10 Best Beaches in Faro

The Cape of St. Mary has semi-coarse golden sand, packed with a ton of sparkling seashells. Here, you can follow a footpath built with wooden planks that takes you across scenic nature preserves and leads you to the beach’s invitingly warm blue waters.

Tourists and locals alike love to pose for an obligatory photo under a wooden arch in the beach, marking the coordinates of the southernmost edge of Faro.

Praia de Faro stretches for nearly 5 km along Faro Island. It's accessible through a long, narrow bridge that crosses Ria Formosa Natural Park. Along the coast, you'll find a wealth of dining, drinking, and water sports options. Having fairly consistent swells all year round, surfers can enjoy honing their skills at this beach.

During summer months, Praia de Faro becomes one of the most crowded beaches in the Algarve region because of its close proximity to the city and the airport.

Barreta Island, also called Ilha Deserta, offers a welcome respite from the busiest beaches of Faro. If you were hoping for a peaceful and quiet holiday, head off to this 7-km stretch of fine, golden sands and cool blue waters.

You can take romantic strolls along the shoreline or have a picnic by the beach. Just remember that there are no cafés or restaurants around so make sure to pack provisions beforehand.

Praia do Garrao is one of 3 beaches in Faro collectively known as the Golden Triangle, offering access to vast luxury holiday resorts and amenities. It has private areas with sun loungers, but it also has sections open to the general public.

High-end restaurants abound in the area, all with stunning beach views. None, however, are as famous as Julias. It's named after a local who established the first café at the beach when it was only accessible on horseback.

Ancao Beach lies within Faro’s Golden Triangle, which is packed with some of the most affluent resorts in the region. Its shoreline is wide and golden, while its waters are warm and calm. Some areas of the beach are exclusively for resort guests, but there are several sections where everyone can lounge and swim.

The calm waters of Ancao Beach mean that kids can wade close to shore or go for a swim. You can also enjoy water-based activities, such as paddleboarding and kayaking. Lifeguards are constantly on patrol here, which also encourages families with young kids to visit.

Located within Faro’s Golden Triangle, Vale do Lobo is within walking distance of many luxurious hotels, high-end restaurants, and best golf courses. Two of the finest golf courses in the area – Ocean Golf Course and Royal Golf Course – can be found here.

Framed by the red-coloured cliff faces of the Algarve, Vale do Lobo has been awarded a Blue Flag since 1987. The long stretch of sand adjacent to the resort offers beach umbrellas and sun loungers. It also has a beach bar, where you can sip cocktails and indulge in homemade burgers.

Praia de Quarteira is one of the busiest summer destinations in the Algarve, offering soft, golden sands and cool waters year-round The sea is calm enough to swim in, even for kids. As it's a Blue Flag beach, the beach is very clean and regularly patrolled by lifeguards.

Modern establishments line its cobblestone promenade, making it very convenient to go for a bite or a drink after a full day of sun, sand, and sea. From Quarteira beach, it’s only a short walk to the luxury resorts and golf courses of Vilamoura.

If you’re someone who believes in that travel is about the journey, you'll love Praia da Quinta do Lago. One of the best ways to reach this destination is on foot, with the Sao Lourenco Nature Trail showing you what Faro has to offer. You can literally stop to smell the flowers as the trail reveals an abundance of flora and fauna.

This isn’t to say that the destination is uninteresting. By the end, you'll reach a stunning beach where you can sail, canoe, or windsurf – all made more rewarding by your journey.

Culatra Beach is on an island located within the Ria Formosa Natural Park, which is accessible by ferry. This isn’t your quintessential Algarve beach as it isn’t backed by ochre-coloured cliffs. Instead, it's surrounded by dunes on one side and the sea on another.

The water is crystal-clear and clean. You can go snorkelling and diving when the waves aren’t too rough and the water isn’t too cold for you. While watching the sunset on Culatra Beach is a must, make sure you don’t miss the last boat back.

Faro Este is a beautiful beach situated near Faro’s historical sites. After a day of touring the city, you can head off to the beach to relax and unwind. You can cool off and go for a swim when the waters are calm, too.

The beach is long, wide and mostly free from crowds. If you’re done with sightseeing for the day, enjoy a picnic or some cold beers at Faro Este. There are lots of bistros nearby, so you can grab lunch or coffee if you're feeling peckish. The area is very local, so you can enjoy authentic delicacies at rather affordable prices.