The Algarve coast, Portugal is one of the most gorgeous and pristine places to visit. Especially if you’re looking for sunny days spent lazing on the world’s most beautiful beaches! The endless shores, stretches of ocean horizons, tropical lagoons and magnificent beachscapes make Algarve an absolute must on anyone’s travel bucket list.
When traveling this priceless destination, you have a bunch of idyllic Algarve beaches to choose from, but there are some that are simply unmissable! Keep this guide with you, and you will be sure to enjoy the very best beaches in Algarve has to offer.
Where is Algarve?
The Algarve region is found on the southernmost part of Portugal. and hosts a list of magnificent beachside cities and villages with picturesque cliffs, sandy coves, hidden gems and plenty of remarkable villas and resorts.
If you want to know how to get there from where you are in Portugal, then the easiest way is by Portuguese trains operated by CP. If you’re not too far away, you can also consider cycling along the scenic route to get the picturesque beaches Algarve provides.
Best Places to Stay in Algarve
The Algarve region is overflowing with beautiful places to stay! We will share some tips on the best places to stay in Algarve, so that you can choose the right place for you!
Tivoli Carvoeiro Resort is a paradise. Staying here is something to be remembered, and every moment spent here will have you feeling like you’re on cloud nine! There is an endless amount of treatments provided, and the majority of the rooms have outstanding views of the coast!
Onyria Palmares Beach House Hotel is the perfect spot for a romantic seaside vacation with your loved one, and offers private and chic accommodation!
Real Marina Hotel & Spa is a luxurious getaway spot, with incredible interiors and world-class spa facilities! This is a great place to stay when you visit the best Algarve beach Portugal offers!
Best Time to Visit Algarve
The weather in Algarve is one of the points of attraction for this dreamy beachside destination. All year round, Algrave boasts the best climate in Europe! Meaning you can enjoy your vacation happily and visit the best beaches in Portugal, Algarve at all times of the year.
However, the best time to visit Algarve, Portugal is between late April and early June or between mid-September and late October. This is when the sun is still pleasantly sizzling, but not scorching. There are also not a lot of crowds, so you can enjoy a peaceful holiday.
15 Best Beaches of Algarve
Finding the best beach Algarve can be quite difficult, but only because they’re all so jaw-droppingly beautiful!
Here’s a list, in no particular order, of the best Algarve, Portugal beaches. You can choose from here and find an unforgettable pristine beach that suits your individual taste. If you enjoy cycling then you might also like Cycling Ecovia do Litoral in Algarve in Portugal.
1. Praia do Castelo
This Albufeira beach is a coastal dream come true! You can stroll down a wide stretch of golden sands, and admire craggy ocean cliffs. You’ll find this beach on the west side of Albuferia’s Old Town, and spend hours relaxing.
Swim in crystal clear turquoise waters and see rocks covered in seaweed. This is one of the best beaches in Albufeira!
2. Pinhao Beach
If you’re looking for an incredible Logas Beach, then look no further than Pinhao Beach. Enjoy a peaceful cove where you can let your thoughts run away with the sea, surrounded by the serene beauty of nature.
Pinhao Beach is known for having the most wonderfully charming environment, and there are plenty of gorgeous orange cliffs to be admired! The waves are soft, so it’s one of the best beaches for a lazy dip. You can also enjoy some of the best snorkeling Algarve offers.
3. Marina Beach
Enjoy this gorgeous Portimão Beach and have a blast! There is an upbeat vibe here, making it one of the best beaches on the Algarve coast to spend summer days.
This lively beach also offers a safe haven for sailors wanting to strut their stuff and spend the day floating on the clear ocean waters. Stroll the exquisite golden sands, and have some cocktails at a nearby restaurant whilst you soak it all in.
4. Praia de Carvoeiro
Praia de Carvalho is one of the best beaches in Algarve! This Carvoeiro beach has everything you could want from a day spent by the ocean. You will be awestruck as you walk down the staircase and find two natural tunnels to explore.
These tunnels both offer an incredible route to the small beach with hugely scenic views over the endless horizon. This is one of the most thrilling and best beaches Algarve provides for us sea lovers.
5. Três Irmãos Beach
An incredible Alvor beach, Três Irmãos is one of the most beautiful beaches! It has become famous for its marvellous rock formations and craggy seaside cliffs. They are well worth seeing and taking a few photos of. You can also enjoy cliff jumping here, if you feel like getting your adrenaline pumping!
Embark on an adventure and explore the many hidden caves, each with their own unique structure. Find a cave in Algarve, Portugal to sit down on, and soak in the eerie ambiance. Spend all day feeding your soul with the richness of this cave beach, and then lay down to enjoy the perfect sunset!
6. Barreta Island Beach
One of the most popular, yet secluded, beaches on the Algarve coast is on Barreta Island. This island has a stunning beach that offers serenity, and a getaway that is far away from civilization.
The entire island is uninhabited, and is known as the ‘deserted island’. The narrow sandbanks of this 7km beach are absolutely free of any shops or homes, and other than some grass umbrellas, you won’t find many permanent structures. The island offers a chance to settle into a truly wild and natural paradise.
7. Praia da Rocha
This remarkable Portimao Beach has an ocean with dramatic limestone cliffs standing along it, creating a bizarrely beautiful setting. Enjoy sunbathing on ‘rock beach’ and afterwards enjoy the plethora of restaurants, bars and shops found near this coastline.
This beach is an excellent place to bask in the ever-thriving Algarve atmosphere, whilst meeting locals and admiring charming cliffs and unusual seaside rock formations.
8. Tavira Island – Praia do Barril
This island beach is separated from the mainland of Algarve by beautiful waterways and mud flats, so you will need to ride a ferry to get there. Tavira Island is the place to be to enjoy vitamin sea and D! Not only is there a long stretch of pristine white sand to lay or walk upon, but there is also a booming variety of seaside bars.
The gorgeous and untamed natural scenery of this island is preserved and protected by the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa. The most scenic Tavira beach is Praia do Barril as it is lined with gorgeous sand dunes and has crystal clear blue waters. It is one of the best places to visit along Algarve’s coast!
9. São Rafael Beach
São Rafael Beach is an Albufeira beach that offers scenic landscapes, golden sands and a beautiful place to let your hair down in the Portuguese sun. The beach is small, but it has amazing craggy cliffs and astounding rock formations.
This beach is the best place to go for a swim, and there are lifeguards during the summer for extra safety. There is also a wide variety of snorkeling Portugal offers at its beautiful São Rafael Beach. This is one of the most lovely places to visit in Algarve during the day!
10. Praia de Faro Beach
Praia de Faro Beach is a city beach that is bustling and full to the brim with excitement! Of all the Faro Portugal beaches, Praia de Faro beach is the most popular. The glorious golden sands extend for 5kms, and the entire sea is on the island side of Faro.
The rear of this island beach overlooks welcoming lagoons and tidal mudflats from the Ria Formosa National Park. The beach has a laid-back vibe, but just 5 minutes away is the airport – so it offers convenience and relaxation all wrapped up in picturesque sandy shores!
11. Adegas Beach
Adegas Beach is an official nudist beach in Algarve, so swimsuits are optional. The beach is a private paradise, hidden amongst tall beachside cliffs. The small cove offers golden sands, lazy shores and crystal clear ocean water!
Being as it is a nudist beach, you will need to keep in mind the etiquette that is required to enjoy it. If you’re wanting to enjoy your first nudist beach experience, Algarve is the place to do it. Feel free, comfortable and healthy as you sunbathe in the nude. This is an experience that will last a lifetime.
12. Praia de Armação de Pêra
This wonderful beach is marked by the presence of limestone cliffs, a trademark to most Algarve beaches. On the east, the large sandy bays of Praia de Armação de Pêra open out to an area that is backed up by amazing facilities and services for holiday-goers.
There is a seafront avenue with an exquisite garden for you to lounge back and enjoy the precious ocean views whilst having a bite to eat at one of the cafes. The ocean is full of colorful creatures. If you take a stroll up the coastline of the beach, you will come to a place where you can see sand dunes for as far as the eye can see. As well as a wetland zone that is abundant with aquatic birds.
13. Praia do Amado
Found in Portimao, Praia do Amado Beach is magnificent, offering long golden sands for you to let your stress melt away as you walk upon it, admiring the shimmering ocean.
The sea has large waves all year around, so it is a great spot for you to try surfing for the first time or, if you’re a pro, indulge in your favorite pastime. You can hire outboards from a shop, and get a surfing lesson from one of the coaches.
14. Monte Gordo Beach
Monte Gordo is the closest resort to the Spanish border, and it brings people from all over the world to its sandy beaches and an exciting casino. The Monte Gordo Beach is an impressive stretch of white sand that is so fine, it’s almost like powder to the touch.
There is a flat promenade at the back of the beach that is lined with fun, colorful and vibrant places to enjoy. This promenade boasts bars, restaurants, cafes and tall idyllic palm trees. Past the promenade, there are extensive sand dunes. Beyond the sand dunes, you will see the beautiful pine forest of the Viveiro Florestal de Monte Gordo.
15. Praia da Arrifana
Surf Logos, Portugal’s best beach waves at Praia da Arrifana! This beach is a true jewel in the Algarve Coast and is located in an exquisite nature reserve. Not only are the white sands perfect for leisurely tanning on, but this beach is one of the best beaches in Lagos for surfing.
Protected by limestone cliffs, Praia da Arrifana is the perfect beach for bodyboarders, surfers and even families who are looking for the perfect seaside holiday.
Last Words on the Best Beaches in Algarve
A trip to the many beautiful beaches of the Algarve coast will enrich your life, and have you feeling on top of the world! Our guide to the best beaches in Algarve will serve your journey to finding the very best beach for you and your travel companions.
You won’t want to leave, and we won’t blame you if you decide to build a hut and never leave again. Algarve beaches will seduce you and have you coming back to the Portugal coast over and over. Each of these beaches offers unparalleled beauty, showcasing the true essence and personality of the most-loved Algarve coast.
Before you leave, you must take advantage of the beautiful oceans and go for a cruise. You can read this list of cruise essentials to make sure that you have packed everything you will need!
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