Best Family Beaches in the Algarve
We rank the 38 family-friendly beaches in the Algarve. Praia da Bordeira (Portugal) comes first with 4.7 / 5, followed by Praia da Senhora da Rocha, Porches, Praia de Odeceixe.
The sea reaches about 21 degrees C in season, and most of these beaches are at their best from June to September. 38 of the 38 have easy access, and 10 are hidden gems.
1Praia 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.
2Praia da Senhora da Rocha, Porches
Senhora da Rocha, Porches, Algarve · 4.7 / 5 · Easy access · about 22 °CPraia da Senhora da Rocha is a golden cove in the central Algarve, with a small white chapel on the headland above the sand.
3Praia de Odeceixe
Odeceixe, Algarve, Portugal · 4.6 / 5 · Easy access · about 18 °CA horseshoe shaped beach on the west coast of the Algarve where the Ribeira de Seixe river curls behind the sand to meet the Atlantic, with calm river pools on one side and surf on the other.
4Praia do Amado
Carrapateira, Aljezur, Algarve, Portugal · 4.6 / 5 · Easy access · about 19 °CA broad sandy beach with hills behind it on the west coast of the Algarve, popular with surfers.
5Praia do Monte Clerigo
Monte Clerigo, Aljezur, Algarve · 4.6 / 5 · Easy access · about 19 °CMonte Clerigo is a small village beach on the Atlantic coast of the Algarve near Aljezur, with a wide stretch of pale sand between rock outcrops and steep green slopes.
6Meia Praia
Lagos, Algarve, Portugal · 4.5 / 5 · Easy access · about 20 °CA very long sandy beach east of Lagos, backed by dunes and reached by wooden walkways.
7Praia da Cordoama, Vila do Bispo
Cordoama, Vila do Bispo, Algarve · 4.5 / 5 · Easy access · about 20 °CPraia da Cordoama is a long, open Atlantic beach near Vila do Bispo in the western Algarve, backed by cliffs and dunes.
8Praia da Luz
Lagos, Algarve, Portugal · 4.5 / 5 · Easy access · about 20 °CA sandy beach beside a small Algarve village near Lagos, with rocky outcrops and a seafront walk.
9Praia da Prainha, Alvor
Prainha, Alvor, Portimao, Algarve · 4.5 / 5 · Easy access · about 22 °CPraia da Prainha is a small cove of golden sand between limestone cliffs near Alvor in the Algarve.
10Praia 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.
11Praia 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.
12Praia do Martinhal, Sagres
Sagres, Algarve · 4.5 / 5 · Easy access · about 21 °CPraia do Martinhal is a sheltered bay of fine sand near Sagres on the far west of the Algarve, with rock pools at low tide and calmer water than the Atlantic coast.
13Praia 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.
14Praia da Fuseta, Algarve
Fuseta, Olhao, Algarve · 4.4 / 5 · Easy access · about 23 °CPraia da Fuseta is a long, quiet beach of fine sand on a barrier island in the Ria Formosa lagoon of the eastern Algarve, reached by a short ferry or footbridge from the fishing village of Fuseta.
15Praia 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.
16Praia da Manta Rota
Manta Rota, Vila Real de Santo Antonio, Algarve · 4.4 / 5 · Easy access · about 22 °CManta Rota is a long, wide beach on the eastern Algarve, with fine pale sand, dunes behind and shallow water that is warmer than on the west coast.
17Praia da Mareta, Sagres
Mareta, Sagres, Algarve · 4.4 / 5 · Easy access · about 21 °CPraia da Mareta is a sandy beach below the ochre cliffs of Sagres in the western Algarve, close to the village centre.
18Praia 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.
19Praia 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.
20Praia de Armacao de Pera
Armacao de Pera, Algarve · 4.4 / 5 · Easy access · about 20 °CArmacao de Pera has one of the longest sandy beaches in the Algarve, stretching for several kilometres below a small resort town.
21Praia 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.
22Praia do Tonel
Sagres, Algarve, Portugal · 4.4 / 5 · Easy access · about 18 °CA sandy Atlantic beach below the town of Sagres, open to the ocean and popular with surfers.
23Praia 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.
24Praia dos Olhos de Agua
Olhos de Agua, Albufeira, Algarve · 4.4 / 5 · Easy access · about 22 °COlhos de Agua is a small fishing village with a golden beach framed by red cliffs and rock outcrops.
25Praia dos Salgados, Albufeira
Salgados, Gale, Albufeira, Algarve · 4.4 / 5 · Easy access · about 23 °CPraia dos Salgados is a long beach of golden sand in the central Algarve, beside a protected coastal lagoon known for its birdlife.
26Praia da Alagoa, Altura
Altura, Eastern Algarve · 4.3 / 5 · Easy access · about 22 °CPraia da Alagoa is a long beach of fine golden sand near Altura in the eastern Algarve, with shallow water and a quiet local feel.
27Praia da Batata, Lagos
Batata, Lagos, Algarve · 4.3 / 5 · Easy access · about 22 °CPraia da Batata is the main town beach of Lagos in the Algarve, a wide strip of golden sand beside the old fort and the harbour.
28Praia da Gale, Albufeira
Gale, Albufeira, Algarve · 4.3 / 5 · Easy access · about 21 °CPraia da Gale is a long beach of golden sand in the Algarve, west of Albufeira, backed by low sandy cliffs and with calm water.
29Praia da Marina, Vilamoura
Vilamoura, Algarve · 4.3 / 5 · Easy access · about 22 °CPraia da Marina is a wide beach of golden sand next to the large marina at Vilamoura, with a long promenade and calm water.
30Praia de Alvor
Alvor, Algarve · 4.3 / 5 · Easy access · about 22 °CA long, wide sandy beach next to the Alvor estuary in the western Algarve, with space to spread out and calm conditions on most summer days.
31Praia de Monte Gordo
Monte Gordo, Vila Real de Santo Antonio, Algarve · 4.3 / 5 · Easy access · about 22 °CA broad, gently sloping beach on the eastern Algarve with shallow water, long sand and a Blue Flag.
32Praia 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.
33Praia Grande, Ferragudo
Ferragudo, Algarve · 4.3 / 5 · Easy access · about 22 °CPraia Grande is a wide beach of golden sand beside the fishing village of Ferragudo, at the mouth of the Arade river opposite Portimao.
34Praia Verde, Castro Marim
Praia Verde, Castro Marim, Algarve · 4.3 / 5 · Easy access · about 23 °CPraia Verde is a quiet beach on the eastern Algarve, with fine sand and a pine forest behind the shore, between Monte Gordo and Manta Rota.
35Praia 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.
36Praia de Quarteira
Quarteira, Algarve · 4.2 / 5 · Easy access · about 20 °CQuarteira has a very long beach of golden sand and a wide promenade, with a fishing quarter at the western end.
37Praia 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.
38Praia de Faro
Faro, Algarve, Portugal · 4.0 / 5 · Easy access · about 21 °CA long sandy strip on a barrier island beside the Ria Formosa lagoon, reached by a short bridge from Faro.
Quick comparison
| # | Beach | Country | Score | Water | Best season | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Praia da Bordeira | Portugal | 4.7 | 21 °C | May–September | Easy |
| 2 | Praia da Senhora da Rocha, Porches | Portugal | 4.7 | 22 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 3 | Praia de Odeceixe | Portugal | 4.6 | 18 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 4 | Praia do Amado | Portugal | 4.6 | 19 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 5 | Praia do Monte Clerigo | Portugal | 4.6 | 19 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 6 | Meia Praia | Portugal | 4.5 | 20 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 7 | Praia da Cordoama, Vila do Bispo | Portugal | 4.5 | 20 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 8 | Praia da Luz | Portugal | 4.5 | 20 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 9 | Praia da Prainha, Alvor | Portugal | 4.5 | 22 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 10 | Praia do Carvoeiro | Portugal | 4.5 | 22 °C | May–October | Easy |
| 11 | Praia do Evaristo | Portugal | 4.5 | 22 °C | May–October | Easy |
| 12 | Praia do Martinhal, Sagres | Portugal | 4.5 | 21 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 13 | Praia do Zavial | Portugal | 4.5 | 21 °C | May–September | Easy |
| 14 | Praia da Fuseta, Algarve | Portugal | 4.4 | 23 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 15 | Praia da Ingrina | Portugal | 4.4 | 21 °C | May–September | Easy |
| 16 | Praia da Manta Rota | Portugal | 4.4 | 22 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 17 | Praia da Mareta, Sagres | Portugal | 4.4 | 21 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 18 | Praia da Rocha | Portugal | 4.4 | 20 °C | May–October | Easy |
| 19 | Praia da Salema | Portugal | 4.4 | 21 °C | May–September | Easy |
| 20 | Praia de Armacao de Pera | Portugal | 4.4 | 20 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 21 | Praia de Burgau | Portugal | 4.4 | 21 °C | May–October | Easy |
| 22 | Praia do Tonel | Portugal | 4.4 | 18 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 23 | Praia do Vale do Lobo | Portugal | 4.4 | 22 °C | May–October | Easy |
| 24 | Praia dos Olhos de Agua | Portugal | 4.4 | 22 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 25 | Praia dos Salgados, Albufeira | Portugal | 4.4 | 23 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 26 | Praia da Alagoa, Altura | Portugal | 4.3 | 22 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 27 | Praia da Batata, Lagos | Portugal | 4.3 | 22 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 28 | Praia da Gale, Albufeira | Portugal | 4.3 | 21 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 29 | Praia da Marina, Vilamoura | Portugal | 4.3 | 22 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 30 | Praia de Alvor | Portugal | 4.3 | 22 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 31 | Praia de Monte Gordo | Portugal | 4.3 | 22 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 32 | Praia do Vau, Portimao | Portugal | 4.3 | 22 °C | May–October | Easy |
| 33 | Praia Grande, Ferragudo | Portugal | 4.3 | 22 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 34 | Praia Verde, Castro Marim | Portugal | 4.3 | 23 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 35 | Praia da Oura, Albufeira | Portugal | 4.2 | 22 °C | May–October | Easy |
| 36 | Praia de Quarteira | Portugal | 4.2 | 20 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 37 | Praia dos Pescadores | Portugal | 4.2 | 22 °C | May–October | Easy |
| 38 | Praia de Faro | Portugal | 4.0 | 21 °C | June–September | Easy |
How we picked these beaches
Included when access is rated Easy and the shore is sand or pink sand, which is gentler for children, then ranked by editorial score. See how we rate beaches for the full method.
Frequently asked questions
Which are the top-rated family-friendly beaches in the Algarve?
Our top three are Praia da Bordeira (4.7 out of 5), Praia da Senhora da Rocha, Porches (4.7 out of 5), Praia de Odeceixe (4.6 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 June to September. 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 da Senhora da Rocha, Porches, Praia de Odeceixe, Praia do Amado, Praia do Monte Clerigo and 33 more have easy access. The others need a walk, stairs or a rougher road, so check the access note on each page.