Beaches
The best beaches in the Algarve, beach by beach from west to east
The Algarve has more than a hundred beaches, from surf bays on the wild west coast to sandbar islands in the east. These are the ten we would choose, in order along the coast, with access, caveats and where to stay.
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You take the last few steps of the long staircase down to Praia do Camilo and the cove opens below you: golden sand, green water and cliffs on both sides. It is ten in the morning in June and you can count six towels.
The Algarve is Portugal's southern coast, and its beaches change character from west to east. The west coast is wild and windy, the middle has the cliff coves on every postcard, and the east has long sandbar islands in a lagoon. We have picked ten beaches in order along the coast, so you can choose by where you stay. See also the best beaches in all of Portugal.
Short answer: which beaches in the Algarve are best?
Praia da Marinha is the most famous cliff beach, and Praia do Camilo near Lagos is the prettiest small cove. Falésia is best for long walks, Odeceixe for nature and Ilha de Tavira for space and shallow water.
Best cliff beach: Praia da Marinha
Best small cove: Praia do Camilo, Lagos
Best for long walks: Praia da Falésia
Best for surf: Bordeira and Amado
Best for families: Ilha de Tavira
The west coast: Odeceixe, Bordeira and Amado
Odeceixe sits where a river meets the sea at the northern edge of the Algarve, with a calm riverbank for small children and waves for everyone else on the ocean side. Bordeira and Amado further south are broad beaches in the Costa Vicentina natural park, known for their surf schools.
The west coast is undeveloped and beautiful, but the sea is colder and the wind stronger than elsewhere in the Algarve. Only swim where there are lifeguards.
Cascade Wellness Resort
The view from Cascade Wellness Resort in Lagos.
Lagos: Camilo and Dona Ana
Praia do Camilo is reached by a long wooden staircase down the cliff, and the reward is a small cove of clear water. Praia Dona Ana is next door, larger and with more facilities. Both are a short trip from the centre of Lagos.
The cliffs at Ponta da Piedade nearby are best seen from the water. Small boats leave Lagos harbour for the caves and arches. The catch: the coves are small and fill up in July and August, so arrive early.
Cascade Wellness Resort: on the cliffs at Ponta da Piedade
The resort sits on the clifftops outside Lagos, with gardens running towards the sea and a short walk to the coves around Ponta da Piedade. It has a spa and several pools for the days you want to skip the stairs. A good base for couples and families who want Camilo and Dona Ana close by.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Cascade Wellness Resort
Tivoli Carvoeiro
The pool at Tivoli Carvoeiro.
Carvoeiro and Lagoa: Marinha and Benagil
Praia da Marinha is often called the Algarve's finest beach, with limestone arches, sea stacks and a clifftop path above. The trail from Marinha to Benagil is one of the best walks on the coast.
The famous Benagil sea cave is best seen by boat. Since 2024, swimming or using floating equipment to get inside has been banned, so take a boat trip from Benagil, Carvoeiro or Portimão. Carvoeiro also has the rock formations of Algar Seco, with natural pools at low tide.
Tivoli Carvoeiro: beside Algar Seco
Tivoli Carvoeiro stands on the cliffs outside the village, right by Algar Seco, with sea views from many rooms. From here it is a quick drive to Marinha and Benagil. A practical base for the best-known cliff beaches without staying in Albufeira.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Tivoli Carvoeiro
Pine Cliffs
The beach below Pine Cliffs.
Albufeira: Falésia
Praia da Falésia, east of Albufeira, runs for several kilometres below red and orange cliffs topped with pines. It is made for long walks along the water, and finding space is easy even in high season.
Albufeira itself is busy and built up, but Falésia feels calmer the further you walk. Stairs and a lift lead down from some of the clifftop hotels.
Pine Cliffs: a lift down to Falésia
Pine Cliffs sits in the pine woods on the cliffs above Falésia, with a golf course, several pools and its own lift down to the beach. It is a big resort where you can stay all day. Best for families who want the beach right below them.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Pine Cliffs
The Magnolia Hotel
The pool at The Magnolia Hotel in Quinta do Lago.
The eastern Algarve: Ria Formosa and Ilha de Tavira
East of Faro lies the Ria Formosa lagoon, with sandbar islands facing the ocean. Ilha de Tavira is reached by ferry from Tavira and offers kilometres of sand and shallow water. Praia do Barril has a memorial of old anchors in the sand, and a little train runs out to the beach.
Praia do Ancão at Quinta do Lago lies on the same coast, reached over a wooden bridge across the lagoon. The water here is calmer and warmer than in the west.
The Magnolia Hotel: retro near the lagoon
The Magnolia is in Quinta do Lago, with colourful retro rooms around a garden and pool. The beach at Ancão and the Ria Formosa lagoon are a short trip away. A more affordable option in one of the Algarve's priciest areas.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at The Magnolia Hotel
When to go
June and September: warm enough to swim, with fewer people in the coves.
July and August: the warmest months, but small coves like Camilo fill early.
Winter: good for clifftop walks, but the sea is cold.
Steps and tides: several beaches have long staircases, and some coves disappear at high tide.
Frequently asked questions about the Algarve's beaches
What is the most beautiful beach in the Algarve?
Praia da Marinha is often named the most beautiful, with limestone arches and clear water. Praia do Camilo near Lagos is a close second.
Can you swim into Benagil cave?
No. Since 2024 swimming or using floating equipment to get inside has been banned, so most visitors see the cave by boat.
Where is best for swimming with children in the Algarve?
The eastern coast, with Ilha de Tavira and the Ria Formosa, has shallow, calm water. Odeceixe has a sheltered riverbank.
Is the sea cold in the Algarve?
The Atlantic is cooler than the Mediterranean, especially on the west coast. It is warmest in August and September.