By now we should be thinking about the destination of our next vacation, since Easter is just around the corner. As in this type of small escapades we do not want to go very far, we can choose to visit the neighboring country, discovering the coast of Portugal, and specifically one of its most touristic and beautiful areas, the Algarve.
At Algarve portuguese there are up to 240 kilometers of coastline, with spectacular and very varied beaches. From the beach full of services and people in high season to the most secluded and much quieter corners. However, it must be borne in mind that although a few decades ago this place was virgin for tourism, today it is a very common destination. That is why we will tell you which are the beaches that you should not miss.
Dona Ana
This is one of the best known beaches in the Lagos area, and it is quite wide, in an area where the beaches are limited due to the presence of cliffs. This is one of its biggest peculiarities, and that is that the sandy area is located between beautiful rock formations that give it a unique appearance.
You have to go down some stairs, and the truth is that despite this it is very crowded in high season. In it there are all kinds of services, from beach bars to hammocks, although being surrounded by cliffs the atmosphere that is breathed is calm and very natural. In addition, the waters are calm, something that many Portuguese beaches lack as they are open to the sea, and you can dive and snorkel.
Point of Pity
Near this Dona Ana beach, in the Lagos region, is this spectacular beach. Well, more than a beach, it is an area of rock formations that create golden arches of stone in the sea. The interesting thing about this place is to go down the stairs of the cliff to a tiny port where boats are rented. Thus you can see the rock formations from very close, marveling at this phenomenon of nature created by the erosion of water and wind. It is said that even some shapes such as a birthday cake can be discovered.
Beliche Beach
This great beach is next to Sagres, near Cabo de San Vicente. It is accessed by stairs that go down the cliff, from the parking lot. It has two coves, one of them only accessible at low tide, and which is certainly the calmest, but you have to control the tide so as not to get stuck on the other side of the rock. The beach bar is in the main cove. Here it is essential to stay until sunset, one of the most spectacular that can be seen.
Water Smells
This beach is located in the east of Albufeira, and it is in an old fishing village that currently lives off tourism. This beach receives this name due to the fresh water springs that arise on the beach and in the water, and that can be better appreciated at low tide. As it is a very touristy beach, it also has all the services, and a promenade at the foot of the beach where there are from restaurants to cafes and bars.
Marinha Beach
This is another of those spectacular beaches in the Algarve, which the Michelin Guide has classified as one of the most beautiful in Europe, and is not for less. It is another of those beaches in this area where there are some funny and original rock formations with arches. In high season it is full of tourists who want to visit one of the most famous beaches, so it is better to go at other times such as May or June, when you can fully enjoy the wild nature of the beach, the cliffs and the transparent turquoise waters.
Barril Beach
This nice beach is located in Tavira, a beautiful town with a lot of history, where we can enjoy its old town. In addition, on this beach its past as a fishing village dedicated to tuna fishing is very present. One of the things that attracts the most attention when arriving at the beach is the great cemetery of enormous anchors located in the area of the dunes, which generates many questions among tourists. They have been left as witnesses of the past dedicated to fishing on that beach, and give it a certain rustic and marine charm. On the other hand, the old small fishermen's houses have now been renovated to house restaurants and shops, due to the boom in tourism. In general, this beach is very wide and stands out for its fine, clear sand and clean waters.