19 Best Best Beaches in Alvor

Just 8km west of Portimao, one of the largest towns in the Algarve, and within walking distance of Praia da Rocha's pumping late night party scene, Alvor with its huge sandy beach offers a relatively peaceful and calm alternative.

The beach of Três Irmãos is located at the eastern end of a huge stretch of sand which makes up Alvor beach. This end of the beach is home to some fantastical rock formations and it is from some of these that the beach gets its name. Translated, "Três Irmãos" means "three brothers" and this refers to three sea stacks that run across the beach.

Various other wind and wave worn rocky outcrops divide the beach here into further little sandy bays each with their own rock arches, caves and sea stacks. One of these bays is a beach in its own right - Prainha, meaning "little beach".

Separated from neighbouring Praia da Vau by a small headland at all but low tide the sheltered cove of the Praia do Alemão is an Algarvian delight. Also known as the Praia do Barranco das Canas the name Praia do Alemão (meaning German's beach) comes from the fact that the first house built here belonged to a German family.

Tucked around the corner, but only around a kilometre, form Praia da Rocha and Portimão is yet another fantastic Algarve beach, Praia da Vau. Like its neighbours, the beach here is a swathe of golden sand backed by ocre coloured cliffs. Praia da Vau is a little more sheltered than Praia da Rocha with the cliffs to the west blocking most of the wind. Along the lengthy stretch of sand the cliffs form several distinct coves which almost have the feel of separate beaches at higher tides.

Literally translating to 'half beach', this vast expanse of sand near the interesting old town of Lagos wraps itself around one of the biggest bays in Europe. The wide bay offers protection from rough seas, which makes this long beach of soft, white sand particularly popular with families.

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.

Praia da Angrinha is Ferragudo's other beach, after Praia Grande. Located just beyond the headland that is home to the fort of São João de Arade the beach here sits on the bank of the river Arade looking across to the marina at Portimao. 

Angrinha is actually the closest beach to Ferragudo town, just a couple of minutes walk along the riverfront and past the lifeboat house. It is a pleasant stretch of fine sand backed by low dunes and the outskirts of the town. Given its position on the river it is very much sheltered from the Atlantic waves.

Situated on the eastern shores of the mouth of the River Arade - just across the water from Praia da Rocha and Portimão - is the wide sandy stretch of Praia Grande. Literally translated as "big beach" this is the larger of Ferragudo riverside beaches.

The northern end of the beach is defined by a small cliff on top of which is perched the 16th century fort of São João do Arade. Originally built to defend the coast from pirates the fort is now a private residence.

Technically speaking Praia de São Roque doesn't exist as a beach in its own right and is generally considered to be part of the vast crescent of sand that is Meia Praia. The beach is still referred to by its old name by some locals though.

Praia Pintadinho sits just beyond the mouth of the River Arada and is largely outside of the shelter from the breakwaters that protect Portimão. Whilst the sea may be slightly more lively than Ferragudo's other riverside beaches Praia Pintadinho still benefits from the same perfect golden sand along with the added bonus of a Blue Flag award.

This popular beach has plenty of facilities for a family day at the beach including a restaurant and sunbed hire. There is also a seasonal lifeguard service to ensure safe bathing throughout easter and the summer.

Along with the neighbouring Praia do Cais da Solária, Praia da Batata is the closest beach to Lagos' town centre. Just a few minutes walk from all of the town's amenities this is the easiest option around. On the flipside this means it does tend to get busy fairly quickly during the summer months.

The beach is just across the main Avenida dos Descobrimentos from the town and can easily be spotted by the large plaza with a statue of São Gonçalo of Lagos that stands overlooking the Praia da Batata.

Just around the small headland of Ponta do Altar from Praia do Pintadinho is the little cove of Praia dos Caneiros. Backed by the high ochre sandstone cliffs that are so associated with this section of the Algarve coast. Around 100 metres off the northern end of the beach is the Leixão da Gaivota ("Seagull's Leap") - a steep sided islet which is home to various bird species including white herons, silver gulls and white-faced cormorants.

To describe the little cove of Praia do Pinhão as a hidden gem might be going a little to far, but it is certainly a gem, and by Lagos standards somewhat hidden.

Tucked away at the bottom of the steep ochre cliffs that stretch along the coast towards Ponta da Piedade the beach at Praia do Pinhão is only really obvious to those who are looking for it. It is accessed by a steep stone stairway that makes its way down the cliff in a series of terraces.

Praia da Dona Ana is often cited as the best beach on the Algarve, in fact it was even described as the 'best beach in the World' by magazine Condé Nast Traveller. That's quite a lot to live up to! 

Dona Ana beach is the classic Algarve cove; nestled between the sandstone cliffs on the eastern side of Ponta da Piedade, it is sheltered from the breeze but catches all the day's sun. This section of coast is sometimes referred to as the Costa d'Ouro (Golden coast) on account of the yellow/red cliffs that line it.

Along with neighbouring Praia Dona Ana, the beach of Camilo is Lagos' (if not one of the Algarve's) iconic beach. Whilst Dona Ana may have the slight edge when it comes to outlandish, cohre rock formations and grottoes, Praia do Camilo shares the same golden sand and crystal clear, azure waters.

Praia dos Pinheiros is another of the amazing Lagos beaches which lie in the shelter of Ponta da Piedade. This is probably one of the most secluded little coves along this stretch of coast and access is courtesy of a steep stone stairway hewn into to the sandstone cliffs.

The little cove of Praia da Balança lies just within the shelter of the rocky Ponta da Piedade headland. This whole stretch of coast is defined by the eroded sandstone rocks which have been moulded into a variety of shapes over the milenia. Sometimes referred to as the "Costa de Oura" (Golden Coast) there are any number of rock arches, sinkholes, pinnacles, caves and grottos between here and the harbour at Lagos. This area is where all the guide book cover photo of Lagos are taken.

Praia do Canavial sits just to the west of Lagos' famous Ponta de Piedade. This is the other side to all the much-photographed and well known coves with their iconic rock formations and calm, crystal clear waters.

Praia de Porto de Mós is one of the longest beaches in the Lagos area, stretching for well over a kilometre; only Meia Praia on the other side of the town is bigger. This is yet another fine Algarve beach and provides a quieter alternative to Lagos' often busy beaches. Here you will find the same golden sandstone cliffs, fine sand and clear blue sea. There is even a choice of beachside cafes and restaurants along with all the facilities one would expect from a Blue Flag beach. However, at Praia de Porto de Mós you will also find plenty of space.