The Algarve

The small cove that forms Praia dos Aveiros sits between the bustling main beaches of Albufeira and Praia da Oura. By local standards this is something of a hidden gem which rarely gets as crowded as neighbouring beaches.

Despite this Praia dos Aveiros has the same golden sand and Blue Flag status of the beaches either side and is arguably somewhat prettier. To either side are high sandstone cliffs and various rock formations which separate the beach from its neighbours.

Praia dos Alemães (German beach) is part of the long stretch of golden sand that takes in all of Albufeira's main town beaches. Don't read too much into the name as you are equally likely to see British or Dutch beachgoers as you are German. The name actually comes from an old fish canning factory located nearby which was owned by a German family.

Praia do Peneco (also known as Praia do Túnel) is one of Albufeira's two main town beaches. In fact it really is part of the same stretch of sand as neighbouring Praia dos Pescadores with just the jetty and slipway separating the two.

Peneco beach is named after the huge sandstone rock which rises out of the sand towards the western end of the beach. Penedo is the Portuguese word for boulder.

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.

Prainha das Poças sits in the shelter of the imposing cliffs of the Ponta da Sagres. This provides a good deal of shelter from the worst of the Atlantic wind and waves. 

The beach here is a pretty little stretch of soft, golden sand, but it is worth noting that at high tide this completely disappears leaving nothing but rocks.

This lovely stretch of fine golden sand is located on a slightly quieter section of the Algarve coast between Tavira and the Spanish border (less than 2km away). That is not to say the beach isn't popular and has somehow managed to escape the tourist radar. You will still find straw parasols and sun loungers a-plenty here but the beach does still retain something of an unspoilt, if not a little upmarket air to it.

Faro's fine neo-classical archway is the entrance to the Algarve city's old quarter (Cidade Velha). It was built on the site of a much older medieval gateway in the city walls by order of Bishop Francisco Gomes do Avelar in 1812. He oversaw much of the reconstruction of Faro after the devastating 1755 earthquake.

The seemingly endless stretch of golden sands that form the Praia do Ancão sits roughly halfway between Faro and Quarteira. It is also lies within the so-called "Golden Triangle" which is an area containing the Algarve's most affluent resorts; Vale do Lobo, Vale do Garrão and Quinta do Lago.

Faro's ancient city walls (Muralhas de Faro), parts of which form a broken ring around Faro’s compact Cidade Velha (Old Town) have an interesting history, reflecting the town's tumultuous past.  The Romans, who called the town Ossonoba, made their presence felt here and built a wall around the area which would have contained the forum and various important buildings. 

Situated less than 10 km from Faro and the coast is the charming little town of Estoi. It is well worth a visit if you are staying on the coast although it probably doesn't constitute a day trip in its own right.