17 most beautiful beaches with amazing cliffs in Algarve, Portugal

These are the most beautiful beaches in Algarve with the most amazing cliffs. Golden-sand beaches with ochre-colored cliffs are signature attractions in Algarve.

In this blog post, you will find all the beautiful beaches in Algarve with photos, descriptions, how to get there, and exact locations where they can be found on Google Maps. Happy exploring!

Read more » 19 most beautiful Instagram spots in Algarve, Portugal

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1. Praia dos Três Irmãos

There are many famous and beautiful beaches in Algarve with amazing rock formations. However, I have to say that this beach – Praia dos Três Irmãos – probably tops the list of my favorite beaches in Algarve. It is full of beautiful rock formations in every corner.

You should keep in mind that the best part of the beach is actually called Praia da Prainha. It is connected to Praia dos Três Irmãos beach so you can easily walk over there.

My favorite rock formations here are the cave or an algar with interesting rock formations in the distance (first photo) and the beautiful Diamond rock (locations below).

There is another cave on this beach you should check out – read about it in this blog post! Make sure to come here during low tide when the rock formations are out of the water!

Location: Praia dos Três Irmãos · Algar at Praia dos Três Irmãos · Diamond rock

2. Praia do Camilo

Praia do Camilo is not only a great spot for a beach day but also one of the most beautiful and picturesque beaches in Algarve with some of the most impressive coastal cliffs!

It is a small sandy beach with impressive ochre-colored rock formations and a beautiful wooden stairway leading down to the beach. It is definitely best enjoyed during low tide when you can walk through a tunnel and access the second part of the beach.

Location: Praia do Camilo · Parking lot

3. Praia dos Três Castelos & Praia da Rocha

Praia dos Três Castelos is one of the most picturesque beaches in Algarve. If you are looking for that one beach where you can have photos with ochre-colored rocks in the ocean then Praia dos Três Castelos beach is a great spot.

It is located just right next to the famous Praia da Rocha, so you can actually go to Praia da Rocha and simply take a walk along the beach to Praia dos Três Castelos and explore.

I do recommend coming here during low tide as many more rock formations will become accessible! Plus it is not really possible to walk from Praia da Rocha to Praia dos Três Castelos during high tide because there are rocks separating them and they will be in the water!

During one of our low tide walks, we discovered this narrow cave inside a rock (second photo). You will find more info about the cave in this blog post.

Location: Praia dos Três Castelos

4. Praia da Marinha

Praia da Marinha beach is another one of my favorite beaches and also one of the most beautiful beaches in Algarve and in Portugal. Here you will find some of the most unique rock formations like the heart-shaped rock, Elephant Rock, and many more beautiful cliffs without names.

The beach has a huge parking lot lined with street vendors and an adventurous hiking trail along the coast if you are into such activities. The golden-sand beach will be best enjoyed during low tide as it becomes a bit narrow during high tide.

Location: Praia da Marinha · Parking lot

5. Ponta da Piedade coastal area

Ponta da Piedade is not a beach, but it is one of the most picturesque places in Algarve. It is a coastal area in the ocean full of beautiful rock formations in orange and yellow colors that are a stunning contrast to the blue waters.

Although this is not a beach, there are some hidden beaches you can explore nearby, in case you really want to go for a swim. You can also enjoy this beauty from the water. There is a boat cruise in a small group from Lagos port along the coast to Ponta da Piedade to explore beautiful rock formations from the sea.

However, if you are into kayaking then you will love to join this boat and kayaking tour from Lagos to Ponta da Piedade where you will jump on a kayak and explore the caves. They even let you swim in those crystal clear waters!

Location: Ponta da Piedade · Photo location

6. Praia do Amado

Praia do Amado is the next beach right after Praia da Rocha and Praia dos Três Castelos. This beach could be characterized as a beach of beautiful caves, algars, and cliffs.

There are two algars at this beach (one of them is on the border with Praia dos Três Castelos), so there is a lot to explore. Of course, the golden sand makes it even more appealing.

There is a nice restaurant – Green Heart – on the cliff right next to the beach as well as many parking places along the street. Read more about how to find those algars at Praia do Amado.

Location: Praia do Amado

7. Praia de Carvoeiro

Praia de Carvoeiro is a dreamy and picturesque beach in Carvoeiro town. It has golden sand and steep cliffs surrounding it. It is even more magical during the sunset when the town lights up!

There is a nice viewpoint (photo location below) near a chapel where you can get this view and enjoy the sunset. During the day it is a fantastic place to enjoy some beach activities.

Location: Praia de Carvoeiro · Photo location

8. Praia da Falésia

Praia da Falésia beach was one of those beaches in Algarve that surprised me the most! Just look at these coastal cliffs! Have you seen anything like this?

The beach is not only super long and a great choice for a beach day but it has this unbelievable background with rocks in two colors – red and white. I have never seen something like this in my life – a true hidden gem in Algarve that you should definitely check out!

Location: Praia da Falésia · Photo location · Parking lot

9. Praia de Albandeira

Praia de Albandeira is one of those little beaches with a big secret. Although the beach is beautiful, it is quite small. However, it has a big secret – next to the beach there is the biggest natural stone arch in Algarve – Arco de Albandeira.

You can either walk on it or access it through a tunnel from Praia de Albandeira beach to the second part of the beach and see it from below. The second part of the beach is only accessible during low tide.

There are also different boat trips coming to visit this beautiful arch by the sea (like this boat trip to wild beaches and also the Benagil cave and this one from Armação de Pêra to 10 caves (including the Benagil cave) and 15 deserted beaches!). The arch looks mighty whether you visit it from the ocean or from the coast!

Location: Praia de Albandeira · Arco de Albandeira · Parking lot

10. Praia do Carvalho

Praia do Carvalho is a small sandy beach near Benagil. You can access it by a stairway through two tunnels. This is the perfect choice if you want a beautiful beach without big crowds.

The beach has scenic views as it is surrounded by huge golden cliffs and is perfect for cliff jumping. There is a beautiful big rock formation in the water right in the middle of the bay.

Location: Praia do Carvalho · Parking lot

11. Praia dos Estudantes

Praia dos Estudantes is a tiny beach in Lagos that has a second part – and it can be accessed through a tunnel that goes through a cliff. What makes it unique and special is the huge Roman bridge that connects two coastal cliffs.

You can actually walk on it, but the view from the beach is even more impressive. If you are looking to explore the beach below the bridge, then make sure to come here closer to low tide!

Location: Praia dos Estudantes · Parking lot · Photo location

12. Praia do Alemão

Praia do Alemão is a popular beach near Portimão town. It is actually the Westernmost or the last beach to the West of Portimão as the coastline moves closer to the ocean and leaves no space for any beaches.

After that, the coastline stretches into the ocean and you can only observe the rock formations either from above the cliff or from a boat – there are practically no beaches (only tiny ones that appear during low tide).

There is actually a hiking trail starting from Praia do Alemão along the coastline that I really recommend checking out. You can get impressive views of crazy rock formations! You should also explore a cave with a circular hole that is accessible from Praia do Alemão during low tide (pictured above). Read more about it here.

Location: Praia do Alemão · Parking lot

13. Praia de Nossa Senhora da Rocha & Praia Nova beaches

These two absolutely beautiful beaches are located right next to each other in Armação de Pêra town. Actually, they are separated by a cliff that stretches into the ocean.

There is a white, dreamy chapel – Chapel Nossa Senhora da Rocha – at the tip of the cliff and it is a great spot for watching the sunrise or the sunset. Both beaches are golden-sand beaches with majestic cliffs surrounding them. And the white chapel in between makes them even more unique.

Location: Praia de Nossa Senhora da Rocha · Praia Nova · Parking lot

14. Praia de Dona Ana

Praia de Dona Ana is a popular golden-sand beach in Lagos. It has rugged cliffs surrounding it and many rock formations scattered along the beach and in the ocean.

It can get very crowded during high season because there are many hotels built right on the coast next to the beach. Come here for a morning walk to enjoy it with fewer people around you!

Location: Praia de Dona Ana · Parking lot

15. Praia das Fontainhas

Praia das Fontainhas is a pretty unique spot – a tiny white-sand cove surrounded by steep cliffs. This is a perfect spot to go if you like some privacy. This beach is a short hike away from the famous Albandeira arch.

There is a small path down the slope to get to the beach – not too difficult, but not easy at the same time. This beach is next to the Yellow Submarine, so you can visit these spots together. We walked to this beach from the Praia da Albandeira beach parking lot.

Location: Praia das Fontainhas · Yellow Submarine

16. Praia do Vau & Praia dos Careanos

Praia do Vau and Praia dos Careanos are long sandy beaches right next to each other in Portimão town. These are the perfect beaches for a beach day as they are quite long and wide.

Or maybe for a long morning walk along the ocean during low tide. They are both surrounded by steep coastal cliffs and decorated with unique rock formations off the coast. You can walk in both directions and discover other beautiful beaches of Portimão.

Location: Praia do Vau · Praia dos Careanos

17. Praia de São Rafael & Praia dos Arrifes

Praia de São Rafael Beach and Praia dos Arrifes are beautiful rocky, golden-sand beaches near Albufeira. If Praia de São Rafael has some rocks but it is mostly sandy and great for a beach day, then Praia dos Arrifes is a rocky beach and has some of the most unique rock formations in the area.

You can easily walk from one beach to another through a labyrinth of trails that go through an area full of colorful cliffs, hills, and uniquely eroded coastline. It is a paradise of rocks, haha!

Location: Praia de São Rafael · Praia dos Arrifes · Parking lot