If you're looking for the heartland of Blue Flag beaches in Portugal, you have to start in the southernmost region of Portugal. Being a popular relocation spot for foreigners, the Algarve consistently bags the most beach awards in the country and has been crowned Europe's best beach destination more than once. It's home to the largest number of Portugal's Blue Flag beaches, but a few really stand out from the crowd.
What is a Blue Flag beach in Portugal?
You’ll see signs for ‘Praia com Bandeira Azul’ all over the Algarve, and it’s worth knowing what they mean before you start planning your beach days. Think of the Blue Flag as a seal of approval, a really prestigious international award that tells you a beach is top-notch.
It’s not just about having pretty sand. Beaches have to pass strict tests on everything from spotless water quality and excellent environmental management to top-notch safety with lifeguard services and even providing information about the local ecosystem. The status is reviewed every year, so beaches have to keep up their standards to hold onto the flag. Essentially, these are the places you can count on for a quality day out.
Best Blue Flag beaches in the Western Algarve
The western coast of the Algarve has a wilder, more dramatic feel to it. This is where you’ll find those famous jagged cliffs, sea caves and grottoes carved out by the Atlantic. It’s a popular area for hikers who walk the coastal paths and surfers looking for good waves.
Meia Praia, Lagos
Just east of the town of Lagos, this huge bay stretches for about four kilometres. Because it’s so vast, it never really feels crowded, even in the middle of summer. It’s an easy-going, accessible beach with plenty of parking and a good selection of laid-back beach bars and spots for water sports.
Praia da Salema, Vila do Bispo
Salema is a lovely beach set in a traditional fishing village where you can still see the fishermen mending their nets next to their colourful boats. The beach has a unique claim to fame: at low tide, you can see fossilised dinosaur footprints preserved in the limestone rocks.
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Top Blue Flag beaches in the Central Algarve
This is the Algarve that most people picture in their minds, and the beaches here are among the most famous in Portugal. It's a coastline defined by golden sands, coves sheltered by limestone cliffs, and lively resort towns.
Praia da Falésia, Albufeira
What makes Praia da Falésia so recognisable are the incredible red and orange cliffs that back the beach, creating a fantastic contrast with the golden sand and blue sea. It’s a huge beach, stretching for over six kilometres, and has been consistently ranked as one of the best beaches in the world by TripAdvisor.
Praia da Barreta, Faro
Better known as Ilha Deserta, which literally means ‘Desert Island’, this is a long, quiet stretch of sand on a barrier island at the southernmost point of mainland Portugal. It is accessible only by ferry or water taxi from Faro, and boasts the warmest waters in Portugal. It’s part of the Ria Formosa Natural Park, so the whole place feels wonderfully wild and untouched, a real contrast to the popular resort beaches.
Praia da Rocha, Portimão
Praia da Rocha is one of the Algarve’s original and most famous resort beaches, often recognised as one of the best family-friendly beaches in Portugal. It’s an enormous expanse of sand framed by dramatic, weathered rock formations that give it its name, 'Beach of the Rock'. Behind the sand is a bustling promenade packed with bars, cafes, restaurants and shops. The beach itself has boardwalks running across it, and there are volleyball nets and other sports areas on the sand.
Must-visit Blue Flag beaches in the Eastern Algarve
The Eastern Algarve, running towards the Spanish border, has a different character again. The coastline here is dominated by the sheltered lagoons and sandy barrier islands of the Ria Formosa Natural Park. The beaches are generally long, flat, and sandy, and the sea is often a degree or two warmer and calmer than further west.
Praia do Barril, Tavira
Barril Beach in Tavira is most famous for its Cemitério das Âncoras, or Anchor Cemetery. Hundreds of rusted anchors are laid out in the dunes as a monument to the area’s former tuna fishing fleet. To get to the beach, you take a miniature train across the saltwater marshes of the Ria Formosa. The beach itself is a huge stretch of pristine white sand said to be among the cleanest beaches on earth.
Praia de Monte Gordo, Vila Real de Santo António
Right near the Spanish border, Monte Gordo is a large, flat beach with a very wide bay. The beach is backed by a modern, pedestrianised promenade lined with apartments, shops, and cafes, and there are rustic beach bars on the sand.
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