Best beaches in Algarve

  • Benagil beach cave, Algarve, Portugal Sven Grüne

    Benagil Beach

    Like many others on the Algarve, Benagil was a small fishing village. Unlike many others Benagil has managed to retain some of its charm and a little of its industry. Along with the sandstone cliffs, clear waters and golden sand of this archetypal Algarvian cove you will find fishing boats, baskets and nets and a few of the fishermen who still... read more »

  • Praia da Marinha, Algarve, Portugal Inacio Pires / 123RF

    Praia da Marinha

    Ocre coloured cliffs are a trademark of the coves of the central Algarve, as are the amazing rock formations and clear aquamarine waters. However, with the possible exception of Praia Dona Ana in Lagos, nowhere are these rocks as spectacular as at Praia da Marinha. Over the millennia the ocean has carved the limestone cliffs here into various... read more »

  • Bordeira beach, Algarve, Portugal CanStockPhoto

    Praia da Bordeira

    Bordeira beach is located on the wild, western coast of the Algarve which is a very different place to the resort beaches further south. This magnificent stretch of wide open golden sand is pounded by the full force of the Atlantic waves making it one of the most popular surf spots in the Algarve region. One of the lovely things about Bordeira is... read more »

  • Praia da Rocha, Algarve CanStockPhoto

    Praia da Rocha

    Praia da Rocha is one of the Algarve's best known and certainly most impressive beaches. A vast expanse of golden sand backed by the ocre coloured sandstone cliffs unique to this stretch of the Algarve. The beach's name translates to 'rock beach' and this refers to the numerous rock formations that punctuate the golden sand towards the western end... read more »

  • Ilha Deserta, Algarve Portugal Animaris / CC BY

    Ilha Deserta

    Ilha Deserta means deserted island and this small sandy isle just off the coast of Faro lives up to its name. At 7km (5 miles) long the island has plenty of beach for all of its zero permanent inhabitants. Even in the height of summer you would be unfortunate if you had to share your stretch of beach with more than a few others - not like the... read more »