☰Alentejo
24 of the Best Beaches in Lagos
Showing 11 - 20 of 24
- Portimão
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...
- LagosTiago J. G. Fernandes | BY-SA
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 historic Alvor was a sleepily attractive whitewashed fishing village until tourism began to take hold in the 1960s. The development...
- LagosBengt Nyman | BY-SA
The little holiday resort of Praia da Luz is located about 6 kilometres to the west of Lagos. Once a sleepy fishing village, Luz has largely hung up its nets with the beach being the biggest earner these days. Since the 1980s the resort has expanded rapidly around the sandy beach which is now backed by rows of whitewashed apartments and villas, and a palm-lined promenade. It has to be said that despite all the development Praia da Luz still retains plenty of charm.
The beach itself is...
- Portimão
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...
- PortimãoJose Goncalves | BY-SA
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.
This is a typical Algarve beach in the sense it is backed by ochre coloured cliffs, has fine...
- PortimãoCan Stock Photo Inc
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.
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- Burgau
Praia do Burgau is a lovely little sandy beach located in the small (and relatively unspoiled) fishing village of Burgau. The beach is backed by high, sloping cliffs and all but disappears when the tide comes in. Roughly halfway between Sagres and Lagos the beach isn't too far off the beaten track and is well worth a visit. It can however get fairly busy during the summer. You'll find most things you need in the village and along the beachfront, with a few cafes and bars here. Finding...
- LagosJose Goncalves | BY-SA
Despite being located about halfway between Sagres and Lagos the sleepy little village of Salema has largely escaped the ravages of tourism. This is partly because this part of the coast falls just within the Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park.
And it isn't just the tranquility of this Algarve fishing village that has been preserved. Salema is one of the few villages along this coast which retain any of their traditional character. Here you will see fishermen still...
- FerragudoJose Goncalves | BY-SA
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...
- PortimãoJoseolgon | BY-SA
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.
Praia Grande...
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Lagos travel guide »
One of the most popular tourist destinations on the Algarve and certainly one of my favourites, Lagos is a bustling town full of activity, nightlife and modern attractions. However, it is also a town full of history and the monuments...