Western Algarve

The western Algarve stretches for a hundred kilometers from Lagoa to Sagres, and encompasses some of the region's best beaches.

The sea becomes more choppy, the water cooler and those winds fresher, changes which intensify north of Sagres to Odiaxere and beyond. This whole coastal strip with its beautiful beaches and more stark landscapes is a protected area has become a nature reserve. Gone are the familiar sandstone coastlines of the south - replaced here with dark limestone and slate cliffs and rocks. This is a wild and quite exposed coastline but of great scenic beauty; an area full of wild life and one which the Portuguese Government is determined to preserve despite intense pressure from developers. Inland, the Western Algarve has much to offer with lovely countryside interspersed with tiny villages, unspoiled and so typically "Algarve".

Praia da Rocha

Praia da Rocha – a huge, wide beach right at the front of the resort of the same name. To one end is the marina and at the other there are attractive narrow stretches of beach and coves accessed via a tunnel.

Praia da Vau – at the far western end of Praia da Rocha, a good sized beach with easy access from the car park. Cliffs provide some afternoon shade.

João de Arens – this cove can be reached by road or by foot along the cliff tops from Praia do Vau.

Prainha – meaning "small beach" it is named after the holiday complex at the top of the cliff. Accessed via lift at the resort during peak season or via steps.

Alvor

Alvor – is located 40 minutes from Faro Airport, west bound at Junction 4 on the A22 Motorway. Alvor became an important port during the time of the Moorish occupation.

Today it is a working fishing village that still maintains a traditional feel, whilst having the influence ofa modern remodelled harbour with promenade and cafes. The old town itself is a maze of cobbled streets with many restaurants, bars and shops. Alvor’s beautiful unspoilt beach boasts a number of varied restaurants catering for that leisurely lunch or a romantic evening meal. To the east are some lovely golden stretches of sand, most notably the small cove of Praia dos Três Irmãos with its magnificent red cliffs illuminated at night.

Lagos

Thonce the home of Henry the Navigator, this Anglo Portuguese became the pioneer for the Portuguese age of discoveries which lead to the opening of the Western Europe and Asian sea route. His statue in Lagos Praca da Republica is a reminder of the past when the walled city of Lagos was the return destination for Henry’s ships which usually bore a sinister cargo of slaves which were then traded at the nearby slave market. Infante Henrique (as he is known in Portugal) was the initial catalyst for later explorers such as Vasco da Gama, Christopher Columbus (who is said to have been a student at the Navigation school in Sagres) and Ferdinand Magellan. The local museum makes for an interesting visit and leads out into the Golden Chapel, a stunning place of worship.

Lagos still has a very nautical feel and it is no wonder that its centre piece is an attractive marina which is an ideal place to stroll around to admire the boats or to sit on the terrace of one of the many bars or restaurants.
Lagos centre itself has a large variety of restaurants with an international gastronomic choice. There are also several bars with regular live bands and a jazz and blues club. Approximately 11kms away is Lagos Zoo, an ideal day out for the family.

Meia Praia – a large expanse of exposed beach stretching around the bay from Lagos marina to the estuary at Alvor.
Batata – meaning "potato" this is the town centre beach located by the fort at the harbour entrance. Accessed via steps.

Dona Ana – accessed via steep steps this is a very popular beach. It is edged by cliffs which provide it with some shelter from westerly winds.

Porto de Mós – edged by cliffs, this beach has a degree of shelter from the wind and an opportunity to seek refuge from the sun in the shade of the cliffs. Easy access and ample parking.

Praia da Luz

Praia da Luz – seaside village ideal for low key beach holiday. Easy access to its broad beach edged by the distinctive black volcanic rock. Was a fi shing village, now an ideal holiday location for those with small children. Luz has become a popular place for British residents and this is refl ected in the shops and services around Luz.

Historical points around Luz include the walls of the ancient baths and the salting tanks for the fish which can be viewed just a short distance from the terrace. The local church actually gave Luz its name. It is called the Church of Our Lady of Light (igreja da Nossa Senhora da Luz) and was badly damaged after the 1755 earthquake and subsequent tsunami.

Burgau – a popular beach for snorkelling and scuba diving. Edged by cliffs it is advised that you park in village of Burgau and access beach by foot.

Salema – edged by cliffs it is a long stretch of sand popular with windsurfers and fans of snorkelling and scuba diving.

Boca do Rio – easily accessed beach but slightly hidden. Accessed via the Budens turn off on the EN125. The remains of a French man-of-mar lie on seabed 300m offshore which make for interesting scuba diving and snorkelling.

Zavial – ideal surfi ng beach with large rollers. Accessed via Raposeira exit on EN125. Road forks left to Zavial or right to Ingrina, a small cove idela for snorkelling and diving.

Beliche – park at the top of the cliffs and walk down the steep cliff path.

Sagres

Sagres is situated inside the Southwest Alentejo and Costa Vicentina Natural Park, at the most South-Westerly point of Portugal and Europe.
The coast around Sagres is dotted with more than 20 beaches: some sandy coves hidden at the foot of cliffs, others broad expanses of sand that stretch away to the horizon, all inviting you to discover them and rediscover peace and solitude. Here, in an increasingly developed world, we are before an unspoilt vision of nature.

Martinhal – just before Sagres, this is a large bay popular withwindsurfers

Mareta – this is the beach nearest the village of Sagres and provides some shelter from the wind.

Tonel – an exposed, windy beach subjected to large rolling breakers.