Burgau
Good for scuba diving and snorkelling. Parking to the beach is very limited so it is best to park up at the top of the village and walk down the fairly steep slipway.

Burgau beach

Praia da Luz
The beach is large and open with the advantage of being near facilities of Luz. It also has a very good water sports centre with windsurfing, topper sailing, banana boat rides and grotto trips.

Salema
The next fishing village west from Burgau. A long stretch of sand in front of Salema village with cliffs at either end. Beach bar and restaurants nearby. Good for snorkeling and for scuba diving and popular with wind surfers.

Luz beach

Zavial
Turn left off the N125 at Raposeria ( on the way to Vila do Bispo). Zavial is signposted from here. Large beach with beach bar serving good food, snacks and full menu available.
The beach is essentially split into three areas:- The main part which you reach first, the second part which is round the corner past the first set of rocks and the third part which is right at the end behind another set of rocks. Only go to this third part if the tide is going out else you will definitely have to climb back over the rocks. Also watch out for the tide on the second part else once again you will have to climb over rocks. Very popular with surfers at the weekends.

Batata
This is the closest beach to Lagos town centre. It can be found by the little fort at the entrance to the harbour. The beach is accessed by a few steps.

Porto de Mos
Another large beach flanked by cliffs in the Lagos area.. Lovely beach with sun shades for hire and beach bar which offers a good range of snacks and full food menu. Beach bar open all day. Ample car parking available.

Meia Praia
Go into Lagos along the harbor front and head past Pingo Doce. Take the next right and continue following signs to Meaia Praia. This is the main beach of the bay of Lagos and goes all on for miles towards Alvor. Because of its size it is a very popular beach with many beach bars scattered along its length. It is particularly good for wind surfing. This beach has no natural shade or shelter.

Dona Ana

Dona Ana
Another popular beach in the Lagos area. Very scenic with the backdrop of cliffs. Accessing this beach involves negotiating some steep steps near the Golfinho hotel.

Mareta
This beach is situated right in front of the village of Sagres and is sheltered from the westerly winds which makes it more appealing for those who prefer just to sunbathe. In comparison Tonel is a beach on the other side of the Sagres headland from Mareta and is exposed to westerly winds and Atlantic breakers.

Martinhal
Head west along the N125 towards Sagres. Turn left at signpost to Martinhal just before Sagres. A large beach with large sand dunes and two beach bars. Good for windsurfing, surfboard hire also available.

Alvor beach

Alvor
This huge beach in front of the village of Alvor fringes the eastern half of Lagos bay. There is ample parking and the beach is very easily accessible. It is a wide open beach with sand dunes but no cliffs. There are plenty of sun loungers and sun shades to hire for the day and good quality beach bars/restaurants to have snacks or a full meal at. Cinco Quinas and Restinga Ria are just two good quality restaurants to mention.

Praia da Rocha
Again this is a very large beach in front of Praia da Rocha’s seafront road. It is a very popular beach but because of its size, you never fell crowded. The western end leads to narrower stretches of beach with a backdrop of cliffs and pillars of rock close to the shore. Access to the beach is by steps at various points on the seafront road.

Praia do Vau
Again a good sized beach at the far western end of Praia da Roche’s seafront road. Once again there is easy access from a car parking area. The far end of the beach benefiting from afternoon shade provided by the cliffs.

Prainha
This is a small beach which takes its name from the cliff top holiday complex. During the months of April to October there is a lift provided up and down to the beach. Other wise, there are steps.

Winter sun, Alvor beach

Joao de Arens
This cove is one of several among the cavernous cliffs. It can be reached by road or by walking along the cliff tops from Praia do Vau.

Tres Irmaos
This cove translates to ‘Three Brothers’. It can be found at the eastern end of Torralta beach and is very characteristic of the western Algarve ie. this area is marked by the rise of golden cliffs. There are car parking facilities next to the beach.

West Coast beaches
There many excellent beaches along this coast some of which go on for miles. Even in august it is possible to find beaches all to yourself. Forget it though if it is windy- you will be blown away. Also watch out for the waves as these and currents are generally stronger than those on the south coast.
One beach we have tried is Castelejo. This is a large sandy beach with cliffs behind and rock outcrops and a beach bar. Turn off at Vila do Bispo, go straight over the crossroads following road out of village. Follow signs to beaches and you will come to a fork in the road. Take the left fork and Castelejo is about 400 yards further on.