Portugal has a reputation for having some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The Albufeira area is no stranger to some of these beautiful beaches. If you’re planning on visiting Albufeira then this list will help you to navigate the best beaches that Albufeira has to offer.
Praia da Oura
One of the best beaches of Albufeira is Praia da Oura. It is situated close to the centre of Albufeira, adding to its appeal. It is in quite a busy area, so it has plenty of restaurants and cafes nearby for you to enjoy some lunch while spending the day at the beach. The beach is popular amongst young people due to its night scene. It attracts many youngsters due to its many bars and pubs that sell cheap drink along the strip. Don’t let this out you off if that’s not your thing, the beach is beautiful, it has soft, golden sand and it is reasonably sized. There are also some rocks nearby which makes it quite good for snorkelling, if you’re the exploring type then there are also some coves and caves to search nearby. There are also water-sports that you can enjoy and experience. This beach is not for those who like peace and quiet, it’s a busy beach that attracts a younger crowd, gaining the reputation of a party beach.
Praia dos Olhos de Água
Praia dos Olhos de Água is one of the most popular beaches in the Albufeira area. It is further out than other beaches, located 5km from the Albufeira town in a village called Olhos de Água. Olhos de Água used to be a fisherman’s village, but despite it being further away from the town centre, it has become a tourist hotspot. It is a relatively calm beach, and it’s more peaceful than some of the other beaches in the area. It’s a relatively small beach, and during the summer it can become quite crowded, despite this it is popular amongst families. The rocks at the side of the beach provide a good area for snorkelling and there are fresh water springs which are exciting to explore. There are also a couple of restaurants nearby where you can enjoy some lunch or dinner after your day at the beach.
Praia do Barranco das Belharucas
Praia do Barranco das Belharucas is at the West side of Falésia beach. The beach has a beautiful cliff overlooking the sea which is home to a special type of bird called belharucas, or European bee-eaters. The beach is quite difficult to get to, you must follow a dirt track, or you can access it via the Sheraton Pine Cliffs Hotel if you are a guest there. The beach offers a range of water-sports activities that will keep you entertained and the sand is golden and soft with crystal clear waters.
Praia da Coelha
This is a small beach just 2km outside Albufeira’s centre. It is known for its natural beauty, surrounded by cliffs and rock formations. It has hidden coves to explore and the large rock formations protect the beach from wind, keeping the water calm. The rocks also make it great for snorkelling, so if you are a keen snorkeler, this beach is a good choice that will showcase plenty of wildlife. The sand is extremely soft and if you’re a shell collector, then this is the beach for you. Praia da Coelha is known for its thousands of shells that lie along the shore. The beach can become quite crowded in the summer months, but it is still quieter than most.
Praia do Evaristo
This beach is the perfect option for snorkelers. The beach is unusual and known for its many rocks, thus making it overflow with sea life that you can explore and appreciate. There is a restaurant nearby on the beach that you can sit and enjoy your lunch before heading back to the beach. The rocks make the beach look beautiful and unique, it also gives plenty of places to explore both inside and outside the water. The sand is golden and soft, so if you like snorkelling then this is the perfect beach for you. If you are looking to swim without snorkelling, then this beach is not the best option for you due to the many rocks. The beach is also less crowded than most of the other beaches, making it great for those who prefer a more quiet beach day.
Praia do Rocha Baixinha
This beach is actually very close to Vilamoura, it’s a fairly big beach with golden and soft sand stretching over a kilometre. The beach offers a range of water-sports that will give you memories that you won’t forget. There aren’t many rocks on this beach, in fact the name translates to ‘low rock beach’ because of the very low cliffs and lack of rocks. There are two parts to this beach; Rocha Baixinha-Nascente, and Rocha Baixinha-Poente. Rocha Baixinha-Poente is the Western part of the beach and has short red cliffs at the back. Rocha Baixinha-Nascente is on the Eastern part of the beach and features low sand dunes. Rocha Baixinha-Nascente joins the pier that acts as the entrance to the marina of Vilamoura. The sand on Praia do Rocha Baixinha is white and extremely soft, there are also plenty of restaurants and beach bars to have a time out from your chill day at the beach. Due to the large size of the beach, it won’t feel too overcrowded and you will always find a spot.
Praia de Manuel Lourenço
This beach has the perfect mixture of rocks for snorkelling and exploring, and swimming. The surrounding area is beautiful due to the vegetation that covers the beautiful rocks. The water is relatively calm due to the rocks and the sand is soft and golden. The beach is fairly small, but it is not one of the beaches that is frequently circulated by tourists so it is fairly quiet.
Praia da Oura
Praia da Oura sits near the new centre of Albufeira, meaning that it is a relatively lively area with plenty of restaurants and bars to choose from. The beach is known for its crazy nightlife, making the beach popular amongst young people. It is quite a large beach with soft, golden sand, and it has some red and brown rock formations that make it quite good for snorkelling. Among the rocks are some caves and coves that can be fun to explore and there are plenty of water-sports available.
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