Best Algarve Beaches – 13 Beautiful Beaches in the Algarve, Portugal

It’s no secret that the Algarve is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Portugal. This region spans across the whole of Southern Portugal, and is naturally home to a varied coastline.

The beaches of the Algarve range from tiny coves surrounded by tall golden cliffs to huge sweeping bays. Whatever type of beach you prefer, you’re guaranteed to find one here.

I spent a big part of my two weeks in Portugal road tripping across the Algarve, and exploring as many of these gorgeous beaches as possible. If you’re looking for the best beaches in the Algarve, this is the guide for you!

In this Algarve beaches guide you will find all the most beautiful beaches and their exact location, useful information about the beaches and top insider tips to make the most of your time there.

So without further ado, let’s dive in and discover the top beaches of the Algarve!

Algarve beaches map

I included a map of the best Algarve beaches so that you can see where they are and plan your Algarve itinerary accordingly.

Since it’s a fairly big region, you’ll want to plan your itinerary so you’re not driving up and down the coast too much.

Here are the top beaches in the Algarve mapped.

13 best beaches in Algarve, Portugal

Praia da Marinha

Praia da Marinha isn’t just one of the most popular beaches in the Algarve, but also one of the most famous summer beach destinations in the world, and it’s easy to see why.

With its fine white sand, clear turquoise water and dramatic golden cliffs towering above it, it’s an incredibly scenic beach. It has won the title of “best beach in Europe” numerous times, and I believe it deserved it all.

When we visited we noticed a big difference between low and high tide. At low tide the beach is bigger, but when the tide goes up the sea gets a brighter turquoise colour.

I recommend visiting Praia da Marinha at low tide, and then just tanning and relaxing on the beach until the tide goes up, so you can appreciate both aspects of this gorgeous beach.

There are food trucks at the parking area above the beach, so that you can grab snacks and water before walking down all the steps to the beach.

There is also a restaurant at the end of the stairs, just before the beach starts but prices are obviously higher.

Praia de Carvoeiro

While Carvoeiro Beach might not always rank amongst the most beautiful beaches in the Algarve, I personally found it very scenic.

The beach is characterised by that classic Algarve look; soft white sand, turquoise water and golden cliffs around it. The addition that I personally love is the town of Carvoiero perched behind it, with its distinctive white houses.

There are two viewpoints above the beach, so that you can admire it from both sides. It’s easy to see why it’s one of the most popular European winter sun destinations.

Praia de Benagil

Admittedly Benagil Beach might not be one of the most beautiful beaches in the Algarve in and of itself, but it’s still one of the most visited due to its proximity to Benagil Cave.

Benagil Cave is a huge sea cave with two entrances on the sea and a hole on the ceiling, which lets the golden Portuguese light stream in.

It’s an imposing natural formation, which became famous after a photo of it went viral on social media. With its golden sand and the imposing cliffs surrounding it, Benagil Beach is similar to many other Algarve beaches.

But with the added bonus of being only 200 metres away from Benagil Cave, and the starting point for many tours.

You can go on a kayak, SUP or boat tour to Benagil Cave, and then spend the rest of your day relaxing and tanning on this pretty beach.

Praia do Camilo

When you first started planning your Algarve trip, I’m pretty sure Praia do Camilo will have come up in your searches. 

It’s that iconic beach you see in photos with the wooden staircase leading down to it and the golden cliffs surrounding it.

I couldn’t put together a compilation of the best Algarve beaches without including it, even though I have to admit I didn’t personally love this beach. Praia do Camilo is fairly small and very popular, meaning it gets incredibly busy.

It’s also a 25-minute walk or 7-minute drive from central Lagos, with a big parking area and staircase leading down to it, which makes it very easily accessible.

If you want to make the most of this beach, head there early in the morning and at low tide, so that the beach is bigger and you can enjoy it without too many people around.

Praia de Dona Ana

Praia de Dona Ana is probably one of the few beaches I hadn’t read about or seen photos of online before, and it pleasantly surprised me.

Located close to the old town centre of Lagos, it’s a stunning beach with golden sand, turquoise water and dramatic cliffs. One section of the beach also has sunbeds and umbrellas that you can rent for an affordable price.

Next to them there is also a restaurant and bar right on the beach, so that you can enjoy a nice sit down meal without leaving the beach.

The other half of the beach is wilder, without any arranged sunbeds or umbrellas.

Praia dos Estudiantes

Praia dos Estudiantes is better known for its incredibly scenic views. The beach is a 10-minute walk from Lagos city centre, which makes it very popular for people travelling without a car.

You access the beach by walking through a rocky tunnel. As you step out from the tunnel you will be greeted with the scenic site of steep golden cliffs surrounding the beach, and an ancient roman bridge connecting two of the cliffs.

This iconic site is what has made this beach so famous. Being so easily accessible it is also considered one of the best Algarve beaches for families.

There is a bar at the start of the beach, and being so close to Lagos, you don’t have to worry about bringing too many things with you.

Praia do Garrão

Praia do Garrão lies between Faro and Quarteira in the eastern side of the Algarve. With long pale golden sands, gentle cliffs topped by bushes and umbrella pines, it has hardly changed in over 30 years.

With easy access from the nearby resorts including Vale do Lobo, Vale do Garrão, Quinta do Lago and Dunas Douradas, Praia do Garrão is a popular beach but never seems to be crowded.

It is perfect for sunbathing, swimming, walking and just chilling and seems to stretch for ever. The beach has plenty of beach bars and restaurants including Julias, which was one of the original beach bars.

It is still in the same place and has grown from a shack to a multi-level restaurant. Try the gambas, delicious large prawns served in garlic butter or with spicy mayonnaise.

In off-season you can walk or if you are brave enough take a dip in the chilly Atlantic Ocean. Christmas picnics are also fun and a different way to spend your Christmas day. 

– Recommended by Larch, author of The Silver Nomad

Praia da Rocha

Praia Da Rocha is one of the most popular beaches in Algarve, and is located only a 6-minute drive from Portimao.

The sand stretches on for 1.5km and it is surrounded by Portugal’s signature red and yellow rocky cliff. It’s great for photography and if you walk to the top of the cliffs, you get a fantastic view of the bay below.

This isn’t the only thing that makes this beach special though. There are also loads of coves to explore and if you decide to visit off-season you can get some amazingly beautiful photos of the scenery. 

The beach can get quite busy though, especially if you choose to go during peak time. But you can explore the whole beach and you’ll most likely find a quiet spot at some point across the 1.5km stretch of sand. 

There are plenty of practical amenities on the beach too, such as showers, toilets and even a selection of cafes and restaurants. Perfect for a relaxing beach holiday.’

– Recommended by Alice, author of Adventures of Alice

Praia dos Três Irmãos

Translated to the beach of three brothers due to the three characteristics of rocks, Praia dos Três Irmãos is one of the most unique and interesting beaches in the Algarve region of Portugal.

Located in the small town of Alvor in the East part of the region, it’s easily accessible from Portimão (15 min drive). There are several reasons why you should include this beach in your Algarve itinerary.

Praia dos Três Irmãos is a long white sand beach known for its impressive red-colored cliffs and rock formations. But there is something even more special – a series of caves and passages.

During low to medium tide, you can walk from one cove to another leading to a series of small beaches. The most famous one called Prainha features a gorgeous double arch and offers plenty of photo opportunities.

If you go during high tide, expect to get wet as the sea can rise to high levels. Exploring the caves is one of the best as well as fun activities on Praia des Três Irmãos.

And no worries, if exploration takes a toll on your stomach, there are plenty of facilities and restaurants. 

– Recommended by Tjasa Pele, author of The Travel Momento

Praia dos Pescadores / Albufeira Beach 

Located right in front of Albufeira town, Praia dos Pescadores is one of the most popular and visited beaches in the Algarve. This beach is 225 metres in length and 106 metres wide at low tide.

You can rest assured that you’ll find a spot for your towel and beach umbrella!

Being located right in front of Albufeira town it’s also very easy to reach, simply walk from your accommodation to the beach, and then it’s up to you how far along the 225 metres of the beach you want to go!

Closer to Albufeira it’s more scenic, as you’ll see the white houses of the old town towering above you from the nearby cliff, but it will also be busier. Make your way down the beach for a more calm beach day.

Meia Praia

Meia Praia is the longest beach in the Lagos region, a beautiful white sandy beach with soft sand of about 5 km. The beach is located close to downtown Lagos and from Meia Praia, you have a great view over the city.

The western edge is also called Praia de São Roque, this area close to the city is the most popular and beach chairs and parasols are for hire here.

The beach is very busy in season, but because it is such a large beach, it is always easy to find your own private section, just keep on walking, there is space for everyone. It is a beautiful, clean sandy beach, perfect for walking or running.

The water is usually very clear here and is shallow and gets deeper very slowly, making this a great beach for swimming and for families with young children.

Watersports such as windsurfing, paddle boarding and surfing are popular at Meia Praia when conditions are good. This is a great beach for learning to surf with many surf schools operating here.

– Recommended by Campbell and Alya, authors of Stingy Nomads

Castelejo Beach 

Castelejo Beach is the first beach on this list that is located on the western coast of Portugal and not the southern coast.

The beaches here are very different. Say goodbye to quiet coves with calm water, and get ready to welcome the oceanic waves.

Along this part of the coast you’ll find some of the best surf beaches in the Algarve. The sea is calmer in summer, but in autumn and winter you can usually expect to find big surfing waves at Castelejo Beach.

At Castelejo Beach you can expect to find soft sand, big waves and low cliffs towering behind it. It’s not as scenic as the Algarve beaches with golden cliffs, but still very beautiful.

Castelejo Beach is a 15-minute drive from the town of Sagres (and a must-visit beach on any Portugal itinerary!)

Praia do Amado

We visited Praia do Amado while on the search for surfing waves, but, as you’ll see from my photos, we weren’t very lucky in that aspect. However we did find a gorgeous beach with crystal clear turquoise water.

This beach is known as a popular surf spot, but on days when the sea is flat you can relax on the soft golden sand and swim calmly in the cool water. Praia do Amado also has scenic orange cliffs behind it.

Before walking down to the beach you’ll also find cafes, a surf school and toilets, so you don’t have to worry about it being a wild beach experience. We ate at one of the cafes and found it also very reasonably priced.

Where to stay to visit the best beaches in the Algarve

The Algarve is a huge region, covering a surface area of almost 5,000 square kilometres. As you can imagine, there isn’t one single best place to stay in the Algarve to visit these epic beaches.

It ultimately depends on your personal travel interests, and how much you’re willing to drive up and down the Algarve or how many times you’re happy changing accommodation.

In our Portugal itinerary we spent 2 nights in Sagres, 2 nights in Lagos and 1 night in Faro. We found that gave us a good amount of time to explore the best beaches in each region, without driving back and forth too much.

However if you don’t want to repack that often you might be better off staying somewhere like Lagos or Albufeira and doing longer day trips.

If you’re looking for surfing beaches you might want to stay in Sagres, or if you want easily accessible beaches you might stay in Albufeira or Faro, or if you’re looking for scenic beaches with cliffs you could stay in Lagos.

Wherever you choose to stay in the Algarve, I have listed a number of accommodation options for every budget and travel style in each city.

In Albufeira

Albufeira has a very cute old town, with distinctive white houses and cobbled streets. The central position makes it a great base for day trips, plus it has direct access to a huge and gorgeous beach for when you don’t feel like driving.

It has a bit of a party reputation, so make sure to find somewhere to stay that is either close or far from the parties (depending on whether you want to party or not)! Here are some cool places to stay in Albufeira for every budget.

Budget – Alfagar Cerro Malpique: This residence has lovely studios that are perfect for budget travellers. It’s located a bit outside the centre of Albufeira, but it has a huge pool and epic views over the sea and town.

Click here to book your stay at Alfagar Cerro Malpique!

Mid-range – Casa dos Arcos: This charming guest house is the perfect place to stay for those who want to treat themselves without breaking the bank. You can relax in their lovely courtyard after a long day of exploring the Algarve.

Check out prices and availability at Casa dos Arcos here!

Luxury – Hotel Baltum: If you want to treat yourself, this is the place to do so. This hotel has modern rooms and a huge rooftop terrace with epic views over the white houses of Albufeira and the sea.

Book your stay at Hotel Baltum here!

In Lagos

Lagos has a lovely old town centre. You will find lots of cute bars, restaurants and local souvenir shops dotted along the white cobbled roads. It’s a chill place to wander about after a long beach day, with a very relaxed vibe.

Here are some great accommodation options for every budget in Lagos.

Budget – Topcity Hostel & Suites: This is the hostel we stayed at for two nights and a great choice for budget travellers. They have a rooftop pool, spacious terraces for every dorm and a fun sociable atmosphere.

Click here to see prices and availability at Topcity Hostel & Suites!

Mid-range – Hotel Marina Rio: Located in the heart of Lagos, this hotel is perfectly located for your evening wanderings around town. It also has a panoramic terrace and spacious rooms, without breaking the bank.

Check out prices and availability at Hotel Marina Rio!

Luxury – Cascade Wellness Resort: This 5-star resort is perfect if you want to treat yourself. With their epic pool, garden and sea view, you can fully relax after your busy exploring days. It’s also really close to Ponta da Piedade.

Click here to book your stay at Cascade Wellness Resort!

In Sagres

Sagres is the ultimate definition of the chill surfer town. It’s much smaller and less busy than other places in the Algarve, while still offering a wide choice of restaurants, bars and accommodation.

I listed below some great places to stay in Sagres for every budget.

Budget – The Lighthouse Hostel: We stayed here for two nights and loved it. They have dorms, private rooms and bungalows, so there’s an accommodation style for everyone. They also have a pool, a lovely garden and friendly vibe.

Click here to book your stay at The Lighthouse Hostel!

Mid-range – Casa Azul Sagres: If you’re looking for something nice that won’t break the bank, this hotel is perfect. They have both cheaper double rooms and apartments for families or those who want more space.

Book your stay at Casa Azul Sagres here!

Luxury – Mareta Beach House: If you want to treat yourself, this boutique residence is the place to do so. With their spacious rooms and infinity pool with sea views its the perfect place to relax after a long day of surfing and beaching.

Check out prices and availability at Mareta Beach House!

In Faro

Faro is the capital of the Algarve. There are lots of interesting things to see in the city, from the Old Town to the museums and churches. Plus it’s a great base to explore the eastern Algarve.

Here are some excellent accommodation options in Faro for every budget.

Budget – Hostellicious Faro: I stayed at this hostel and found it perfect for budget travellers. They had a lively atmosphere, spacious dorms and big kitchen you can use. It’s also in a great position.

Click here to book your stay at Hostellicious Faro!

Mid-range – Lemon Tree Stay: This cute guest house is perfect for those who want something nice without breaking the bank. Their lovely courtyard is the perfect place to relax in the morning or at the end of the day.

Check out prices and availability at Lemon Tree Stay here!

Luxury – Hotel Faro & Beach Club: If you want to treat yourself, this luxury 4-star hotel is the place to do so. With their central location, rooftop pool, fully equipped gym and spacious rooms it has everything you need for a relaxing stay.

Book your stay at Hotel Faro & Beach Club here!

Final thoughts on the most beautiful beaches Algarve

There you have it, the ultimate compilation of the best beaches in the Algarve! Have you visited any of these beaches before? How did you find it? Let me know in the comments below!

While I managed to visit quite a few of the best Algarve beaches, it wasn’t quite feasible for me to see them all. Which is why I teamed up with other awesome content creators to compile this ultimate list of top Algarve beaches.

There are tons of other beaches along the coast of the Algarve, but these are the ones that are truly stunning, and who attract thousands of visitors every summer. They are the Algarve beaches you can’t miss.

I hope you find this guide to the best Algarve beaches useful in planning your Algarve beach trip! If you have any questions just pop them in the comments below!

Looking for more Portugal travel guides? Check out my other Portugal guides here!

• Sintra day trip from Lisbon – everything you need to know!
• How to spend 2 days in Lisbon
• How to spend 1 awesome day in Porto
• The ultimate Azores 10-day itinerary
• Everything you need to know about hiking in the Azores
• 10 best things to do in Sao Miguel, Azores
• 11 awesome things to do in Terceira Island, Azores
• The best whale watching tours in the Azores

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