Hidden Gem Beaches in the Algarve
We rank the 18 hidden gem beaches in the Algarve. Benagil Cove (Portugal) comes first with 4.7 / 5, followed by Praia da Bordeira, Praia do Carvalho.
The sea reaches about 21 degrees C in season, and most of these beaches are at their best from June to September. 10 of the 18 have easy access, and 18 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 do Carvalho
Carvoeiro, Algarve, Portugal · 4.7 / 5 · Moderate access · about 19 °CA small golden cove enclosed by tall Algarve cliffs, reached through a short tunnel cut into the rock and down a flight of steps.
4Ilha de Tavira
Tavira, Algarve · 4.6 / 5 · Moderate access · about 23 °CA long barrier island off the eastern Algarve with wide sandy beaches, calm lagoon water on one side and the open Atlantic on the other.
5Praia 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.
6Praia de Cacela Velha
Cacela Velha, Algarve · 4.6 / 5 · Moderate access · about 23 °CCacela Velha is a tiny whitewashed village on a bluff in the eastern Algarve, with a beach on a sandbar facing the Ria Formosa lagoon.
7Praia do Beliche
Sagres, Vila do Bispo, Algarve · 4.6 / 5 · Moderate access · about 20 °CA sheltered sandy cove near Sagres on the far south-west tip of Portugal, backed by tall cliffs and facing the open Atlantic with golden sand and clear water.
8Praia 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.
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 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.
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 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.
14Praia 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.
15Praia do Castelejo
Vila do Bispo, Algarve · 4.4 / 5 · Moderate access · about 19 °CA wide Atlantic beach on the wild western Algarve, set below tilted dark schist cliffs and rolling hills.
16Praia 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.
17Praia 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.
18Praia 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.
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 do Carvalho | Portugal | 4.7 | 19 °C | June–September | Moderate |
| 4 | Ilha de Tavira | Portugal | 4.6 | 23 °C | June–September | Moderate |
| 5 | Praia da Albandeira | Portugal | 4.6 | 22 °C | May–October | Moderate |
| 6 | Praia de Cacela Velha | Portugal | 4.6 | 23 °C | June–September | Moderate |
| 7 | Praia do Beliche | Portugal | 4.6 | 20 °C | June–September | Moderate |
| 8 | Praia da Cordoama, Vila do Bispo | Portugal | 4.5 | 20 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 9 | Praia da Prainha, Alvor | Portugal | 4.5 | 22 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 10 | Praia do Martinhal, Sagres | Portugal | 4.5 | 21 °C | June–September | 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 Fuseta, Algarve | Portugal | 4.4 | 23 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 14 | Praia da Ingrina | Portugal | 4.4 | 21 °C | May–September | Easy |
| 15 | Praia do Castelejo | Portugal | 4.4 | 19 °C | June–September | Moderate |
| 16 | Praia dos Salgados, Albufeira | Portugal | 4.4 | 23 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 17 | Praia da Alagoa, Altura | Portugal | 4.3 | 22 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 18 | Praia Verde, Castro Marim | Portugal | 4.3 | 23 °C | June–September | Easy |
How we picked these beaches
Included when we flag the beach as a hidden gem, meaning it is quieter than the headline beaches nearby, then ranked by editorial score. See how we rate beaches for the full method.
Frequently asked questions
Which are the top-rated hidden gem beaches in the Algarve?
Our top three are Benagil Cove (4.7 out of 5), Praia da Bordeira (4.7 out of 5), Praia do Carvalho (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 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 Cordoama, Vila do Bispo, Praia da Prainha, Alvor, Praia do Martinhal, Sagres, Praia do Zavial and 5 more have easy access. The others need a walk, stairs or a rougher road, so check the access note on each page.