Beaches

All the beaches of the Eastern Algarve are long, golden sand beaches with clear water which is the warmest in Portugal. They are also EU Blue Flag beaches. Between Faro and Manta Rota, the beaches lie on a chain of 5 low islands: Barreta (Deserta), Culatra, Armona, Tavira and Cabanas, and on the Manta Rota Peninsula. All form a part of the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve. All can be reached by small ferries. There is invariably plenty of empty space on these beaches if you walk for 5 minutes, even in high season. Topless bathing is acceptable in all areas. Nude bathing is acceptable anywhere outside the busy areas. Between Manta Rota and Vila Real, the beaches adjoin the land and consequently are busier and more built up behind. Even then, with the beach being an unbroken stretch from Cacela to Vila Real, there is still plenty of space for all.

Beaches of the Ria Formosa

Fuzeta

access	by foot from town to lagoon beach. Ferry to ocean beach, 5 mins, though Ria Formosa. Aqua Taxi will also take you to the beach at the tip of the island.
facilities	One café - lagoon beach. One restaurant and WC, ocean beach. Nothing on beach.
comments	Miles of empty beach left and right. Our favourite.

Barril

access	Miniature train (5 mins) or walk from Pedras D'el Rei , near St Luzia.
facilities	Everything.
comments	Kids love the train. Miles of empty beach left and right. The buildings were a tuna station, thus old boats and anchor 'graveyard'.

Tavira

access Ferry from Tavira in season, 15 mins, down Rio Gilão. Ferry from Quatro Águas all year, 5 minutes.

facilities Everything.

comments Busy in season. Beautiful out of season. Miles of beach to the right.

Faro

access Car, only 2 minutes from airport. Parking difficult in high season.

facilities Plenty of cafe's, bars, restaurants etc.

comments Long peninsula beach, developed at back. Very popular in summer, big beach scene. Faces south west so often waves - can watch sunset over water from waterfront cafe's. Lagoon of Ria Formosa the other side of the peninsula. Good bird watching close by.

Ilha Deserta

access	Ferry from Faro, 40 mins, through Ria Formosa.
facilities	One cafe near landing stage.
comments	Lives up to its name. How much empty beach do you want ? Also known as Cabo de Santa Maria, it is the southern-most point of Portugal. There is a boarded walk over the dunes. See www.ilha-deserta.com.

Farol

access	Ferry from Olhaõ, 30 or 45 mins, though Ria Formosa. 5 minute walk through village.
facilities	Cafe's and restaurants in village, one bar on beach.
comments	Good fishing off the long breakwater. Great round trip with Culatra also. Don't miss the last boat back.

Culatra

access	Ferry from Olhaõ, 30 or 45 mins, though Ria Formosa. 10 minute walk through village and dunes.
facilities	Cafe's and restaurants in village. Nothing on beach.
comments	A real fishing village. Great round trip with Farol also. Miles of abandoned beach. Don't miss the last ferry back.

Armona

access	Ferry from Olhaõ, 15 mins, though Ria Formosa. 10 mins walk through village and dunes.
facilities	Cafe's and restaurants in village. Nothing on beach.
comments	Miles of beach to the left.

Terra Estreita

access	Ferry from St.Luzia, 5 mins, though Ria Formosa.
facilities	Nothing on beach.
comments	Tavira beach to the left, Barril beach to the right.

Cabanas

access	Boat from Cabanas, 3 mins.
facilities	Everything, on a small scale.
comments	Miles of empty beach left and right.

Fábrica

access	Boat from Fábrica, 2 mins. Walk from Manta Rota.
facilities	Nothing on beach.
comments	Nice restaurant on the water for before or after.

Beaches from Manta Rota to Vila Real

Manta Rota

access	Car. Park in the huge car park behind the beach.
facilities	Everything on a small scale.
comments	The lagoon and the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve come to and end here. Miles of beach both left and right.

Lota

access	Car, walk from Manta Rota.
facilities	Cafés at back of beach.
comments	Quieter than Manta Rota in season. Walk left for Altura, right for Manta Rota.

Monte Gordo

access	By foot from Monte Gordo
facilities	Everything, even a casino.
comments	High body count.

Vila Real

access	Car. Either park on the long road out to the beach with the Guardiana flowing on your left, or cut through on the sand road and park amongst the dunes further down the beach towards Monte Gordo.
facilities	Nothing on beach.
comments	End of the line. Wide beach. Fishing from breakwater.