The Algarve is one of the most popular holiday destination in Europe which is no surprise given its golden beaches, friendly people and fine cuisine. Most airports in the UK can reach Faro airport on the Algarve in less than three hours.
The area is split into three areas;
Central - Albufeira, Faro, Loulé, Silves
Eastern - Alcoutim, Castro Marim, Olhao, Sao Brás de Alportel, Tavira, Vila Real de Santo António
Western - Aljezur, Lagoa, Lagos, Monchique, Portimao, Vila do Bispo
Compared to somewhere like the Costa del Sol in Spain, the Algarve is less developed and quieter during the winter season, but there is less high rise developments, better beaches and the area still offers plenty of day and nighttime entertainment for all ages in towns like Albufeira.
Coast & Beaches
The Algarve boast some of the best and most attractive beaches in Europe and with over a hundred miles of coastline, you won't be spoilt for choice
Albandeira
Albandeira is a small, 2 part beach between rocks at the end of a three kilometre track marked from the road between the Algarve International School and Benagil on the EN125 highway. Access is a few steps down from the parking area and over a few rocks to reach the beach. Armacao de Pera
Armacao de Pera beach, backed by dunes, runs directly in front of the village from the cliffs on its western flank and continues on and on eastwards,. Below the cliffs, access to the beach is down some steps. However, at the eastern end of town you can walk straight on to the beach.. Alvor
Alvor village beach is huge and runs in front of the village fringes the eastern half of Lagos Bay. Access is easy as you can stroll straight on to it. There are sand dunes but no cliffs. It is popular with wind surfers as it's wide open and good for other activities as well. Arrifana
Arrifana beach is right next to a village. Access by following the signposted road on the EN268 just south of Aljezur. You ca also get to the large beach at Monte Clérigo on this road. Amoreira
Amoreira is a huge beach with parking area, full of sun worshipers in the summer and deserted during the winter. A river estuary at the far end of the beach offers a warmer and safer alternative to the Atlantic rollers. Batata
Praia da Batata is the closest beach to the centre of Lagos, by the little Fort Ponte da Bandeira at the entrance to the harbour. A few steps lead down to the sand. Bordeira and Amado
Bordeira and Amado runs past O Sitio do Rio restaurant to this large expanse of sand. From the village of Carrapateira between Vila do Bispo and Aljezur it's marked by a sign showing a pair of binoculars, The track gets a bit rough southwards past Bordeira, but take it slowly and admire the magnificent coastline as far as a point where you can go no further. Burgau
Burgau beach is in front of the village and flanked by cliffs. Parking near the beach is limited but you can park the car at the top of the village and walk down. Burgau beach is good for scuba diving/snorkeling. Beliche
Park on the cliff top and climb down a path to get to this secluded beach. Beliche is at the base of the tall cliffs some three quarters of the way along the 6 kilometre road from Sagres to the Cape St. Vincent lighthouse. At the western end of the beach there’s a smaller cove, popular with naturists. Boca do Rio
It is tucked away but access on to the beach is easy to find off the EN125 at Budens. Alternatively, it's signposted on the back road between Praia da Luz and Burgau or from the other side, on the road connecting Burgau and Salema. Scuba divers and snorkeled will want to explore the remains of a French man-of- war lying on the seabed about 300m offshore Bengal
Bengal beach is backed by cliffs where you can walk along the sand past beached fishing boats. Parking is tricky though on the roadside of a steep, hairpin bend which leads over the hill to Caravel. Castelo
This sheltered beach flanked by rocks and low cliffs can be found via a short stretch of track ending in a parking area with some gentle steps leading down to it . Castelo is signposted from the Albufeira to Petra road. Caravel
A little cove reached by a long flight of steps and a tunnel below a car park at the Club Atlantic development, at the very end of the road running east out of Carvoeiro. Also known as ‘Smuggler’s Cove’, access is down stone carved steps through a tunnel in the rock. Centianes
Vale de Centianes is a short drive or a moderately long walk along the road going east from the village centre. Steps lead down to a long beach with some shade. A popular beach with a bar. Carvoeiro
Carvoeiro beach is the centre of the village, so has lots of activity. Walk straight on to the beach on the sheltered little bay immediately in front of the village. It couldn't’t be more central. Grab a parking space if you see one on your way in. Caneiros
Great beach for swimming, Caneiros beach is east from Ferragudo, a cul-de-sac road ends at a fair sized and popular beach with a restaurant, flanked by cliffs, which give some afternoon shade. Easy access with parking on the roadside. Dona Ana
Praia da Dona Ana is a popular, small beach, ideally located on the coast of Lagos with scenic cliff formations. Cave tours by boat. The most popular beach in the vicinity of Lagos, but accessed by steep steps near the Golfinho hotel. It is flanked north and south by cliffs. and because it faces east, the sand here is nicely sheltered from westerly winds. There are smaller beaches off the road between Dona Ana and Ponta Piedade, particularly Praia do Camilo.
Galé
Praia da Galé is a popular, two part beach divided by rocks, large and open with easy access and restaurants, bars and well signposted from the roundabout south of Guia on the Albufeira to Pera road. It has many rock formations dotted throughout the beach. Joao de Arens
Still further west, this cove is a small stretch of sand set among cliffs, rocks and islands. It can be reached by road, or by walking along the cliff tops from Praia do Vau. Marinha
From a car parking area above the cliff, a long flight of steps leads down to this long beach on a spectacular stretch of coastline. Afternoon shade at the far end. You can view the beach from above before claiming your patch of sand. To get to the car park continue up the hill past Benagil, going east until you reach the Marinha signpost, or turn off the EN125 opposite the Algarve International School going west. Meia Praia
Very large and popular blue flag sandy beach east of the city of Lagos. Excellent sporting facilities and ideal for children due to the calm waters .Easily the biggest of Lagos’ beaches, curving around the edge of the bay all the way from the marina to the river estuary at Alvor. It is a long open beach, but has no natural shade or shelter. Naturists favour the western end. Monte Clérigo
Marked by a small cluster of colourful beach chalets nestling into the hillside alongside a vast expanse of sand. Below them, at one end of the beach, the rock pools are ideal for children to potter about in. Martinhal
This big sweep of sand in a corner of Sagres bay is especially good for windsurfing. It is signposted on the left shortly before entering Sagres village. Mareta
Mareta beach is situated right in front of Sagres village and is sheltered from westerly winds so it's perfect for sunbathing. Nossa Senhora da Rocha
The beach is protected by cliffs and is one of two beaches connected by a 50m tunnel through a cliff spur to the west of Armacao de Pera. Signposted road access to this, the more easterly of the two, is easiest. Odeceixe
The village of Odeceixe is situated in the northwest corner of the Algarve, next to the EN 268 where it crosses a bridge into the province of Alentejo. There is a signposted turn-off to the village on the roadside. Drive through the village and continue along the side of the river, which ends up winding its way across this attractive beach to enter the sea. Paraíso
From the cliff top immediately west of Carvoeiro village, a long flight of steps leads down to the sand. You can swim off either sand or rocks. Only a small car park at the top. Pintadinho
Sandwiched between the lighthouse on Ponte do Alter and the harbour wall of Portimao. Praia de Pintadhino is a popular beach with a bar outside the breakwaters and a little further around the coast from Praia Grande. You can walk straight on to the sand from a parking area.
Praia Grande
Praia Grande Ferragudo is a big beach, as its name suggests, within the breakwaters at the mouth of the Arade river on the bank opposite the Santa Catarina fort. Praia Grande Ferragudo is inside the harbour wall of Portimao so there are no waves, making popular for children. Praia da Rocha
It has a watersports centre. A few steps down from a limited parking area. Parking is otherwise along the side of the approach road. Praia da Rocha This is a whopper of a beach. Acres of wide open sand right in front of Praia da Rocha’s seafront road. It is very popular but so big that you are sure to have plenty of room to stretch out. A tunnel at the western end leads to narrower stretches of beach, made all the more attractive by a backdrop of cliffs and pillars of rock close to the shore. At various points on the seafront road there is access to the beach by steps. There are patches of afternoon shade by the tunnel and next to the cliffs further on. Praia do Vau
You will find this good-sized beach at the far western end of Praia da Rocha’s seafront road. There is easy access from a car parking area. Cliffs giving afternoon shade at the far end. Prainha
This small beach takes its name from the cliff top holiday complex, which provides a lift up and down from April to October. Otherwise, there are steps. Naturist area at the eastern end.
Praia do Camilo
Small sandy beach situated in a rocky bay of the Costa d'Oiro west of Lagos. Porto de Mós
Several miles long and broad blue flag sandy beach west of Lagos, very popular for families. Situated in a small bay between Luz and Lagos, this beach is flanked by cliffs, which usually give shelter and shade on one side or the other. There is a large car parking area and beach access is easy. Praia da Luz
Urban, sandy, blue flag beach, protected by the surrounding cliffs, west of Lagos. Excellent facilities and water sports centre. Access could not be easier to this long, lovely curve of sand right in front of the village. At the western end, the sand gives way to a platform of rocks. It is an ideal family beach. Praia da Coelha
Approached off the Albufeira - Pera road. Small and sheltered. Salema
In the Algarve’s southwest corner, the long stretch of sand right in front of Salema village has cliffs at either end. Popular with wind surfers and good for scuba diving and snorkeling.
Sao Rafael
Just a few steps takes you to this large. sheltered beach. A turning off the Albufeira to Pera road leads through the development to a parking area. Tonel
Tonel beach is on the other side of the Sagres headland from Mareta. Tres Irmaos
Marked by the rise of the golden cliffs that are so characteristic of much of the Algarve coastline. Nestling in here the Tres Irmaos cove, which translates to ‘Three Brothers’. Parking is next to the beach. Zavial
Paradise for wind surfers and easy enough to drive to just off the EN125 at Raposeira, the village before Vila do Bispo. The road forks left to Zavial and right to Ingrina which is another cove popular with scuba divers and snorkeled.
Cuisine
Seafood dishes are the most popular meals and you find plenty of seafood restaurants in the area. A great selection of meat dishes are also available including Portuguese beef all washed down with locally produced red and white wine.
Golf
The Algarve is famous for its great selection of golf course and with over thirty to choose from you will never be far from a course whichever part you are staying in.
Benamor Golf - Quinta de Benamor, Tavira, Faro
Parque da Floresta Golf & Leisure Resort - Vila do Bispo, Faro
Boavista Golf - Lagos
Palmares Golf - Lagos
Penina Sir Henry Cotton Championship Course - Portimao
Penina Resort Course - Portimao
Penina Academy Course - Alvor - Portimao
Golfe do Morgado do Regungo - Portimao
Alto Golf & Country Club - Portimao
Vale de Milho Golf - Lagoa
Gramacho & Pinta Golf Courses Carvoeiro - Lagoa
Salgados Golf Club - Albufeira
Pine Cliffs Golf Course - Albufeira
Vilamoura Pinhal, Laguna, Millennium & Old Courses - Loulé
Vila Sol Beach & Country Club - Quarteira, Loulé
Vale do Lobo Ocean & Royal Golf Courses - Loulé
Quinta do Lago North & South Golf Courses - Loulé
Pinheiros Altos Golf SPA & Hotels - Quinta do Lago, Loulé
San Lorenzo Golf Club - Quinta do Lago, Loulé
Quinta de Cima & Rima Golf Courses - Quinta de Cima, V. Real Sto. António
Castro Marim Golf & Country Club - Castro Marim
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