Algarve’s Top 10 Family-Friendly Beaches

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Looking for the top 10 family-friendly beaches in the Algarve? You’ve come to the right place.

Several of the Algarve’s beaches are considered to be amongst the most beautiful in the world. But which ones are right for your family? We have reviewed the Algarve’s 100+ beaches and selected our favourite top 10 family-friendly ones.

From calm turquoise waters great for babies and toddlers, to adventurous activities such as surfing and dolphin watching – this article will help you pinpoint the Algarve’s beaches that are perfect for your family.

With white sands, limestone and sandstone cliffs, and clear waters the Algarve’s “Praias” (Portuguese for beaches) are truly unique.

However, families have special considerations regarding what they find appealing and important when choosing a beach. Although surfers will delight at the waves at Praia da Mareta, families with babies, toddlers or inexperienced swimmers might find the huge waves, strong winds and ocean currents unpleasant.

Choosing the right beach can make the difference between an unforgettable holiday and a day you would rather forget.

1) Praia da Marinha

Breathtaking and unique, Praia da Marinha is considered one of the most beautiful beaches not just in the Algarve, but in Europe. It is known for its golden sands, clear water, stunning cliffs, and rock formations.

On the right side of the beach, you will find the iconic ‘M Rock’. This beach is best enjoyed at low tide when the children can explore the hidden sea coves and walk up to M Rock. The water at Praia da Marinha is clear and calm which makes it ideal for snorkelling. 

Although the cliffs create stunning scenery, they also make it challenging to access the beach. Long wooden stairs give beachgoers access to Praia da Marinha. If you are travelling with young children, remember to take a sling or carrier with you. Be prepared to help them down (and then back up!) the stairs.

Enjoy Praia da Marinha’s majestic views by exploring the walking trails at the top of the cliff. If you walk West, the Percurso dos Sete Vales Suspensos (Seven Hanging Valleys trail) will take you all the way to Praia de Vale Centeanes. If you prefer a shorter and easier route, head East. There is a trail that will take you to Praia de Nossa Senhora da Rocha.  

2) Praia Dona Ana

Sandwiched between spectacular limestone cliffs, this beach is known for its calm turquoise waters, seashells and interesting rocks. Currents and big waves are rare at Praia Dona Ana, making the waters great for snorkelling. Meanwhile, back on land, the kids will enjoy exploring the seashells and rock formations.

The high cliffs and the rock formations provide beachgoers with the option of laying their beach towels in the shade without having to pay for expensive covered sun loungers or parasols. The beach is accessed by a long staircase (over 90 steps!). If you want to visit this beach with babies and toddlers, take a sling or carrier with you and be prepared to carry them.

Praia Dona Ana is one of the most photographed beaches in the Algarve. Remember to take your camera and capture some spectacular family photos against this gorgeous backdrop – if you can keep the kids still long enough that is!

3) Praia Grande

With its 2 kilometres (1.2 miles) of golden sands, Praia Grande (“Big Beach” in English) is aptly named.

Visitors to Praia Grande will find that the water is generally calm, making this a great beach for young, nervous, or novice swimmers. This family-friendly beach has several restaurants, a water sports centre, and even a children’s playground.

On the north end of the beach, you will find São João do Arade. This fort was built in the 16th Century to defend Ferragudo from pirates. Although now a private residence and not open for visitors, the fort adds an interesting background to the beach. Two wetlands, the Alcantarilha Marsh and the Salgados Lagoon, border this beach. Wooden walkways enable you to explore these habitats, making it a great place for birdwatching.

Praia Grande is across the water from Praia da Rocha. Turn your visit into a min-adventure and take the water taxi from Portimão!

Good to know: There are other beaches with similar names such as Praia Grande da Pera, don’t get confused. The ‘Praia Grande’ we are referring to here is in Ferragudo, across the water from Praia da Rocha.

4) Praia da Rocha

With Praia da Rocha’s spacious beach covered in golden sands, and surrounded by beautiful limestone cliffs, it’s not surprising that it has been a popular holiday destination since the 1930s. Over the years Praia da Rocha has evolved into a resort that caters to a wide range of tourists’ needs and interests. Both family-friendly and with a lively nightlife, there are plenty of restaurants, bars, shops, and water sports facilities to choose from. It’s no wonder that Praia da Rocha continues to be one of the most popular beaches in the Algarve.

A visit to Praia da Rocha can include much more than just sunbathing, paddling and building sandcastles. You can also take a boat trip up the Arade River, go dolphin-watching, or visit Santa Catarina (a medieval fortress).

Good to know: This resort has grown around tourists’ interests. Although during the day Praia da Rocha is ideal for families, it also has a busy nightlife. If you prefer staying in a quiet area or want to immerse yourself in Portuguese culture, consider booking your accommodation elsewhere and visiting Praia da Rocha as a day trip.

5) Praia da Salema

Take the children to Praia da Salema so that they can walk on the footprints of dinosaurs! Palaeontologists believe these footprints were left by a type of Ornithopod (a bipedal herbivore).

Although the footprints are accessible from the beach at low tide, they are best seen from above. Climb the wooden staircase towards the clifftop so that you can get the full effect of the trail left by animals that lived over 125 million years ago. Worried you might not find the footprints? Speak to the locals at the cafés and shops. They will point you in the right direction and may even tell you about Praia da Salema’s other fossils.

Safety First: Although you can walk on the dinosaur footprints (sometimes people will lay their beach towels on them, not realising they are sunbathing on fossils!) this requires a bit of climbing. Help them climb safely and supervise the children at all times.

6) Praia da Galé 

Located near the town of Albufeira, Praia da Galé is a beach of two halves. On the east side of the beach you will find sandstone cliffs, rocks and rockpools. The natural pools and shallow waters make this side of the beach great for families with young children. Meanwhile, on the west side of the beach, you will find wide-open sand, restaurants and watersports.

Love horses? Why not take a ride on the beach or explore the area as a family on a carriage ride. The boardwalk enables you to walk through the dunes and enjoy the various birds and plants that call it home.

Good to know: The water quality may vary. Some days it’s calm and ideal for paddling, on other days there is surf and a strong current. If calm waters are important for your family, check before you travel.

7) Praia da Luz

Its popularity with holidaymakers turned this fishing village into a popular resort which now offers a variety of family-friendly activities including market stalls, restaurants and watersports.

Praia the Luz has soft sands and calm waters which gradually deepens, making this a great beach for families with young children or novice swimmers. Kids will love exploring the rock pools that form at low tide. The calm and clear waters make this beach great for snorkelling. 

On the east side of the beach is Rocha Negra (“Black Rock” in English). This basalt formation (deposited by the Monchique volcano over 150 million years ago) contrasts with the Algarve’s usual limestone. On the west side of the beach, you will find a second smaller beach called Prainha da Luz. This sheltered beach is also great for snorkelling.

Good to know: Nearby is the town of Lagos, which has a variety of family-friendly activities including a zoo.

8) Ilha de Tavira

Most of the beaches in the Algarve are backed by high cliffs, however, the beaches at Ilha de Tavira consist of sandy dunes. The soft sand is perfect for barefoot walks and for building sandcastles. The water is calm, crystal clear and great for young, novice, or nervous swimmers. 

Tavira Island stretches for 11 Kilomters (6.8 miles) and contains 3 beaches: Praia da Ilha de Tavira, Praia da Terra Estreita, and Praia do Barril. The beaches on the island can be accessed by ferry.

If you are visiting Praia da Ilha de Tavira with older children (or children who are used to walking!), take the 40 minute walk towards Praia do Barril. The tuna fishing community used to be based on this part of the island, but the area was abandoned in the 1960’s. An Anchor Cemetery was created as a memorial to this fishing community.

Good to know: Also known as the Venice of the Algarve, Tavira Town is definitely worth visiting.

9) Meia Praia

If you like long walks on the beach, Meia Praia is the beach for you.

One of the longest beaches in the Algarve, Meia Praia stretches across one of Europe’s biggest bays. This natural bay is free of rocks and is composed of soft sand. Protected from the rough seas, this bay provides beachgoers with calm waters. The water is shallow and gets deep gradually, making this beach great for families.

Meia Praia is popular amongst visitors and locals alike because even on the busiest days, you are sure to find somewhere to lay down your beach towels and call your own for a few hours. This beach has plenty of restaurants and shops. Water sports lessons and equipment are available. Lagos marina is a short walk away and can be enjoyed as part of your visit to Meia Praia. It even has a Kids Club which will look after your kids while you shop.

There are various step-free entry points making it great for families with babies, toddlers or those requiring an accessible beach.

Good to know: This beach can get windy. This is great for families who would like to try water sports but be sure to take a wind guard with you if you have small children. You can purchase these at local shops near the beachfront.

10) Praia de Odeceixe

Is your family composed of children who vary widely in ages, skills and experience? If so Praia de Odeceixe is perfect for you.

Situated in the west of the Algarve, Praia de Odeceixe borders the Seixe river. It provides visitors with both ocean and river waters. This beach is uniquely positioned to provide families with quiet river water to paddle in and large ocean waves to surf in.

Confident swimmers can learn to surf at the local surf school while younger family members or novice swimmers can build sandcastles and paddle in the calm river waters. Once everyone has completed their individualised activities for the day, the whole family can come together to enjoy a family walk on nearby walking routes or recharge with a meal at one of the local restaurants.

Find your own ideal family-friendly beach in the Algarve with our checklist

Interested in a beach that didn’t make it onto our list? No problem. Run through the checklist below to make sure that it’s right for your family.

How is the beach accessed?

Algarve’s beaches often have high limestone or sandstone cliffs, with access to the beach through a long wooden staircase. If you are travelling with small children or have a family member with limited mobility, always check how the beach is accessed.

However, the Algarve prides itself in welcoming all visitors. Check here for beaches that fly the “Accessible Beach” flag. The 46 beaches that are part of this programme have the following facilities: access ramps, walkways, handrails, disabled toilets, reserved parking spaces, and unobstructed restaurant tables. Most will also have an amphibious wheelchair that will take you right up to the water! If you are travelling with babies and toddlers you might find access to these beaches easier than some of the more popular limestone cliff beaches.

Is the beach ideal for surfing or paddling?

There are three kinds of beaches in the Algarve: those that are ideal for surfing, those that are ideal for paddling, and those that alternate between the two depending on the weather/season. When choosing a beach, check what the water and currents are like. Unless you are planning on enjoying water sports, select a beach with calm waters. The beaches that are ideal for surfing are normally windy and have strong currents.

What facilities are available?

Most beaches in the Algarve that are popular with tourists will have a variety of facilities available, however, beaches that are off the beaten track may not. Make a list of the facilities that are important to your family and check to see if these are available. Most importantly, find out if (and how much!) you would need to pay for shade. If you are travelling with young children you will need to keep them safe in the sun. On a hot summer’s day, the Algarve’s beaches can become unbearably hot. If the charges for the sunbeds and parasols are too high, you should be able to purchase your own parasol at local beach shops.

What is there to see nearby?

Sometimes visitors miss out on amazing family experiences because they don’t realise that a short walk from the beach is an interesting place to explore. Make sure you research the local area so that you don’t miss out on visiting historical towns, marinas, and protected habitats.

We hope our list of family-friendly beaches in the Algarve has inspired you and you are now ready with an exciting itinerary that leads to fabulous family memories. Check out our article on all you need to know about going to the beach in the Algarve.