Algarve Beaches Between Faro and Lagos

The beaches in the Algarve are absolutely stunning, and famous across the world, characterised by their impressive gold-coloured cliffs and rock formations which are spectacular. There are also often cliff walks along the top which have breath-taking views. They are a highlight of the area and 100% worth a visit.

Beaches offer so much variety, they are not just for those who love to lie and soak up the sun. There are often stunning walks either along the top of the cliffs, along a boardwalk or with the waves lapping at your feet along the beach. There are shops, stalls, bars, restaurants, cafes, ice-cream parlours, water sports activities, boat trips, fun on the sand or on and around rocks, swimming in the sea, cliff jumping, enjoying the different feel of different towns, partying, and just soaking up the wonderful beauty and atmosphere.

At the sea people often experience peace, a sense of awe and have fun. It can be a time for reflection, contemplation, connection and exhilaration.

I wanted to write a blog about some of the incredible beaches near the villa and between Faro Airport and Monchique, where the villa (As Andorinhas) is.

Sometimes visitors have time between the check-in/check-out time for the villa and their flights, so visiting one or more of the beaches en-route can be a fabulous use of the time.

Trips out to a beach from the villa whilst on holiday can also be fantastic and most of these are near enough for a day trip.

I spent a lot of time researching which of the multitude of beaches are most recommended, so, to save you time, I'm sharing my findings.

Here are 21 beaches I've picked that have seemed to stand out (update: I keep finding and adding other magnificent ones, so there's more than 21 now!). I haven't visited them all yet, but I am working my way through them each time I visit. You'll be able to tell the ones I've visited by the multitude of pictures! All pictures included are ones I've taken.

I'll write about them in order of location, finishing at Faro. The ones between Faro and Portimao are en-route to As Andorinhas from the airport. The ones in Alvor, Lagos and Aljezur, (the first 7 beaches I've listed) are a bit further on (so not to be combined with the airport run), but are nice places local to the villa and good for day trips.

Aljezur

Praia da Bordeira (about an hour from Monchique)

Praia da Bordeira is one of the biggest and most famous in the area with fantastic views. It is on the west coast and is a bit further away, but you get bigger waves. If you're wanting a sea with good waves this is the place for you with it's massive Atlantic swells. Surfers like it here. Between Praia de Bordeira and Praia do Amando there is a beautiful walk along the cliffs (the Pontal da Carrapateira walking trail). This beach was absolutely stunning with it's white sand, big waves, sand dunes and views. A must see!

LAGOS

PRAIA DA LUZ (about 40 minutes from As Andorinhas)

A gorgeous beach with lots of palm trees. I particularly recommend this beach to those who let the sand put them off of the beach, as you can have the beach experience without touching the sand if you want to. There are big stretches of rocks to clamber over and a wonderful promenade with restaurants, cafes and stalls along the beach. There are also water sports available there, offered by Beach Hut Watersports and Chico time. They offer sailing, windsurfing, Jet skiing, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, inflatables and water skiing. We had a great time on the jet skis there.

There are plenty of facilities in Praia da Luz. It's a blue flag beach and has great facilities including toilets, lifeguards in the summer, sunbeds for hire, bars, restaurants, supermarkets (in town), and parking.

It was a 10 minute drive from Zoo de Lagos, and made a lovely end to our day after visiting the zoo.

You could equally combine the zoo (which took about 2 hours) with some of the other beaches in Lagos, or the marina.

There are some great things to do from Lagos, the beaches are stunning, there is a Marina for boat trips, and Zoo de Lagos which is great.

PONTA DE PIEDADE (45 minutes from the villa)

Ponta de Piedade is one of the places I see recommended the most, and is one of Algarve's most beautiful natural wonders. It was pouring with rain when I took these photos so they are not the best, but this part of the coastline is dramatic and incredible. It certainly has the wow factory when you see it.

There are steps down to the beach, as well as scenic boardwalks along the top. The baordwalk extends for 4km between Praia de Dona Ana through to near Praia do Carnival.

If you can't find parking here, don't worry, go to one of the other nearby beaches, like the two listed below, and walk along the boardwalk to this point. They are all wonderful. Just park where you can.

PRAIA DONA ANA (just under 45 minutes from As Andorinhas)

Like all beaches in Lagos, it is incredibly beautiful. The bizarre cliffs and rocks that surround this beach offer fantastic landscapes. It is good for families, friends and photographers.

This beach is amazing for getting good photos and has long inspired painters from all over the world. 

There is parking available, but no showers, toilets, sunbeds for hire or lifeguards, and access is via a wooden staircase.

As well as the beaches being wonderful (both this one and Praia do Camilo), they both have breath-taking walks along the top of the cliffs. In my opinion, one of the best things you can do and see in the Algarve.

Photo: Top three pictures are Dona Ana, The bottom three pictures are Praia Do Camilo. They are very close to each other.

PRAIA DO CAMILO (about 45 minutes from As Andorinhas)

It is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Algarve. Cliffs and rock formations surround the beach, making it one of the smallest beaches on this list. However, the natural beauty of this beach is stunning. There are caves and hidden beaches that can only be accessed by swimming. It is good for couples and friends.

There is parking available, but no showers, toilets, sunbeds for hire or lifeguards, and access is via a wooden staircase.

ALVOR

PRAIA DOS TRES IRMAOS (about 40 minutes from As Andorinhas)

The town of Alvor is a typical small Portuguese fishing village. When you visit the beach of Três Irmãos, make sure you also check out the village of Alvor. The local church and the castle of Alvor are the main highlights of the town.

Praia dos Três Irmãos means beach of the three brothers. This name was given because of the characteristic three rocks on the beach. The beach has beautiful soft sand that feels amazing to walk on barefoot. The sea water has a great colour and is almost transparent and is good for snorkelling. Beware that the waves on this beach can be a bit rough sometimes, also watch out for rocks in the water.

There is parking, toilets, lifeguards in bathing season, you can rent sun loungers, there are bars and restaurants, and it is good for families, friends and couples. There is also access for people with reduced mobility. 

PRAIA DA PRAINHA (40 minutes from As Andorinhas)

Praia dos Tres Irmãos (the beach described above) actually consists of several small coves/bays, four in total. During low tide, you can walk from cove to cove. The final cove is named Prainha, which is translated as small beach. Be careful with the tide on Prainha. It is best to visit this part during low tide.

The different coves each have small beaches, with beautiful rock formations. You can discover many arches and hidden caves here. You will encounter endless photo opportunities. Make sure to walk up on the cliffs around Prainha.

The east side is characterised by high rocks and cliffs, but the west side has dunes that stretch for a kilometre, all the way to Alvor beach, which is a bigger, more open beach.

There is a great walking trail here, called the Alvor boardwalk. This wooden boardwalk takes you straight through the Ria de Alvor Nature Reserve. It is about 3 kilometres in length. Walking on the Alvor boardwalk can be very peaceful. From here you also have a nice view over the beach and the surroundings.

PORTIMAO

PRAIA DA ROCHA (about 35 minutes from As Andorinhas)

Praia da Rocha is the nearest beach to As Andorinhas that we highly recommend visiting. It is the main beach in Portimão and is very popular.

It Is very long which means it doesn't feel too busy and can provide lots of variety. People go there to surf, there's also water sports and boat trips, and it has some lovely rock formations. There's a fabulous lighthouse, a long walkway that crosses most of the beach and a long boardwalk along the length of it. There's lot's of places to get ice-creams, cafes, restaurants, play parks in the sand and touristy shops and stalls.

There is free and paid parking, lifeguards during the summer, sunbeds for hire, and showers and toilets.

We've sometimes combined a day out here with making the most of the huge supermarket in Portimao. If you want a bit of good nightlife and don't want to go as far as Albufeira you should find some here.

FERRAGAUDO

PRAIA GRANDE (less than 40 minutes from As Andorinhas)

Situated just across the water from Praia da Rocha and Portimão. It is literally translated as "big beach", has golden sand and a landscape of dunes.

There is a large car park up towards the steps down to the beach and another further down providing ample parking for everyone - although it is very busy during the summer months.

There is sun shade rental, changing areas and showers, cafes and restaurants, shops, a water sports centre on the beach, a seasonal lifeguards service, and a children's playground beachside making this a great family beach. There is also the very popular Club Nau, a beach bar that also has live music performances and is known for being a great summer party spot. Access is by steps with a handrail.

CARVOEIRO

PRAIA DE CARVOEIRO (about 40 minutes from As Andorinhas)

We just did a quick stop here. We parked up, had an ice-cream and a lovely walk along the top looking at the view and getting a taste of the town. Had we wanted to stay longer there would have been plenty we could have done to fill the time.

The beach lies within a small bay, with high rock formations on both sides. The background of the beach is the picturesque village of Carvoeiro which is a fishing village. The sea here is nice and clean, but can be a little unpredictable. Sometimes the sea is very calm, but it can have strong waves at times and the temperature of the water can be really cold. The sand on this beach is quite sharp and coarse and can be a bit hard on the feet. There are also many shells on the beach. There is a stunning walking trail. This wooden boardwalk takes about 10 minutes and gives you a great view of the town and beach.

There is a cool tunnel that will end up in a cave, called Gruta da Bonece. Inside the cave there are two eroded holes in the rocks looking out over the Atlantic Ocean which are spectacular. This is the most famous viewpoint of Carvoeiro and the highlight of Algar Seco. It is an excellent place to take pictures.

Since Carvoeiro attracts many tourists, it has all the facilities you could ask for. It is a blue flag beach, has toilets, showers, lifeguards, sunbeds (though they are pretty expensive), good water sports and boat trips, plenty of bars and restaurants (it's a vibrant place to be), and parking (though difficult in the summer). The beach is easily accessible, also by wheelchair.

PRAIA DO VALE CENTIANES

This beach is in Lagoa and located just further along from Carvoeiro. There are many apartments above it, so it can get crowded with local families. It’s quite a small beach, long but narrow (especially at high tide), not allowing much space between sunbathers. There's not loads of sunshades and loungers for rent, so if you like shade you might be best to bring your own. This is a Blue Flag beach, meaning it’s clean and safe. A ramp makes it accessible by wheelchair.

There are lifeguards present between June and September. It gets deep quickly, so be careful. The water can also be unpredictable, going from rough to very calm in a matter of hours. If it's clear then it can be perfect for snorkelling. There's a small cave on the western side (the right side if facing the sea) which can be explored if it's low tide.

There's a good restaurant with quite a bit of seating, mostly outside, which serves light meals and grilled fish. It was delightful eating here whilst over-looking the sea, sand and cliffs.

It has good shelter from the wind because it's backed by dramatic golden cliffs. On the left side is the starting point (or the end) of Algarve’s most beautiful walking trail, known as the Seven Hanging Valleys (I've written more about this later in the blog). On the way you pass by and can stop at Praia do Carvalho and Praia de Benagil.

There are some toilets and also parking.

PRAIA DO CARVALHO (less than 45 minutes from As Andorinhas)

Known for being a peaceful beach with sand rich in shells and clear, cold waters, this beach offers its visitors a cool shade in the morning and afternoon, due to its high rocks. It is relatively small and the sand is fine and golden. It is less crowded than most of the other beaches nearby and is one of the best places for snorkelling in the Algarve.

It is the best place to go cliff jumping. It has stairs carved into the rock where you can climb halfway up the cliff, about 5-7 meters high, and dive into the water. It's on the right side of the beach. When I went it was blocked off, but I don't know if that was because of the time of day and tide.

Look out for the extremely cute 'window' in the rocks. You can get some great photos.

There is a cliff walk, on the way, you will pass the Alfanzina lighthouse. The walk gives you amazing cliff views over the area and the caves below.

Unfortunately, there are almost no facilities on Praia do Carvalho. There is parking, but no toilets, showers, water sports, sunbeds, bars or restaurants, lifeguards or blue flag.

If you really need facilities, you have to go to Clube Atlântico or to Carvoeiro.

Access to the beach is steps carved into passage through the rocks (as pictured above). Pretty cool.

LAGOA

PRAIA DE BENAGIL (about 45 minutes from As Andorinhas)

This one is Praia de Benagil in Lagoa. It's quite a small beach, the main thing is kayaking and paddle board trips and boat trips (shorter or longer ones) taking off from here to go off and look at the stunning caves. There's also a beautiful walk along the top. The sand is quite grainy. If all you're wanting to do is sunbathe there are probably better beaches to go to. There are also a couple of nice places to eat overlooking the sea. There are opportunities to walk along the cliffs at the top too.

On the right side of the beach, there is a hill, with a small path in the rocks. The path takes you to a spot where you can do cliff-jumping from, right in the water. It is safe – there are no rocks in the water below. But you will need some courage. There are varying heights to jump from. This is sure to give you an adrenaline rush.

It is not a blue flag beach but there are lifeguards there in the summer. There is parking, toilets, showers and restaurants, but no bars or sunbeds.

PRAIA DE MARINHA (half way between As Andorinhas and Faro- less than 45 minutes either way)

Marinha beach is considered to be not only one of the top 10 most beautiful beaches in Europe but also as one of the 100 best in the world and it is not hard to see why!

Located along the coast between Carvoeiro and Armação de Pêra, this beach is one of the gems of the Algarve and boasts golden sands, clear blue waters and some of the most amazing cliffs and rock formations around. A great one for photography buffs. It is good for hikers or people who like to do snorkelling.

There is a large car park at the top and then it is on to the steps and down all the way to the beach. Marinha is not a particularly large beach and in the summer months it can get very busy so it is a good idea to get there early and to tackle the steps when it is not the heat of the day.

There is parking available, sunbeds for hire, lifeguards during the summer, a picnic area, but no showers or toilets. Access is via stairs. People with reduced mobility will have difficulty climbing up the stairs to get off the beach.

Cliff-Top Trail From Praia de Marinha

The Algarve offers some spectacular and dramatic cliff-top trails.

One of the best routes (as photographed in this picture above) is the Seven Hanging Valley's Trail, a 5.7km (one way) hike between Praia da Marinha and Praia do Vale de Centianes.

I had the best day walking this trail and highly recommended it. I can't get enough of the stunning coastline of the Algarve. It's magnificent, simply magnificent!

You can start at either end of the trail though Praia de Marinha has more parking. Best to go early if you want to find parking. Also in the summer there isn't much shade, so going early or later would be better. Take plenty of water and sun-cream!

It took me about 3.5 hrs which included stopping to take sooooooo many photos, but I didn't stop for other breaks.

I parked at one end of the trail and got an Uber back to my car when I reached the end. This cost me £6.

Once I got back I went and enjoyed the beach before I left and had a a meal overlooking the cliffs and sea. It was delightful.

I started at Praia Do Vale as I hoped to stop and do a kayak trip at Praia de Benagil, which was near the end, but unfortunately the sea was too rough that day and they stopped doing the tours by the time I got there.

You pass quite a few beaches on the hike, and can go down and enjoy an of them if you want to.

If you don't want to do the full hike you can just park at any of the beaches and do bits of the trail, I have done that before and it worked really well. My favourite stretch is the bit between Praia de Marinha and Praia de Benagil. It's honestly one of my favourite places on earth!

If you are visiting the Algarve, enjoying a bit of the coastline is not to be missed.

Some other fabulous ones are the Ponta da Piedade Trail; Praia da Luz to Lagos Coastal Hike; Ponta da Carrapateira (Aljezur); and the Falesia Beach Trail.

ARMACAO DE PERA

I walked around Armacao de Pera early one grey morning in April, so I certainly didn't see it at it's best. It felt quite run down and shabby with not loads to offer, but I may be wrong, it may liven up later in the day and in nicer weather. I did enjoy seeing all the fishing boats and equipment and I will never complain at being on a beach watching the sea. I think there might be better beaches nearby, and I didn't pick the best one to visit. I don't know.

PRAIA NOSSA SENHORA DA ROCHA (less than 45 minutes from As Andorinhas)

Praia de Nossa Senhora da Rocha means Beach of Our Lady of the Rock and the chapel has a very interesting history. The water is crystal clear and the sea is generally calm, which is great for swimming or boat tours and snorkelling. There are also several water sports available on this beach, including jet skiing or kayaking. It is a sheltered cove because the cliffs protect the beach against the wind. There is a popular cliff walk, it goes all the way to the famous beach Praia da Marinha.

There are plenty of facilities in the area. It's a blue flag beach, there is parking (free), toilets, showers, sunbeds, lifeguards, water sports, and restaurants. Access is from the car park, there is a short footpath directly to the beach. There is a restaurant right on the beach, called Vilarinho. This restaurant offers fresh fish and tasty seafood. Prices are slightly more expensive than usual (and cash only), but you pay for the location.

PRAIA NOVA (less than 45 minutes from As Andorinhas)

There is a big cliff separating these two beaches (this one and the one described above). The photo on the bottom right is Praia Nova. There is a 60 metre long man-made tunnel in the cliff, which connects Praia Nova to Praia de Nossa Senhora da Rocha. It is best to use this tunnel during low tide. In the walls of the tunnel you can see many fossils. On top of this cliff you can see the chapel of Nossa Senhora da Rocha, which characterizes the beach. It is a bit quieter because it's harder to access and has no facilities. There is parking, but no toilet, shower, water sports, lifeguards, sunbeds, blue flag, cafes or restaurants.

PRAIA DE GALE (45 minutes from As Andorinhas)

The beach is a pleasant escape from the crowded beaches near Albufeira. the golden beach is surrounded by beautiful dunes, rock formations and nature, has soft sand and can have nice waves, especially on the west side (though the current can be strong at times).

There are great facilities here, it is another blue flag beach with parking, toilets, showers, water sports, lifeguards, sunbeds, bars and restaurants. The beach is easily accessible, also for people in a wheelchair.

The western part of the beach is wide and open and great for long walks along the sea or through the dunes. There are also lots of water sports. There are several beach bars and restaurants on the beach. You can also hire sunbeds here.

The eastern side of the beach is more narrow and is characterized by rock formations, the sea is quite shallow and there are natural pools in the water, in between the rocks. This makes this part of the beach especially suitable for families with young children. On the eastern side of the beach you can also visit caves.

I must admit, I popped to explore this beach after exploring another couple of beaches, and I didn't stay long. It was so, so big, and didn't have the same wonderful background of golden cliffs or interesting rock formations. It wasn't for me. I arrived at the west side (Gale Oeste) and this is where I took the photo above. I didn't explore the east side.

ALBUFEIRA

PRAIA DE PESCADORES AND PRAIA DE PENECO (just over 45 minutes from As Andorinhas)

Praia dos Pescadores from Praia do Peneco are next to each other and are separated by the protruding cliff in the middle of the beach.

In the summer, there is a sort of inflatable water park for kids in the water. If you want to enjoy water sports, the best thing to do is to walk to Praia dos Pescadores. There are many options over there, including jet ski and the banana boats.

Praia do Peneco is perfect for a nice walk on the beach. With low tide, you can walk via Praia dos Pescadores. If you like collecting shells, this is your beach. The beach can be reached via a man-made tunnel through the cliffs, coming from the old town of Albufeira. The tunnel links the beach to the old town. This is the main entrance to the beach. Other ways to reach Praia do Peneco are by stairs and by elevator. In the old town, you will find many restaurants, shops, bars and beach supplies.

There are great facilities. It's a blue flag beach with toilets, showers, life guards, sunbeds, many bars and restaurants (and Albufeira has a vibrant nightlife), water sports, and parking near the old town. The beach is easily accessible, also by wheelchair.

PRAIA DE SAO RAFAEL (50 minutes from As Andorinhas)

This is an iconic beach surrounded by beautiful red/orange-coloured cliffs, it a spectacular beach, with epic views. Thousands of years of erosion have resulted in rock formations with very peculiar shapes, there also several caves and grottoes near the beach. The water has a good temperature (especially in summer) so a great beach for both swimming and snorkelling, although in places there was a lot of seaweed and quite stoney. Watch out for the strong current though, especially on the left side of the beach, and out for the rocks in the water.

During the summer, the beach is basically divided into two sections: the part with sunbeds (on the left) and the part where you can bring your own parasol (on the right).

The beach is far enough from Albufeira to attract fewer visitors than the main city beaches, but is at the same time close enough to the city to have all the facilities you could ask for. On the left side of the beach, you can rent paddleboards and kayaks.

You can walk on top of the cliffs. This gives you a great view over the beach and its surroundings. During low tide, it is possible to walk to walk to the right of the beach, where you will find a small private beach.

The facilities here are great. It is a blue flag beach, it has parking (though it's difficult in the summer), toilets, showers, water sports, sunbeds, lifeguards, bars and a restaurant. It also has good facilities for disabled people as it is accessible by wheelchair. There is a full body massage stand on the beach (open during high season).

I went to this beach early in the morning in late July, and ended up doing a spontaneous kyack trip which was such a joy.

PRAIA DES ARRIFES (50 minutes from As Andorinhas)

Praia dos Arrifes is located just east of Praia de São Rafael. It is very similar to this beach, only smaller. It is the smallest beach of Albufeira, just 75 metres in length. It is backed by low cliffs, which make sure this beach is sheltered from the wind. It is known for its unique natural scenery, which is characterized by several large rock formations in front of the beach. It is a great beach for snorkelling, the water is calm and transparent but is not the best beach for swimming, since there are some rocks in the water. The sand on Praia dos Arrifes is golden, but it has some small rocks. It is best to visit Praia dos Arrifes during low tide, because it will be easier to explore some nearby coves. During high tide, the already small beach becomes even smaller.

You can explore the nearby area by going on a cliff walk. There are many pine trees in this area. Praia dos Arrifes is characterized by 3 big rock formations right in front of the beach.

Even though it is quite small, it is a Blue Flag beach. It has the most important facilities on-site. There are toilets, showers, a lifeguard in summer, sunbeds for rent (though only 10!), parking, a restaurant, but no bar or water sports. It is not accessible by wheelchair.

PRAIA DE FALESIA (55 minutes from As Andorinhas)

Falésia Beach, in Olhos de Água, has been chosen as 'best beach in the world' (2023) by Tripadvisor users, the largest travel platform in the world. The 'best beach in the world' is awarded annually by Tripadvisor to tourist destinations that receive the highest number of exceptional reviews and opinions over a period of 12 months.

Praia da Falésia stretches along more than six kilometres of the Algarve coastline with beautiful ochre-coloured sandstone cliffs, characteristic of the region. The sand is soft and golden. There is a breath-taking cliff walk along the top, as well as walking along the beach. This is a new favourite place of mine and I can't wait to go back.

It is 40ish minutes drive from Faro. Or from Monchique it's just under an hours drive. It is in-between Albufeira and Quarteira.

There are sunset parties that are organised on this beach every Thursday afternoon during summer months attract many people looking for a fun way to celebrate summer. It is good for groups of friends and party-lovers.

There is parking available but it is not enough for the amount of people who attend this beach. There are lifeguards during summer, sunbeds for hire, showers and toilets, and bars and restaurants in the area. Access is an extensive wooden walkway that runs along the beach.

FARO

PRAIA DE FARO (70 minutes from As Andorinhas)

The sand is soft and fine and the sea water is very clean, but swimming can be a disappointing experience. Even in summer, the temperature of the sea water here is quite cold. The beach is backed by dunes. This is very different from the cliff backed beaches that you can find in other parts of the Algarve. The beach is also just a couple minutes away from Faro Airport.

There is a variety of water sports available on Faro beach, including surfing and kitesurfing. The waves and wind around here are good for these sports. It is not a blue flag beach, but it's facilities are fine with there being toilets, showers, sunbeds, lifeguards, a little kids park, parking, water sports, bars and restaurants.

We've found this to be a fabulous refuge when breaking up our journey from the villa before flying home. Having cleared up the villa, packed up and got out, made the journey to Faro and having the sinking feeling of the holiday being over, this little visit was a joy and a wonderful ending to the holiday.

So there you have it: 22 incredible beaches near to the villa, or en-route from the airport. Hopefully this has given you an idea of which ones offer what. Are there any that you are particularly drawn to? Which ones would you chose to visit?

As Andorinhas

As Andorinhas is a 3 bedroom villa in Monchique, The Algarve, Portugal. This holiday home that sleeps 6-7 in Monchique is the perfect place for a memorable holiday. With its beautiful sloping mountain view, it is located in a quiet, secluded and picturesque place, but also has the advantage of not being far from stunning beaches, restaurants, entertainment and activity should you want it. It has onsite, secure parking, it’s own garden with garden furniture, a terrace and private pool which isn’t overlooked. Inside it is spacious and well equipped with all the comforts for an enjoyable break, including a fireplace. If you'd like to know more about staying at As Andorinhas please visit https://www.holidayvillaalgarve.com/ for more information.