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Times
27-05-2025
- Times
13 of the best beaches in the Algarve
With more than 150 coves and bays, and some 300 sunny days in which to enjoy them, the Algarve is among the loveliest beach destinations in Europe. But it's not just a numbers game — it's the variety that makes this part of Portugal particularly attractive. Family-friendly options are available at every turn, but just a short half-hour drive down the road you might find a wind-swept expanse primed for windsurfing, or rolling waves waiting for surfers. Hiring a car means it's easier to reach those quieter spots, but there are plenty of options within easy reach of cities too. To help, here's our pick of the best beaches in the Algarve. This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue CAFÉ | FAMILY-FRIENDLY Set in the western Algarve, within the Costa Vincentina Natural Park, Salema is one of the few really authentic fishing villages left in the Algarve. Here you can see the little fishing boats being pulled up on the beach by tractors and the fishermen mending their nets. Away from the restaurants and bars on the east of the beach are cliff walls made from limestone. Explore the shelves that jut out from this and you'll likely spot a footprint or two from the dinosaurs that roamed here millions of years ago. Simple but comfortable, Hotel Residencial Salema is just steps from the beach. • Discover our full guide to Portugal CAFÉ | FAMILY-FRIENDLY As important as finding the beach at the end of the rainbow is whether you will be able to park there. At the blue flag beach of Alvor you certainly won't struggle. It is a long stretch of sand and versatile too. Kite-surfers come for the reliable on-shore breezes, while families appreciate the calmers parts. There are several excellent options if you want to eat on the beach, from fresh fish at Dunas to snacks at the cafés on the edge of the golden sand. Wyndham Residences Alvor Beach puts you within steps of the waves and the centre of Alvor. • Best hotels in the Algarve Located within a national park in the northwest Algarve, this beach is renowned among surfers. It feels the full force of the Atlantic, providing the waves and swell that surfers need, and also a reliable spectacle for anyone who likes a bit of dynamism to their shoreline. It's beautiful in a rugged rather than a manicured sort of way, with wildflowers scattered across the clifftops in spring. Nearby, Living Lodge Portugal is perfect for groups and surf lessons can be booked for you at a nearby school. • Best villas in the Algarve White houses are framed by cobalt-blue waters on Praia da Cacela Velha, located at the eastern end of the Ria Formosa Natural Park and based around a wide lagoon and spit of sand. You can walk here at low tide or take a boat. Wind and tide shape the golden sand into myriad formations. There are no lifeguards or café, but families love the warm, shallow water and sense of space. Surrounded by a nature reserve and close to two golf courses, the all-inclusive hotel Robinson Quinta da Ria is primed for relaxation. • Best affordable hotels in the Algarve under £200 CAFÉ | FAMILY-FRIENDLY This is a pocket handkerchief of a beach, but the lucky few who can bag a spot on this little stretch of sand are in for a treat. It's hemmed in by cliffs, ensuring calm, clear waters of dazzling blue that are just as good for a snorkel as a paddle. There are caves behind where you can escape the heat of the day, natural pools for children to play in and, on stilts at the top of the beach, a simple restaurant. Close by, Praia da Marinha is equally worthy of a visit. It's surrounded by steep cliffs and accessed via a long staircase that acts as a natural filter — many visitors give it a miss in favour of nearby, more accessible beaches. Stay at Vila Alba Resort, which offers easy access to both beaches. • Best family hotels in Portugal CAFÉ | FAMILY-FRIENDLY Stretching for more than half a mile, this beach is a hub on the Algarve, with a number of wide walkways allowing easy access. Here you will find surfing schools doing their thing in the shallows, basketball hoops on the beach, and crowds of young people who come to chill out. Dominating the skyline is the fortress of Santa Catarina. The marina is well served with restaurants and bars by the beach. AP Oriental Beach is in a fantastic waterfront location with the Jardim da Fortaleza close by. • Best family hotels in the Algarve CAFÉ | FAMILY-FRIENDLY Free parking, a calm blue flag beach, lifeguards and protected sand dunes — it's easy to see why this Quinta do Lago strand is so popular with families. There are sun loungers to rent, boat rides on offer and great water-skiing too. The beach forms the western boundary of the Ria Formosa Natural Park, ensuring the sand dunes are pristine. Stop at the much-loved 2 Passos restaurant for a plate of perfectly cooked fresh fish when you visit. Hotel Quinta do Lago, a short walk to the beach, is also the top choice for golfers, with seven 18-hole courses in close proximity. CAFÉ | FAMILY-FRIENDLY Praia do Martinhal is wide, sandy and relatively sheltered, meaning the waters here are calmer than off the beaches just around the headland, which face the full glare of the Atlantic. Small limestone islets just out to sea are popular with snorkellers and divers (water visibility is as good as anywhere in Europe) while, a little further out, the waters are plied by wind-surfers and paddleboarders. Lifeguard supervision provides peace of mind. The Martinhal Sagres resort caters to families with children of all ages with a crèche, kids club, and play room geared towards teens. CAFÉ | FAMILY-FRIENDLY Around three miles from the town of Tavira and part of the Ria Formosa Natural Park, Praia do Barril is one of Portugal's most atmospheric beaches. The rather eerie Cemiterio das Ancoras (anchor graveyard) — dozens of rusting anchors arranged in rows — speaks to the once-flourishing, long-since declined tuna fishing days. There's little in the way of shelter, so bring your own — a miniature train arrives here via the marshy surrounds. Offering a mix of studios, apartments and villas with their own kitchenettes, Pedras d'el Rei is ideal for those who want the freedom to cook for themselves or pop into the hotel restaurant. CAFÉ | FAMILY-FRIENDLY This striking blue flag beach is located in the very northwest of the Algarve on its border with the Alentejo and was voted one of the seven natural wonders of Portugal in a national competition. What makes it so remarkable is the combination of sea and river (this is the mouth of the River Seixe), where currents and tides blend to create a mesmerising, swirling attraction of blue and turquoise waters running through the golden sands. Quite a sight. This beach is relatively remote, with few accommodation options. Fortunately, Carlo's Beach Guest House has simple but comfortable rooms a short walk from the shoreline. The rock formations of the Ponte da Piedade protect this tiny beach from waves from the southwest, resulting in extremely calm water. Warm too. It is ideal for swimming, but also for exploring the caves and tunnels in the surrounding rocks. Access is via a wooden staircase with almost 200 steps, so not one for toddlers or those intent on a hearty picnic. Base yourself at Uma Casa à Beira Sol, a quiet guesthouse set away from the beach with charmingly rustic decor. CAFÉ | FAMILY-FRIENDLY The advantage of Meia Praia is that even in peak season you should find your own little pocket of sand here — it's three miles long and spans the entire bay. Access is straightforward, with the pretty whitewashed town of Lagos within walking distance. And it has plenty of infrastructure, from water sports — particularly wind-surfing — to restaurants and bars, which more than makes up for a certain lack of charm. Set on the outskirts of town, beachfront Iberostar Selection Lagos Algarve is designed to maximise sea views wherever you are in the hotel. CAFÉ | FAMILY-FRIENDLY This beach in the central Algarve borders the Atlantic and the Arade River. Gentle waves make it a perfect destination for less-confident swimmers. There is a small play park for children in the sand, rocks to climb and even a sports pitch at one end. What brings the crowds, though, even by water taxi, is the live music and entertainment at the weekend. Set away from the beach, Hotel Rural Bricia Du Mar is a small property with an enormous pool. • Best things to do in the Algarve• Best all-inclusive hotels in the Algarve Additional reporting by Imogen Lepere and Qin Xie
Times
18-05-2025
- Times
8 of the best beaches in Europe for summer 2025
It's difficult to pinpoint something quite so subjective as 'best beach'. Would your ideal iteration be sandy, pebbly, built-up, child-friendly or almost entirely footprint-free? Are shade or snorkelling key requirements, or do you need a soundtrack and cocktails? The conundrum gets trickier still when your options span an entire continent — and Europe is hardly short of brilliant beaches. I've certainly spread my towel on some memorable shores in my 20-odd years as a travel writer, from the pebbles in my hometown of Brighton to the sands of Laganas Bay in Greece, where turtles come ashore to lay their eggs. These are just two favourites I've had to leave aside in the interests of limiting this list to the headliners. My selection is by no means exhaustive, but I've done my best to include options that might appeal to every taste. And if I've missed your favourite? Share it in the comments below. This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue Best for family holidays Sandy beaches are commonplace on Portugal's south coast, but Martinhal is a standout among them. Located near the seaside village of Sagres (which, before the Age of Discovery, was considered to be at the edge of the world), this blue-flag beauty fills a sheltered bay within the unspoiled acres of Costa Vicentina Natural Park. Atlantic breezes keep things cool on even the hottest summer days, as well as providing propulsion for blokarting (think sail-powered go-karting), windsurfing and other seaside sports. Day trips, available to book through local companies or platforms such as GetYourGuide, might take you dolphin-spotting or to Cape St Vincent's wave-beaten cliffs, or you can venture out along miles of well-marked coastal hiking and biking trails. Faro airport is less than a 90-minute drive away, and although you probably wouldn't be so keen on sea swimming in winter, it's pleasantly balmy here outside the main beach season, too. Loos and café nearby, lifeguards. Water quality: blue flag status Martinhal Sagres Family Beach Resort has stylish rooms and family-friendly villas, beach access, and excellent facilities. • Read our full guide to Portugal Best for seaside chic (and surfing) In 1854 Napoleon III built a summer residence for his wife Empress Eugénie beside La Grande Plage, the most famous of Biarritz's six beaches. The imperial palace still crowns the promenade, although the parasols and crinolines sported by strollers in Eugénie's day have long since been usurped by surfboards and wetsuits. What have survived are the rows of brightly striped 'beach tents' that stylishly provide shelter from the elements. Nearby, watch surfers at play on Côte des Basques' rolling waves, then return for sunset cocktails at the Casino Municipal. Like any European beach resort, it's at its very best in summer, when there are direct flights from the UK to Biarritz too. Loos, café, lifeguards. Water quality: excellent The former palace is now the five-star Hotel du Palais, a grand Hyatt property providing lodgings fit for an emperor,with a spa and an outdoor pool. Best for year-round sunshine One of Gran Canaria's most popular spots has a staggering 400 hectares of sand dunes and a beach that stretches for several kilometres between the resorts of Maspalomas and Playa del Ingles. Parts of it feel wild, others have rows of loungers, and there are clothing-optional and LGBT-friendly areas too. Portions of the beach have lifeguards, making it a good family-friendly option. And the other perk? A climate that's summery all year round. Loos, café, lifeguards. Water quality: blue flag status Stay at the (prettier) Maspalomas end of the beach, basing yourself at Seaside Palm Beach, a retro-chic, five-star hideaway situated in a palm grove. • Read our full guide to the Canary Islands Best for city slickers Rhodes Town doesn't just have 2,000 years of history up its sleeve. A 10-minute walk beyond the walls of this medieval marvel lies sand-and-pebble Elli, one of Europe's loveliest urban beaches. Whether you choose to stretch out on the sand, relax on a lounger, have lunch at loud-and-lively Ronda Beach Bar or leap into the generally calm sea from the diving platform, you'll enjoy the cool, clear waters and smashing views towards Turkish mountains. If you're visiting on a ferry or cruise, Elli is walkable from the Water quality: excellent Marella Cruises features Rhodes in both its Aegean Gems and Grecian Discovery itineraries, among others. • Read our full guide to Greece Best for coolcationers If you're not a fan of searing summers, a northerly beach might be more your thing. Like a Teutonic take on the Hamptons, Sylt (a North Frisian island near the border with Denmark) has long been a favourite for cashed-up Germans. Aim for Hörnum, the island's southernmost town, and its marvellously sandy Hauptstrand beach. Facing the North Sea, it has acres of space and excellent water sports. Hörnum's east-facing shore offers busier beaches; don't miss the seal who hangs out near the harbour in the hope of being thrown the odd fish. You, meanwhile, can dine out on local oysters at one of the many seafood restaurants in the town. Get there by train across a scenic causeway; Hamburg has direct connections to Sylt, taking around three café, lifeguards. Water quality: excellent The beachfront Budersand Hotel features golf, a spa and Michelin-starred dining. • Read our full guide to Germany Best for kiss-me-quick kitsch The advent of foreign holidays was bad news for Britain's Victorian beach resorts, many of which fell into steep decline from around the 1960s. Of the few resorts that kept themselves current (Brighton and Blackpool spring to mind), Bournemouth shines the brightest thanks to its magnificent main beach: a generous drift of apricot sand backed by cliffs, a promenade and colourful beach huts. There are car parks and on-street parking nearby, but you may want to travel by train to avoid spending half your day searching for a space. Tick off its seaside essentials (ice cream, fish and chips, deckchairs and the pier's arcades and attractions), then seek out classier finds like the excellent Russell-Cotes gallery and museum, an opulent Victorian villa crammed with the original owner's art and treasures. Nearby WestBeach restaurant, right by the pier, has some of the best seafood in town. Loos, café, lifeguards. Water quality: variable, check local conditions With its luxury spa and chic pool deck, the Nici brings an unexpected touch of Miami-meets-the-French-Riviera to Bournemouth's waterfront. • Read our full review of the Nici Best for adventure-seekers As the name of its Costa Smeralda (Emerald Coast) suggests, jewel-toned shores are a thing in Sardinia, but head to the La Maddalena isles (by ferry or on a day-trip)and the colours get crazier still. This archipelago — with seven main islands near Sardinia's northern tip — is known for unspoiled shores and turquoise seas, but its most unique spot is Spiaggia Rosa (Pink Beach). This rose-coloured bay on Budelli is utterly extraordinary. Being part of a National Park, it's undeveloped and unspoiled, so the best way to experience this magical place is on an excursion, whether you're staying on neighbouring La Maddalena or over on mainland Sardinia (where there's a greater choice of hotels). Water quality: excellent GetYourGuide provides island-hopping excursions by tour boat and catamaran from the north coast resort of Palau. • Read our full guide to Italy Best for party people There's a genuine sense of escapism at this pale-sand Ibizan on the south coast, less than half an hour by bus from Ibiza Town, it'shidden among pine-clad dunes and salt pans where wild flamingos reside, but this immersion in nature is balanced by lively, credible beach bars. Jockey Club is the most upbeat, Sa Trinxa feels more bohemian, and Chiringay (around the headland) is an LGBT favourite. Whichever you choose, expect to end up dancing barefoot in the sand to Balearic beats (although the beach is still family-friendly). At sunset, relocate to Experimental Beach for memorable cocktails and views. Loos (within café), café, lifeguards. Water quality: excellent, although there can be deposits of sea grass on the shore Save yourself from schlepping into town by staying at Boutique Hostal la Curandera de Salinas, where the modest but stylish rooms are within walking distance of the shore. • Read our full guide to Ibiza
