Algarve - Top 20 beaches to visit
The Weather ⛅️
In Algarve, you are very unlikely to be disappointed with the weather. However, bare in minds that you are near the ocean and thus it can get windy and chill at night (and day sometimes) - don't forget to see weather forecasts for the time your of visit but its always worth having something warm for the evenings!
Top Beaches To Visit 🏖️
Discover the top beach destinations along the Algarve coastline. The Algarve is a region known for its beautiful beaches. There are beaches to suit all tastes, from long, sandy stretches to secluded coves.
Some of the top 20 beaches in the Algarve include:
1. Praia da Marinha
2. Praia da Dona Ana
3. Praia da Falesia
4. Praia da Rocha
5. Praia da Ilha de Tavira
6. Praia de Benegil
7. Praia de Carvoeiro
8. Praia de Odeceixe
9. Praia de Bordeira
10. Praia de Vale Figueira
11. Praia dos Três Irmãos
12. Praia dos Três Castelos
13. Praia de Alvor
14. Praia dos Caneiros
15. Praia João do Arens
16. Praia de Nossa Senhora da Rocha
17. Praia do Vale de Centeanes
18. Praia da Prainha
19. Praia de Alvor
20. Praia do Alemão
Some tips to plan your beach trip!
Choose the right beach for you: There are beaches to suit all tastes in the Algarve, so take some time to research which beaches would be the best fit for you. If you're looking for a lively beach with plenty of activities, Praia da Rocha would be a good choice. If you prefer a more secluded beach, Praia da Marinha or Praia da Dona Ana would be better options.
Book your accommodation early: The Algarve is a popular tourist destination, so it's important to book your accommodation early, especially if you're traveling during the summer months.
Pack for all weather conditions: The weather in the Algarve can change quickly, so it's important to pack for all weather conditions. Make sure to pack sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a swimsuit, but also pack a light jacket or sweater in case it gets chilly.
Get out and explore: The Algarve is more than just beaches. There are also plenty of historical sites, charming towns, and delicious restaurants to explore. So don't just spend your whole trip on the beach!
Another Option, Algarve Boat Tours & More ⛵️
Along the coastline you're able to find so many different activities to do during the day. From water activities to mountain buggy rides, the different areas in Algarve have something that suits all visitors holiday dreams.
Transport 🚊
Algarve is well located in Portugal with a main International Airport allowing easy direct access into the district. The airport offers many different vehicle rental options as well as multiple ubers & taxi´s available. Renting a car allows you to explore more of the Algarve coastline.
Faro
This airport is the easier to get to Algarve. Already sets you in the area and good entry point to start your itinerary. Close to the city center, it has also the convenience of being quite small, which has its advantages.
Lisbon
More flight options, bigger airport however the airport is located abit far away from Algarve. Bud exist to do the liaison Lisboa - Faro or alternatively a 3h driver from Lisboa to Faro by car.
Getting Around Algarve 🚕
Once you have arrived in Algarve, you have an abundance of options offered to you. Previously my brother and I have used a mixture of the different options and ultimately boils down to your budget & time requirements.
Bus
You can get across Algarve pretty easily. However, bare in minds that you may have a lot of connections to do to get from point A to point B - thus making you lose a lot of time.
Uber
Yes, the American company has taken over the Portuguese south. With Uber (or regular cab by the way) you can travel from town to town at a quite affordable budget. Around 30-35 euros from Faro to Albufeira (40-45min drive), around 20-25 euros from Albufeira to Lagos (around 30 min drive). Thus, where a bus ticket from Albufeira to Lagos cost you 15 euros, if you are two or more, you may be tempted to take a Uber. (Alternatively use Bolt)
Car
Pretty affordable. Renting a car can seem to be one of the best options to get around if you travel as a couple or group. Distance between cities are usually within a 30 - 40 minutes drive. Driving in Portugal is safe and has nothing special compared to other places in Europe (e.g. Spain or Italy) As cities are human size you will never encounter the experience of driving like being in a major city.
Van
Roadtrips in Algarve is something that has already caught the attention of loads of tourists. You have plenty of areas where you could stop by and it's an alternative way of exploring Algarve. Algarve also have many transfer agencies covering all districts in Algarve although it can get pricey and unless a large group I would not recommend to solo & couple travellers.
My advice: depending on how many you are and how often you are moving around, you may want to get a car for easy accessibility or an UBER for short trips.
Sample Itinerary 🗺️
itinerary will be available shortly...
Morning Time:
Wake up early and enjoy the sunrise over the ocean as you treat yourself to a morning cup of tea / coffee. Have a leisyrely breakfast at your hotel or I recommend a beachside cafe. It´s time to pack your beach gear and start making your way to the beach of your choice. Below is a morning recommendation thats my favourite for a snack followed by some relaxing on the beach.
Afternoon:
Spend the day swimming, sunbathing, and exploring some of the caves along the coast. Grab a seafood lunch along a beachside restaurant or head further inland for delicious Portuguese style piri-piri chicken (My best choice) Once lunch is complete before heading back into the water why not going for a stroll or walk and play some beach volleyball.
Evening:
Enoy a picnic dinner on the beach while watching the beautiful sunset of the oceans horizon. Time relax and enjoy the peace & quiet of the beach.
Additional Tips:
Hope you have the best time visiting Algarve 🌅
P.S - don't forget to look back here from time to time as this guide will be continuously updated with more of the top beaches in Algarve, Portugal. (Staying updated with the season)
If you’re looking to get a personal itinerary & guide for any locations across Algarve, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
If you find this information helpful, any tips are appreciated for my work :)
Looking for more guides around Algarve? Check out this guide below!
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