Favourite Algarve Beaches

It really is a tricky subject, 'favourite Algarve beaches', since the region is blessed with so many great examples. Call me fickle, but sometimes it seems like my favourite beaches are those I was stretched out on most recently.

It comes down, I suppose, to what you want from your beach experience at any particular time...

Sounds like I'm stalling, doesn't it? Okay, then... I'm going to knuckle down and list my current favourite Algarve beaches, and tell you why.

Here are my current Top 10 Algarve Beaches, and the one that everyone in the world seems to have heard of, Praia da Rocha, isn't in the bunch, this time around (again)!

(By the way, if you're interested in finding the best Algarve beaches for naturists, check out my dedicated page on Algarve Naturism).

And don't forget to read about safety considerations when swimming in the Atlantic.

This list is bound to be subject to umpteen revisions, but here's what's in with me at the moment...
 

1   Praia de Barril  

In at number 1 (with a bullet) Barril is really an 'offshoot' of Praia Ilha de Tavira. But, this 'island' beach is great fun to arrive at, since you get to walk across a narrow pontoon bridge (looking down at the water below through the wooden slats) then...
... you can either take a ride on the miniature train or you can walk alongside the track (it's paved) until you reach the praia. 

There are plenty of facilities in the main area once you've arrived: cafes, restaurants, games, shops and even well-maintained toilets (always gets my vote!) It makes for a beach-day with a difference, and I have fond memories of my visits there. (Check out the strange display of large sea anchors rusting in the dunes).
 

2   Praia da Armona

Almost tied for first place! Whenever I wanted peace and quiet to plough through a blockbuster holiday novel, I opted for one of the Algarve beaches that's "separated" - though they're hardly remote, but tend to be less populated.

Getting to Armona beach usually requires a ferry journey from Olhão of about a half-hour's duration. It's convenient enough to get there and back, though, because the ferry service is pretty frequent. (And the journey's not long enough to require 'sea legs' - thank Goodness!) 
Sidebar:
I have actually waded out at low tide - and back again - but I'd advise observing when others leave the beach to trek back, as some of the currents can be strong (even with just your lower half in the water) and there's safety in numbers!
 

3   Meia Praia 

If you like to sun yourself while watching the antics (or do I mean prowess?) of surfers, windsurfers and other brave souls, then this is a great place to go.

The beach looks out onto Baia de Lagos and has a selection of bars where you can slake your baking thirst.

It's a considerable stretch of beach, and I stroll along it to Alvor and back when I feel like taking some exercise.
 

4   Praia Verde  

Just west of Monte Gordo and stretching towards Tavira, this beach has a pleasant backdrop of greenery (hence the name). I like to go there when I'm not desperate for quiet and rest. (That's because it's a safe beach that is popular with families that include young children).
 

5   Praia Ilha de Tavira  

A short boat trip from Tavira's jetty, this sandbar beach is a popular attraction. And, if you're feeling very daring, there's even a 'reserved' (hardly the right word?) section where naturists meet to air their differences. (Okay, it's an old joke, but I like it).
 

Still with me? We're halfway through the countdown of my current list of favourite Algarve beaches. Next 5 coming up...
 

6   Armação de Pera

Appearing out of nowhere, this beach screams into my top 10...

We spent a great afternoon here after enjoying the sand sculptures exhibition, up the road near Pera. It was uncrowded, with a light breeze to take the sting out of the sun's heat and I had a bracing swim. (A girl has to work up an appetite somehow). Even as the sun started to set, I was unwilling to leave - but we'd run out of food, so that helped decide me. I'll definitely spend some more time there, next time I'm in Algarve!
 

7   Praia da Galé  

A popular spot for windsurfing and scuba diving, and only about 8 km (5 miles) from the centre of Albufeira, this is a gorgeous stretch of sand. You can drive and park close by, since there are no cliffs, and it looks out onto lovely Armação de Pera bay, where you can watch the aqua-nuts enjoying themselves.  

8   Praia da Falésia  

This beach is sheltered by low red-brown cliffs, which makes toasting yourself in the sun a breeze (well, you know what I mean). It's accessible by road from Vilamoura by travelling westward toward Olhos de Água. And if you want to take a break and soak up some local history, there's the nearby Roman villa at Cerro da Vila.
 

9   Praia da Bordeira

Down 1 place, because of the elevation of Pera beach to 7th place. My favourite west coast beach, just north of Carrapateira, this has plenty of sand and some great dunes. (I don't know why sand dunes impress me so, but they do). It's a great area for bracing walks, too, and Nev always finds something to paint or sketch when we visit (so that keeps him quiet while I sun myself).

10   Praia da Ilha de Faro  

If I fancy watching watersports or meeting Nev for a nice café lunch during my beach-day, Ilha de Faro will be on my list of 'possibles'. It's fairly popular and close to the airport, though, so don't go there if you're after solitude and meditation!

(There's also a great walk around some salt pans, marshes and the edges of a golf complex if you drive over the bridge back to Faro proper and park opposite the airport's perimeter fencing.)

 

Phew!...
 

And if you're wondering what happened to Praia da Arrifana, which was no. 10 until this re-shuffle...

When we visited last - during a great day-trip circuit that included Caldas de Monchique, Aljezur, Arrifana and Cabo de Sao Vicente! - I was a little put off by the green "gunge" that was evident in the spume at the beach's edge. It was probably something harmless, like algae, but who wants ankles that look like someone's decorated them with lasagne verdi?

So that's Arrifana relegated, until I return to find a clean bathing experience! (You have to be cruel to be kind, sometimes).

Green ankles? No thanks, Arrifana! 

That Blue Flag that you see against some beach names is an indicator that certain criteria have been met. These include:

* water quality (the latest test certificate must be posted)
* environmental matters such as recycling
* offering information about the local ecosystem
* adequate sanitary, safety and first-aid facilities
* telephone and drinking water availability
* adequate wheelchair access where topography allows
* proper maintenance of any buildings on the beach.

Blue Flag Note: I was interested to note that several of the beaches around Albufeira had their Blue Flag taken down during Summer '08 due to unfavourable results of water sampling. They were usually back up a few days later when things had been fixed, but it's reassuring to know that they do actually take action about these things!

That's my up-to-date list of fave Algarve beaches, but expect this Top 10 to change - I'm pretty fickle!

Try out some of the wondrous beaches for yourself, and see if you agree or disagree with my current Top 10 Algarve beaches. There's a beach to suit any and all tastes, somewhere in the Algarve. Just decide which type you prefer, then get out there with your wrap-around shades and a bucket of mega-factor sun cream!

In broad terms, if you prefer secluded coves to beaches with an expanse of sandy vista, you should investigate any of the Algarve beaches west of Portimão. The tiny bays you'll find are the launch points for the small, traditional fishing enterprises that are so evocative of coastal Portugal.

And if it's interesting landscapes you're after, visit Ponta da Piedade, near Lagos, where the rocks have been sculpted into weird shapes by the sea's action. There are lots of small cove beaches to choose from.

Safety Notes:

Currents:
Algarve beaches give onto the Atlantic Ocean; they're not Mediterranean beaches. Some beaches, especially on the west coast, can experience dangerous sea conditions. One of these conditions that should concern even strong swimmers is that of a 'rip'.  

Another term for undertow, a rip current is caused by strong wave conditions and can be permanent or temporary. Rips are the effect of below-surface water rushing back out to sea and can reach speeds of up to 3 miles per hour (around 5 kph). Although recognisable for  experienced sea watchers, they can go unnoticed by the average beach user.

If caught in a rip, the received wisdom is: try not to panic. Most people killed by a rip current died because they tired from struggling against it and couldn't keep their heads above water. The current will lose strength as the seabed contour changes, and it will release you. Rip currents are rarely wider than 10 metres.

Once you're free of the current, you should swim for a while parallel to the shore (away from the dangerous current) and then try to get back to the beach. If possible, attract attention and get assistance.

This information was gleaned from a number of sources, especially that of the North Carolina Sea Grant Rip Current Safety Campaign. Please try to bear it in mind when you step into the Atlantic waters.

Lifesaving:
After the end of September, it's rare in Portugal that lifeguards are present on beaches. There may not even be safety flags to guide you, since the swimming season is regarded as being over. Ask locally about sea conditions (surfers are usually knowledgeable) and swim with caution. It might even be prudent to consider wearing a wetsuit.

 

(Why not let me know which are your own favourite Algarve beaches, and why. Just use the Your Algarve Best form. It might end up as a feature on its own page (and you'll get a mention in despatches). You might even convince me to change the rankings in my Top 10, if you're really persuasive).

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