Best Beaches in the Algarve
25 hand-picked beaches in the Algarve, ranked by our editors. Top pick: Benagil Cove (4.7 / 5).
Benagil Cove
Algarve, Portugal · Rocky Cove · 4.7 / 5
Praia da Falésia
Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal · Sandy Beach · 4.7 / 5
Praia do Camilo
Lagos, Algarve, Portugal · Cliff Cove · 4.7 / 5
Praia do Carvalho
Carvoeiro, Algarve, Portugal · Tunnel-Access Cove · 4.7 / 5
Praia da Bordeira
Carrapateira, Algarve · Wild Atlantic beach with a tidal lagoon · 4.7 / 5
Praia da Marinha
Algarve, Portugal · Rocky Cove · 4.6 / 5
Praia Dona Ana
Lagos, Algarve, Portugal · Rocky Cove · 4.6 / 5
Praia de Odeceixe
Odeceixe, Algarve, Portugal · River Mouth · 4.6 / 5
Praia do Amado
Carrapateira, Aljezur, Algarve, Portugal · Surf Beach of the West Algarve · 4.6 / 5
Praia do Beliche
Sagres, Vila do Bispo, Algarve · Cliff-backed Atlantic cove near Sagres · 4.6 / 5
Praia da Albandeira
Lagoa, Algarve · Small sandy cove under golden Algarve cliffs · 4.6 / 5
Ilha de Tavira
Tavira, Algarve · Barrier island beach reached by a short ferry · 4.6 / 5
Praia da Luz
Lagos, Algarve, Portugal · Village Beach Near Lagos · 4.5 / 5
Meia Praia
Lagos, Algarve, Portugal · Long Beach Beside Lagos · 4.5 / 5
Praia do Vale Figueiras
Vila do Bispo, Algarve · Quiet Atlantic beach on the west Algarve · 4.5 / 5
Praia da Coelha
Albufeira, Algarve · Golden sand below Algarve cliffs · 4.5 / 5
Praia do Barril
Santa Luzia, Tavira, Algarve · Wide Ria Formosa beach with an anchor memorial · 4.5 / 5
Praia da Arrifana
Aljezur, West Algarve, Portugal · Surf Bay Below Cliffs · 4.4 / 5
Praia do Tonel
Sagres, Algarve, Portugal · Atlantic Beach at Sagres · 4.4 / 5
Praia da Rocha
Portimao, Algarve, Portugal · Golden Cliffs and Wide Sand · 4.4 / 5
Praia de Porto de Mos
Lagos, Algarve · Golden Cliffs and Sand near Lagos · 4.4 / 5
Praia de Burgau
Burgau, Algarve · Small sandy beach below a whitewashed village · 4.4 / 5
Praia do Castelejo
Vila do Bispo, Algarve · Wild west-coast beach under dark cliffs · 4.4 / 5
Praia de Alvor
Alvor, Algarve · Wide sandy beach beside the Alvor estuary · 4.3 / 5
Praia de Faro
Faro, Algarve, Portugal · Barrier Island Sands near Faro · 4.0 / 5About beaches in the Algarve
The Algarve is the southern coast of Portugal, known for golden cliffs, sea stacks and sheltered coves in the east and wilder Atlantic beaches on the west coast. The south coast has calmer, warmer water, while the west coast near Sagres is cooler and better for surfing.
When to go
May to October is the main beach season. July and August are the busiest and most expensive months, while June and September often give the best balance of warm weather and space.
Getting around
A car makes it easiest to reach the smaller beaches, and parking at popular cliff-top beaches fills early in summer. Towns such as Lagos, Albufeira and Tavira make good bases.
Easiest beaches to reach
Praia da Bordeira, Praia Dona Ana, Praia de Odeceixe, Praia do Amado.
Quieter hidden gems
Benagil Cove, Praia do Carvalho, Praia da Bordeira, Praia do Beliche.
All beaches at a glance
- Benagil Cove: best May–October, water about 22 degrees C, access moderate.
- Praia da Falésia: best May–October, water about 21 degrees C, access moderate.
- Praia do Camilo: best June–September, water about 20 degrees C, access moderate.
- Praia do Carvalho: best June–September, water about 19 degrees C, access moderate.
- Praia da Bordeira: best May–September, water about 21 degrees C, access easy.
- Praia da Marinha: best June–September, water about 22 degrees C, access moderate.
- Praia Dona Ana: best May–October, water about 21 degrees C, access easy.
- Praia de Odeceixe: best June–September, water about 18 degrees C, access easy.
- Praia do Amado: best June–September, water about 19 degrees C, access easy.
- Praia do Beliche: best June–September, water about 20 degrees C, access moderate.
- Praia da Albandeira: best May–October, water about 22 degrees C, access moderate.
- Ilha de Tavira: best June–September, water about 23 degrees C, access moderate.
- Praia da Luz: best June–September, water about 20 degrees C, access easy.
- Meia Praia: best June–September, water about 20 degrees C, access easy.
- Praia do Vale Figueiras: best May–September, water about 21 degrees C, access moderate.
- Praia da Coelha: best May–October, water about 23 degrees C, access moderate.
- Praia do Barril: best June–September, water about 22 degrees C, access moderate.
- Praia da Arrifana: best June–September, water about 18 degrees C, access moderate.
- Praia do Tonel: best June–September, water about 18 degrees C, access easy.
- Praia da Rocha: best May–October, water about 20 degrees C, access easy.
- Praia de Porto de Mos: best May–October, water about 19 degrees C, access moderate.
- Praia de Burgau: best May–October, water about 21 degrees C, access easy.
- Praia do Castelejo: best June–September, water about 19 degrees C, access moderate.
- Praia de Alvor: best June–September, water about 22 degrees C, access easy.
- Praia de Faro: best June–September, water about 21 degrees C, access easy.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit the beaches in the Algarve?
May to October is the main beach season. July and August are the busiest and most expensive months, while June and September often give the best balance of warm weather and space.
Which beaches in the Algarve are easiest to reach?
The easiest access is at Praia da Bordeira, Praia Dona Ana, Praia de Odeceixe, Praia do Amado. Check each beach page for parking and facilities.
Do I need a car for the beaches in the Algarve?
A car makes it easiest to reach the smaller beaches, and parking at popular cliff-top beaches fills early in summer. Towns such as Lagos, Albufeira and Tavira make good bases.