7 delightfully secluded beaches in the Algarve

Robin McKelvie

Robin McKelvie

The whole of the Algarve's southern Atlantic fringe is alive with sweeping stretches of sand. A flurry of them grace those lists of the best beaches in the world and are, subsequently, no secret.

Secluded beaches in the Algarve
Secluded beaches in the Algarve © Beketoff - Adobe Stock Image

So I'm here with some of the region's less well-known beaches, the sort of oases your local pal would take you to. They are all still superb, with a range arching from little hideaways, through to well-equipped beaches 'hidden' in plain sight.

If you like sand easing across the horizon over empty islands, stick east of the airport at Faro towards the Spanish border. Meanwhile, if you want those sands backed by cliffs, caves and grottos, break west.

Turn north when you get way out west and there are even more beaches in a much less touristy corner of the Algarve*. Grab your towel now as we head off in search of our very own Algarve beach hideaways.

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Ilha de Tavira

Starting in the far east, this dream of a beach is an expansive white sand island stretching out for over 10km.

You can either putter downriver in a boat from the historic town of Tavira*, or push closer down to the salt pans to make the quick ferry hop. Make a day of it by walking further west to Praia do Barril, where a cute wee train spirits you across to the mainland.

From here you can walk to Santa Luzia to enjoy freshly-caught seafood along the waterfront. Then just catch a train back to Tavira.

Ilha de Tavira's beaches are low on facilities, but big on space and unspoilt sand. This is a binary world of starched white sand and cobalt blue ocean - bliss.

Percurso dos Sete Vales Suspensos

Stick with me here: I know that Praia da Marinha frequently bothers best beaches lists for both Europe and the world. Deservedly so. It's quite a steep descent from the rugged orange limestone cliffs that give it a postcard-pretty setting, but worth it.

On the trail of the Percurso dos Sete Vales coastal walk
On the trail of the Percurso dos Sete Vales coastal walk © Fernando Batista - Adobe Stock Image

My point is that a gorgeous coastal walk, the Percurso dos Sete Vales Suspensos, sweeps along the cliffs to other beaches in both directions.

Algarvian supermarkets burst with fresh produce so bring your own picnic and make a day of it. You'll seriously struggle to park around the main beach in summer unless you arrive very early, but it's easier east and west where our quieter stretches await.

Praia de Albandeira

Close to Marinha, this is a quieter hideaway that suits couples. The spectacular rock arch here is worth coming to see alone but you'll want to linger for a dip. It is a real star up there with its more famous rivals, despite its diminutive size, not even 100m across.

A rocky promontory pushes out from the cliffs, dividing the beach further in two, making it feel even more exclusive. After high tide, a number of pools are filled with water, which is great for kids to ramble around if you do take them to this relatively remote spot. Note, it doesn't score on facilities, so again bring a picnic.

Meia Praia

The resort of Lagos is surrounded by small, busy beaches that get absolutely jam-packed.

Push east a little, though, and this swathe offers plenty of space for everyone with over three miles of sand that soars all the way from Lagos to the Odiaxere River estuary.

Wide open sands of Meia Praia
Wide open sands of Meia Praia © Chris Dorney - Adobe Stock Image

Take the train east a few stops along from Lagos before spending the day strolling back, taking dips in the ocean and sunbathing as you go.

There are some excellent bars and restaurants tucked in the dunes behind the beach to keep you going too. This is where the locals go in Lagos and it's easy to see why.

Ilha Deserta

Calling Robinson Crusoe wannabees! Catch a boat trip, preferably with the love of your life or a very close friend, and you're bound for an island as deserted as it sounds.

Deserted, that is, bar the eco-friendly, sensitively constructed restaurant, Estaminé, which sits on stilts above the sands. Here, you can dine on freshly grilled local seafood and quaff a cooling glass of slightly fizzy vinho verde.

The island lies in the remarkable natural oasis of the Rio Formosa National Park, which you can appreciate as you bounce back across a scene of big skies and sandy islets that look like the Caribbean. You'll see more seabirds than people escaping out here away from the world.

Praia do Tonel

Forget lazing on a resort beach. Portugal* is famous for its world-class surfing. Many people head further north in search of the best breaks, but out west, there are some great conditions in the Algarve too.

The open expanse of ocean found at Praia do Tonel
The open expanse of ocean found at Praia do Tonel © Beketoff - Adobe Stock Image

That leaves savvy surfers to enjoy this rock and sand wonder, which is home to some seriously good surf action. Eek down the cliffs and you're soon immersed in a frothy Atlantic where the next landfall is the Americas.

The surrounding resort of Sagres is the Algarve's most westerly town and is really well set up for the needs of surfers; some of the local bars celebrate the surf connection too. Sagres has a real end-of-the-world vibe to savour.

Praia do Amado

Swing around the southwestern corner of the Algarve near Sagres and the land (and beaches) track north towards the wild Alentejo region.

This is the Costa Vicentina, a windswept, out-there escape that could scarcely feel any more different to the busy resorts of the southern Algarve.

Heading down to catch the surf on Praia do Amado
Heading down to catch the surf on Praia do Amado © AH Fotobox - Adobe Stock Image

Despite the lack of hotels and resort trappings, this wide beach has plenty of parking and you can learn to surf or bodyboard. You won't be doing much swimming with such powerful waves, but there is plenty of space, there are some simple cafés and it just looks so cinematic.

Handily, the famous Rota Costa Vicentina long-distance walk sweeps right up this part of the Algarve so you can enjoy a section of that too.

Weather in the Algarve

  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Maximum daytime temperature °F
Hours of sunshine (daily)
Days with some rainfall
Sea temperature °F

The above shows the weather in Faro. You can find out more about conditions across the region in our complete guide to the weather in the Algarve and the weather in Portugal.

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Robin McKelvie

Robin McKelvie

Robin McKelvie is a Scottish travel writer, author and broadcaster. He has visited over 100 countries and regularly writes about Scotland and the Canary Islands. As well as frequently contributing to Weather2Travel.com, Robin writes for publications including The Telegraph, The Independent, The Guardian, The Times and Wanderlust, and has authored more than 30 guidebooks.

Article updated on Wednesday 23rd November 2022 in: Beach Europe Excursions Nature Summer TUI

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