Closest beaches
Praia da Luz (approximately 2km)
Lots of golden sand and a great promenade with all facilities on hand restaurants, snack-bars, sun bed and umbrella hire, boat hire, etc. How to get there: this beach is within walking distance of the villa (but the hill back up is steep!) or take the car and park anywhere in the village - walk down to the promenade and beach from the square in front of the church or take any of the roads signposted to the beach.
Burgau (approximately 3km)
A cove of sandy beach surrounded by cliffs and the old fishing village. This is still a working fishing village and boats are launched from the slipway in the centre of the beach. There is a beach bar and several restaurants close to the beach. How to get there: down either of the steep narrow streets in the centre of the village the beach is at the bottom. Although the streets are steep, you may choose to walk down as car parking is very limited on the quay (especially at high tide).
Almandena (approximately 5km)
This bay has sandy patches with many large rocks and the tide comes up close to the cliffs limiting the space at high tide. There is plenty of car parking just back from the beach and a new beach bar opening for the 2005 season. How to get there: keep straight on through the centre of Burgau (leaving Burgau on the road towards Salema). The beach at Almadena is well signposted to the left about 1.5km from Burgau. The car park is at the end of the road close to the beach.
Porto da Mos (approximately 7km)
A sandy cove to the west of Lagos with two beach bars and parking close to the beach. How to get there: Turn right at the traffic lights beside the Intermache supermarket on the western edge of Lagos go to the very end of that road and turn right continue straight on this road to the beach.
Meia Praia (approximately 10km)
Located just to the east of Lagos, this is one of the best known beaches in the Algarve, with flat golden sands stretching over many kilometres. There are numerous beach-bars and snack bars located along the beach. How to get there: Well signposted from Lagos from the centre pass across the old bridge (near the Pingo Doce supermarket) and turn right the beach starts just after the marina and railway station and continues for several kilometres.
Boca do Rio (approximately 10km)
A small sandy beach at the head of a valley leading to the sea there is normally a fast flowing stream of water flowing to the sea at the edge of the beach. Ample car parking is close to the beach and, although there used to be a beach bar, there are currently no facilities at this beach. How to get there: for the adventurous, along the coast road from Burgau towards Salema (steep, rough and lots of pot-holes, but passable with care, even in a small car). For the smooth ride on properly made up roads turn off the N125 at Budens (signed to Boca do Rio) and follow the road until it reaches the beach (where it joins the steep rough route along the coast to Salema).
Salema (approximately 12km)
A working fishing village set on a sandy cove. The sand is wide and the fishing boats are pulled across the sand to the water by tractor. There is a beach bar and a range of small restaurants close to the beach. How to get there:For the adventurous, along the coast road from Burgau to Salema, past Boca da Rio and over the next hill (steep, rough and lots of pot-holes, but passable with care, even in a small car). For the smooth ride on properly made up roads turn left off the N125 at the Parque da Floresta turning (Parque da Floresta on the right, signed to Figueira and Salema to the left) and turn immediately left again (signed to Salema) and follow the road until it reaches the village.
Praia do Martinhal (approximately 25km)
On the other side of the bay to the east of Sagres this is a long curving sweep of sandy beach backed by sand dunes. There are several beach-bars and car-parking in the dunes close to the beach. How to get there:From Vila do Bispo take the N268 to Sagres. Just before you reach the outskirts of Sagres, Praia do Martinhal and its beach bars are signposted to the left follow the signs down to the beach.
Praia Tres Irmaos, Alvor, Portimao (approximately 30km)
Another picture-postcard Algarve beach with flat sands and strange yellow rocks. There are several small attractive coves that connect to each other by passages through the rocks which you can walk through when the tide is out. How to get there: take the road from Alvor to Toralta where a small sign shows the left turn to Praia Tres Irmaos. At the end of the road there is a car park and restaurant.
Praia Pintadinho, Lagoa (approximately 30km)
A small bay with a sandy beasch surrounded by yellowy-red cliffs. The sea in the bay is calm and often warmer than the more exposed beaches. Ideal for families and children. There are also cliff-top walks and a nearby lighthouse to visit. How to get there: About 1km from Ferragudo on the road to Carvoeiro and Sesmarias turn right opposite the restaurant O Sitio. Follow signs, taking one left turn and then keeping straight on to the parking area above the beach.
Praia da Marinha, Lagoa (approximately 30km)
An Algarve beach just like the picture postcards: rugged cliffs, ochre-yellow rocks formed into strange shapes by the sea, golden sand and clear turquoise water. This beach is surrounded by cliffs and is only about 100metres long. At high tide the beach is only a few metres wide, but at low tide you can walk a long way out into the water. Snack-bar and pedal-boat hire available. How to get there: Take the EN125 and turn right between Portimao and Lagoa opposite the International School towards Benagil. From here the beach is signposted. After about 4km turn left and another 1km further you reach a large car park. The beach is down a path on the left hand side of the car park (via 107 stone steps, but its worth it!).