The most beautiful beaches in the Central Algarve

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BEACHES IN THE CENTRAL ALGARVE

 

Long a favourite destination for the British, Irish, Germans and Dutch, the Central Algarve is without a doubt the favourite summer spot for the northern European tourist looking for a life in the sun and by the sea. In addition to Portuguese hospitality, the quality of the food and the relatively low cost of living, it is the good weather combined with some of the best beaches in Europe that make the Central Algarve such an attractive destination.
The beaches closest to the Atlantic and to Cape St. Vincent and Sagres have colder water (summer averages of 16ºC compared to 21ºC), the sea is rougher and there are no long sandy beaches. Towards Spain, places like Tavira and Vila Real de Santo António have beaches with several kilometres of white sand, the water is a little warmer (23ºC compared to 21ºC) and there are almost no waves. What’s more, some of these beaches can only be accessed by boat because of the water channels of the Ria Formosa.
Following the Portuguese saying ‘Virtue lies in the middle’, the best beaches can be found in the centre of the Algarve. You can find long much sought-after stretches of sand, but also small coves (almost private beaches) that disappear at high tide. The influence of the Atlantic is still notable on the beaches of the Central Algarve. The waves are good for water sports and create natural seawater pools amongst the rocks, which delight children. With this in mind, here are my recommendations for the best beaches in central Algarve.

Falésia Beach
The name of this beach derives from the terracotta-coloured cliffs that stand between the water and the pine woodlands characteristic of the Central Algarve coast. Starting at the steps to the PortoBay Falésia (the hotel also shares the name of the beach) and ending where the sea comes into Vilamoura Marina, this beach comprises 3 kilometres of pure golden sand. Impressive cliffs run along almost the entire length of the beach, in various shades of orange, clay and white, carved by time into intriguing shapes and covered with pine trees. There are beach bars, lifeguards and sundecks every 500 metres or so.

Galé Beach
Along with Praia da Falésia and Ilha de Faro, Praia de Galé is the third beach in the central Algarve where you can walk for several hours. This beach starts in Galé, crosses the Salgados wetlands and ends at Armação de Pêra. Especially at the beginning near Galé, this beach has an abundance of rock formations close to the breaking waves, which in turn become seawater pools at low tide. It is a natural aquapark.

Faro Island
Without the glamorous status and celebrities associated with the beaches of Falésia, Quinta do Lago, Vale do Lobo and Vilamoura, Faro Island offers a journey into Portuguese beach life. Here, the restaurants all serve traditional Portuguese cuisine, a beer doesn't cost five euros and the houses are often converted fishermen's huts, right on the shoreline. The island is accessible by a single narrow bridge, and before it was built access was by boat only. In addition to a glimpse of Portuguese life, the island also has two waterfronts – one facing the Atlantic and the other overlooking the Ria Formosa, offering contrasting coastal scenery. On one side of the island is the Atlantic, with kilometres of almost virgin beach. On the other are calmer waters teeming with the marine fauna of the Ria Formosa.

Albandeira Beach and Estaquinha Beach
Praia da Albandeira and Praia da Estaquinha are a well-kept secret on the central Algarve coast. The fragile cliffs have been sculpted by the elements over hundreds of years, resulting in a fine lacework that lends a rare beauty to the small bay. These beaches offer a postcard view of the Algarve, separated by a rock arch carved out by the sea.

Ancão Beach
The closest you can get to a deserted beach in the centre of the Algarve. Praia do Ancão is an endless expanse of sand, one of the highest quality beaches the Algarve can offer. Proof of this is its blue flag status. This beach is part of the coastal extension of Faro Island and only ends at Vilamoura. Due to its peacefulness, calm sea, protection by dunes and relative distance from tourist centres, this is a popular beach for families.

Marinha Beach
This small white paradise is located at the bottom of a huge ravine, and requires some dexterity to get down to it. The effort is largely rewarded by the translucent waters, making it an excellent spot for diving and visiting the caves by boat.

Ponta Pequena Beach and Andorinha Beach
Ponta Pequena is a small beach that is almost completely submerged at high tide. About 140 yards on you can see large rock formations rising from the sea. There is a natural arch that allows access to the nearby Praia da Andorinha. This second beach has a small stream of water that flows down its cliff, transforming this facade into a small seafront waterfall.