Beaches
Blue Flag stretches, secret coves and island sandbanks — your guide to every kind of shoreline on the coast.
Carvoeiro, Algarve · Car, stairs
Fringed by towering twin-sided cliffs, Marinha is repeatedly ranked among the most beautiful beaches in Europe. Calm turquoise shallows give way to grottos best explored by kayak or stand-up paddleboard.
Lagos, Algarve · Walk from town
A postcard-perfect crescent of golden sand tucked beneath ochre cliffs in Lagos, with crystal-clear, sheltered water and easy facilities — sunbeds, cafés and kayak rentals steps from the sand.
Albufeira, Algarve · Car, walkways
Six kilometres of uninterrupted soft sand beneath dramatic red-and-white striped cliffs, running from Olhos de Água to Vilamoura. Long morning walks here are an Algarve ritual.
Tavira, Algarve · Ferry or footbridge
An eleven-kilometre barrier island reached by ferry or footbridge, where sand stretches nearly empty between the lagoon and open ocean. The island's warm, shallow banks are perfect for children.
Portimão, Algarve · Promenade
Portimão's grand dame beach pairs a vast arc of golden sand with the sixteenth-century fortress of Santa Catarina at its headland. Full resort energy: bars, restaurants and water sports all summer.
Sagres, Algarve · Car, stairs
Wedged between high cliffs close to Sagres fortress, Beliche trades the west-coast swell for calmer, clear water — a favourite secret of locals who arrive early with coffee and bodyboards.