Albufeira Beaches

Which Albufeira beach will you choose?

Albufeira beaches are probably some of the most popular beaches in the Algarve and it is easy to understand why! There are several golden sandy beaches to choose from in Albufeira, with the most well known being Fisherman's Beach. This is where many of the Algarve's summer parties are held, but it also still retains it's traditional fishing and the colourful Algarve fishing boats are a wonderful sight both day and night. Albufeira is also very well known for Falésia Beach, a huge length of fine golden sand, running from Albufeira to Vilamoura. Olhos d' Agua has always been very popular with tourists, and this lovely beach resort has plenty of places to eat and drink to make the most of long lazy days at the beach.

Albufeira Blue Flag and Accessible Beaches

Many of the beaches in and around 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 disabled toilets and should be equipped with wheelchairs, walking aids and other equipment capable of being used in the sea as well as on the beach.

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 water forbidden	Beach temporarily unattended

Fisherman's Beach Albufeira

"Praia dos Pescadores" and "Praia do Túnel"

Praia dos Pescadores (Fisherman's beach) and Praia do Túnel, are the beaches at the front of the old Albufeira town. It is a magnificent wide stretch of golden sand, embraced by soft golden-red cliffs and boasting striking rock formations in the water. The beaches are extremely popular with tourists, because of their proximity to many of Albufeira’s hotels and the town. In summer time it is bursting at the seams as people flock to enjoy the sunshine and take advantage of the water sports on offer.

Access to Praia do Túnel is through a 'tunnel' in the cliffs under a hotel just past the tourist office with a few steps down to the beach. For disabled access, the eastern end “Fisherman’s beach”, is probably easier because the boat access can be used. Fishermen’s beach (Praia dos Pescadores), with the brightly coloured fishing boats lined up along the back of the beach, is a reminder of how Albufeira was before it became the hugely popular resort it is today.

Fisherman's Beach information:

• Fisherman's Beach beach bars and restaurants: There are several restaurants and bars looking out over the beach (many of them serving fresh fish of course!). Fishermen’s beach hosts beach parties and concerts in the summer, and at New Year too, when there is entertainment and fireworks.
• Both Fisherman's Beach (Praia dos Pescadores) and Praia do Túnel are supervised during the 'beach season'.
• Hotels near Fisherman's Beach Albufeira

Fisherman's Beach - Tip!

• It is well worth a trip down to the Fishermen’s beach either first thing in the morning, to watch the men bring their catches in, or during the evening when you can see the lights of the fishing boats dotted across the sea.

Olhos d' Água Beach Albufeira

"Praia dos Olhos d' Água"

Praia dos Olhos d' Água, or “eyes of the water” as it translates to, is a pretty beach, embraced by golden-red cliffs. It gets it's name from from the freshwater springs underneath the sands, which can sometimes be seen to bubble up at low tide (although the likelihood of this happening isn’t to be banked on).

The beach itself almost appears to be split into two, by rock formations in the sand. The hidden coves and rock pools make Praia dos Olhos d' Água a great place to spend the day with children.

Being a traditional fishing village, one end of the beach is still used by the local fishermen to bring their brightly coloured boats onto, and one of the best sights of Praia dos Olhos d' Água is the local fishermen bringing their catches in first thing in the morning, so if you are an early riser in the morning, why not go and see for yourself.

Over the last few years, the beach front at Praia dos Olhos d' Água has been redeveloped, so it now boasts a promenade, with toilet and wash facilities and new access to the beach. The promenade provides better disabled access, because the other entrance to the beach, further up the road is down some steep steps.

Olhos d' Água Beach information

• Parking near Olhos d' Água Beach: There is only very limited parking near the beach but there is quite a large car park at the top of the road.
• Olhos d' Água beach bars and restaurants: There are plenty of restaurants, bars and cafes along the promenade and up the hill from the beach to choose from for lunch or dinner or a snack at some point.
• Praia dos Olhos d' Água is supervised during the 'beach season'.
• Olhos d' Água Beach Hotels
• Olhos d' Água is an 'Accessible Beach'!

Olhos d' Água Beach - Tip!

For a lovely beach walk, start off at Praia dos Olhos d' Água and then, at low tide, walk round to Praia da Oura, which is roughly 2.5km from Praia dos Olhos d' Água.

Oura Beach Albufeira

"Praia da Oura"

Oura Beach or "Praia da Oura" is the nearest beach to Areias de Sao João (the famous 'Strip')! It is quite a short walk down a rather steep hill from the roundabout at the end of Avenida Dr. Francisco Sà Carneiro. Oura beach is a lovely sandy bay with plenty of sunbeds and shades to hire and there's still room for the more energetic to play!

Oura Beach information

Water sports: There are plenty of water sports available on the beach, parasailing, pedal boats, banana boat rides and windsurfing, to name a few!

• Beach Supervision: Oura Beach is supervised during the 'beach season'.
• Oura Beach restaurants and beach bars: The paved promenade along the back of the beach is lined with cafés and restaurants with their sunshades and tables neatly lined up outside.
• Beach Parking: If you are driving, there is quite a large car park signposted to the left, half way down the hill to the beach and this gives easy access to the eastern end of Oura Beach, with a promenade down a fairly gentle, decked sloping path.
• Find Oura Beach Hotels!
• Oura Beach is an 'Accessible Beach'!