Best Beaches in Algarve Portugal: 10 Most Beautiful Ones (Tips & Map)

The Algarve beaches are constantly ranked as some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Bordered by cliffs in shades of yellow, red and orange, and lapped by crystal-clear water, these incomparable beaches are some of my favourites in the world.

The best beaches in Algarve can be found between the cities of Albufeira and Lagos.

In this part of the Algarvian Coast, you find beaches with crystalline blue water surrounded by yellow-orangish limestone cliffs dotted with caves and grottoes for which the Algarve is famous, such as Praia da Marinha and Benagil Cave.

But you can also find fine beaches on the Vicentine Coast, a lesser-known part of the Algarve.

I first went to southern Portugal, in 2008 and since then I haven’t stopped. In this guide, you’ll find the ten best and most beautiful beaches in the Algarve, with plenty of useful tips. Next time you’re in Portugal make sure to visit some of them.

* Affiliate disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning I earn a small fee if you click through and make a purchase. There is never any additional cost to you, and I use some of these earnings for my monthly charitable donations.

Most popular tours in the Algarve:

The 10 Best Beaches in Algarve

1 – Ponta da Piedade, Lagos

Lagos is one of the cities that has some of the most striking beaches in Portugal. Among them, it’s Ponta da Piedade, one of those places that it’s hard to believe exists!

Located around 3 km from Lago’s city centre, Ponta da Piedade is probably the most beautiful shoreline on Earth, according to the Huffington Post, and one of the most incredible beaches that I’ve ever seen.

Featuring a stunning combination of majestic rock formations, sea arches, caves, ochre cliffs, and crystal-clear green water, Ponta da Piedade will certainly take your breath away.

I’ve been to the Algarve many times but even I was completely in awe the first time I saw Ponta da Piedade. OMG!

To get there you can walk on the Ponta da Piedade boardwalk, or drive through “Estrada da Ponta da Piedade”. At the end of the road, there’s a parking lot, public restrooms, a restaurant, souvenir shops, and a lighthouse (closed to the public).

From the top of the 20m (65ft) high cliffs you can take in all of Ponta da Piedade’s beauty, but you should also definitely take the 182 steps down the ravine and get near the water to have another view of it.

Ponta da Piedade is the most beautiful beach in the Algarve and you just can’t miss it!

Book your boat trip/kayak to Ponta da Piedade.

If you don’t want to make your way to Ponta da Piedade, you can book a tour. I recommend this one, which has excellent reviews. If you prefer a half-day cruise with lunch and beverages included, this is a great option. And if you’re an adventurer, like me, kayaking on the sea to the stacks and grottoes can be much more fun.

2 – Prainha (Praia do Caniço), Alvor

Located at the eastern end of Alvor Beach, in the municipality of Portimão, Prainha, also known as Praia do Caniço, is home to the greatest rock formation I’ve ever seen in the Algarve.

The beach is framed by huge ochre-coloured limestone cliffs with incredible rocky outcrops that divide it into further little coves each with its own rock arches, sea stacks, and caves.

Prainha was one of the beaches in Algarve that impressed me the most!

This Blue Flag beach has restaurants, toilets, seasonal lifeguards, and very nice viewpoints.

When I arrived at Prainha and saw the phenomenal rock formation I was completely in awe!

It was at low tide and the contrast of the shallow green water with the rocks covered with seaweed and the ochre cliffs made this beach look surreal and miles away from reality…

Please, don’t forget to include Prainha on your list. It’s one of the best beaches in Algarve for families and I bet you will be as impressed as I was!

3 – Praia de Benagil, Carvoeiro

You might have seen a picture of Praia de Benagil, considered one of the most incredible beaches in in the world, as it gained fame because of its iconic sea cave.

Located in the little fishing village of Benagil, in the municipality of Lagoa, Praia de Benagil would be just one more hidden beach if it wasn’t for the Algar de Benagil, a stunning cave just around the corner to the left side of the beach.

What makes Benagil Cave special and one of the “Top 10 coolest caves around the world”, according to Huffington Post, is the perfect combination of golden-coloured walls with a round hole in the ceiling and two beautiful archways.

Inside this spectacular cave, you’ll see the sunlight streaming through the roof and reflecting off the golden sand and the blue azure water entering the cave through the arches forming a small beach.

I’ve visited Benagil Cave six times, by boat and kayak, and I loved it! It’s such a magical place and a natural wonder of the world, but unfortunately, it became very touristy.

Smart Tip: Only small boats, kayaks and SUP can get inside the cave. Be aware that boats aren’t allowed to disembark passengers in the cave.

Book your Benagil Cave Tour online in advance here.

The tours that I recommend are: Benagil Caves and Wild Beaches, Benagil Caves Kayaking Experience and Benagil Caves Stand-Up Paddle Board Tour.

4 – Praia do Camilo, Lagos

Located in Lagos, next to Dona Ana Beach, Praia do Camilo is one of the most popular beaches not only in Lagos but in the whole Algarve.

Access is easy and once you arrive at the top of the breathtaking cliff, it will be hard to decide if you should stay there to enjoy the awe-inspiring views, walk along the cliff-top path or take the steps all the way down to lay your towel, sunbathe and relax.

This picturesque Praia do Camilo is framed by majestic limestone rocks and provides astonishing vistas, whether you’re on the cliffs, on the stairway, on the sand, or even in the water.

The infrastructure is very basic and there’s a really nice restaurant close to the stairway with toilets available to everyone, a kiosk selling snacks and beverages at reasonable prices, lifeguards on duty and SUP rentals.

At high tide, the beach becomes narrower, and to get to the second section you need to go through a hand-dug tunnel or swim.

Praia do Camilo gets very crowded during the summer, especially in August, and finding a place to lay down your towel can be a challenge. Even though, the visit is worthwhile.

5 – Praia da Marinha, Lagoa

Located in the Lagoa area, a half-hour drive from Albufeira, this award-winning beach has been featured in many Portuguese guidebooks and advertising campaigns. It was also considered by Michelin Guide one of the ten most beautiful beaches in Europe.

Marinha Beach is only accessible via a steep pathway along the cliff and has viewpoints that provide striking views.

Praia da Marinha is enveloped by massive orange-yellowish limestone cliffs, which makes it one of the least windy beaches in the Algarve. It also has amazing sea arches, golden sand, and crystalline blue water.

Marina is not only one of the most beautiful beaches in Portugal, but I’d say in the world. The contrast between the blue water and the cliffs is just unbelievable!

There aren’t many beach amenities, only a restaurant right at the beach’s entrance, lifeguards on duty, and SUP/kayak rentals (book online because the demand is very high).

Similar to Praia do Camilo, Praia da Marinha becomes narrower at high tide and very crowded in August.

6 – Praia de Odeceixe, Odeceixe

Praia de Odeceixe, located in the town of Odeceixe, 57m away from Albufeira and 76 mi from the capital Faro, is the most astonishing beach on Costa Vicentina.

Featuring a round shape “island” encircled by black cliffs topped with vegetation and a striking crystalline green water river that flows into the sea, Praia de Odeceixe is one of the best beaches in Algarve and a uniquely spectacular sight to marvel at.

This Blue Flag beach has soft sand, umbrellas, and chairs for hire, toilets, water sports, a parking lot, and plenty of space to lay down your towel.

You can go surfing, rent a kayak/SUP to paddle along the river course, swim in the freshwater, or just soak up the sun and relax.

Praia de Odeceixe is a true hidden gem and one of Algarve’s best-kept secrets.

7 – Praia Dona Ana, Lagos

Located in Lagos, Dona Ana Beach was elected by Condé Nast Traveller in 2013 as the best beach in the world.

But different from Praia do Camilo and Praia da Marinha, for example, its beauty is appreciated best from the sand.

There are beautiful limestone rocks rising up sublimely from the crystal-clear blue water, golden sand and orange cliffs covered with vegetation

Walking down to this beach is truly amazing, especially at low tide.

The access to this beach is by stairways and there’s a parking lot, beach amenities, viewpoints, a restaurant (with horrible service), and even a masseur.

Praia Dona Ana, highly appreciated by tourists and locals, has been enlarged to better provide for everyone.

8 – Praia da Coelha, Albufeira

Located around 6 km (3.7 mi) west of Albufeira Old Town, Rabbit Beach is a breathtaking beach surrounded by yellow cliffs and has fine golden sand with seashells and crystal-clear turquoise water.

The beach is a 5min walk from the parking lot and has calm water, extraordinary rock formations, and very picturesque scenery.

Raised wooden walkways take you to the western part of the beach from where, along the water’s edge, you can reach the sections of Praia da Coelha that are more secluded and quiet.

You can also walk on the trail path along the hilly landscape around it to explore the magnificent viewpoints, find hidden coves and, especially, see the beauty of Praia da Coelha in all its glory.

This Blue Flag beach, with lifeguards on duty, SUP, chairs and umbrellas for hire, also has a restaurant at the entrance with Wi-Fi, reasonable prices, and bathrooms. Pets and balls aren’t allowed, though.

Praia da Coelha is one the best beaches in Albufeira and the Algarve as well. You shouldn’t miss it!

9 – Praia da Luz, Luz

Located 6Km west of Lagos, Praia da Luz (Beach of Light), is another famous Algarve beach that you’ll love.

This stretch of sand is sheltered by the imposing Rocha Negra, a basalt headland, and the landscape is very different from the part of the Algarve coast between Albufeira and Lagos.

Here you can’t find the yellow-orangish limestone cliffs that the Algarve is known for, but the beach is equally fascinating.

It features soft sand, stunning crystalline water, and some rocks forming natural pools that are perfect for relaxing.

Luz is a large Blue Flag beach, and you can expect all kinds of facilities, such as wooden boardwalks, toilets, umbrellas and chairs for hire, lifeguards on duty, wheelchair access, etc.

You can spend the entire day sunbathing, swimming, and lounging on the beach.

10 – Ilha Deserta, Faro

Whether you’re spending some time in Faro or looking for isolated and quiet beaches, Ilha Deserta is the place to go.

This unspoiled and uninhabited island with pristine beaches and crystal-clear water shelters the Ria Formosa Natural Park’s mudflats.

To get there you need to take a ferry from Faro or book a day trip. Once you arrive at Ilha Deserta, you feel the tranquillity and relaxation that you’re dreaming of when going on a holiday.

There are some facilities, such as chairs and umbrellas for hire, lifeguards on duty and only one restaurant. Tables must be booked in advance. If you prefer, bring a cooler bag with some food and refreshments.

Ilha Deserta has a great shoreline that’s perfect for long walks. Some parts are clothing optional, in case you want to get rid of the tan lines.

This is a short list of the top 10 beaches in Algarve. I created a map below so you can have a better idea of the exact location of each of them.

Safe travels and have fun in Portugal.

You may also be interested in:

• 12 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Algarve
• 10 Best Adventurous Things to Do in Algarve
• 10 Best Things to Do in Algarve with Kids
• Visiting the Bone Chapels of Portugal
• Itinerary for One Week in Portugal
• 5 Most Beautiful Beaches in Europe
• 10 Tips For Starting a Healthy Lifestyle
• How to Get to Pig Beach, Bahamas
• Best Places to Stay in Santorini
• What to Wear in Santorini

I always recommend that you buy travel insurance! It can literally be your lifeline if something happens to you, or your luggage is lost or stolen.

Play safe and get yours. Get a quote with World Nomads here or buy your travel insurance now with SafetyWing using the widget below.

Visiting the Algarve, Portugal

Where is Algarve located?

Algarve is the southernmost region of Portugal (check the map here).

Best time to visit the Algarve

Definitely during the summer. But if you don’t like crowds and heat, you should go in June, September or even at the beginning of October.

How to get there?

There’s an international airport in Faro, but the most popular for travellers outside of Europe is the one in Lisbon.

From Lisbon, you can take a train or bus to the Algarve. The prices are basically the same and they take around 2h30min to get there.

Find the best deals on airline tickets on Skyscanner, the website that I use and trust.

How to get around?

Unfortunately, public transportation isn’t good in the Algarve and if you want to visit these seven beaches listed below you’ll have to travel quite extensively.

My recommendation is to get a car. You can rent yours with Rental Cars or Discover Cars without any additional costs to you.

Where to stay?

If you want to stay in a central area where you can easily access these beaches, I would suggest staying in Albufeira or Lagos.

Some Algarve hotels that I recommend are:

Albufeira Hotels:

Budget: Apartamentos Turísticos Novochoro, Água Viva and Auramar Beach Resort.

Great Value for Money: Hotel Topázio, Rocamar Exclusive Hotel & Spa and Grande Real Santa Eulalia Resort & Hotel Spa.

Luxury: Salgados Dunas Suites, Pine Cliffs Hotel ,and 3HB Falésia Garden

Lagos Hotels:

Budget: Guest House Casa Sousa and Olive Hostel Lagos.

Great Value for Money: Lagos Uptown Bed & Breakfast, Don Manuel I Charming Residence, Baluarte Da Vila Apartments and Aldeia Azul Resort.

Luxury: Villas Don Dinis, Cascade Wellness Resort and Belmar Spa & Beach Resort.

Don’t forget to save these pins for later 😉