23 Algarve Beaches You Have to Visit (Portugal)
Algarve beaches are some of the most incredible I’ve ever seen — and I’m from Florida, so that’s saying something. Limestone cliffs, crumbling rock formations, hidden coves, and the mighty Atlantic crashing against it all. Whether you’re chasing waves or a tan, you’re in the right place.
Here are my favorites, ordered roughly from northeast to southwest. Most are within an hour and a half of each other — a rental car is your best friend for beach hopping.
Table of Contents
- Algarve Beaches You Have to Check Out
- 1. Praia de Odeceixe
- 2. Praia do Amado
- 3. Praia do Castelejo
- 4. Praia da Ponta Ruiva
- 5. Praia do Telheiro
- 6. Praia do Beliche
- 7. Praia do Tonel
- 8. Praia da Mareta
- 9. Praia do Martinhal
- 10. Praia das Furnas
- 11. Praia da Luz
- Algarve Beach Tip:
- 12. Porto Mós Beach
- 13. Praia do Camilo
- 14. Praia de Dona Ana
- 15. Praia dos Tres Irmaos
- 16. Praia de Carvoeiro
- 17. Praia da Carvalho
- 18. Praia da Marinha
- 19. Praia da Galé (Oeste)
- 20. Praia da Coelha
- 21. Praia de Albufeira
- 22. Praia da Falesia
- 23. Algar de Benagil
- More Portugal
- More Around Portugal
Algarve Beaches You Have to Check Out
1. Praia de Odeceixe
The first Algarve beach you’ll hit coming from Lisbon, and what a way to start. The River Seixe hugs the beach and keeps the surrounding area lush and green.
It gets larger at low tide and nearly becomes its own little island at high tide — pretty cool to witness.
Best for: Surfing, beach bumming, and nudists (head to nearby Praia de Adegas for that). Check Magic Seaweed for surf conditions across the Algarve.
Where to Stay:
2. Praia do Amado
Big waves, wide open sands, and one of the best surf scenes in the Algarve. The nearby cliffs offer great views even if you’re just there to spectate.
Waves suit all levels and there are solid surf schools on site, I recommend Algarve Surf School. Most people base in Sagres and day trip here.
Best for: Surfing at all levels
Where to Stay:
3. Praia do Castelejo
Not the most popular beach around, which is exactly the appeal. It’s long, a bit thin at high tide, and flanked by dramatic schist black cliffs.
Clear water for surfing and rarely crowded. Some roads to get here are best with a 4WD so keep that in mind.
Where to Stay: There’s not much out here, which is part of the charm. An unforgettable alternative is to rent a yacht and wake up on the water. Hop from beach to beach without ever leaving them.
4. Praia da Ponta Ruiva
Ochre cliffs, azure water, and almost nobody around. It can be tricky to find, and some access roads are better with a 4WD but that’s exactly why it stays quiet. Worth the hunt.
5. Praia do Telheiro
A large, uncrowded beach that’s a great starting point for the Telheiro cliff trail. Plenty of space for sunbathers and surfers alike, and the car park makes it easy to use as a base for exploring the coastline on foot.
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6. Praia do Beliche
Golden sand set back into the cliffs with gorgeous blue water and a wild, untouched feel.
There’s a small restaurant at the entrance and that’s it, no frills. The currents and waves here are no joke, so confident swimmers and experienced surfers only in the water.
TIP: Cabo de Sao Vicente is right there — go catch the sunset from the cliffs while you’re in the area!
Where to Stay:
7. Praia do Tonel
Warm painted cliffs, pristine water, and plenty of room to sprawl out. There’s a small beach hut with food on site.
Strong currents mean swimmers should be confident, but surfers and kitesurfers love it here, waves are bigger in winter and calmer in summer.
Best for: Surfing and kitesurfing
Where to Stay:
8. Praia da Mareta
A sandy bay right in Sagres town, convenient and easy. It has a few beach restaurants and gets a bit busy because of it, but it’s a solid beach day without needing to drive anywhere.
Surf here is accessible but nothing special, mostly people come to swim and chill.
Best for: Easy beach bumming right in town
Where to Stay:
9. Praia do Martinhal
Honestly, I debated even putting this one on the list because I love having it to myself. It’s clearly visible on the map and has an access road, yet it’s often empty, people flock to the more dramatic beaches nearby.
No towering cliffs here but it’s a beautiful, peaceful spot. Grab a kayak from the kiosk at the far end and paddle out to the little cove on the left or the big rocks in the distance.
Best for: Peaceful beach bumming, kayaking, SUP. Note: tides occasionally bring in seaweed so worth checking before you go.
Where to Stay:
A 5-star family-friendly resort overlooking Martinhal Beach with five pools, tennis courts, and luxurious villas. Check availability here.
10. Praia das Furnas
If you can find this one, you’re in for a treat, a massive beach almost entirely to yourself.
It’s a bit hidden and the GPS can be unreliable getting here, so look out for the signage carefully. Popular with nudists too if that’s your thing.
11. Praia da Luz
The centerpiece of the charming village of Luz, just 7km from Lagos. Soft sand, beautiful cliffs, calm water, and a long palm-lined esplanade with cafes and restaurants right behind the beach.
It gets busy in summer but never feels overwhelming. The 230km Fishermen’s Trail also backs the beach if you want to stretch your legs, Lagos is about two hours on foot from here.
Best for: Families, swimming, watersports, and easy beach days
Where to Stay:
Algarve Beach Tip:
Spending days hopping from one Algarve beach to the next sounds dreamy, and it is, but travel rarely goes 100% smoothly.
That’s why I keep SafetyWing Nomad Insurance in my back pocket. It’s one of the most affordable options out there, covers everything from delayed flights to clinic visits, and is built for long-term travelers. Set it up online in minutes and extend it while you’re already abroad.
Knowing I’ve got that kind of safety net makes lounging at Praia da Marinha or catching waves near Sagres that much more relaxing. Grab a plan here.
12. Porto Mós Beach
Steep sandstone cliffs, soft golden sands, and the second largest beach in the Lagos area, yet rarely crowded thanks to its slightly out-of-the-way location.
Lifeguards on duty in summer, loungers for rent, and good conditions for bodyboarding and surfing on the windier days.
Best for: Escaping the crowds without sacrificing facilities
13. Praia do Camilo
Small, dramatic, and absolutely gorgeous, a tiny sliver of sand surrounded by sun-kissed cliffs full of holes, archways, and sea stacks.
Gets packed fast in summer so arrive early. A small walkway to the left leads to another equally beautiful (and equally crowded) cove.
Best for: Beach bumming — if you can snag a spot!
Where to Stay:
14. Praia de Dona Ana
Tall limestone cliffs, calm turquoise water, seriously soft sand, and no motor boats or banana boats in sight.
One of the most picturesque beaches near Lagos and a genuinely peaceful spot despite being popular. Note you’ll need to take a steep staircase down to reach the sand.
Best for: Serious R&R in a stunning setting
Where to Stay:
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15. Praia dos Tres Irmaos
Named for the three rocks jutting out of the water, this isn’t one beach but a series of gorgeous little coves sheltered by dramatic ochre cliffs.
Wander through the caves and rock formations, and time it around mid to high tide to watch the waves crash against those famous offshore rocks.
Best for: Cave exploring and beach bumming with good facilities nearby
16. Praia de Carvoeiro
Limestone cliffs on both sides, the cute fishing village sitting right behind the beach, and easy access to everything in town.
Not huge, and definitely popular, but the setting is so good it doesn’t matter. Head up to the right side for a viewpoint over the town and coast.
Best for: Beach bumming with town right on your doorstep
Where to Stay:
READ MORE: 9 Captivating Things To Do in Carvoeiro, Portugal
17. Praia da Carvalho
Channel your inner Indiana Jones, find the hole in the ground, and climb down the rocky staircase tunnel to the beach below. It’s snug, dramatic, and has a signature single rock jutting out of the water right in the middle.
A small staircase to the right leads to a little lookout cove, take care up there; the walkway is very narrow.
Best for: Semi-adventurous beach bums who don’t mind a dramatic entrance
Where to Stay:
18. Praia da Marinha
Possibly Portugal’s most famous beach, and yes, it earns the hype.
Those two iconic arches getting pummeled by waves at the far end of the beach are the money shot, but the whole stretch is gorgeous. It gets crowded, but it’s big enough that you’ll find your spot.
Best for: Beach bumming and that iconic arch photo
TIP: Go at low tide to get close to the arches. At high tide, walk the clifftop trail above for an aerial view — still stunning and much safer.
19. Praia da Galé (Oeste)
About 4km west of Albufeira with an undeveloped feel despite having solid beach bars and restaurants.
There are protected dunes with boardwalks to explore, good conditions for jet skiing and surfing on the western end, and calm water for swimmers on the eastern side. Stay for sunset, it’s a good one here.
Best for: Watersports, dune walks, and sunsets
Where to Stay:
Beachfront resort with six pools, spa, and multiple restaurants — catering to every type of traveler. Check availability here.
20. Praia da Coelha
A small protected beach a few km west of Albufeira, popular with locals but never as packed as the town beaches.
Calm water, beautiful scenery, and some hidden coves tucked into the surrounding rocks worth exploring. The clifftop at sunset is worth the climb too.
Best for: Swimming, snorkeling, and cove exploring
21. Praia de Albufeira
Classic tourist beach right in the center of Albufeira, surrounded by whitewashed buildings on the clifftops above. It’s long enough to have several names depending on where you’re standing.
Great facilities, plenty of places to eat, and a lively promenade. When you need a break from the sun, the Xorino Grotto, a cave used as a shelter by the Moors, is worth a wander.
Best for: Full-on beach holiday vibes with everything on your doorstep
Where to Stay:
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22. Praia da Falesia
Over 6km of cliff-flanked coastline with dramatic orange rock and green pine trees creating a beautiful contrast above the sand.
Very popular in summer but big enough to handle the crowds. Watersports and surfing on the Vilamoura end, calmer shallow water for families on the other.
Best for: Watersports, surfing, paragliding, and family swimming
Where to Stay:
Perched on the dramatic red Algarve cliffs with direct beach access, golf and tennis courts, multiple restaurants, and a spa. One of the best-located resorts in the region. Check availability here.
23. Algar de Benagil
You’ve seen the photos. This is the Algarve’s most iconic spot, a cathedral-like cave with a skylight open to the sky and a small sandy beach inside, accessible only by water.
It’s as incredible in person as it looks, and yes, it’s worth every bit of the effort to get there.
Book a kayak or boat tour to get inside; it’s the safest and most recommended way.
👉 Recommended tours:
- 3-Hour Caves and Coastline Boat Trip
- From Portimao Benagil Cave Tour
- From Albufeira Benagil Cave Tour
- Other tours in The Algarve
PS: You MUST take a tour to get here now!
READ MORE: Kayaking Benagil Cave Tour—Everything You Need to Know!
Don’t want to get in the water? The clifftop trails around Benagil are worth walking anyway — you can peer down through the hole in the cave roof and see the beach below. Still pretty mind-blowing.
Where to Stay:
More Portugal
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🗺️ Get The Map! Want all the best things to do in the Algarve auto-pinned to your Google Maps? I got you! Check out my Algarve Map.
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With 23 beaches on this list it’s basically impossible to pick a favorite — so I won’t even try. Which one is calling your name?
One of the last pictures in your post, of the beach and the two arches… which beach is this? Looks like heaven!
Great post as well! The girlfriend and I have been reading your posts to really plan out our trip, its been really helpful!
So glad it’s been helpful! I believe it’s in Lagos if I remember right.
Is it warm all year round?! Looking for somewhere warm end of February!
It is not but it’s mild in terms of winter in Europe. It can get windy too which makes things colder. Just check the weather for the month of Feb… I can’t predict 🙂