The most beautiful beaches in Algarve

If you’re looking for a summer destination that’s perfect for beaches and relaxation, but also budget-friendly, then you’ve come to the right place because in today’s article I will show you the most beautiful beaches in the Algarve, Portugal.

Where to stay in the Algarve?

We stayed at Flor da Rocha Apartments Portimao. The hotel is very close to the beach, a 5-minute walk away; guests have access to the private pool, and children have a special playground.

Praia do Camilo – Lagos

Just a few kilometres from the centre of Lagos, a distance that can also be covered on foot if you’re a bit fit, is one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve seen since we’ve been travelling. Praia do Camilo made me understand why the Algarve region is so famous for its beaches and it also made me call this area “Portugal’s Gold Coast”.

Basically, Praia do Camilo is a small beach, without sunbeds or other commercial things, but with a natural scenery that will leave you speechless.

The beach is extremely easy to reach by car. At the end of the road there is free parking and a restaurant where you can have lunch with an incredible view. However, to get to the beach, you have to go down no more or less than 200 steps. And as bad as that sounds, I assure you the effort will be rewarded. 😀

Praia dos tres castelos – Portimao

If you set your base in Portimao, as we did, then Praia dos tres Castelos will be the beach you will inevitably end up on. As our apartment was close to the beach, for half a day I sat on the fine golden sand, enjoyed the ocean waves and the ‘gold polished’ rocks. Praia dos tres castelos is perfect for families. The beach is sandy, it’s wide enough, there’s a sunbed area and the entrance to the water is smooth.

Personally, Praia dos tres castelos in Portimao is my number 1 recommendation when it comes to beaches in the Algarve.

Praia de Benagil – Carvoeiro

If Portimao’s beaches are perfect for families and kids, Praia Benagil is exactly the opposite. This beach is a chaos, a hive of boats and paddleboards, of tourists coming to see the caves in the area, of groups of people getting ready to go kayaking in the ocean. Benagil beach is not synonymous with relaxation and tranquillity.

However, we recommend you visit this beach and make sure you get to the Benagil cave. We don’t know how to swim and are extremely afraid of the water, but if you don’t have these problems, my advice is not to miss that cave.

To get to the cave you have several options: 1) rent a paddleboard or a kayak; 2) swim there :D; 3) organized tour with those little boats I was telling you about (prices: from 30 euro/person)

Praia dos Pescadores – Albufeira

Our last stop was Albufeira, where we discovered there was a beach right in the centre of town. In other words, the town is built around the beach, so on Albufeira’s beaches you won’t feel as cut off from the world as you will on Benagil Beach or Praia do Camilo. It’s also worth noting that Albufeira has been a popular summer destination since the 1970s, attracting millions of tourists every year.