Best Beaches in Portugal in May
We rank the 21 beaches to visit in Portugal in May. Benagil Cove (Portugal) comes first with 4.7 / 5, followed by Praia da Bordeira, Praia da Falésia.
The sea reaches about 21 degrees C in season, and most of these beaches are at their best from May to October. 13 of the 21 have easy access, and 6 are hidden gems.
1Benagil Cove
Algarve, Portugal · 4.7 / 5 · Moderate access · about 22 °CA small cove leading to a sea cave with a skylight in its roof — best seen by kayak or paddleboard.
2Praia da Bordeira
Carrapateira, Algarve · 4.7 / 5 · Easy access · about 21 °CA wide, wild Atlantic beach on the west Algarve coast with dunes, cliffs and a shallow lagoon that forms behind the sand.
3Praia da Falésia
Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal · 4.7 / 5 · Moderate access · about 21 °CA long golden beach backed by red and ochre cliffs and pine trees, stretching toward Vilamoura.
4Praia da Albandeira
Lagoa, Algarve · 4.6 / 5 · Moderate access · about 22 °CA small, sheltered cove at the foot of golden limestone cliffs in the Algarve, with a natural rock arch and clear water.
5Praia de Sao Rafael
Albufeira, Algarve · 4.6 / 5 · Moderate access · about 22 °CA golden cove with striking rock stacks and cliffs on the Albufeira coast, with clear water and a calm feel compared to the town beaches.
6Praia Dona Ana
Lagos, Algarve, Portugal · 4.6 / 5 · Easy access · about 21 °CGolden cliffs, sea stacks and a sheltered turquoise cove, a short walk from Lagos town.
7Praia dos Tres Irmaos
Alvor, Algarve · 4.6 / 5 · Moderate access · about 22 °CA sandy beach in Alvor, in the western Algarve, with golden sandstone cliffs and rock stacks that form little arches and caves at low tide.
8Praia da Coelha
Albufeira, Algarve · 4.5 / 5 · Moderate access · about 23 °CA small sandy beach on the Algarve coast near Albufeira, set below golden cliffs with clear water and a quieter feel than the main resort beaches.
9Praia do Carvoeiro
Lagoa, Algarve · 4.5 / 5 · Easy access · about 22 °CA small golden beach set in a cove below the whitewashed village of Carvoeiro, with cliffs on each side.
10Praia do Evaristo
Albufeira, Algarve · 4.5 / 5 · Easy access · about 22 °CA long golden beach with red cliffs on the western side of Albufeira, with good swimming and a natural rock pool at low tide.
11Praia do Vale Figueiras
Vila do Bispo, Algarve · 4.5 / 5 · Moderate access · about 21 °CA quiet Atlantic beach on the west Algarve coast with golden sand, low cliffs and room to spread out away from the busier south-coast resorts.
12Praia do Zavial
Raposeira, Vila do Bispo, Algarve · 4.5 / 5 · Easy access · about 21 °CA broad sandy bay on the western Algarve, backed by low cliffs and a beachfront restaurant.
13Praia da Ingrina
Raposeira, Vila do Bispo, Algarve · 4.4 / 5 · Easy access · about 21 °CA small sandy cove on the western Algarve near Raposeira, sheltered by rocks.
14Praia da Rocha
Portimao, Algarve, Portugal · 4.4 / 5 · Easy access · about 20 °CA very wide sand beach below golden Algarve cliffs and rock formations, with a long promenade behind.
15Praia da Salema
Salema, Budens, Algarve · 4.4 / 5 · Easy access · about 21 °CA Blue Flag beach beside the fishing village of Salema on the western Algarve, with golden sand between low cliffs and a line of beachfront restaurants.
16Praia de Burgau
Burgau, Algarve · 4.4 / 5 · Easy access · about 21 °CA small sandy beach in the western Algarve, backed by the whitewashed houses of Burgau village and framed by green hills.
17Praia de Porto de Mos
Lagos, Algarve · 4.4 / 5 · Moderate access · about 19 °CA broad sandy beach below golden cliffs a few kilometres west of Lagos.
18Praia do Vale do Lobo
Vale do Lobo, Loule, Algarve · 4.4 / 5 · Easy access · about 22 °CA wide sandy beach below the ochre cliffs of the Vale do Lobo resort on the central Algarve.
19Praia do Vau, Portimao
Portimao, Algarve · 4.3 / 5 · Easy access · about 22 °CPraia do Vau is a sandy cove near Portimao in the Algarve, enclosed by golden cliffs and rock stacks.
20Praia da Oura, Albufeira
Albufeira, Algarve · 4.2 / 5 · Easy access · about 22 °CPraia da Oura is a wide golden beach backed by low cliffs just east of the Albufeira old town.
21Praia dos Pescadores
Albufeira, Algarve · 4.2 / 5 · Easy access · about 22 °CThe central beach of Albufeira, reached through a tunnel from the old town, with golden sand and cliffs on both sides.
Quick comparison
| # | Beach | Country | Score | Water | Best season | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Benagil Cove | Portugal | 4.7 | 22 °C | May–October | Moderate |
| 2 | Praia da Bordeira | Portugal | 4.7 | 21 °C | May–September | Easy |
| 3 | Praia da Falésia | Portugal | 4.7 | 21 °C | May–October | Moderate |
| 4 | Praia da Albandeira | Portugal | 4.6 | 22 °C | May–October | Moderate |
| 5 | Praia de Sao Rafael | Portugal | 4.6 | 22 °C | May–October | Moderate |
| 6 | Praia Dona Ana | Portugal | 4.6 | 21 °C | May–October | Easy |
| 7 | Praia dos Tres Irmaos | Portugal | 4.6 | 22 °C | May–October | Moderate |
| 8 | Praia da Coelha | Portugal | 4.5 | 23 °C | May–October | Moderate |
| 9 | Praia do Carvoeiro | Portugal | 4.5 | 22 °C | May–October | Easy |
| 10 | Praia do Evaristo | Portugal | 4.5 | 22 °C | May–October | Easy |
| 11 | Praia do Vale Figueiras | Portugal | 4.5 | 21 °C | May–September | Moderate |
| 12 | Praia do Zavial | Portugal | 4.5 | 21 °C | May–September | Easy |
| 13 | Praia da Ingrina | Portugal | 4.4 | 21 °C | May–September | Easy |
| 14 | Praia da Rocha | Portugal | 4.4 | 20 °C | May–October | Easy |
| 15 | Praia da Salema | Portugal | 4.4 | 21 °C | May–September | Easy |
| 16 | Praia de Burgau | Portugal | 4.4 | 21 °C | May–October | Easy |
| 17 | Praia de Porto de Mos | Portugal | 4.4 | 19 °C | May–October | Moderate |
| 18 | Praia do Vale do Lobo | Portugal | 4.4 | 22 °C | May–October | Easy |
| 19 | Praia do Vau, Portimao | Portugal | 4.3 | 22 °C | May–October | Easy |
| 20 | Praia da Oura, Albufeira | Portugal | 4.2 | 22 °C | May–October | Easy |
| 21 | Praia dos Pescadores | Portugal | 4.2 | 22 °C | May–October | Easy |
How we picked these beaches
Included when the beach usual swimming season covers the month, then ranked by editorial score. See how we rate beaches for the full method.
Frequently asked questions
Which are the top-rated beaches to visit in Portugal in May?
Our top three are Benagil Cove (4.7 out of 5), Praia da Bordeira (4.7 out of 5), Praia da Falésia (4.7 out of 5). Scores are editorial ratings from the EuroShores team.
When is the best time to visit these beaches?
Most are at their best from May to October. Water temperatures average about 21 degrees C in season. Each beach page lists its exact season.
Which of these beaches are easiest to reach?
Praia da Bordeira, Praia Dona Ana, Praia do Carvoeiro, Praia do Evaristo, Praia do Zavial and 8 more have easy access. The others need a walk, stairs or a rougher road, so check the access note on each page.
More lists
- Best Beaches in Portugal in June
- Best Beaches in Portugal in October
- Best Beaches with Sunbeds in Portugal
- Unspoiled Beaches Without Sunbeds in Portugal
- Best Beaches with Free Parking in Portugal
- Best Sandy Beaches in Portugal
- Best Family Beaches in Portugal
- Easiest Beaches to Reach in Portugal
All beaches in Portugal · Beach finder · Map of all beaches · All lists