The Most Exceptional of Algarve, Portugal’s Beaches

If you're looking for a coastal paradise, you can’t find much better options than Algarve, Portugal beaches. This region is renowned for its stunning coastline, with visitors flocking from Europe and beyond to enjoy its delights. Just a couple of hours away from Lisbon, you could be in another world by the sea.

Portugal’s coastal towns are breathtakingly beautiful, and their cuisine, culture and relaxing atmosphere are just a few of the many great reasons to head there. Check out some of these fabulous options for the perfect Portuguese beach holiday with some of these beach hotels in Algarve.

Vilamoura

The popular resort of Vilamoura, located right in the middle of the Algarve coast, enjoys a fabulous sunny climate almost all year round, allowing visitors to enjoy its gorgeous beaches. It's only about a half an hour drive away from Faro Airport, making it a fantastic holiday destination.

These are some of Vilamoura’s beast beaches:

Praia de Vilamoura

Praia de Vilamoura features golden sands and blue waters, the cleanliness of which can be attested by its Blue Flag certification. It’s a perfect beach to visit with the entire family, with gentle waves that are a joy to splash around in. Additionally, you can also practice several water sports at this beach, including kayaking and paddle boating.

Praia de Gaviota

Praia de Gaviota is a wide and lengthy beach with plenty of services to keep the whole family entertained. They include beach bars, a hammock rental service, showers, and many more. The nearby parking lot makes accessing the beach’s golden sand and blue waters a simple affair. Owing to its charms, the beach is very popular and frequented, specially during the summer.

Praia de Quarteira

One of the most beautiful out of the Algarve, Portugal’s beaches, Praia de Quarteira has been a favorite with tourists and locals alike since the 1970s. It’s located near many great golf courses and offers an unbeatable atmosphere, with a beautiful marina and plenty of dining and leisure options. It’s around two kilometers long and offers plenty of tranquil spots where to go swimming.

If you're looking for beach hotels in Algarve from where to enjoy these beaches, the five-star Tivoli Marina Vilamoura Algarve Resort is within 11 minutes by car from any of them. The resort’s also near the Roman ruins at Cerro da Vila and several golf courses. Its facilities include a kid’s club, a Mediterranean restaurant, and a spa with an ocean setting.

Portimão

Portimão, the largest city in western Algarve, was once a major industrial hub. Now it’s a sought-after tourist destination, known for its shopping options, its quaint old town, and its beautiful coastline. The city features some of the most gorgeous Algarve, Portugal beaches.

Praia da Rocha

With clear and calm waters, Praia da Rocha is a beautiful beach that also happens to count with equipment for playing basketball, football, and volleyball. While the beach is located in what was formerly a fishing village, it’s now a very lively area, full of restaurants and bars, and, thanks to its many points of access, it’s very easy to reach.

Praia de Alvor

Praia de Alvor is an immense beach—around 3.5 kilometers long—that boasts of soft sand and beautiful crystalline waters all year round. Its picturesque sights include cliffs and rocks, which you can kayak around. The beach’s flat sand is perfect for practicing sports like football or beach volleyball.

Just a 10-minute walk from Praia da Rocha and a 15-minute drive from Praia de Alvor, the NH Marina Portimao Resort is a stunning 4-star resort overlooking the luxurious port at Ferragudo. This heaven on the Algarve is a short walk from many shops, restaurants, and bars. Its facilities and services include 3 swimming pools, a gym, live music, and an incredible range of dining options.

Lagos

No list of Portugal beach towns would be complete without mentioning Lagos. This family-friendly, beautiful part of Portugal is well worth a visit for its many activities, gorgeous towns and villages and, of course, its stunning coastline, which features some of the most famous Algarve, Portugal beaches.

Praia dos Estudantes

Near the center of Lagos, this small beach has two parts, connected to each other via a famous, Roman style bridge. Praia dos Estudantes also features crystalline waters, golden sand, and a picturesque landscape with rock formations. The available services and amenities include parking and several restaurants.

Praia do Pinhão

Tucked away at the bottom of the cliffs, Praia do Pinhão is a hidden little gem to visit if you want to get away from the crowds during your stay in Lagos. It’s a small beach that features a stunning rock formation with caves and arches. It features boating facilities and there are a few restaurants located by its entrance.

Praia de São Roque

Very close to the Lagos town center, Praia de São Roque is part of Meia Praia and can be reached via the harbor. It features equipment for practicing different sports, accessible external parking, and has several great restaurants nearby. The beach includes several dunes and there are walks and trails that take you through them.

Praia de Dona Ana

This picturesque, laid-back beach is perfect for families, and has plenty of great facilities and nearby amenities, including showers. With crystalline waters and spotless sand, Praia de Dona Ana is a truly gorgeous beach, ideal for relaxing and watching the sun set. It may be reached from the Lagos city center with a 20-minute walk and a local bus route also provides access.

Praia de Porto Mós

Praia de Porto Mós is the second-largest beach in Lagos, and it is particularly popular with surfers and bodyboarders during certain times of the year. It’s also a splendid beach with golden sand and gorgeous waters and has accessibility for visitors with reduced mobility. The services on offer at the beach include parking, showers, and a restaurant.

The Tivoli Lagos Algarve Resort is a beautiful 4-star resort located within a 10-minute drive from any of the previous five beaches. It also offers wonderful amenities including a pool, four fabulous restaurants, and even a beach club. All in all, it’s a stunning hotel with an incredible location, perfectly placed to enjoy some of the best Algarve, Portugal beaches.