Praia Grande
This is a big beach, as its name suggests, within the breakwaters at the mouth of the Arade river on the bank opposite the Santa Catarina fort at the eastern end of Praia da Rocha. It has a watersports centre. A few steps down from a limited parking area. Parking is otherwise along the side of the approach road.
Pintadinho
A popular beach outside the breakwaters and a little further around the coast from Praia Grande. You can walk straight on to the sand from a parking area. Some afternoon shade.
Caneiros
Further east from Ferragudo, a cul-de-sac road ends at a fair-sized and
popular beach flanked by cliffs, which give some afternoon shade. Easy
access; the only parking is on the roadside.
Paraíso
From the clifftop immediately west of Carvoeiro village, a long flight
of steps leads down to the sand. You can swim off either sand or rocks.
Only a small car park at the top.
Carvoeiro
Walk straight on to the beach on the sheltered little bay immediately
in front of the village. It couldn’t be more central. Grab a parking
space if you see one on your way in.
Centianes
A short drive or a moderately long walk along the road going east from
the village centre. Steps lead down to a long beach, narrow at high
tide. Very popular. Some afternoon shade.
Carvalho
A little cove reached by a long flight steps and a tunnel below a car
park at the Club Atlântico development, at the very end of the road
running east out of Carvoeiro. Also known as “Smuggler’s Cove”, you
will probably be able to park closer by approaching from the other
side, along a minor road from Benagil.
Benagil
A sun-trap backed by cliffs. You can walk on to the sand, making your
way past beached fishing boats. The only nearby parking is on the
roadside of a steep, hairpin bend. You can walk up and over a hill to
Carvalho.
Marinha
From a car parking area atop the cliff, a long flight of steps leads
down to this long beach on a spectacular stretch of coastline.
Afternoon shade at the far end. You can view the beach from above
before claiming your patch of sand. To get to the car park continue up
the hill past Benagil, going east until reach the Marinha signpost, or
turn off the EN125 opposite the Algarve International School going west.
Albandeira
A small, two-part beach amid rocks at the end of a 3km track signposted
from the road between Benagil and the Algarve International School on
the EN125. From the parking area, it is a few steps down and a minor
clamber over rocks to reach the sand.
Nossa Senhora da Rocha
One of two beaches connected by a 50m tunnel through a cliff spur to
the west of Armação de Pêra. Signposted road access to this, the more
easterly of the two, is easiest.
Armação de Pêra
From the cliffs on its western flank, the beach runs directly in front
of the village and then continues on and on eastwards, backed by dunes.
Beneath the cliffs, access is down steps. At the eastern end of town,
the cliffs have petered out and you can walk straight on to the sand.
Galé
A two-part beach, larger and more open, to the west of the parking
area. Easy access, well signposted from the roundabout south of Guia on
the Albufeira – Pêra road.
Praia da Coelha
Approached off the Albufeira – Pêra road. Small and sheltered.
Castelo
From a short stretch of track ending in a parking area some steps,
nothing too arduous, lead down to this well-sheltered beach flenked by
rocks and low cliffs. It is signposted from the Albufeira – Pêra road.
São Rafael
This is a big, sheltered beach. A turning off the Albufeira – Pêra road
leads through the development area. Just a few steps to the sand.
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