Blue Flag beach

Consisting of nearly two kilometres of sand punctuated by jagged rock formations rising from the sea and backed by steep limestone cliffs, Praia da Rocha was one of the first places in the Algarve to be developed for tourism. As a result it is not the prettiest of towns. Purpose-built multi-storey apartment blocks dominate the cliffs behind the beach while discos, casinos, bars and restaurants line the main street, the Avenida Tomas Cabreira.

For those of you who are staying in the somewhat hectic resort of Albufeira, Praia da Gale offers a welcome respite. Located to the west of Albufeira, the beach runs around the bay of Armacao de Pera to a quiet, unassuming town that boasts just a few cafes and restaurants and a supermarket.

Boasting more than six kilometres of golden sand, stretching from Vilamoura in the west to Olhos do Agua in the east, Praia da Falesia is home to one of the longest beaches in Portugal.

This sleepy residential town is known by the locals as 'beach town' and has managed to preserve something of its traditional Portuguese lifestyle. Backed by cliffs (falesia is Portuguese for cliff) decorated with pine trees the beach is accessed by steps that lead down from a clifftop car park.