Meia Praia, Lagos - Just 10 minutes away, this is one of the Algarve’s most famous beaches. This beautiful sandy beach stretches for over 6 miles. It’s an ideal location for families with children, where most activities will keep the little ones occupied: investigate the flotsam and jetsam washed up onto the shore, collect shells and other marine treasures, build sandcastles or even feed the seagulls. If you’re keen on long walks then why not try one along the seashore (approx. 2 hours). With the many bars and snack bars dotted along the way you won’t ever go hungry or thirsty!

Praia de Monte Gordo, Monte Gordo – the waters are “the warmest and the safest of all Portugal”, brag the locals. This beach is permanently guarded throughout the year, but especially during July and August when holidaymakers invade it. The town and the small casino are a testimony to Monte Gordo’s distinguished past. It was once considered to be the most select bathing resort in the country, and the beach retains a certain charm. Facilities include lifeguard, restaurants, beach huts and sun umbrella hire, shower, toilets, access for disabled people and pedalo and canoe hire.

Praia Verde, near Altura - owes its name to extensive pine trees that surround the area, which unfortunately is becoming less green due to the continued building of tourist complexes. Vast sandy areas, calm seas and warm waters characterise this beach. Facilities include restaurant and bars, toilets and a lifeguard.

Praia de Barril, Tavira - is an interesting beach to visit for several reasons. The best way to access it is by train. You can visit the anchor graveyard, admire the beautiful dunes that protect the beach from strong winds, or watch the fishermen at work. The nearby ria offers the perfect living conditions for a giant community of crabs. The beach was awarded the Blue Flag in 1996. The seawater’s temperature is described as one of the most pleasant in the continent and the sand is kept immaculate. Facilities include a lifeguard, restaurant and bar, showers, toilets, wheelchair access, nudists’ area and boat trips. There are also very good sailing conditions in the ria.

Praia do Garrão, Vale de Lobo - Lying between the resorts of Vale de Lobo and Quinta do Lago this beach is easily accessible by car (turn direction Vale de Garrão half way along the Vale de Lobo/Quinta do Lago road) and is commonly known as Julia’s beach thanks to a Julia’s bar/restaurant located on the sea front. There’s a good selection of cafes, restaurants and bars to suit any pocket and some nice views to be had as you sit and drink the heat away. The beach has a concession area with a lifeguard, sun-beds and parasols. Jet-skis are also available for hire. When you feel up to it you can take a stroll along to Vale do Lobo’s beach, with its fancy restaurants and shops.

Rocha Baixinha, Vilamoura – or Tomates beach as it is also called – has a lot to offer. For a good suntan, you can either choose the dunes on the east, or the vast sandy area, protected by high rocks, which extend to Açoteias. To get there, you must reach a gate displaying a ‘private property’ sign. But don’t turn away, because this is the only access to the beach. The gate belongs to an ostrich farm. Facilities include a lifeguard, restaurant and bar, showers and toilets, and boat hiring. There can be good conditions for windsurfing. It is no doubt a beach to see and be seen.

Maria Luísa Praia, Albufeira – the majority of people who bathe on this beach are usually clients of the Club Med complex, which is situated nearby. Access to the beach is a little confusing and parking can be a problem. Despite being surrounded by tourist complexes, Maria Luísa still offers the perfect environment for a relaxed beach outing. Facilities include a lifeguard, restaurant and bar, showers and toilets, boat hiring, sailing and windsurfing.

Praia de São Rafael, Albufeira – fine sand, good quality seawater and a landscape enriched by interesting rock formations in and out of the water are just some of the features that characterise this beach. A recently opened beach bar welcomes bathers and is the ideal location for a refreshing drink or ice cream. Facilities include a lifeguard, restaurant and bar, showers and toilets.

Praia do Pintadinho, Lagoa - This little bay with a fine sand beach is framed on both sides by yellow/red cliffs. The sea is rather calm here and not as cold on the larger open beaches. This means it’s ideal for families with children. Those who like walking can trek along the cliffs above the beach and visit the lighthouse close by. Take the road between Ferragudo and Carvoeiro/Sesmarias. If you come from Ferragudo then drive 1km in the direction of Carvoeiro and when you see the restaurant “O Sitio” on your left, turn right. Follow the signs, and park directly above the beach.

Praia do Vau, Portimao – From the ordinary holiday-maker to the celebrity, thousands every year look to the calm waters of Vau. Nice surroundings with plenty to offer, in terms of entertainment, for all tastes. Facilities include lifeguard, pedalo hire, restaurant, toilets, access for disabled people, beach huts and sun umbrellas.

Praia Tres Irmãos, Alvor - On this beach you’ll definitely find picture book Algarve; a flat sandy beach, fantastic yellow cliffs and clear, turquoise waters. Several little bays are connected to each other by passageways between the cliffs. At low tide you can walk around the cliffs. You get to this beach when you take the Torralta road from Alvor. Here a subtle sign points you left towards the beach. At the end of this road you’ll find a car park and a beach restaurant.

Praia de Alvor, Alvor – although surrounded by hotels and tourist complexes – still has enough sandy area to welcome thousands of bathers every summer. The dampness of the nearby ria area is the perfect home to many species of birds which feed there. A tour around historical Alvor is recommended, as is a late afternoon walk along the ria front. Facilities include a lifeguard, restaurant and bar, showers, toilets, wheelchair access and boat trips. Often the ria offers good conditions for windsurfing.

Praia do Zavial, Vila do Bispo - At this beach sparsely vegetated rocks jut out into the sea on either side to create a little bay. With its calm waters it is ideal for children and inexperienced swimmers. The beach has its own car park in which a snack bar can be found. To get to this beach turn left off EN125 at Raposeira and follow signs marked Horta de Tabual / Praia do Zavial. After 1km, you pass a campsite and a restaurant, keep left for a further kilometre. At the Horta de Tabula follow the sign praia to your right and the beach lies 2km further.

Praia do Martinhal - Martinhal beach has natural beauty with its vast sandy area and small islands that provide it with a unique landscape. It offers perfect conditions for windsurfing and it’s safe for children. Facilities include a lifeguard, wheelchair access, restaurant and bar.

Praia do Castelejo, Vila do Bispo - The Algarve’s West Coast is a treasure not to be missed. The most beautiful parts can be a bind to get to however, and at some of the beaches it’s too dangerous to swim. So take heed and follow each beach’s recommendations as to water safety conditions. But Praia do Castelejo does have calm waters, and what’s more you won’t damage your car getting to it! To get there take the EN 125 to Vila do Bispo and follow signs marked to “Centro”. Go over a roundabout and follow signs marked “Praia da Cordoama”, “Praia da Barriga” and “Praia de Castelejo”. After about 2 miles follow the tarmac road to the left and after ¾ mile you’ll find a car park. Take 17 steps down and you’re there.

Praia da Carrapateira, Aljezur - The Praia de Carrapateira is a 300m wide sandy bay. Take the road from Vila do Bispo towards Aljezur and just before you see the sign to say you are exiting Carrapateira turn left. Here you’ll find a yellow sign marked Praia and another to the restaurant Sitio do Rio. Follow the road, opposite the restaurant on the right hand side and take the windy road into the dunes. At the end of which you’ll find a small car park from which you can take the wooden steps down to the beach.

Praia do Monte Clerigo, Aljezur - This long sandy beach lies below the pretty village of the same name. Beside the beach is a snack bar and toilets. Even on the way to Monte Clerigo there are some spectacular views. Take the EN120 from Aljezur and at the first opportunity turn right. Here signs indicating the “praias” can already be found. After about 1km bear right towards Monte Clerigo. The well signed way snakes for about 8km through beautiful hills and eventually you’ll arrive at this beautiful beach.

Praia da Arrifana, Aljezur - The Praia da Arrifana is one of the most famous beaches of the Algarve’s Atalantic coast and is worth a visit for the great views alone. Take the EN120 towards Aljezur and 1.5 km before here take the signposted road to the left towards the beach. Take a left once again and from here you can just follow your nose. A narrow, steep curvy road takes you downwards to the beach, but beware, there are only 4 places to park here.

Praia Monte Clérigo, Aljezur – A long and spacious sand bank, this beach is situated in the fishing village of the same name. At its north side, a high cliff can be seen which separates this beach from the Amoreira beach. Towards the south, small coves and sand banks can be admired, but only during low tide. The facilities on this beach include a restaurant, toilets, shower, access for disabled people and a lifeguard. It’s an ideal beach for nudists, surfers and body boarders.