albufeira, and is always a lively place to hang out.
In the summer, there is always something going on, with sea inflatables, banana boat rides, and beach bars packed with tourists.

The beach itself is massive, boasting golden sands, safe seawaters, and is only a short walk to the centre of Albufeira.
Related articles: Albufeira guide

Praia dos Pescadores

The Praia dos Pescadores with a bunch of sea silliness

No.7 -Praia da Ilha de Tavira

The Praia de Tavira is the pristine beach on the southern side of the Ilha de Tavira (Tavira Island). The island lies within the protected Parque Natural da Ria Formosa, and the beach retains its unspoilt natural appearance.

The Praia de Tavira is the main beach of Tavira, and during the summer there is a regular ferry service from the town centre. Most visitors crowd around the area closest to the beach bars and campsite, but a short stroll southward leads to deserted beaches.
Note: 1km southeast from the Praia da Ilha de Tavira is Portugal’s oldest nudist beach, the Praia do Homem Nú.
Related article: Tavira guide

Praia da Ilha de Tavira

Just a short walk along the coastline of Tavira Island are empty beaches

No.6 - Praia de Dona Ana / Praia do Camilo

The sandstone cliffs of the Ponta da Piedade headland have been weathered away to create a coastline of beautiful cove beaches.

The Praia de Dona Ana and Praia do Camilo are two stunning beaches of this coastline, surrounded by golden cliffs and offering calm, turquoise waters.

Their setting is stunning, and these are some of the most beautiful beaches of the Algarve, but unfortunately they will be crowded in the summer as they are close to Lagos.
Related articles: The Ponta da Piedade

Praia de Dona Ana beach

The Praia de Dona Ana

No.5 -Praia do Barril beach

The Praia do Barril combines both a beautiful beach and glimpse into the former fishing heritage of the region.

The Praia do Barril was originally the site of a tuna fishing village, which was abandoned during the 1960s due to depleted fishing stocks. Today, the fishing huts have been converted into beach bars and restaurants, while the anchors used to hold the complex tuna fishing nets have been placed in the sand dunes as a permanent memorial (called the Anchor Cemetery).

Praia do Barril is a calm beach with an idyllic natural setting, which rarely gets crowded with tourists. If you are on holiday near Tavira, Barril beach has the advantage over the Praia da Ilha de Tavira, as it can be walked to from the mainland – there is even a mini-train if you don’t fancy walking the 1km.
Related article: Praia do Barril beach guide

Praia do Barril Anchor Cemetery

The rusting anchors of the Anchor Cemetery

No.4 -Praia do Beliche (Surfing beach)

The Praia do Beliche is the best surfing beach of the far western Algarve, and this is a region with many outstanding surfing beaches!

The beach faces a westerly direction and is exposed to powerful Atlantic waves which roll on to the vast expanse of sand. Surround the beach are 40m high cliffs, and these provide shelter from the strong sea breezes that buffer the Sagres region.

Beliche beach is to the north of Sagres, a ramshackled fishing town that has an underlying trendy surfing vibe. Found within the town are surf rental shops, hostels, and decent surf schools.
Note: If the swell at Beliche is not powerful enough head to the Praia do Tonel, which is in Sagres.
Related article: Sagres guide

Praia do Beliche sagres

Praia do Beliche, Sagres

No.3 - Praia da Ilha Deserta

The deserted island beach (Praia da Ilha Deserta) is as remote and unspoilt as the name implies.

The beach lies on the southern side of the Ilha Deserta, one of the sandbar islands within the protected Parque Natural da Ria Formosa coastline. The island is only accessible by tour boat or water-taxi, and there will only ever be a handful of visitors here, even at the peak of the season.

Along the 6km pristine beach, is the most southerly point of mainland Portugal, the Cabo de Santa Maria. The cape is marked by a driftwood sculpture, which matches the isolated ambience of the island.
Related article: Faro guide

Cabo de Santa Maria faro

The driftwood marker of the Cabo de Santa Maria, surrounded by deserted beaches

No.2 -Praia da Rocha

If you are wanting an exciting beach to visit, then the Praia da Rocha should be your choice.

This magnificent beach sits at the base of a lively beach resort, (also named Praia da Rocha), and offers everything possible of a modern resort town. There are classy lounge bars (such as NoSoloÁgua), a beach sports complex (football/volleyball), beach bars and every conceivable sea activity. The beach also regularly hosts major festivals.

Praia da Rocha is a popular holiday destination, but the tourist development has not detracted from the beautiful natural scenery. There are vivid orange cliffs, crystal clear waters, and the beach itself is over 200m wide.
Related article: Praia da Rocha guide

Praia da Rocha beach

The massive beach at Praia da Rocha

No.1 - Praia da Marinha

The Praia da Marinha is the most beautiful beach in the Algarve.

The beach nestles at the base of a jagged sandstone cliff, which has been eroded into misshapen cliff formations. There are sea pillars, jutting golden rocks and a unique double sea arch, all lapped by the calm turquoise sea waters. Below the waterline the rocks are teeming with life, and the Praia da Marinha is a wonderful location for snorkelling.

The Praia da Marinha beach is stunning, and should be definitely visited during your holiday to the Algarve.
Related articles: Praia da Marinha

Praia da Marinha

The crystal-clear seawaters with its numerous rock features make the Praia da Marinha fantastic for snorkelling

Arcos Naturais Praia da Marinha

The double arch of the Arcos Naturais

Our most popular guides to the Algarve

Where to stay in the algarve
Top 10 Algarve
Algarve Best Beaches
Algarve Families holiday
The Best Golf Courses in the Algarve
Algarve day trips
Albufeira guide
Lagos Portugal
tavira guide
Carvoeiro Algarve
faro guide
vilamoura Algarve
Silves Algarve
Praia da Rocha Algarve
Loulé Algarve
Alvor Algarve
Praia da Luz Algarve
Sagres Algarve
Vila Nova de Milfontes
uk - it es fr de

Algarve-Tourist.com

The best guide to the Algarve

Where to stay in the algarve
Top 10 Algarve
Algarve Best Beaches
Algarve Families holiday
Algarve day trips
Albufeira guide
Lagos Portugal
tavira guide
Carvoeiro Algarve
faro guide
vilamoura Algarve
Silves Algarve
Praia da Rocha Algarve
Loulé Algarve
Alvor Algarve
Praia da Luz Algarve
Sagres Algarve
Vila Nova de Milfontes
Where to stay in the algarve
Top 10 Algarve
Albufeira guide
Lagos Portugal
tavira guide
Carvoeiro Algarve
faro guide
vilamoura Algarve
Silves Algarve
Praia da Rocha Algarve
Loulé Algarve
Alvor Algarve
Praia da Luz Algarve
Sagres Algarve
Vila Nova de Milfontes