Where Are The Best Beaches In The Algarve?

The Algarve, Portugal, is a highly popular holiday region that has huge numbers of visitors flocking to it each year from every corner of the globe, and it's not difficult to see why. For all its fascinating history and picturesque scenery, if there's one thing that the beautiful Algarve is definitely renowned for, it’s the amazing beaches that can be found here. Here, we round up a selection of the best of them for those who are interested in Algarve holiday villas.

Praia da Marinha, Lagoa

The Praia da Marinha beach is situated near Lagoa and is renowned for its rocky outcrops and calm waters. Although neither the largest nor the most remote beach in the Algarve, it is nonetheless the quintessential Portuguese cove, and a great place to come from your Algarve holiday villa if you’re seeking an escape from the tourist throng. It has calm waters that make it a great place to go snorkelling or enjoy a boat trip to the nearby caves. It is less recommended for families with young children, however, due to the steep steps that need to be negotiated to reach it.

This beach’s spirit of seclusion extends to the local amenities, with a mere modestly sized wooden bar-restaurant to be found near the steps – meaning that you are well advised to bring a picnic and your own water.

Praia Da Rocha, Portimão

Portimão is the Algarve’s second city after Faro, so it should be no surprise that it also happens to boast one of the most bustling and best known beaches in the region. Located just south of the town, this beach has expanded considerably in width in recent years as more and more holidaymakers have flocked here, with Portimão itself also having developed into a complete resort. The beach itself is family-friendly and close to a wide range of amenities on the well-developed seafront, making it a great place to check out on your journey from your Algarve villa.

Ilha da Barreta, Faro

Hardcore sun worshippers will particularly love this pristine 10km long beach, which is also one of the most remote to be found anywhere in the region, despite being accessible a mere boat ride away from the happening city of Faro. The beach is surrounded by marshland and the area is also home to many birds, including terns and flamingoes, meaning that it is also a very popular beach with nature lovers. Speaking of nature, it’s also something of an unofficial naturist spot.

Other than during the summer season there are seriously few people to be found here, although a restaurant and toilets are nearby. But for those interested in Algarve holiday villas designed for serious relaxation, or even snorkelling in the nearby waters, there are few better beaches around.

Praia Ilha De Tavira, Faro

Another popular beach for those with naturist inclinations (or at least, an especially reserved area), this is one of the most highly rated beaches on the eastern side of Faro, and is also a big hit with water sports enthusiasts. This elongated sandbar beach is accessible by boat from the jetty of Tavira.

Praia da Bordeira, Carrapateira

This is certainly an impressive looking beach, with its mighty sand dunes and rugged cliffs of limestone, and it offers plenty of sand, too, stretching for three kilometres. Its exposed location and often considerable wind make it especially popular with surfers and anybody else who appreciates a rugged beach experience.

Despite the stunning scenery, this beach is not frequently visited, although it is close to the Praia do Amado beach, which with its surfing and bodyboarding schools, does see slightly more visitors from villas in the Algarve. Phoenicians,Phoenicians, Greeks and Carthaginians

To find out more about Premier Holidays’ range of villas in the Algarve and to book online, visit http://www.premier-holidays.com.