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29 of the Best Beaches in Portimao
Showing 1 - 10 of 29
- 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...
- 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...
- 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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- 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...
- 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...
- LagosJose Manuel
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...
- CarvoeiroCan Stock Photo Inc. / mike66
Once, just a typical Algarve fishing village nestled in a valley and flanked by high limestone cliffs, Carvoeiro is now a popular, ever expanding resort town. That said the beach is still the focus of the town and this area retains much of its charm. Whitewashed, terracotta-tiled villas and cottages cling to the cliff sides forming a kind of amphitheatre with all eyes on Carvoeiro's prime asset - the beach. The Praia do Carvoeiro is a smallish sweep of fine golden sand sheltered by high,...
- FerragudoJose Goncalves | BY-SA
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...
- PortimãoJose Goncalves | BY-SA
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...
- 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...
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Portimão travel guide »
Located towards the western end of the Algarve, Portimão is one of the largest towns on this coast with a population approaching 40,000. As a tourist destination in its own right the town doesn't really...