Due to the fact that the Algarve has such a long stretch of coastline, it's no wonder that one of its main attractions are the long beaches separated from each other by dramatic rock formations. The two coastal strips of the rope, the western one with a length of about fifty kilometers and the southern one with a length of about 155 kilometers, will provide you with enough beaches and enough sunsets for a lifetime. Here we will review only a sample of them, but keep in mind that the Algarve has more beaches than you can probably ever count.
The inland part of this region is also characterized by impressive landscapes, including sharp hills and valleys full of greenery. In fact, the Algarve region is the place where Europeans go on vacation when they seek refuge from urban life, the roads and buildings in the big cities and you can literally call it "the nature reserve of Europe". In the spring and summer season, tourists flock to the Algarve region from all over Europe (and the world) to feel and experience nature in its full power, without flying to the other side of the world and on a sane and reasonable budget.
Get some (and some) places you really don't want to miss on your trip to the Algarve, and if you haven't planned to go there on your next vacation, you might want to think about it again.
Point of Mercy (Ponta da Piedade)
This crazy natural gem is located south of the town of Lagos, on a land spur that juts out into the ocean. The dramatic limestone rocks breaking at once onto the shore and almost into the water create a setting that is hard to compete with. In addition, the weather and humidity pierced the mountains and created in them masses of caves and arches that are hard to believe were formed naturally.
If you want, you can go down to the beach and bathe in the crystal clear water. The fact that the rock formations protect the beach from waves and powerful Atlantic currents allows the water to remain so clear that you can stand in it and see your feet as if there was no barrier above them. In addition, when the sun tends to set, the mountains take on a reddish color that is reflected in the water, creating an even bigger than usual celebration of colors.
From the peaks rising above the beach you can get a wide view of the whole area, up to Cape St. Vincent (see below). In addition, you can rent motor boats in nearby Lagos, so that the boat drivers will guide you through the tangle of hidden caves and beaches that hide in this area.
Praia da Falesia
No, we are not talking about our cliff beach north of Tel Aviv, but its Portuguese counterpart (and no less busy). Similar to the Israeli cliff beach, the Portuguese one is also at the foot of a hill. Unlike the Israeli one, this beach stretches for almost seven (!) whole kilometers, and is considered one of the best and longest beaches in Portugal. It even claims the crown of the best beach in the Algarve, and if you travel in the Algarve you will understand that it takes a lot of courage and good reasons to make such a claim.
This cliff beach is more accessible than Mercy Point (at least in parts of it), which makes it very popular. However, it is such a long beach that it is almost certain that you will be able to find yourself a quiet corner on it.
For the romantic among us, on the ridge at the foot of which lies the cliff beach, you will find a path between the trees that will lead you to a stunning panoramic view, especially at sunset when the lighting and colors will make you think you have stumbled upon a nature party (and in a way, that is indeed what happens). Here, too, the sun gives the rocks a red color at sunset, which is reflected by the blue-green water and creates amazing effects.
Cape St Vincent (Cape St Vincent)
If you are people who like to close ends, you will certainly want to close the edge of the European continent. After all, when is it possible for you to reach the farthest corner of a continent?
Cape St. Vincent is in the most southwestern corner of the European continent, and it connects the western coastal strip with the southern coastal strip of the Algarve region (and Portugal in general). Nature seemed to understand the geographical significance of this point, and created for the visitors a view that is difficult to find elsewhere. The cliffs, which rise to a height of 75 meters above sea level and plunge into the ocean at once, infuse an atmosphere of the end of the world. The rocky landscape along the west and south coast of Portugal, viewed from the north and east of the cape respectively, will make you think you are in a movie.
As you can imagine, such an important geographical point did not remain free from human hands. Many wars were fought in the Atlantic Ocean in the part adjacent to Cape St. Vincent, which was considered (and rightly so) as the most strategic in the conquest of Europe and the Mediterranean. In the mid-nineteenth century, a lighthouse was erected there, for the benefit of the many ships sailing in the area.
Today you can find in the Cape, besides stunning views and dramatic sunsets, also several souvenir shops, a small cafe and even a modest museum, which tells the rich history of this fascinating point on the European continent.
Rock Beach (Praia da Rocha)
Another recommended beach for bathers is the rock beach, which once you get there you will understand why it is called that. There are several things that make this beach recommended. First, and most importantly, it is a very beautiful beach characterized by a stretch of clean golden sand and rock formations both on the beach and in the water, near it. Secondly, the waves in the place are suitable for surfers, but there are places where bathers can also have a lot of fun. Third, this beach is extremely accessible. It forms part of the town of Portimao (see below), which is a very large city in relation to the Algarve, and one of the largest in this entire region.
Adjacent to the beach, in the marina area, you can find the fortress of Santa Catarina (Fortaleza de Santa Catarina). This fort was built in the middle of the 17th century, and was designed by Alexandre Massai, builder of Napoleon Bonaparte's army.
Algar Seco
This point is another one in the impressive repertoire of rock formations that characterize the Algarve region. It is adjacent to the town of Carvoeiro and its resort, more precisely to the east of it. At this point, the ocean carved holes, arches and windows in the rock, creating a kind of beautiful labyrinth containing pools of sea water.
The route that extends above these rock formations will allow you to get a certain impression of them, but mostly it will give you a spectacular view of the ocean and the adjacent beaches. You will be able to take several pictures here, which will make your friends from Israel go crazy.
If you're feeling brave, you can go down the somewhat makeshift stairs carved here, in order to reach the caves themselves. It is recommended to do this long enough before dark, so that you don't get into trouble when leaving the place. In addition, keep in mind that walking between the rocks is not always comfortable, so it is not recommended to go down to them if you are not sure that you will be able to handle them.
Tavira Island
This is a long strip of land, only a few hundred meters away from the town of Tabira in the west of the Algarve region. This strip of land is separated from the mainland itself by a narrow strip of water in the middle, so you can move between the island and the mainland relatively easily. First, you can take a boat or ferry from Matabira to the island. Second, in the summer months there is a train that transports tourists from the Santa Luzia bridge into the island.
The island itself is characterized by an amazingly beautiful beach, which is very convenient for bathers. It is considered one of the best beaches in the Algarve, and as we said, it is not a title that comes just like that. The white-golden sand of the beach, the clear water and the absence of strong waves, all make the island of Tabira a highly sought-after destination for vacationers in the Algarve.
However, keep in mind that the accessibility of the island and the popularity of the beach make it very busy, especially during the tourist season. If you have trouble dealing with crowds of visitors and a touristy atmosphere, this may not be the place for you. On the other hand, if you know how to manage even in busy areas and you don't mind meeting people from different countries, you have nothing to look for anywhere else.
Pego do Inferno
If we leave the list of beaches and sites bordering the ocean for a moment, we will reach a point that, despite its name, looks like it was taken from heaven. It is especially suitable for lovers of springs and similar points, since getting to it is not easy. Although it is no longer the kept secret it once was, your chances of running into other tourists here, certainly if you come in the off-season, are very low.
Bottom line, this is a secluded waterfall that flows into a beautiful pool. The waterfall is near the town of Tabira, so you can reach the island of Tabira from the way back from it. It is more shaded than the beaches exposed to the sun (for the better), and you don't have to worry about bringing sandboxes with you into the car.
In order to get here, you must write the name in Google Maps and follow the instructions. From the parking lot, you will have to walk along an unmaintained path until you reach the entrance, which is also unmaintained. In the end it is a short route that will bring you to this hidden spot. During the tourist season you may encounter adventurers like yourself here, but you will mostly be here alone. In this context, it is also important to say that it is mandatory to bring food and drink with you when you arrive here, because you will not find a store or restaurant a few kilometers away.
Marina Beach (Praia da Marinha)
This beach is where most of the photos of the beaches of the Algarve come from. It is on the border between Albufeira and Portimao, and access to it is by private car or taxi. However, the access by car is not as far as the beach itself, which makes this beach a little less crowded than other beaches. From the parking lot you will have to go down a relatively long flight of stairs (which you will have to climb later), which will bring you to the beach itself.
When you get to the beach itself, you will find yourself in such a beautiful and fun place, that it will be clear to you that the effort paid off. The sand here is as soft and white as you can only find in the Algarve. The rock formations adjacent to the water and those within them create a dramatic atmosphere and also protect the beach from strong waves. There are no huge masses of tourists, which makes it an ideal beach for bathers.
For those interested in routes, the route between Marina Beach and Carboeiro (12 kilometers in total, round trip) is a beautiful and very rewarding route. It is not easy, so you should make sure you are in the required shape and are well equipped if you decide to do it, but if you like trails, this is one you should not miss.
Camilo Beach (Praia do Camilo)
We will close the list of beaches in the Algarve with this special beach, which is different in several ways from the other beaches in this part of the country. First, it is southwest of Lagos, unlike many of the beaches in the western part of the Algarve. Second, it faces east. There are almost no east-facing beaches in the Algarve, making this beach one of the best spots to watch sunrises (for surfers and investors).
In order to get to this spectacular beach, you will have to park your car in the upper parking lot and go down a flight of about two hundred steps. At the end you will reach a relatively isolated beach, about eighty meters long, full of spectacular rock formations and very convenient for bathing. The facing of the beach to the east ensures that the waves here will not be particularly strong, which is a favor to those who wish to bathe at the beach and not surf.
If even this isolation is not enough for you, you can walk through the tunnel that leaves Camilo Beach, to the more isolated beach located next to it, which guarantees a very romantic experience. This beach lies in the shadow of a large cave, which creates a very dramatic atmosphere. It is important to bring a waterproof camera, as walking in the tunnel will get you and your equipment wet.
