14 Best Beaches in the Algarve

Living in Portugal means I’ve been lucky enough to explore beaches all over the country, but there’s something about the Algarve that keeps pulling me back. 

Maybe it’s the ochre cliffs and secret sea caves. Or perhaps it’s the grilled sardines and vinho verde served in beach shacks where the sand sticks to your ankles. Or maybe it’s just the sheer variety of beaches–wild and rugged one day, calm and family-friendly the next.

Over the past few years, I’ve spent a lot of time exploring the Algarve’s coastline—with endless spontaneous road trips and long, lazy summers parked up near Lagos. This corner of Portugal feels like it was made for beach lovers and after plenty of trial (and a little sunburn), these are my picks for the absolute best beaches in the Algarve.

Praia da Marinha is one of those places that actually lives up to the hype and then some. The view is ridiculous: honey-coloured limestone arches, emerald sea and those classic Algarve rock stacks rising out of the water like ancient sculptures. 

Getting down to the beach means tackling a steep-ish staircase, so pack light and wear decent sandals. Once you’re down, it’s surprisingly peaceful. The crowds tend to stay up at the viewpoint. There’s a small café halfway down the cliff that does a decent coffee and tosta mista, but I usually bring my own snacks and settle in for the day.

This is one of my go-tos whenever I’m in Lagos. It’s tiny, sheltered and completely postcard-perfect: you reach it by walking down 200-ish wooden steps and the descent is half the fun. The beach itself is framed by golden cliffs and has a tunnel carved into the rocks that connects the two little coves at low tide.

The water is usually calm and super clear, ideal for a quick snorkel or just floating around. There’s no beach bar, but the restaurant up at the top (O Camilo) serves incredible grilled fish and vinho verde with a killer view. Go early. It’s small and fills up fast, especially on weekends.

This one’s a total contrast to the little hidden coves. Praia da Falésia is long (like, really long!) and backed by dramatic burnt-orange cliffs that look like something from a Western. I’ve spent entire afternoons here walking the shoreline barefoot, losing track of time. 

It’s great for swimming, with plenty of space to spread out even in high season. There are loungers for hire and a few beach bars dotted along the sand. I usually end up at one near the Alfamar side that plays mellow music and does surprisingly good mojitos. The walk down is easy from the main car park and there are proper toilets and showers too.

I found this beach almost by accident during a cliff walk between Benagil and Carvoeiro and it’s been one of my favourites ever since. To get there, you have to go through a hidden staircase tunnel carved into the rock and it feels like stepping into a secret world. 

The beach is compact and usually quiet, with steep cliffs on both sides and great snorkelling near the rocks. I’ve seen people cliff-jumping here, though it’s definitely at-your-own-risk territory. There aren’t any facilities on the beach itself, so bring water and whatever you need for the day. But the reward is one of the Algarve’s most magical little spots.

Praia Dona Ana was one of the first beaches I ever visited in the Algarve and it totally sold me on moving here one day. It’s right on the edge of Lagos and easy to reach on foot, but it still feels like a little slice of paradise. Surrounded by towering golden cliffs and accessed by a long wooden staircase, it’s one of those spots that feels protected from the rest of the world. 

The water here is calm and clear, perfect for swimming and you can even rent kayaks to explore the caves and coves nearby. There are lifeguards in summer, a little beach café for cold drinks and toasts and decent public bathrooms too. Go early or late—midday in high season gets too busy, in my opinion! 

If you’re into surfing, you’ve probably already heard of Praia do Amado. It’s one of the best-known surf beaches in the Algarve and one of my personal favourites to visit when I want to escape the more polished, touristy towns. 

The drive out to the west coast feels like heading into wild territory—there’s a raw beauty out here that I never get tired of. Amado itself is a wide, wind-whipped beach with consistent waves and a really chilled-out surf crowd. 

There are two surf schools, a beach shack selling toasties and cold beer and a big car park with basic toilets. I usually bring my own board, but rentals are easy to find on-site too.

Praia da Luz is the kind of beach I end up at when I want a relaxed day without too much fuss. It’s got a great mix of local families, retirees and the odd surfer catching mellow waves down at the far end. 

The beach is long and sandy, with a gorgeous rocky outcrop at one end (I’ve scrambled up there a few times for sunset photos) and a paved promenade that gives it a slightly Mediterranean feel. 

There are plenty of cafés and restaurants just a few steps from the sand. My usual move is a swim, followed by grilled sardines and vinho branco at one of the spots facing the sea. It’s easy, friendly and always feels like a little holiday away from my life in Lisbon. 

Praia do Barril is one of the more unusual beach experiences in the Algarve, in the best way. It’s located on the Ilha de Tavira, and to get there, you either walk across a long wooden bridge and scenic footpath through the wetlands, or hop on a miniature train (yes, an actual tiny train!) that rattles its way out towards the dunes. 

The beach is wide, calm and great for swimming, but what really makes it memorable is the Anchor Graveyard, a line of rusted ship anchors half-buried in the sand dunes from back when this was a tuna fishing outpost. 

No list of Algarve beaches would be complete without Praia da Marinha. I’ve visited more times than I can count and it still stops me in my tracks every single time. Think towering golden cliffs, sea stacks that rise like sculptures from the water and some of the clearest, calmest sea for swimming. 

There’s a good-sized car park (free in the off-season, paid in summer) and a well-maintained path down to the beach—although be warned, it’s steep and rocky, so wear decent shoes. There’s a small café at the bottom with basic snacks and toilets, but I usually bring my own picnic and make a day of it. It’s also a great launch point for kayak or SUP trips to the nearby Benagil cave.

Hidden away near Sagres, Praia do Beliche is a favourite when I’m craving a little escape from the crowds. It’s a curved cove framed by towering cliffs, with golden sand and rolling surf, and even in summer, it somehow feels mellow and uncrowded. 

You’ll need to descend a steep set of stone steps (bring water shoes or trainers), but the payoff is worth it. Surfers love it here for the consistent break and I’ve seen some seriously impressive sunset surf sessions. There’s a tiny seasonal café up top for post-beach beers and toasties, but no formal lifeguards or bathrooms on the sand. 

Right on the border of the Algarve and the Alentejo, Praia de Odeceixe has a special kind of wild charm. I stumbled on it during a road trip along the west coast and ended up staying a few days longer than planned. 

The beach sits at the mouth of a river, so you’ve got the rare choice of swimming in fresh or saltwater—ideal when the Atlantic’s a bit choppy. It’s popular with both surfers and families, with a little surf school and paddleboard rentals by the river. There are a couple of laid-back restaurants at the top of the cliffs and a winding road down to the beach. Go for the views, if nothing else. 

This one’s tucked away on the wild west coast and always feels like a bit of an adventure. Praia do Castelejo has this dramatic, end-of-the-world vibe – craggy black rock formations, huge Atlantic rollers and barely a building in sight. I usually head here when I’m craving space and solitude (and a bit of drama with my beach day).

It’s popular with surfers, but you don’t need to be on a board to appreciate it. I’ve spent hours here just walking the shoreline and watching the spray hit the cliffs. There’s a no-frills café right at the entrance that does a solid coffee and some great grilled fish when it’s open. Just bring layers as the wind can be serious!

Whenever I want something a little more polished but still relaxed, Praia do Ancão hits the spot. It’s part of the Ria Formosa Natural Park and has this lovely mix of nature and understated luxury. The sand stretches for miles, and the beach is framed by dunes and pine forest, giving it a peaceful, away-from-it-all feel.

It’s also one of the few places I’ll happily splurge on a long lunch – there are a couple of chic beach restaurants right on the sand, where I’ve lingered over seafood rice and crisp vinho branco with my toes basically still in the sand. Great facilities, loungers for hire and gentle water make it perfect for a full day out.

I still remember the first time I visited Três Irmãos – it felt a little like stumbling into a film set. The beach is known for its sea arches and hidden coves, which you can explore at low tide by wandering through natural rock tunnels. It’s one of those places where you feel like a kid again, ducking through gaps in the rocks to discover what’s around the corner.

The main beach is wide and sandy, great for swimming or just flopping out with a good book, but the real magic is in those tucked-away spots you find along the cliffs. There’s a beachfront restaurant up top if you want something more polished, but I usually just pack a picnic and let the day unfold.