The beaches in our area are part of the central and western Algarve: high cliffs, ochre-coloured rocks and bays with fine sand. They’re sheltered, the water’s warmer than on the west coast, and they’re all within half an hour’s drive.
Our regular trio
Praia dos Caneiros near Ferragudo is the most reliable: a cove nestled amongst the rocks, a good beach restaurant and plenty of parking spaces, even in August.
Praia Grande de Pêra is the complete opposite — wide, long and open, with calm waters and a beach bar. If you have young children, this is the best choice.
Praia de Nossa Senhora da Rocha is the most beautiful of the three: a double bay with a little white chapel perched on the rock between them. It’s small, so do arrive early.
Praia da Marinha
The beach you see on postcards, with the double rock arch. In July and August it gets very busy, and the car park is often full by ten o’clock.
If you’re coming for the walk rather than the beach, then it’s definitely worth a visit: there’s a cliff path leading from the car park with views across the whole coast.
Learning to surf
On this side, the sea is too calm to learn to surf. For that, you’ll need to head to Portimão, where surf schools offer lessons on the wide town beach, with waves that are just the right size.
If you want proper waves, you’ve got to head to the west coast — that’s a different story, and a different article.
For each beach, there’s a page with all the details in the information booklet in the house — there you’ll find information on facilities, parking and the best time to go.