Beaches in Albufeira
Your guide to the best beaches along the coast of Albufeira. Our Top beaches within the resort, Blue Flag, accessibility, LGBT & nudist friendly. Uncover beaches in Albufeira with AlgarveUncovered.comAlbufeira beaches are probably some of the most popular beaches in the Algarve and it is easy to understand why! Covering some 30kms of Algarve coastline Albufeira has beaches ranging from long stretches of golden sand backed by dunes to delightful coves sheltered by multi-coloured cliffs and rocky outcrops. Fisherman’s beach in front of Albufeira old town is probably the best known as it is the setting for many an open air concert but starting from the western end here are 22 Albufeira beaches…Uncovered!

Albufeira Blue Flag and Accessible Beaches
Many of the beaches in Albufeira are Blue Flag beaches, which means they have been awarded the official Blue Flag eco award for water quality, safety and many other criteria. Many Algarve beaches are also classified as ‘Accessible Beaches‘ meaning that not only do they provide ramps, footpaths and walkways directly to the sand but also meet certain criteria for restaurant tables, bar and counter heights. They also have first aid posts and accessible toilets and are equipped with wheelchairs, walking aids and other equipment capable of being used in the sea as well as on the beach. All the beaches below are supervised during the bathing season.
Albufeira Beach Safety
The colour of the beach flags will tell you whether or not it is safe to swim in the water or if the beach is being attended by a lifeguard so try and remember the colours before you head off to your Albufeira beach!

Swimming permitted

Swimming forbidden

Swimming & entering the water forbidden

Beach temporarily unattended
Praia dos Salgados
Praia dos Salgados is the most westerly of the Albufeira beaches and is backed by dunes and also by a lagoon at the end of the Espiche River. The lagoon isn’t suitable for swimming but is home to a lot of wildlife and very picturesque. The beach continues all the way to Armaçao de Pêra – perfect for long strolls!
- Accessible
- Water sports
- Sunbeds
- Large car park
- Restaurant
Praia da Galé Oeste and Praia da Galé Leste
The long beaches at Galé are still a continuation of the glorious golden sands that start at Armaçao de Pêra but towards the eastern end the dunes give way to rocky outcrops.
- Accessible
- Water sports
- Sunbeds
- Large car park
- Restaurants
Praia do Manuel Lorenço
Intriguing rock formations and cliffs form a myriad of sandy coves along this stretch of coast and Manuel Lorenço beach is a small, sheltered bay complete with beach restaurant.
- Accessible
- Water sports
- Sunbeds
- Small car park right behind the beach
- Restaurants
Praia do Evaristo
Evaristo beach is reached down quite a long winding tarmac road and is a pretty but quite rocky small bay. It is fitted with ramps to the beach and to the quite sizeable restaurant tucked in the corner.
- Sunbeds
- Smallish parking area
- Restaurant
Praia do Castelo
Castelo beach is just around the corner from Evaristo – the road branches part way down with Evaristo to the right. A group of large rocks form a castle shape on the eastern corner of the beach and there is a beach restaurant tucked into the rocks on the western side.
- Sunbeds
- Restaurant
- Parking on top of the cliffs above the beach
Praia da Coelha
Coelha beach (“Rabbit” beach!) is another pretty cove surrounded by rocky cliffs and has a beach restaurant. The car park is around 400 or 500 metres away and a roughish path leads to the beach.
- Sunbeds
- Restaurant
Praia de São Rafael
São Rafael is quite a long sandy bay sheltered by ochre and red cliffs. There is access via steps or ramp and also a beach bar /restaurant at the back of the beach. There is some parking on the cliffs above the beach with reserved spaces for visitors with reduced mobility.
- Sunbeds
- Car park
- Restaurant
Praia dos Arrifes
Arrifes is the last beach before Albufeira marina. It’s not very big, particularly at high tide, but there is a restaurant and the views across the bay are quite spectacular as are the rock formations in front of the beach.
- Restaurant
- Sunbeds
- Parking area on rough ground above the beach
Praia do Inatel
Inatel beach is just to the east of the town but still within walking distance of the centre. There is a restaurant at the back of the beach and a cafe that marks the dividing line between Inatel and Alemães beach.
- Sunbeds
- Restaurant
- Car park

Praia do Túnel (Peneco)
Túnel or Peneco beach is the western end of the lovely sandy beach that stretches across the front of Albufeira old town (the eastern end being Praia dos Pescadores). There are several points of access to the beach including a lift, ramps and steps as well as access through the tunnel next to the tourist office in the middle of town.
- Accessible
- Sunbeds
- Water sports
- Restaurants
Praia dos Pescadores (Fisherman’s beach)
Fisherman’s beach is the other half of the beach in front of Albufeira old town. Still used by the fishermen and with fish restaurants galore at the back of the beach! There is a car park at the top of the cliffs and an escalator down to beach level for visitors driving to Albufeira. The square is often used for open air concerts and other entertainment.
- Accessible
- Sunbeds
- Water sports
- Restaurants
- Hotels near Fisherman’s Beach

Praia dos Alemães
Alemães beach is quite a long narrow stretch of sand that at high tide just about leaves enough room for the sunbeds! There are steps to the beach near the Monica Isabel Beach Club or just carry on along the beach from Inatel.
- Sunbeds.
Praia da Oura
Oura beach is down a steep hill (otherwise known as “Cardiac hill”!) at the end of “The Strip” in Areias São João. Oura is a pretty, sheltered, sandy bay which has a promenade with restaurants and cafes…a perfect spot for soaking up the sun! There is a paying car park signposted to the left going down the hill which is just a few metres from the eastern end of the beach. There are parking bays for visitors with reduced mobility near the beach.
- Accessible
- Water sports
- Sunbeds
- Restaurants
- Car park
- Oura Beach Hotels

Praia de Santa Eulália
Santa Eulália beach, just to the east of Oura, is another delightful long, sandy bay. There is a a large car park right behind the beach as well as a restaurant and “Le Club” – a venue for late night parties during the summer.
- Water sports
- Sunbeds
- Restaurants
- Car park
Praia da Maria Luísa
Praia da Maria Luísa is another pretty bay backed by ochre and red cliffs. The car park for this beach is a little way up the hill although access is allowed down the road for visitors with reduced mobility.
- Accessible
- Water sports
- Sunbeds
- Restaurant
- Car park

Praia dos Olhos d’Água
The beach at Olhos d’Água is another lovely beach right in the heart of this very popular resort. The road down to the beach, the square and promenade behind it are lined with restaurants, shops and cafes. The fishermen’s huts at the eastern end and their colourful boats on the beach also remind you that this is still an Algarve fishing village. There is a multi-storey car park on the right hand side at the bottom of the hill near the beach and a large car park at the top of the hill.
- Accessible
- Water sports
- Sunbeds
- Restaurants
- Car park
- Olhos d’ Água Beach Hotels
Praia do Barranco das Belharucas
This beach is the beginning of a huge stretch of sand backed by red and ochre cliffs that continues uninterrupted from the cliffs at the eastern end of Olhos d’Água to Vilamoura marina. There is a direct access to the beach with parking spaces for disabled visitors but you can also walk around or over the cliffs from Olhos d’Agua.
- Accessible
- Sunbeds
- Restaurant
- Car park
From Praia do Barranco das Belharucas the long stretch of beach has various names – Praia da Falésia, Praia da Rocha Baixinha Poente (Accessible), Praia da Rocha Baixinha, and Praia da Rocha Baixinha Nascente (Accessible), but you are unlikely to know which bit you are on! There are various points of access along the way and the nearer to Vilamoura the easier access is for people with reduced mobility. Large sections of the sand have boarded walkways to the sunbeds and easy access from the car parks. There are sunbeds, water sports, restaurants, car parks and much of this stretch of beach is accessible.